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Let's talk about gatekeeping! What is it?
According to the dictionary, it's tending or controlling
access to a gate. According to UrbanDictionary.com,
it's "Talking on the phone while on the toilet"?
What? No. Okay, ignore that.
Let's return to that first definition,
"Controlling access." It's that part of gatekeeping
that has given rise to its slang usage
and that's what I want to talk about today.
Gatekeeping is when you take it upon yourself to
decide who belongs to or has access to
a certain community or identity.
It's when you make a really big deal that
'That band's not really punk.' It's when you derisively say that
'Bisexuals aren't really ***.' And yeah, it's when you
get real mad because 'That girl's not a real geek.'
I mean, come on, guys it's a rough world out there.
If you can find a community or identity
that helps you make sense of the world,
find your place in it, or just makes life
more enjoyable, why should anyone
tell you otherwise? And what it comes
down to is that it's not your place.
You don't know that person and their life,
you're not the arbiter of what is and what is not.
You're not the Mayor of Punktown,
you're not King of the Gays, and you're not the
Geekmaster General. I'm pretty sure that's Wil Wheaton.
Now, quick caveat. This rule is not about
privileged people trying to occupy space that
doesn't belong to them to make a point or whatever.
This is not about people co-opting other
peoples' heritage. I'm not trying to
protect *** here. If you're unsure whether
a situation calls for gatekeeping, ask yourself
this question: What is the cost to me
of allowing this person access to my community,
and what's the benefit to them? If you find the cost to you
is nothing, or just annoyance, and the benefit to them
significant, I implore you to let it go.
I think you'll be happier for it. If you disagree with me,
or have anything to add, I encourage
polite, constructive discussion in the comments.
Thanks for listening.