Sometimes I find it almost impossible to remain polite and politically correct. It almost hurts to try to understand and accept what people are saying. For example, many spiritual belief systems discriminate against women particularly when they are menstruating. I have heard so many rationalizations for this, especially in aboriginal teachings. "We're not discriminating against women, they're just too powerful when they're bleeding. They shouldn't cook for other people because their power would affect those people. They shouldn't socialize outside their home because their power is too strong and might affect men. They can't participate in Round dances. ... " It's so hard to stay quiet when listening to this sort of nonsense. I just want to stand up and scream BS! I want to ask how can you decry prejudice and discrimination against your people and then perpetuate ideas that are just as pernicious. (I try to see it as reclaiming a stolen heritage, but it still makes me uncomfortable.)

I've even seen Round dance and Pow Wow posters that explicitly tell menstruating women not to attend. I boycott those events although I'm very tempted to attend when I'm on my period because I don't believe anyone checks. (At least, I hope they don't) I also refuse to attend all events where I would have to wear a dress just because I'm a woman.

Sorry for the long rant. The few times I've tried to challenge these ideas (gently) irl, I've been castigated for racial bigotry and white privilege.

There's no such thing as magic! Nothing you say or do will ever change that! (There, I said it bluntly and I fell so much better now.)