As a Designer, I have learned that community engagement is as complex as humans themselves. It requires us to work with a range of people who have strong opinions and a lot of pride invested in their community. The term creative community building describes efforts to weave multiple endeavors and professions into the never-ending work of building and rebuilding the civic, physical, economic, and social fabric of the community. We are all creative. We each see the world with unique perceptive and interpretive powers.
When political platforms endorse or propagate harmful ideologies, it fosters division within communities and undermines the inclusive environment necessary for effective civic design by fostering distrust, excluding marginalized voices, perpetuating inequalities, and fueling extremism. This type of platform, characterized by discriminatory rhetoric and policies, poses significant challenges for designing for communities and community building.
“Conservatism consists of exactly one proposition, to wit: There must be in-groups whom the law protects but does not bind, alongside out-groups whom the law binds but does not protect.”
Examining the Texas Republican Party's 2024 Platform
The Texas Republican Party's 2024 platform, as outlined, reflects a deeply concerning stance towards LGBTQ+ individuals, perpetuating discriminatory rhetoric and harmful policies. It not only opposes LGBTQ+ rights but actively demonizes and dehumanizes members of the community, framing them as abnormal and undeserving of legal protections.
“Homosexuality is an abnormal lifestyle choice. We believe there should be no granting of special legal entitlements or creation of special status for homosexual behavior, regardless of state of origin, and we oppose any criminal or civil penalties against those who oppose homosexuality out of faith, conviction, or belief in traditional values.”
“Therapists, psychologists, and counselors practicing in the State of Texas shall not be forbidden or penalized by any licensing board for practicing authentic reparative therapy or other counseling methods when counseling clients of any age with identity disorder or unwanted same-sex attraction.”
And finally a huge one, "we oppose any criminal or civil penalties against those who oppose homosexuality." With this choice quote they have effectively created a way to gay-bash.
Additionally, with the platform's endorsement of practices like "reparative therapy" and bibles being taught in schools, we find Conservative politicians, conservative religious leaders, religious organizations, and sometimes conservative scholars, positioning themselves as guardians of traditional values, targeting LGBTQ rights due to their perceived conflict with traditional family structures.
Soapbox Moment
Lets begin, all together now, Homosexuality is a natural and a normal expression of human sexuality. It always has been, it is now, it always will be - and long after all of us are dead and our existence forgotten, there will still be gay-oriented babies being born on every continent, in every country, and in every culture. Same as it ever was - and will be. One more time for folks in the back-
A. It's not abnormal.
B. It's not a lifestyle.
C. It's not a choice.
You know what is an abnormal, lifestyle choice? Religion, wielded as a tool for control and division, stands as an abnormal lifestyle choice when it becomes a vessel for indoctrinating hate. In Texas, Republican tactics often veer into the realm of stochastic terrorism, where the demonization of certain individuals or groups serves as a dog whistle for violence. Maya Angelou's timeless wisdom echoes through these tumultuous times: "When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time." This cautionary tale speaks volumes about the dangers of enabling hate in the pursuit of political gain, a reminder that our actions today shape the world of tomorrow.
“If you can convince the lowest white man he’s better than the best colored man, he won’t notice you’re picking his pocket. Hell, give him somebody to look down on, and he’ll empty his pockets for you.”
Consequences of Discriminatory Platforms
This Texas Republican platform serves to create a climate of fear and hostility towards LGBTQ+ individuals, and women as a whole, emboldening those who harbor discriminatory beliefs to act on them with impunity. It's a stark example of how political rhetoric and policy decisions can directly contribute to the marginalization and harm of minority communities. Let's break it down,
Demonization and Dehumanization: The platform language not only opposes LGBTQ+ rights but actively demonizes and dehumanizes members of the community. Phrases like "homosexuality is an abnormal lifestyle choice" and the call to oppose any legal protections for LGBTQ+ individuals contribute to a hostile environment where LGBTQ+ people are portrayed as less than human or inherently deviant.
Incitement to Violence: By framing LGBTQ+ rights as antithetical to "traditional values" and religious beliefs, the platform implicitly encourages supporters to take action against LGBTQ+ individuals. This can range from discrimination in everyday life to outright violence, as seen in cases of hate crimes.
Legitimization of Harmful Practices: The platform's endorsement of "reparative therapy" or other counseling methods to change sexual orientation or gender identity perpetuates harmful and debunked practices. This not only disregards the well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals but also contributes to a culture where conversion therapy is seen as acceptable, further marginalizing and endangering the community.
Political Power Dynamics: The call for a constitutional amendment to make it difficult for Democrats to win statewide offices demonstrates a willingness to manipulate the political system to maintain power. This can have dire consequences for LGBTQ+ rights, as it suggests a commitment to enacting discriminatory policies regardless of public opinion or democratic principles.
Use of this type of mass communication to incite violence against specific individuals or groups, results in statistically probable but seemingly random acts of terrorism. This manipulation of emotions, particularly disgust, involves dehumanizing and vilifying targets, leading individuals to commit violent acts unpredictably. Recent events, such as the mass shooting at Club Q in Colorado Springs, reflect this phenomenon, with hate-fueled rhetoric contributing to violence against marginalized communities, including the LGBTQ+ population.
Promoting Inclusivity and Advocacy
It's crucial for us, as members of society, to actively nurture inclusive communities and combat discrimination in all its forms. This involves challenging harmful ideologies, advocating for policy changes that protect marginalized communities, and promoting empathy and understanding in our interactions. By standing together and speaking out against injustice, we can create a world where everyone feels valued, respected, and included.
Discriminatory political platforms hinder the participation of marginalized communities in the design process. When individuals feel threatened or excluded due to their identities, they are less likely to engage in civic initiatives or contribute insights and experiences. This lack of diverse perspectives undermines the effectiveness and legitimacy of community design efforts by fostering an atmosphere of distrust and hostility. Marginalizing or targeting certain groups fractures the social cohesion necessary for collective problem-solving and collaboration. Civic designers rely on community trust and cooperation to implement effective solutions, but divisive rhetoric can erode these foundations.
Political platforms like the Texas Republican Parties endorse discriminatory policies and perpetuate systemic inequalities within communities. By legitimizing practices like "reparative therapy" or advocating for constitutional amendments to suppress minority rights, these platforms reinforce existing power dynamics and inhibit progress toward a more equitable society.Additionally, the spread of hate-fueled rhetoric and ideologies on online platforms exacerbates these challenges. Stochastic terrorism, fueled by online hate speech, contributes to real-world violence and extremism, further fracturing communities and undermining efforts at community building. Designing for communities in this context requires addressing immediate needs while also combating the underlying forces driving division and exclusion.
It's essential to address the root causes of extremism through early intervention, enforcing laws against hate speech and incitement to violence and disengaging from media platforms that profit from promoting fear and division are crucial steps toward fostering a more humane society. In the words of Harvey Milk and others, change begins with speaking out and advocating for the rights and dignity of all individuals. Creative community building, involving diverse perspectives and expertise, is essential for nurturing inclusive societies.
“Rights are won only by those who make their voices heard.”
