why is a toy shark a symbol for trans people anyways? (hexbear.net)

submitted 1 year ago by DADDYCHILL@hexbear.net to c/chapotraphouse@hexbear.net

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blahaj, a stuffed animal sold by a company that is the number one consumer of wood in the world. it becomes extremely popular because of memes, more people buy it. i dont get it comrades, it seems like pandering to me. ikea isnt like boeing in terms of awfulness but its existence is resulting in increased deforestation around the world. the ikea stores act as cultural embassies for sweden, they provide a sanitized commodified disneylandesque experience of sweden which really helps their public image on the world stage when they are allowing hate crimes against muslims to occur in their country, but hey, buy the toy shark, trans rights, consume treats, all being trans is is buying useless shit with the pride flag on it from corporations that wouldnt have hired you ten years ago but now want your money. in conclusion blahaj is a class traitor, embrace neopets, i sure hope theres no weird shit going on there like a christofascist owns it and is donating money to trump, and no i didnt look up anything about neopets, im just assuming theirs something bad there too. i wonder how right i am about that?

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[-] Frank@hexbear.net 23 points 1 year ago

I think a big part of it is having a cheerful, fun shared symbol that a marginalized group of people can share to feel a sense of connectedness. It's a token of membership in the group that helps people who often feel extremely isolated and besieged by a hostile society remember that there are other people who share there experience and who support them. As a stuffed animal Blahaj is literally an object for providing emotional support, both in normal times and in times of distress. While the adoption of this particular shark was likely arbitrary, it has proven to be an extremely powerful unifying symbol.

okay I'm taking off my Anthropologist hat now. Back to shitposting.

[-] Frank@hexbear.net 23 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Most Hexbears are either suspicious of or opposed to consumer activism. There are a couple of memes and one-liners about Leftist beliefs not requiring a vow of poverty, or the adoption of an austere lifestyle. It's also recognized that individual consumer choice does not meaningfully effect corporations. Basically - Feeling guilty about it won't help anyone. Buying from allies and fellow travelers is encouraged where possible, and if you have the option certainly do avoid buying from particularly bad companies, but "There is no ethical consumption under capitalism" is an oft repeated saying and understood in the sense that anything you buy is tied in to global capitalism in some way or another.

That said, uncritical support for people who choose the five fingered discount version of trans shark liberation.