Watch: Maltese Content Creator’s Important Lesson On Privilege After Shocking Hate Crime Against Gay Youth
Maltese content creator Kurt “Rumbajsa” gave an important lesson on privilege after the news that eight minors lured a young gay youth to Torri l-Aħmar via a dating app, only to beat him up and steal his phone.
Kurt laid out the meaning of privilege, explaining that those who benefit from it shouldn’t see this fact as a bad thing, an insult, or a means to minimise any other problems they may face in different scenarios. It’s simply a truth that needs to be acknowledged so that those who don’t benefit from this privelege can receive the protection they need and deserve.
“When you spend a life without fearing that someone is going to tease, threaten, assault or degrade you for an intrinsic characteristic, that, in itself, is privilege. This isn’t a bad thing, if anything, it’s a good thing.”
Kurt went on to say that the call for equal rights is not an attempt by the LGBTIQ+ community to bag more rights than heteronormative people or take away rights that already exist. Similarly, laws protecting gay people and members of the community from violent attacks do not give this community a leg up from the rest of society.
“There isn’t a law to this effect for you because it has never been needed.”
Every time Kurt goes out, there’s the possibility that he can be insulted, jumped or attacked. Whether he is or isn’t is based on who he encounters which is ultimately a matter of chance, he explained.
“So, when you see stickers of a rainbow, pride parades and laws against discrimination, those aren’t there to victimise or antagonise you. Just because it doesn’t directly involve you doesn’t mean it’s acting against you.”
Over the weekend, the news that eight minors catfished a gay youth to beat him up and steal his phone acted as a stark reminder of a dangerous and hateful mindset that still exists in Malta. Worse still, it’s being harboured by young people.
The local LGBTIQ+ community reacted in shock and outrage, with Kurt’s reaction being one of many educating the nation on the realities of being gay in Malta.
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