My experience with purity tests is that they typically wielded from a place of privilege, often in such a way as to defend themselves from criticism. I’ve seen purity tests used to dismiss sexual assault and ignore the lived experiences of marginalized communities.
Reality doesn’t fit neatly into boxes like the people who wield purity tests seem to want. Sometimes people don’t have the same opportunities to learn and understand. Sometimes you have to work with people who support policies that would see you dead. Not only does perfect not exist, the pursuit of it is one of the biggest barriers to achieving actual meaningful progress.
My experience with purity tests is that they typically wielded from a place of privilege, often in such a way as to defend themselves from criticism. I’ve seen purity tests used to dismiss sexual assault and ignore the lived experiences of marginalized communities.
Reality doesn’t fit neatly into boxes like the people who wield purity tests seem to want. Sometimes people don’t have the same opportunities to learn and understand. Sometimes you have to work with people who support policies that would see you dead. Not only does perfect not exist, the pursuit of it is one of the biggest barriers to achieving actual meaningful progress.