Venting When it comes to advocacy groups that support marginalized people, all of them reject CTB as a valid option!

[TAW122]

While it is great that there are various groups that support and stand up for various marginalized people, whether minorities, people with disabilities, or those who are not accepted by mainstream society, or even persecuted, pretty much all of the groups and organizations that support said marginalized people reject CTB as a valid option, when their support fails or if there is no other solution for said people.

It really infuriates me because I always viewed CTB as an option. It is NEVER NOT a (valid) option and in fact, logically speaking, it is indeed the solution when there is no other solution that suffices for said individual (and is also a personal choice that only the individual themselves can make). Anyways, back on the topic, by this I mean just pick any marginalized group that support disenfranchised groups or the marginalized within society. I do appreciate that they do talk about certain social issues and bring whatever grievance said group of people are facing and suffering from and try to work towards a solution. However, sometimes the "solution" just isn't good enough and almost always even in those 'supportive' groups they all turn down the idea of CTB being an option. I think instead of out-right rejecting CTB as even an option, it shouldn't be the first option, but it also should NOT always be rejected. Doing so only makes the marginalized individual feel even more trapped and without a say, a voice, or any autonomy within their support group.

Here is an example, and this is prevalent even in social media platforms (not limited to FB, Reddit, IG, other specific communities, and more). Take one of the subreddits called r/Aspergers and there are even some people who are within the marginalized group that are rational and self-aware enough to recognize sentience and suffering. Some of these individuals decide to talk about the right to die or even allow voluntary euthanasia for people (Said person of that thread is also one who has the condition, so that alone should already dispel any attempt to discredit said person's view because said person IS A PART of that group! However, that isn't always the case…), and of course, the majority of the subreddit seems to disregard even their own for trying to be a voice of reason or giving said person a chance to hear them out.

While there are many other examples, the overall gist of this thread is pointing out how it is really horrible that many supportive groups especially those who support the "fringes and marginzalied" segments of society (not only limited to those that are known mainstream, but even the undesirables by normies and the masses), don't even see some of their own as valid, when those few rational people discuss even the idea of CTB being an option. I can understand that people shouldn't be pressured into CTB (as a pro-choicer, I can see problems of coercion and pressure, and I fully support individual autonomy, not be influenced or pushed, pressured, or coerced by a third party or anyone), but NOT blanket dismissal and denial of CTB ever being a 'valid' and sometimes even 'rational' option. I think that if they at least respect the negative liberty right (they have no obligation to provide a positive right or actively assist), meaning that they do not impinge on said individual(s) or intervene against one's own attempt or plan to CTB.

 

[Loaf of bread]

Right to die isnt viewed as a marginalised group or civil rights movement currently. Its the primitive dark ages for us. Maybe in 5-10 decades there will be advocates, but right now its like womens rights in the 19th century

 

[ShatteredSerenity]

It's frustrating that we aren't able to have open discussions about right to die in more forums. My state passed the Death with Dignity Act in 2008 which legalized medically assisted dying in certain cases, but it's extremely limited and little further progress has been made in the 17 years since it was passed. It would be controversial to expand this law, but people need to start talking about it at least to get the ball rolling.

On the other hand, I can understand hesitation of groups supporting marginalized people to broach this topic publicly. It could give off vibes of Nazi euthanasia programs, and regardless of how inaccurate that is the toxic negative PR could be devastating. It's also really hard to overcome the opposition to right to die based on religious moral arguments, at least here in the US. The headwinds against right to die are so strong, people will generally try to avoid the topic entirely in order to avoid damaging their own cause.