I Am Not Your Teachable Moment

February 21, 2015 / Robot Hugs

Originally published on Robot Hugs and cross-posted here with their permission.

Have you ever been treated as a teachable moment, a feel-good story, or a well of information – when you’re just trying to get home?

This comic shows what it’s like to get intrusive, unsolicited opinions and questions about your identity.

It’s a helpful reminder that you don’t have to deal with being objectified, and a valuable lesson on how not to approach strangers.

With Love,
The Editors at Everyday Feminism

Click for the Transcript

I am not your teachable moment.

Person 1: (Sitting in a wheelchair facing an adult and 2 children).

Person 2: (Referring to Person 1) “It’s ok, kids. Go ahead and ask him anything. He won’t mind.”

It is not my job to educate you.

Person 3: (Standing and wearing a hijab).

Person 4: (Speaking to Person 3) Why do you have to wear that scarf?

I am not something to be acted upon to make you feel good about yourself.

Person 5: (Wearing dark sunglasses and standing by a couch)

Person 6: “There’s a free seat behind you. Here, let me help.”

Person 5: “No thank you, I’m good.”

Person 6: (Forcing Person 5 to sit on the couch). “There you go, buddy. You’re welcome.”

I am not required to reassure you.

Person 7: (Speaking to Person 8) “That joke you told was really inappropriate and sexist.”

Person 8: “Yeah, but you know I’m not sexist, right? It was only a joke. You know I didn’t mean anything.”

I am not your Lifetime movie.

Persons 9 and 10: (Both are masculine-presenting and they are holding hands)

Person 11: “Oh my god, it is so brave of you to be out and proud, right in front of the whole world. You. Inspire. Me.”

I am not here for your entertainment.

Person 12: (Walking by with a stern expression on their face)

Person 13: “Come on, smile, sweetheart! It can’t be that bad!”

I do not care about your unsolicited opinion.

Person 14: (Sitting at a table with a book in their hand)

Person 15: “You know, I actually find septum piercings on girls pretty unattractive.”

I am just trying to get home.

We are on our way to dinner.

I do not have to answer your questions.

I am not going to soften my opinions so you can avoid looking critically at yourself.

My life is not “brave.”

It is mine, not yours.

I do not want to be gracious and thankful.

I do not want to smile.

Don’t you dare touch me.

Fuck you and your good intentions.

I am angry.

Fuck you.

I just want to get home.

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Robot Hugs is a webcomic that discusses identity, gender, and sexuality, explores depression and mental illness, and often includes cats. The creator lives in Toronto; they have a degree in Linguistics and a graduate degree in Information Studies. Specifically, they identify as a non-binary genderqueer peoplequeer mentally ill non-monogamous kinky critical feminist robot. Their hobbies include worrying, being concerned about things they can’t change, being angry, being uselessly angry, hiding from the world, and knitting. Follow Robot Hugs on Twitter @RobotHugsComic.