I don’t see how a single thing in this comic is “just focusing on optics.” Not allowing children to transition? Staying invisible? Not talking about how JKR is a monster working to strip bodily autonomy away from all women in addition to genociding trans people? Not demanding equal rights?! A vague reference to trying to appeal relatable and normal does not specify what exactly we need to do better. What exactly is the problem with this comic?

Besides, the even more ignored facet of civil rights movements is how even less optics focused pushes played a necessary part in strengthening the causes of those being “respectable.” Listen to the reasonable one or face the wrath of those pushed to desperation. It’s not like Ghandi succeeded because of nonviolence alone; the violent response to his imprisonment was far more popular and effective because he wasn’t listened to. Similarly, fear of a violent backlash was part of getting the Civil Rights Act passed, as demonstrated by the anti-rioting laws passed in the same breath. The same goes to those who threw bricks at cops when they stormed their bar, or those who rudely harassed lawmakers alongside the respectable push for gay marriage.

And throughout all of those movements compromising on rights never helped us earn them. When Stacy Abrams agreed to a law that implemented voter ID in an effort to get some federal voting reform pass, not only did it not go anywhere, but now she is on record as having agreed to it. Every time a Democrat says we shouldn’t play sports, the right only gets more rabid in demonizing us. In today’s political climate, the right capitalizes on every compromise, uses every capitulation as an excuse to weaken your position. It’s quite literally better to lose a fight you were never gonna win with your dignity intact than to throw it away in desperation. If you are unwilling to accept this dynamic, you will never build a stong moment for anything.

Optics always matter.

Only the visible get seen, only the vocal get listened to.

Anyone who says otherwise has never interacted with normal people.