You know what, I REVERE trickster figures. I do. That's why this shit gets on my tit. I LOVE trickster figures. I honor them in my religious practice. I feel I know them. And I don't recognize any of them in the inanity that some people spout in their names.
1) Trickster's fun is never supporting the strong against the weak. (Compare Prometheus' theft of fire from the Gods for the benefit of humanity to "I'm just making fun of your PCness by making racist jokes! I'm TRICKSTER!")
2) Trickster's humor does not protect or inflate hir own ego. It is not cowardly. Ze takes risks and often suffers the consequences of hir actions. (Compare Raven being burned black by the Sun, or Coyote's pubic hairs being plucked out, to "You are all less enlightened than me because you do not appreciate my jokes I am TRICKSTER!")
3) Trickster is an outsider due to circumstances beyond hir control, not just someone who imagines themself to be an outsider because their actions cause people not to like them. (Compare Loki, one of the Jotun in a world where the Aesir rule, to "OMG it was just a meanspirited and sexist joke now you're all mad at me but really I'm not a dick I'm TRICKSTER!")
4) Trickster defies and mediates binary oppositions, rather than creating, upholding, and relying on them. (Compare Hermes, messenger between Gods and mortals, with "You hate me it's all a conspiracy you are just all against me you are greyfaces and I am TRICKSTER!") |
