"To find out who rules you find out who you can't criticize."
It sounds like it might be saying something profound-- but it's really nonsense. (and often bigoted nonsense)
Who rules you isn't a secret. It would be much more glamorous if it were but none of us are important enough to merit such subterfuge.
One of the great privileges of power is the ability to operate in the open, because no one can stop you.
The more I think about this the more bonkers it is.
@futurebird
Also in a mature power structure, it's common that you can criticize who rules, in specific ways that don't pose any real danger to the rulers, and that lend the system an air of legitimacy and openness.
And conversely there can be social norms against superficial criticism of the oppressed, that don't significantly lessen the oppression.
