If you are the member of a privileged group AND call yourself progressive

[ChaoticTrilby]

226. Social justice warrior buzzwords?

Perhaps, you ought to send me a dictionary, so that I can be a little more careful then. Wouldn't want to offend anyone with improper word choice. In any case...

First point: My explanation was complicated? Really, it was expanded upon in the original post: calling people "thin-skinned" for calling others out on language/jokes that they've been the butt of all their lives, while the joke-makers haven't been, is ass-holish. Listening to them, and trying to understand where they're coming from, is better. How was that?

Focus on very public complaints:

I got that motive behind it, but was trying to apply it to this situation specifically, as you seemed to be directing the article at me. I've never gone to a site's forum and complained about the site's language myself as I do see that as rather passive-aggressive/ineffective. I try to limit such complaints to forum threads explicitly meant for discussion, especially since I know that those who post such threads do not always want to be personally messaged complaints and might actually prefer to just deal with comments. And even then, I do this very rarely, and only in especially egregious cases.

So, overall, I agree that such tactics are rather weak and reek of ulterior motives.

Lack of interest in dialogue:

I have never used that phrasing, thankfully. I believe that we should all try to educate each other on various matters. We can all learn from each other, as I see it, so I do get a little irritated with the "educate yourself" ammo. Social Justice Warrior Buzzwords: Avoided!

On that note however, you have to expect at least a little irritation from those who have gotten used to being called "thin-skinned" even for politely asking that others not use some sort of hurtful language. It's easy to become jaded after a while. Maybe it would be good to take their vitriol in context too?

Lack of consideration for context or intent:

Of course, that sort of context ought to be taken into account. It would probably be obvious in such an instance that the word "fag" would refer to a cigarette (or bundle of sticks.) I think it's only understandable to become angry when the word is explicitly used as an insult - whether the rest of the essay/article/etc. is otherwise well-written and progressive. That was what I meant when I said that it would be bad for a writer to use a homophobic slur - which the word "fag" is not, in certain contexts - as synonymous with "jerk." That would contribute to a homophobic atmosphere, while simply using the word itself for cigarette would not. And it would usually be cleared up, with apologies made on the ostracizers' side, after some quick explanation. At least, I would hope so.

As for that last point, I can understand the reasoning behind that logic, but I also understand the defensiveness in the "it is what it is" attitude because it often springs from the position of a woman/racial minority/etc. feeling as if someone who has not had to deal with the related discrimination is trying to wave away the experiences of that person (or, perhaps, that person's friends/family members/etc.) I'll admit that I occasionally fall into the "it is what it is" pothole, but I just as often have to deal with people who have an "it is what it is" attitude about the idea that "words are words and we shouldn't fear them because that just gives them power." This, to me, just sounds like one of many justifications for speaking like an ass hole. So, when two stubborn forces go at each other, well...nothing happens. I'll admit, both sides tend to be partially responsible for this. I know I can sound obstinate at times, though I don't mean to, but that's the case for most people - and for just about any position in an argument. It isn't exclusive to "Social Justice Warriors" and responding with one's own stubbornness/defensiveness doesn't help the situation.

Finally, yes, there's a meme. I get it. This is funny. It seems to mostly revolve around hypocrisy though. If you're calling me a hypocrite, please explain why. Don't expect Tumblr to do it for you, because that is actually pretty passive-aggressive.