Over Zealous Social Justice Warriors Can Actually Shut Down Valuable Conversations
An Unpopular Opinion: Is our over usage of the words "racist", "homophobic" and "sexist" actually weakening our argument? Our generation is forgetting how to disagree civilly.
How Social Justice Warriors Can Actually Shut Down Valuable Conversations
I have noticed a disturbing trend in my generation; the emergence of over-the-top self-appointed "social warrior" types who in their enthusiasm to demonstrate how worldly they are, actually prevent educated discussion. They can be found on any social media site making sure the entire world knows just how dedicated they are to their various causes by reposting pictures and lamenting the state of a society they themselves have barely entered. They can be found in any liberal studies college class, generally starting every sentence with the words "I feel like…" or "Because I am…" and inserting some minority status, real or imagined immediately after, often insulting the group they claim to be a part of in the process by speaking as if for everyone.
I have no issue with my generation's passion for social change and I think most genuinely want to make the world a better place, but the showmanship involved takes away from this in so many cases. On any controversial Facebook post I see people positively tripping over themselves to appear more progressive or accepting or enlightened than anyone else. There is a grain of arrogance found here, and a competition that can only be won by being a member of the group in question. And then, when the argument is at its peak, one party inevitably throws out a "phobic" label.
This is what concerns me the most, the tendency to try and shut down a discussion on something controversial by simply accusing the other person of being racist, homophobic, transphobic, or sexist. My other favorites are the words "hateful" or "ignorant". This is wrong on many levels. Firstly, in many cases the person is not well versed on the subject, but uneducated is not the same thing as having a genuine hatred or phobia for a group of people. Calling them these names cheapens the term for those who truly deserve it. Adolf Hitler was racist. Your friend's grandmother's daughter, who shared a tasteless joke about a black celebrity, is probably not.
Secondly, this method of snobbish name-calling effectively ends a conversation, which is really the only way to bring about change. Yes these conversations can be uncomfortable at times, and yes, you may want to throw your computer through a wall when trying to talk to some people in particular, but ending the conversation ends the opportunity for both sides to walk away with a new perspective.
Lastly, there are far too many occasions when those words are simply used in response to an opinion that you don't agree with. I am afraid our generation is slowly forgetting the meaning of the words "agree to disagree" and instead, must hurl insults instead of hearing another person's idea. While it may be very different than your own and may even feel morally wrong, it is their opinion, and accusing someone of being racist/sexist/etc. because of it, demonstrates a lack of character, and maturity. Take this example, a friend recently shared that meme floating around about Caitlyn Jenner winning the Arthur Ashe award, and the picture discusses wounded veteran Noah Galloway and proclaims he was the "runner-up". Another friend of mine shared an article stating there was no "runner-up" for the competition and commented that people who shared the original meme were hiding their transphobia behind admiration for the military. While the intent was to defend Caitlyn Jenner, what this person did in the process was accuse anyone who thought one person should have won a competition over another person of being transphobic. Again, this is an insult that should be reserved for those who are truly transphobic, not those who disagree with contest results. Instead of making statements discussing the various forms of bravery or any other method of promoting understanding, this person chose to insult and attempted to invalidate an opinion on false grounds.
Next time you encounter a position you disagree with, think about ways to discuss it without those words; racist, homophobic, sexist, transphobic, misogynist. Save those for the people who really deserve them. If you cannot do that, you need to reevaluate your convictions and the arguments backing them up. Real change will come from discussion that treats every opinion, even those vastly different from our own as having value.
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