Difficult ideas and social justice.

[sols_light]

I get a lot of things wrong and one of the most prominent seems to be every time I try to define any social justice terms other than those in common usage or those that relate directly to my cis-centric, ableist, privileged experience, I get many things wrong

Comments

[neo_leviathan]

The diverse range of terminology really does cause issues with these kinds of things, especially when groups that surround one particular sphere 'make a word their own' and assign it a specific definition for their particular area.

I've gotten into trouble a few times by making a statement involving the dictionary use of a term, and then been told off (with reactions varying from from the "That's not how we use that word here, it means X" to the "You useless privileged fucktard prick how dare you spout your hate here" end of the spectrum) because I wasn't aware that it has an entirely different definition for these people.

And that's not even going into different regions having different standards for terminology.

I just think it'd be nice for people to finally wake up in the 21st century and just ditch all barriers and stereotypes around what a person should be/do/wear/have/act/be with as the stupid archaic things they are and just let people be people.
Of course, that's one hell of a pie in the sky dream but we can always hope.

[sols_light]

I definitely agree. People are people first, everything else second, things like laws need to reflect that.

[keldaryth]

But that's the thing. I really find the way that some communities go directly to the "You useless privileged fucktard prick how dare you spout your hate here" at the slightest provocation to be largely counter productive. If they aren't willing to share their definition and help educate people on the way they are reclaiming/changing word meanings, then I fail to see how they can expect and demand understanding. It's like saying "You don't understand me so let me do/say whatever I want because not doing so is offensive." Courtesy is a two way street and just because you may be more societally priveleged or 'average' does not mean that a minority group has the right to dislike and/or abuse you for it without getting to know you or taking the time to explain things to you if you have a genuine interest in understanding. Maybe you never will understand, but that doesn't mean you can't try and it doesn't mean we can't coexist peacefully or be friends

[blinvisible]

There is a reason the communities do that. Those communities are supposed to be safe places from privilege and when privileged folk burst in demanding to be educated because they are privileged, it destroys that safety.

What irritates me about the social justice community is the arbitrary enforcement of forum rules to shut down dissent and when they insist that people outside their community take on activist stances.

[frabjously]

I like this comment.

[frabjously]

Law and society is a bit chicken and the egg. Where do laws come from and how are they made and changed? From people in society - often those in privileged positions.

[sols_light]

Much appreciated for the encouragement. Thank you.