Things get problematic in SRSdiscussion on the topic of animal rights. Are Vegans classist? Are social justice warriors themselves (gasp!) privileged? Find out today! (np.reddit.com)
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169 comments submitted at 21:28:03 on Apr 26, 2014 by IamRooseBoltonAMA
This is what gets me: If we take this whole idea of "privilege" as a legitimate thing that people have and need to be aware of, then SJWs can easily have the whole discussion turned around on them, in terms of who's privileged or not.
Knowing about "privilege" is ITSELF a privilege; how's some farm kid in Bumfuck Nowhere gonna be exposed to this fairly niche, academic theory that's only popular in select corners of the Tumblrverse? So all of these demands that you "check your privilege" is itself a privileged expression of dominance, in terms of superior education/life experience.
I think focusing on "privilege" is a something someone "over-privileged" does, and has taken for granted that they have something good, which is pretty obnoxious to someone who doesn't have better resources. The point of good things in life is to improve one's life, not turn it into a torture device. When you're on the receiving end of the problem, you're more likely to think in terms of disadvantages and how to move past them.
Also, I don't like that phrase 'check your privilege.' People throw that phrase around a lot and they don't know someone's full history, because I'd say a lot of people have some cross to bear that they don't parade around telling people.
The concept behind privilege is sound. Its just that due to our social structure some people are born into situations where they have less negative things to deal with in life. Be it a cop not arresting a young white kid for pot where he would have a black kid or men in kindergarden education getting suspicious looks from parents if their child hugs you.
The problem with it comes in because its a lot easier to explain to someone the other way around. Its easier to point out stop and frisk targeting black people being a "black burden" rather than the lack of it being a white privilege. People tend to focus more on obstacles than the lack thereof and don't identify well with it. The reason (I think) people use privilege instead of burden is that it feels like your blaming someone for their situation and implying that "its just that way."
The consequence though is that when people point out your privilege it can feel accusing. You didn't choose to be white/straight/male any more than someone else chose to be Hispanic/gay/female but if you don't really understand what people mean when someone says you have privilege it feels like an attack and gets rejected out of hand.
And here's the kicker. No matter what people say you shouldn't feel sorry for any privilege you experience. Its just a fact of life. What you can do is recognize that you have it easier than others and be empathetic to their situation. You don't even have to become an activist for someone's cause to do it. If you can just understand that something that's straightforward for you can cause someone else immense anxiety and be a little patient you're ahead of most people.
Edit: Just reread this. It wasn't really directed at you Plex I'm kind of tired, in the back seat of a tiny ass car and got a little soapboxy.
Just because they're privileged in regard to that doesn't make them identifying other instances of privilege/oppression less legitimate.
But it does make it a lot less legitimate when you go around shouting "check your privilege" at every random with whom you have a bone to pick.
Yeah, but the ultra-agressive SJW archetype is nothing but a nice easy strawman to attack. The "movement" (or whatever you want to call it) isn't comprised of those types of people for the most part. In any case, no one is shouting "check your privilege" willy-nilly in that thread.
> but the ultra-agressive SJW archetype is nothing but a nice easy strawman to attack
If only.
They are an easy strawman, I realize, I'm not trying to be a shitlord myself, but they're not ONLY a strawman. They're definitely real and they're definitely obnoxious and alienating and their entitled, combative attitudes causes problems that are counterproductive to their legitimate goals.
... and they exist exactly where outside of isolated tumblrs?
college campuses.
Really? Care to share it with the rest of the class? I've regularly attended several college campuses and I've yet to see these mythical creatures you speak of. I've seen families preaching with signs saying anyone who listens to rock music will go to hell, and while I don't judge the rest of Christianity by those crazies, I've yet to see any of these hyper-aggressive 'SJW' creatures you claim exist. Let alone in any meaningful numbers.
http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/1cbrbs/hiimerinpizzeyaskmeanything/c9eziqp
Bubblybooble! You know damn well the restraining order states you must keep at least two paragraphs away from me at all times. You will leave or you will be reported to the proper authorities.
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You say that as if "privileged white cishet male" isn't a nice strawman that is routinely attacked by "the movement".
It's not. Y'all are just imagining they are. Unless your idea of the social justice movement consists of entirely Tumblrettes.
One word: Patriarchy.
Do you even know what that word means and the academic study and debate behind it, or is this one of those, "I don't understand this but it sounds bad so I'll assume it's what my imagination says it is" things?
Yeah yeah I must be an uneducated moron because I disagree with one of the core tenets of modern SJW nonsense.
Given the tone of your reply I'm sure you'll be just itching to smack me down with something along the lines of "I learned about Patriarchy at university and there's all these books about it and stuff so it must be 100% true all the time and everywhere!"
Anyway I'll give you my working definition of Patriarchy as it is commonly used today: Menz done did it.
If you find this horribly inaccurate then please go and let the rest of the movement know because I think most of them are working from that definition.
You do realize your arguments are effectively indistinguishable from those of young-earth creationists when they try to demonize evolution, don't you?
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http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/1cbrbs/hiimerinpizzeyaskmeanything/c9eziqp
> the ultra-agressive SJW archetype is nothing but a nice easy strawman to attack
These females look like they're made of flesh and bone.
http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/1cbrbs/hiimerinpizzeyaskmeanything/c9eziqp
Those women represent the SJ movement as much as the WBC represents Christianity.
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lel I'm not a "part" of the movement so let's not jump to conclusions here. And I'm pretty sure many people both from within and outside the movement have criticized what they did.
"hate criminals"
:*)
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>Yes, you are a part of the movement.
But I'm not part of the movement? And I am calling them out for being shitty people? I don't even know what your point is.
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Fair enough; this is more a criticism of their shitty attitude in general. It made sense when I wrote it, I swear.
If knowing about privilege is a privilege, is knowing about that a privilege? How many times do I need to recursively check my privilege when talking about this kind of thing?
Turns out, all you need to do is not be a dick. (Which is the only thing "check your privilege" was supposed to mean before it got overused.)
Oh I know, just making a dumb joke.
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Yes they are.
http://i.imgur.com/CLGd9uO.jpg
Wow, you're really dumb. BTW, since you're featuring the Borges story in your username, ever notice how zero great writers were SJWs? That's because you have to be really fucking stupid to be one.