So I stumbled on this document. I don't know what to make of this. Some of those conversation points, I remember experiencing as a Muslim and an Arab. Some I remember using against women (it wasn't on purpose I swear). But... what's this document trying to achieve? The presentation is confusing, and the redundancy of the many ways in which every "trick" is hurtful, insensitive, etc., combined with the constant sarcasm, makes it hard to make out the aim of the work. Is it to insult bigots? Do they expect them to read it? Is it to help people from marginal groups counter those points? In that case, all the theatrics actually get in the way. Some bullet points, punctuated by a larger number of examples, would have been easier to read and memorize. Or is it to help well-meaning privileged people who want to stop being obliviously hurtful and insensitive? Perhaps then viciously insulting them is not the most productive way to do it.

This is all the worse because this text raises some really interesting questions and provides some good stuff to the table.

On the one hand I think it's a sort of parody of what lots of folks do, but on the other hand, while the things he lists do work, sometimes they are the relevant thing to say in a conversation.

Edit: The more I read, the more I dislike this article though. It's pretty much using a sarcastic light to show that it's bad to ever disagree with someone who considers themselves being discriminated against.

edited 25th Feb '11 6:57:47 PM by Barkey

You know, at first I could almost agree with what they were saying, but as it went on, it just turned more and more into "minorities are never wrong, and if you dare to question them about anything they say, YOU ARE A PRIVILEGED PIG!" Especially grating was the part where it talks about how all scientific studies on the subject are invalid because scientists are inherently privileged.

^it's sarcastic.

No, it's satirical. It's a laundry list of arguments made against marginalized that also ridicules them.

Something can be both sarcastic and satirical at the same time.

Anyway. It's basically what I imagine is the end result of someone who just lost an argument about racial or religious privilege. The whole thing reeks of—and I hate to use this word—butthurt. I'm honestly not entirely sure which side of the debate it's making fun of. Either way, it's annoying.

edited 25th Feb '11 10:56:00 PM by SpainSun

See this page.

edited 25th Feb '11 10:56:51 PM by Wicked223

*reads page*

Still pretty annoying. I mean, I can understand the motivation, but it's very easy to misinterpret.

Ah, thank you Spain. I couldn't quite think of a word that would describe this, but you totally nailed it: this whole thing reeks of butthurt.

[sighs] You're damn right that's what it reeks of, because you know that's all the attempts for minorities to defend themselves verbally ever are!

See, now you're sounding exactly like that article.

I don't think you're understanding my complaint here, KCK.

It reads as though it's mocking anyone who claims to be repressed or marginalized. This is in spite of claiming to be the polar opposite of that. All in all, it seems like something a grumpy redneck would write. Do not put words in my mouth or the mouths of anyone here. It is extremely rude.

@zoulza Are you not American?

@Spain Sun I apologize.

edited 25th Feb '11 11:29:22 PM by KCK

You're being hostile!

edited 25th Feb '11 11:25:58 PM by TheMightyAnonym

I like how no one's actually bothered to refute the content of the article.

Y'know, Wicked, I'm getting extremely tired of your Mr. Smug Superiority attitude. If you're not going to actually contribute to the thread, go do something else. I like you, but it's getting annoying. You've been doing it a lot lately.

edited 25th Feb '11 11:30:54 PM by SpainSun

I like how the only time I ever come across this thing is when I am tired and out of my mind. As such the whole thing never makes any damned sense to me. I can't figure out what its point is supposed to be. I just know that it sounds annoying as fuck and my inability to comprehend the purpose (possibly due to the fact that I only ever read it when deprived of sleep) annoys me further.

edited 25th Feb '11 11:34:15 PM by Aondeug

I think I've remained on-topic for this thread, but if you feel that way, then fine, I apologize.

Let's try that again: I think you and zoulza are being too quick to dismiss the article out of and focusing too much on its tone.

There's not really a lot of content to focus on, if you understand what I mean. Being satire, it is essentially all tone, and if it gives the wrong impression—indeed, the complete opposite impression—as it did to me and a few others, then it's not working.

A well thought out, plain and simple article on the subject would be a lot more useful.

@Aondeug The point is to show people common derailing tactics that members of the majority use in their arguments against members of the minority.

The article may be too satirical, yes, but it's much more than that.

@Anonym It's 'cause I mad.

edited 25th Feb '11 11:38:01 PM by KCK

Oh no, not the hostility! I'd better clean up my act, I don't want to marginalize you guys :'(

Personally, I read this more as trying to satirize the arguments of people who try to "marginalize" minorities, only failing terribly because most of the things they bring up are, quite frankly, ridiculous. I mean, you know something's a bit off when they start saying that scientific inquiry is invalid, anecdotal evidence from a single person is the gold standard, and if you try to point out that something being brought up is irrelevant to the discussion at hand, you're just a privileged douche.

KCK, no, I'm not an American.

Ah. Ok. Maybe the author should write in a clearer fucking way then. Apparently I'm not the only one confused judging by Spain and that other guy whose handle starts with z. Now that the mystery of this annoying thing is settled I can sleep. Sleep and pray that this thing never, ever torments me again.

edited 25th Feb '11 11:38:03 PM by Aondeug

@zoulza That explains a lot.

@Aondeug Don't use derailing tactics and you won't have to worry.

edited 25th Feb '11 11:42:59 PM by KCK

Someone needs to write a companion version that has an exact opposite perspective.

I think I'll just start killing people who link it. That will solve my problems.