Welcome to the World of Pulitzer Prize Winning Political Cartoonist Michael P. Ramirez
Safe Space 2015
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The death of debate: How discourse has devolved into offense taking, name calling and word warping.
FEBRUARY 7, 2017 UBERDOOFUS
There was a stretch of time in our nation’s history—oh, about 224 years—when healthy discourse could be passionate—even heated—and intelligent, sensible and helpful in hammering out good ideas while discarding bad ones.
A time when words meant what they mean. And weren’t hurled about willy-nilly in fits of emotion-charged ignorance. During this relatively civil epoch, people were offended by libel and slander and profanity, not—horror upon horrors—by disagreement and logical, position-threatening argument.
In this age of correct language usage, words were used toexpress ideas, not to name-call or as conversation enders.
Where does one go in a spirited back-and-forth, when he’s called a “hater?” He’s stopped dead in his tracks and has to circle back and defend himself instead of defending a point or position.
Here’s a scenario that I haven’t experienced, but that happens every day in our country. Just plug in whatever hot issue you want; it works like the exchange below:
John, a racist xenophobic Islamophobic fascist Nazi “debating” Jill, an open-minded, big-hearted modern progressive thinker:
John: “Let’s talk about this. I don’t hate you or your opinion on this issue, I just—”
Jill: “Haters gonna hate.”
John: “What? No, I’m not hating ANYTHING here. What I’m saying is that I disagree with your take on the immigration hold because—”
Jill: “You’re spewing hate because you don’t like Muslims—you’re afraid of them. To me, you seem Islamophobic and bigoted. And racist.”
John: “What? What the … NO! I am NOT racist OR bigoted. I’m not afraid of Muslims. I’m just not sure the immigration hold is an evil idea. I just—hey, where are you going? I’m not trying to offend you—I just thought we could talk about this.”
Jill: “I’m sorry, I can’t talk with you. I AM offended. If you aren’t against the Muslim ban, you’re a fascist and a racist and a bigot. Just like that Hitler in the White House. Hater.” read more
The death of debate: How discourse has devolved into offense taking, name calling and word warping.
FEBRUARY 7, 2017 UBERDOOFUS
There was a stretch of time in our nation’s history—oh, about 224 years—when healthy discourse could be passionate—even heated—and intelligent, sensible and helpful in hammering out good ideas while discarding bad ones.
A time when words meant what they mean. And weren’t hurled about willy-nilly in fits of emotion-charged ignorance. During this relatively civil epoch, people were offended by libel and slander and profanity, not—horror upon horrors—by disagreement and logical, position-threatening argument.
In this age of correct language usage, words were used toexpress ideas, not to name-call or as conversation enders.
Where does one go in a spirited back-and-forth, when he’s called a “hater?” He’s stopped dead in his tracks and has to circle back and defend himself instead of defending a point or position.
Here’s a scenario that I haven’t experienced, but that happens every day in our country. Just plug in whatever hot issue you want; it works like the exchange below:
John, a racist xenophobic Islamophobic fascist Nazi “debating” Jill, an open-minded, big-hearted modern progressive thinker:
John: “Let’s talk about this. I don’t hate you or your opinion on this issue, I just—”
Jill: “Haters gonna hate.”
John: “What? No, I’m not hating ANYTHING here. What I’m saying is that I disagree with your take on the immigration hold because—”
Jill: “You’re spewing hate because you don’t like Muslims—you’re afraid of them. To me, you seem Islamophobic and bigoted. And racist.”
John: “What? What the … NO! I am NOT racist OR bigoted. I’m not afraid of Muslims. I’m just not sure the immigration hold is an evil idea. I just—hey, where are you going? I’m not trying to offend you—I just thought we could talk about this.”
Jill: “I’m sorry, I can’t talk with you. I AM offended. If you aren’t against the Muslim ban, you’re a fascist and a racist and a bigot. Just like that Hitler in the White House. Hater.” read more