From: Kathryn Aegis (aegis@igc.apc.org)
Date: Fri Jan 17 1997 - 18:52:04 MST
Lee Daniel Crocker:
>I don't doubt your perception, but I must say that mine is the
>opposite. When I see someone upset by a statement, it is usually
>a simple, straightforward statement of fact or opinion.
I believe that we may be talking about different types of offense here.
My concern centers around power dynamics and the ways in which
persons are belittled and controlled through intimidation and verbal
bashing. Language as a primary mechanism of social control.
Your statement regarding generalizations is telling. Most minorities
do NOT consider generalizations to be 'just' generalizations, and
most conflict theorists consider them to be legitimate causes of anger.
After all, these generalizations were used to hold people back all these
years, and minorities are sick of hearing them. They certainly have
no place in advanced intelligent discussion. As I write this, I
wonder why this isn't a completely obvious point to persons like us
who hope or claim to be advanced humans. I certainly wouldn't want
anyone I deal with to think that I believe dimwitted garbage about
their particular identity. And I certainly wouldn't want to inflict
any emotional pain on them in that manner. But that's just me, I
guess.
Sin,
Kathryn Aegis
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