A short essay on why you should stop calling people SJW

[BloatedGuppy]

Pfft. What's next? Ask people to give up fanboy? How else are you supposed to denigrate people you disagree with but can't be assed to debate based on their argument's merits, if not through dismissive names?

Come on OP. It's like you don't even know how to forum.

 

[Dizchu]

These so called "SJW" do more harm to the term Social Justice then any other hate group.

I wouldn't call SJWs a "hate group" because they're not really a group, more like a type of individual (narcissistic, privileged, condescending etc.) I'd definitely refrain from calling them a "hate group" because hate groups actually have goals they wish to achieve and all SJWs do is spout nonsense that make themselves look oppressed so they can get sympathy.

You know something? I would love to be Bayonetta. She's pretty kickass.

Oh my god thank you, someone agrees. I hate how unrealistically good-looking female characters must be "objectification" while gruff beefcakes are "power fantasies". I always feel much more at ease playing a female character regardless of how "sexualised" they are. If done right the "sexualisation" can become power fantasy because I love the idea of being a kick-ass woman with insane resilience and martial arts skills that still ends up with gorgeous hair and perfect makeup. (It doesn't hurt that I find the female form much more aesthetically pleasing but shhhhhh they'll call me a misogynist...)

It's no less ridiculously awesome than being an indestructible space marine that can carry an arsenal of heavy weapons and soak up thousands of enemy bullets, c'mon.

 

[Something Amyss]

It takes me back to grade school, or even kindergarten. When you just want to stop a conversation you go straight for poo poo head and that's it! It's over! You win! Or it devolves into "I'm not a poo poo head! You're a poo poo head!"

It really does come off as sort of a childish last resort.

"I disagree with you."
"Well you're a...a...you're a SOCIAL JUSTICE WARRIOR!"
I sort of expect them to say they're not going to sit with me at lunch next. Which is fine. I'm used to it.

FOREVER ALONE!

 

[Gestapo Hunter]

These so called "SJW" do more harm to the term Social Justice then any other hate group.

I wouldn't call SJWs a "hate group" because they're not really a group, more like a type of individual (narcissistic, privileged, condescending etc.) I'd definitely refrain from calling them a "hate group" because hate groups actually have goals they wish to achieve and all SJWs do is spout nonsense that make themselves look oppressed so they can get sympathy.

You know something? I would love to be Bayonetta. She's pretty kickass.

Oh my god thank you, someone agrees. I hate how unrealistically good-looking female characters must be "objectification" while gruff beefcakes are "power fantasies". I always feel much more at ease playing a female character regardless of how "sexualised" they are. If done right the "sexualisation" can become power fantasy because I love the idea of being a kick-ass woman with insane resilience and martial arts skills that still ends up with gorgeous hair and perfect makeup. (It doesn't hurt that I find the female form much more aesthetically pleasing but shhhhhh they'll call me a misogynist...)

It's no less ridiculously awesome than being an indestructible space marine that can carry an arsenal of heavy weapons and soak up thousands of enemy bullets, c'mon.

i actually meant for example how like PETA claims their all for animal protection but they usually end up making the whole idea as a joke or in some case doing tthe complete opposite. Just didnt know how to write it out.

 

[Dizchu]

How about... we shouldn't use the term SJW because it's just ridiculous. I don't even know how many times I've been called that in the past couple months, and it means nothing to me. All it does is make me quirk an eyebrow and realize that you're not going to listen to anything I say and that debating you is hardly worth my time.

I've been caricatured as an SJW type by some because of my views on gender and trans advocacy. However I agree with the common sentiment behind the term (privileged white people trying to speak over the people they claim to advocate). I'd strongly advise people not use the term in more formal discussions or to directly address people because it suggests that a conclusion has already been arrived at.

That said I have also been called a misogynist because of my views on Zoe Quinn and like the term SJW I would appreciate it not appearing in the form of ad-hominem attacks or slander. The difference of course is that SJW is a sarcastic term and misogynist has very serious implications. Considering the kind of person I am I took it pretty personally when I got called a misogynist because the people that use that word are really not joking.

 

[Skatologist]

Why dont these tublr and SJW turn all their righteousness and fury on ISIS who are actively kidnapping women and putting them in rape camps for their members or criminal organization like in south east asian who not only sell drugs (golden triangle) but have been know to attack remote villages and kidnap people children to sell into the slave market.

Probably because there is nothing whatsoever they can do about it? ISIS is being fought by the military forces of various nations, SJWs on the other side of the world aren't going to make any impression.

I also kind of liked this answer from this video. Granted, whether or not "SJW"s actually do this is relative to what you think about them I suppose and what can be considered one:

 

[Something Amyss]

*sigh* Fine, I'm just going to sit out by the tree anyway... Anyone else that wants to come can.

I'll go sit under it and write deep things in my poetry book.

However I agree with the common sentiment behind the term (privileged white people trying to speak over the people they claim to advocate).

The common sentiment is "people I don't agree with," which is why you've been labeled it. When you argue that it means something else, you sound like the folks who try and rationalise how "******" means lazy and is totes not racist.

A lot of people have been labeled "SJWs" for doing less than you, even, and you're busy going off on how SJWs are "x" and it's not particularly helpful to anyone. Even you, apparently, as you've been labeled one. Though the rationalising may make you feel better in the short run.

I sincerely doubt that people are separating you from the other SJWs when they discuss whether "they" are like a hate group.

 

[Gestapo Hunter]

Why dont these tublr and SJW turn all their righteousness and fury on ISIS who are actively kidnapping women and putting them in rape camps for their members or criminal organization like in south east asian who not only sell drugs (golden triangle) but have been know to attack remote villages and kidnap people children to sell into the slave market.

Probably because there is nothing whatsoever they can do about it? ISIS is being fought by the military forces of various nations, SJWs on the other side of the world aren't going to make any impression.

I also kind of liked this answer from this video. Granted, whether or not "SJW"s actually do this is relative to what you think about them I suppose and what can be considered one:

I guess i was a little uppity in that post but it just make me so mad to see these people just sitting in the comfort of their homes thinking making a hashtag will make the lives of other better. Ever since ive moved to China ive actively participated in helping schools in the poorest part (and i mean poor for a fast modernizing country like China people do fall through the cracks) I mean sure those kids aren't starving but many of them dont have simple things our kids take for granted in schools. Like desk,chair,hell even school books! so me and a couple of people (i guess you can call us activist) raise some money or buy school supplies ourselves and deliver them directly to the schools. hell we even manage to get a school bus for one school so kids dont have to get up at 3 am to walk a couple of miles to school just to be on time for classes. So if thousand in not million of these so called "Social Justice" activist or whatever actually went out and spent a little bit of money or time actually helping people instead of sitting at home clicking approval for whatever trending #CRAP imagine how many people lives would be help even if its in a little way.

 

[ZippyDSMlee]

I dunno like most things these days SJW's is a trend mindless people hope on and expect change by doing nothing other than complaining while people with more evil intentions make the trend cringe worthy.

 

[Skatologist]

I guess i was a little uppity in that post but it just make me so mad to see these people just sitting in the comfort of their homes thinking making a hashtag will make the lives of other better. Ever since ive moved to China ive actively participated in helping schools in the poorest part (and i mean poor for a fast modernizing country like China people do fall through the cracks) I mean sure those kids aren't starving but many of them dont have simple things our kids take for granted in schools. Like desk,chair,hell even school books! so me and a couple of people (i guess you can call us activist) raise some money or buy school supplies ourselves and deliver them directly to the schools. hell we even manage to get a school bus for one school so kids dont have to get up at 3 am to walk a couple of miles to school just to be on time for classes. So if thousand in not million of these so called "Social Justice" activist or whatever actually went out and spent a little bit of money or time actually helping people instead of sitting at home clicking approval for whatever trending #CRAP imagine how many people lives would be help even if its in a little way.

Eh, I just call people "slacktivists" despite what they believe in or claim to fight for online when they do is ultimately no much bigger than spreading information, liking/sharing things, and doing other incredibly small gestures.[footnote] This is why I don't view GGers as too much better as the SJWs they claim to fight [/footnote] I'm planning on just doing a lot of community service work in the next few years on my time off from schooling, working and gaming. It's probably the best way to actually know you're making a difference.

 

[UmberHulk]

Ok, here's one thing I've been noticing. You have a habit of looking at something, and then interpreting your own reason for it based on your own social theories rather than looking at the evidence.

Think, if social normalization was the reason, why would so many people be moving to 8chan at the same time?

You do realize that's how the human brain works right? We observe an event than processes it through our brains creating a mental picture that fits within our perspective.

 

[RICHIERICAN]

I know gamegate is a big issue for us to discuss the issue of game journalism corruption it is very important not to lose the real fight of having true transparency in game journalism!!

 

[Thorn14]

Social Justice Warrior is pretty much how I describe Social Justice Extremists.

May have good ideas but go about it in a dangerous and unhealthy way. Think PETA. Yeah helping animals is good but they go way too far and end up hurting their cause.

 

[Silvanus]

You do realize that's how the human brain works right? We observe an event than processes it through our brains creating a mental picture that fits within our perspective.

Of course. That's the problem. It should be pointed out.

However I agree with the common sentiment behind the term (privileged white people trying to speak over the people they claim to advocate).

I don't believe that's the common sentiment behind the term. It's one sentiment, certainly, but far from the common one.

It is applied too commonly to members of the minorities themselves for that to be the case.

 

[AgedGrunt]

SI will start with my gamming credentials.

Your "cred" and passion about games is irrelevant, and anyone who looks at the actions of few and stretches that to comment on everyone under a vague label is a complete asshat. It would be like meeting some jerks who speak Italian and thinking it makes Italian people look bad. You're not only wrong, you're creating a prejudice and drawing an illogical conclusion, a fallacy not unlike the one you pompously criticize others of doing.

I do have a right to comment on your behavior because it affects me. When you harass people, make poor arguments, go around calling people social just worriers

Translation: I have the right to say what I want, even if it's a poor argument, and not be subject to the kind of label that's become associated with ignorant, narrow-minded keyboard activists who will counter-attack critical opinions and the people behind them. I'm also associating anyone who harasses and makes poor arguments with people who use the term "SJWs", because more logic.

Now I have watched the tropes vs. women youtube series. It isn't great, a lot of the points aren't well thought out but there are some good points in there and it is very hard to take an objective look at the gaming industry and not come to the conclusion that it would be very difficult to love this thing if you were a woman.

This is like Mad Libs:

Now I have played video games. It isn't great, a lot of the games aren't well thought out but there are some good games in there and it is very hard to take an objective look at the tropes vs. women youtube series and not come to the conclusion that it would be very difficult to love this thing if you were a man. (to be fair though, not even all women agree with her and her "research")

tl;dr doesn't even cover it. I started reading and regret every bit of time wasted.

 

[Dizchu]

The common sentiment is "people I don't agree with," which is why you've been labeled it. When you argue that it means something else, you sound like the folks who try and rationalise how "******" means lazy and is totes not racist.

That really depends on the community the discussion is taking place in. I'm sure there are plenty of right-wingers that think that anyone that defends gay/trans rights and challenges traditional gender roles are "social justice warriors" but they tend to use the term interchangeably with words like "liberal" or "millennial" or "feminist" or whatever group they wish to caricature.

When speaking with my own peers the term "SJW" is a shorthand for the exact kind of person I described in my previous post. I don't doubt that many people share this definition. When people see the term being used for the aforementioned reason and being used to dismiss any kind of progressivism, I can sympathise with why they'd like to do away with it. It's not a term I'd personally use in a serious discussion for that exact reason.

However you seem to think the common sentiment is "people I don't agree with". "Misogynist" has also been used in that way (Twitter has been rife with that word's overuse lately). In conservative spaces I wouldn't be surprised if dissenting opinions get called "liberal" in a sweeping generalisation or vice versa. Some people really like dichotomies and "SJW" is an easy way to dismiss opposition. I'd argue that the trouble lies with people using childish debate tactics rather than the term, which is supposed to be a joke in the first place.

A lot of people have been labeled "SJWs" for doing less than you, even, and you're busy going off on how SJWs are "x" and it's not particularly helpful to anyone. Even you, apparently, as you've been labeled one. Though the rationalising may make you feel better in the short run.

I got labelled an SJW by an idiot that didn't want a proper discussion. If the term wasn't around I could have easily been called something else, probably something more offensive. I personally think the term SJW is useful in casual conversations to refer to a specific kind of person. It's like the term "white knight". It gets misapplied a lot but I can completely sympathise with its origins.

I sincerely doubt that people are separating you from the other SJWs when they discuss whether "they" are like a hate group.

What can I say? There are people that like to make huge generalisations. It sucks but there's not a lot I can do about it.

However I agree with the common sentiment behind the term (privileged white people trying to speak over the people they claim to advocate).

I don't believe that's the common sentiment behind the term. It's one sentiment, certainly, but far from the common one.

It is applied too commonly to members of the minorities themselves for that to be the case.

You may be right. I typically try to distance myself from spaces where transphobia, homophobia, sexism and racism are permitted so maybe the only context I'm getting is from people that dislike being spoken for by certain patronising individuals on soapboxes.

 

[Bara_no_Hime]

**snip**

First off, I want to applaud you in general. Well said! I hope people read it because you just nailed every point. Thank you for posting it.

Anita Sarkeesian
This brings me to the feminist frequency and Anit Sarkeesian thing. First and not be too repetitive, but stop, seriously stop everything you are doing on this topic. The hateful tweets, the YouTube videos calling her a liar and a fraud, the sexiest, abusive, and harassing blog posts. All of this needs to stop for two reasons
1) As I said above, you aren?t making your point. If you think what she says is wrong you have done everything in your power to make everyone else in the world think she must be right.

This is so true.

When I first saw Anita's videos, I was like "Meh, Second Wave feminism. Yeesh, she really doesn't give people credit for having brains, does she?"

And then I saw the response to it - the attacks on her - and I was like "Holy crap! She's RIGHT!" Not her philosophy or analysis, both of which I still disagree with due to me being a Third Wave feminist, but her negative opinion of gamer culture suddenly seemed a lot more real. The outrage and attacks proved her point far, far better than her actual videos did.

And, when I said as much here on the Escapist (that the bad reaction only helped prove her point), I got yelled at for being a "feminazi" and not being a real gamer.

So yeah, you are once again exactly right.

And finally, thank you for attacking the term SJW. It's such a stupid term. **sigh**

 

[Guerilla]

(4chan seems to have become PC)

because Social normalization works.

Considering "social normalization" happened through censorship and shady deals, "social normalization" sounds a lot like a 1984 term. And you wonder why people hate SJWs? Here's your reason.