lj-writes:

closet-keys:

You ever notice how people defending completely morally reprehensible bullshit will be as vague as physically possible? Because even they realize most people would find their opinions repulsive if they were specific about them.

People will say “Wow it’s so strange people in fandom can’t differentiate between fiction and reality. It’s really dangerous to think that ‘bad thoughts’ are equivalent to actual crimes” because they know damn well how bad it’d sound to directly say “I think adults should be able to create and distribute animated child porn on a public platform”

People will say “I just believe in free speech and think that any belief should be permitted to be voiced and if it’s truly wrong it won’t stand up against debate, but we need to hear everyone out and understand their point of view” because they know damn well how bad it sounds to directly say “I just think nazis should have the right to express their views; I agree with some of them so I want to hear them out about their arguments for ethnic cleansing”

People say “I just think women’s shelters should be for females” because they know how bad it sounds to say “I don’t view trans women as women and am so disgusted by them I would rather they be killed by their abusers than be legally equated to me in any context”

It’s so fucking disingenuous and gross.

The takeaway from this, to me, is to be very explicit and specific with your goals and beliefs. And if you find yourself in a group that uses extremely vague messaging, consider that maybe their beliefs are more fucked up than you’re letting yourself realize.

This was something George Orwell discussed in “Politics and the English Language.” Also: yup.