What I Learned From Arguing with a Bigot Online
Hint: Stop Engaging with Them
Sexist and racist conversations with fellow white US citizens must be handled with care, but what happens when your care is perceived as a threat? As I learn to express my views, I often question where stand. What conversations do I engage in and which ones do I leave alone?
My ethical obligations call me to speak up when I witness unconscious bias as I hope to find some sort of common ground. If my doctoral work focuses on internalized oppression, then I’d be a hypocrite to sit on the sidelines. Right? I don’t know anymore.
With pure intention, I periodically stick my head into social media conversations with individuals who hold different beliefs. I wish to learn from others — especially when it comes to matters of social justice. I am certainly ignorant. However, I have realized a fundamental difference between my intention to lean and their intention to harm.
Unfortunately, as many times as I learn this lesson (and have to deal with the aftermath), I continue to engage in conversation. These interactions leave me drained and uneasy, which is not conducive to the activism work I do, so how do I make a difference? How do I have a conversation with the opposition? I suppose, with this current climate, this may not be possible.
So I will speak through my work and through my writing. I will take political action through my vote and discussions with colleagues. I will commit to disengaging from bigots online. I solemnly swear it. Until we can call out the oppressive system without it registering as an attack, there’s no room for civil discussion.
Regardless of the non-violent approach, it’s best not to engage with strangers online unless they ask for your opinion. Hot button topics insight rage and I’m not into that bull shit. I have work to do and so do you.
