Word to the wise

[salienne]

When engaged in any sort of debate, but especially a political one, and especially one that begins to center around race, do not, and I repeat, do not attempt to make your point by calling the other person ignorant. Holding an opposing opinion is not ignorance; it's holding an opposing opinion. Now, I realize "ignorant" sounds like an intelligent way of sneakily calling someone an idiot and thus wrong in his/her beliefs, but you know what? It makes you sound like a pompous moron, and it pretty much brings the discussion to a screeching halt of rising tempers and name-calling.

If in the middle of a debate, someone pointed their finger at you and started going, "Hahaha, you're stoooopid," would you want to listen to them? Would you even want to bother with them? No. So please, tell me, why be a hypocrite and do it yourself? What on earth do you think it's going to accomplish except maybe make you look good (which, by the way, it also fails to do)?

That is all. Thank you.

Comments

[neytaritook.livejournal.com]

Seriously...

Today I listened to a marine debate with a anti-war lady. She was presenting her case much better than he was and you could tell she has probably had more education, but then she said "Well, you're ignorant for believing that." >:-|

A few hours later I was discussing the pros and cons of communism with a fellow student. I said "Well, some people would say that" (and I can't remember what I said, but it was something to do with the level of suffering true communism produces) and he replied "They're just ignorant."

So your astute observation couldn't have come at a better time.

[lunaserenade.livejournal.com]

*snorts* Teehee. *pet pet pet*