Suppose, just suppose, theoretically, that someone has PTSD because they were raped. Let’s forget, for a moment, the argument as to whether there’s a rape culture, the supposed stats on false rape claims, and how often men are raped vs. women. We’ll discuss that another time. Here is one person, who happens to be a woman, who was brutally raped and has PTSD because of it. Rape jokes send her into a tailspin of depression, a terrible place — especially if she is not warned ahead of time. I know that might be a stretch for some to imagine, but let’s suppose, just for a moment, that’s true.
Would you care? Theoretically, would you care?
If you would not care, do you have any place to be surprised or offended if someone calls you a misogynist?
What if someone DOES get PTSD from death threats? What if they are in fear for their life and their children’s lives? What if the primary reason people want them on social media is because they want a toy to play with, because their tears are hilarious to them? Theoretically, what if that’s true?
Do they not have a right to block people who are a threat to their mental health and the good they can do in the world? Do they have a right to report violations of service because they are afraid of their safety? Or do they have to remain psychologically crippled for the rest of their lives? Do they have to live in constant fear that someone will kill them or someone they love in the dead of night?
Because what I’m hearing, honestly, is that even in the worst cases, they have to stay on social media. There is a moral obligation to put their psychological health at risk (which, you’ll claim, isn’t at risk in spite of any evidence — but if it was, it wouldn’t matter anyway). There is a moral obligation not to protect their families and moral wellbeing. Because they have to be on Twitter or Facebook or YouTube to be your toy.
What if black people ARE being discriminated against? What if they aren’t making it up, and it’s real, and it actually affects them? What if it affects not only me, as a black individual, but family members and close friends I love and care about? What if we’re not making it all up? What if it were real?
Would you care? Because if you wouldn’t, why would you think I shouldn’t call you a racist? Your problem is not lack of knowledge. Your problem is callousness — so why should I care so much about your desire to hide that that I don’t call it by its actual name? Why should I care more about a word than actual people?
This is my growing suspicion. You don’t want to care, but you don’t want anyone to say you don’t care.
We can have debates about facts. But if, underneath your faux concern, you really just don’t care and want to be left alone for not caring, our conversation is a waste of time, and you’ve lost the right to complain if I ban you, call you out, or say you’re a racist. You’re not a victim, and I’m not violating some overarching principle. This is what happens when you stop caring. It’s your fault.
Take some personal responsibility. You can’t do anything about me, but you can change your behavior and you can change your heart.
Thank you for reading.
P.S. I have a Patreon, if you want to help me do what I do.