Are There Groups That You Shouldn't Criticize?

KissingSunlight

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Jul 3, 2013
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Something I see a lot online and also on this forum, is people being accused of bigotry for criticizing a woman, minorities, and even Bronies. (I won't go in to my recent experience with Bronies. It did consists of 2 posts receiving warnings and a locked thread.)

I got to ask: Are there groups of people that you shouldn't criticize ever? Regardless of how wrong they are on the subject. How much you disagree with their opinion. If so, why? Why can't anyone disagree with someone that they are not part of group?

EDIT: To clarify, I mean to criticize a member of a group different than yours. For example: A man criticizing a woman.

EDIT 2: What I'm going for is people who quickly demonize other people on particular issues.

EXAMPLES: If you say, "I believe Anita Sarkeesian is a huckster." People will say, "You're Sexist!"

If you say, "George Zimmerman was right to stand his ground." People will say, "You're Racist!"

Try criticizing 12 Years a Slave. You won't go more than 3 posts before someone will throw out "White Guilt".

What happens when you criticize hashtag activism like #YesAllWomen? Someone will try to publish a comic strip in a national newspaper of you being portrayed as a whining baby wetting himself.

Disagree with someone on any social issue that someone feel passionately about. You will get portrayed as a sexist, racist, murderous internet troll in the web comic White Guys Defense Force.

What makes certain opinion unimpeachable? While other opinions that disagrees with them obviously offensive, mean, wrong, and bigoted.
 

BathorysGraveland2

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Feb 9, 2013
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I see it less about groups and more about individuals. If you criticise a group as a whole, you fall dangerously into stereotype territory. However, if you criticise the actions of an individual, regardless of what "group" he may be a part of, then it isn't strictly stereotypical because individuals all differ from one another in various ways.
 

madwarper

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Mar 17, 2011
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No. There are no groups that are above reproach.

However, there is a distinct difference between offering mere criticism of a group and attacking them.
And, be aware that every group has some bad apples. They don't spoil the bunch.
 

Lilani

Sometimes known as CaitieLou
May 27, 2009
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KissingSunlight said:
EDIT: To clarify, I mean to criticize a member of a group different than yours. For example: A man criticizing a woman.
I think it always depends on how you are criticizing them and for what reason. And of course, who you are targeting. If you try to criticize women as a whole with the statement, "Why do all women always expect doors to get opened for them? It's so unfair!" then you're just going to look like a moron because you've decided to lump "women" into one homogenous group and have decided to accuse them of believing something you have no reason to believe ALL women believe.

But, if you change the wording of that criticism to, "Some women expect doors to be opened for them because they are women, this is unfair," then that is a much better statement that is open to more discussion. It's less hostile and more accurate because it isn't using absolutes like "all" or "always," and that lessened hostility also makes it more of an opening statement to a discussion about a specific group of people, rather than just a general complaint thrust at a very vague group of people.

Also, in the Religion and Politics forum, there have recently been a couple of users who have gotten in quite a bit of trouble who are unable to tell the difference between criticism and just outright negativity. A criticism is an analysis based on observation and evaluation. When you objectively criticize something, you shouldn't enter the critical process with your conclusion already thought out. You should first find and analyze everything you can about the subject, and then based on those factors decide how you feel about it. If you begin the process of critically analyzing feminism with the conclusion already stuck in your head that women are entitled opportunists waiting to strike and suppress the world, then that isn't criticism. That's just a negative opinion, and unless you put that aside you'll only be looking for things which prove what you've already decided your opinion is.

Many people, especially on the Internet, approach criticism this way. They've already decided how they feel about something, and so when further pursuing the subject only seek out things which further prove their opinion. In a way, these people can't criticize anything, because their goal from the start isn't true criticism.
 

StriderShinryu

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Dec 8, 2009
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I don't think there is necessarily any group that should be held beyond criticism, but I think it's important to avoid attacking others or criticizing without any actual proof or evidence. I also think it's important to remember that being a critic doesn't somehow make you any more invincible than the group/person you're targeting. If you want to make comments about someone else, regardless of how right you think you are, you are rightfully opening yourself up to being targeted in return.
 

RJ 17

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Nov 27, 2011
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So long as you're not criticizing them purely for being different, no one is above being criticized.
 

Loop Stricken

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Jun 17, 2009
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KissingSunlight said:
I got to ask: Are there groups of people that you shouldn't criticize ever?
Nopony should be immune to criticism, but you have to ask yourself why you intend to criticise them, and should be prepared for them to refute your accusations.
 

IceForce

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Dec 11, 2012
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KissingSunlight said:
Something I see a lot online and also on this forum, is people being accused of bigotry for criticizing a woman, minorities, and even Bronies.
I hate to have to do this (because I asked you how you defined certain words in your previous thread, but you never responded), but for the purposes of this discussion, what is your definition of "criticism"?

Because, if I said "all women are gold digging hags", that's not criticism.

Just like your comment about how all bronies are "potential child molesters". That's also not criticism.
madwarper said:
However, there is a distinct difference between offering mere criticism of a group and attacking them.
StriderShinryu said:
I think it's important to avoid attacking others or criticizing without any actual proof or evidence.
What these guys said.
 

Bombiz

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KissingSunlight said:
Something I see a lot online and also on this forum, is people being accused of bigotry for criticizing a woman, minorities, and even Bronies. (I won't go in to my recent experience with Bronies. It did consists of 2 posts receiving warnings and a locked thread.)

I got to ask: Are there groups of people that you shouldn't criticize ever? Regardless of how wrong they are on the subject. How much you disagree with their opinion. If so, why? Why can't anyone disagree with someone that they are not part of group?

EDIT: To clarify, I mean to criticize a member of a group different than yours. For example: A man criticizing a woman.
it's actually quit funny that you would use Bronies as an example next to women and minorities cause whenever I go on tumblr all I see from the SJW's is how much they hate Bronies.
 

Loop Stricken

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Jun 17, 2009
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weirdo8977 said:
KissingSunlight said:
Something I see a lot online and also on this forum, is people being accused of bigotry for criticizing a woman, minorities, and even Bronies. (I won't go in to my recent experience with Bronies. It did consists of 2 posts receiving warnings and a locked thread.)

I got to ask: Are there groups of people that you shouldn't criticize ever? Regardless of how wrong they are on the subject. How much you disagree with their opinion. If so, why? Why can't anyone disagree with someone that they are not part of group?

EDIT: To clarify, I mean to criticize a member of a group different than yours. For example: A man criticizing a woman.
it's actually quit funny that you would use Bronies as an example next to women and minorities cause whenever I go on tumblr all I see from the SJW's is how much they hate Bronies.
Aye, but Social Justice Warriors are a load of c*nts anyway.
 

FPLOON

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Jul 10, 2013
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Inanimate-born objects... I mean, they can't harm you without some kind of "outside" force, anyway...

But seriously, no living group is above those that are criticized by those around them and beyond... However, all criticism should not, in no way, physically harm the group that is being criticized... or, I guess, be negative... (That last one may or may not be subjective, though... I don't know... I'm not an "expert"...)
 

Eamar

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Feb 22, 2012
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You're the guy who said being a brony was a warning sign for paedophilia, right? There's a difference between criticising and throwing around baseless accusations and insults.

People don't get warnings for criticising here, but they do get them for insulting members or groups who may visit the Escapist. It's all in the CoC you agreed to.
 

IceForce

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Eamar said:
You're the guy who said being a brony was a warning sign for paedophilia, right? There's a difference between criticising and throwing around baseless accusations and insults.

People don't get warnings for criticising here, but they do get them for insulting members or groups who may visit the Escapist. It's all in the CoC you agreed to.
It's the same guy, yes. I remember because the warning was issued for a post in reply to me.

In fact, this thread seems a bit like an underhanded way of the OP trying to question their warning.

I got a warning for "criticizing" a group of people I don't like. Are there groups of people I shouldn't "criticize"?
[small]("Criticize" in double quotes, due to the word being used incorrectly here, and in the wrong context.)[/small]

OP, as other people have pointed out, you need to learn the difference between criticism and insults.
 

someonehairy-ish

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Mar 15, 2009
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As long as you stay aware of what criticism is for, no group is above reproach. Criticism is for helping things to improve by pointing out flaws. You shouldn't criticise people for things that aren't their fault, and that they have no control over.

I'd also try to keep criticisms to specific people where possible. It leaves less room for being misinterpreted as overly prejudiced.
 

Dragonlayer

Aka Corporal Yakob
Dec 5, 2013
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KissingSunlight said:
(I won't go in to my recent experience with Bronies. It did consists of 2 posts receiving warnings and a locked thread.)
Isn't that because you kept calling them "potential child molesters"? That's not so much "criticism" as "ignorant bollacks".

OT

The only group no-one is allowed to criticise is whatever group I'm currently associating with. So na-na-na-na-nah!
 

Zykmiester

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Jun 22, 2010
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Pretty much any group can and should be criticized. If your not attacking someone on their sex, race or sexual orientation then nothing should be above reproach. Criticism helps to advance society, if no one called out people on there stupid ideas and behaviour we would have never gotten out of the dark ages. If your chosen beliefs can not hold up against criticism than obviously it is flawed.

I would also like to say that religion and culture dose not equal race. People choose to be Christian/ Jewish/ Muslim/ Hindu/ Scientologist ect. And just because it is your country/peoples culture dose not mean it can't be criticized, some cultures think it's appropriate to mutilate children's genitals or that gay people should be executed.
 

teamcharlie

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People pointing loaded guns at your face. That is definitely a group that goes on the 'do not criticize' list. Disarm, not a bad idea if you're really that good at the whole hand-to-hand schtick. Stay away from, definitely. But having a stern word with? Probably not a good call.
 

Greymanelor

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I'll defer to a far more eloquent man than I to reflect my views on this topic.

Fair warning, in absolutely no way shape or form safe for work. Possibly not even safe for home, depending on who is around.

 

The Lunatic

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Jun 3, 2010
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No group is above criticism.

If you're being weird and creepy in a public space. I never think it's okay to say "Ssh, that's okay, they're a -group-".

Applies to groups I'm part of, and other groups on the internet.