I'm not sure if this is a recent phenomenon but it's one that's recently been biting my ass nonetheless. It really frustrates me that people feel the need to hang a disclaimer over any kind of argument, just to avoid any sort of confusion as to whether or not they absolutely despise whatever it is they're talking about.
We've all seen it - if someone criticizes Israel, for example, it must be known that they don't hate Jews.
I don't hold it against the people who do it - I'm sure we've all done it at some point or another. Rather, I think the problem lies with those that these disclaimers are intended for - those who, without this little reassurance, would automatically assume that this person is some kind of intolerant tyrant.
And that, in my opinion, is a huge problem.
We've apparently reached a point where everyone assumes the worst, and anything short of utmost praise for various groups and ideologies means hatred and intolerance.
It's kind of funny, because in this case, people who would call a person intolerant and prejudiced are in fact guilty of the very thing they speak out against. They make assumptions about a person without getting the facts and listening to what they have to say.
So, the next time you want to make a point, make one. Some people will listen to you based on what you've said, not what they think you've said.
We've all seen it - if someone criticizes Israel, for example, it must be known that they don't hate Jews.
I don't hold it against the people who do it - I'm sure we've all done it at some point or another. Rather, I think the problem lies with those that these disclaimers are intended for - those who, without this little reassurance, would automatically assume that this person is some kind of intolerant tyrant.
And that, in my opinion, is a huge problem.
We've apparently reached a point where everyone assumes the worst, and anything short of utmost praise for various groups and ideologies means hatred and intolerance.
It's kind of funny, because in this case, people who would call a person intolerant and prejudiced are in fact guilty of the very thing they speak out against. They make assumptions about a person without getting the facts and listening to what they have to say.
So, the next time you want to make a point, make one. Some people will listen to you based on what you've said, not what they think you've said.
