Thoughts? Posted to the popular AnComm page "Anarchist Memes"

It's perfectly fine. I can understand why some people might have a knee-jerk reaction to it if they don't understand the effects of oppressive speech on people who are marginalized and abused. Ignorance seems like the likely culprit, judging by the number of times I see it strawmanned as "offensive speech".

Offence is a ridiculous way to describe it. Kids don't kill themselves because they're "offended". Wives aren't stripped of their confidence because their husbands make "offensive" remarks. The needy aren't put off seeking help because the insults they're subjected to cause "offence". That's horseshit, and I suspect a lot of people pretend not to know the difference so they don't have to take any responsibility for their speech.

When you're in a powerless position you don't have the energy to resist abusive comments, especially when it's coming from multiple sides. Oppressive speech silences people and alienates them from communities.

I'm a white male, which significantly cuts down on the amount of hate I have to deal with, but I do have experiences with emotional abuse and classism. Some people are surrounded by it constantly. Any space where they can be free from it is liberating. Even then, when you've feared expressing yourself for a long time it takes effort to start exposing yourself to the risk of more abuse.

My experiences with abuse left me chronically stressed, which in turn caused physical health problems. I'd hate to think what would happen if I was also the victim of racism or misogyny. No wonder suicides are more common among marginalized groups.

Unfortunately, it seems like there's always going to be a clash between people who need to be free of oppressive speech and those who are too lazy to try and understand it. At least the idea that people have to think about the things they say gives the more privileged something to be offended about for a change.

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