Quote:
Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814
What's the difference between a SJW and someone who doesn't want people to be ####ty for no reason?
|
I can't help but read "social justice warrior" as anything but derogatory. Maybe some have adopted the title for themselves somewhat ironically.
I think "SJW" is used to label people who claim a moral superiority for their views. It makes their views very hard to debate if any disagreement is tossed aside as racism, sexism, etc.
I think the main problem with this air of moral superiority is that there is no room to stand on in the middle. You either have the 'correct' views, or are part of the Right. The ironic thing is that I see anyone moderate (those who "generally don't want people to be ####ty", but are put off by the antics of the extreme left) being pushed more to the right. I think Sam Harris has described this as "The Left is eating itself".
Bringing it back to Peterson, he seems to have the opposite philosophy. Willing to take support from anyone, and trying not be alienating and dismissive to the majority of the political spectrum. What started his snowball of popularity was speaking out on a social topic. A lot of people were sick of social justice warriors and rallied around Peterson more for his willingness to speak out rather than fully agreeing with his message. (Now he seems to gather more conservative support, but that is beside the point of how his profile skyrocketed).
The first time I heard of him is when I heard about his "free speech rally" being shut down by such "social justice warriors". And he has had other events cut short when an activist pulls the fire alarm in protest. Some of his views are a little conservative, but compared to a group that wants to deny him the chance to speak, I know where my values are more closely aligned. I think that's the same for a lot of people.
Finally, coming at it from the other side, it might sound like I'm saying if you disagree with Peterson you must be a far-left SJW. No. The main point is that the moderate-left seems to get attacked from both the far-left and the right, so they either stay silent, or start finding more common ground with the moderate-right.