The Debating Move that is a Veiled Threat.

So, I was on the website that is possibly one of the worst places to debate with someone. No, not Youtube. Facebook. I walked willingly into the trap of debating with someone about a political issue that’s hot right now that is very personal for me. The disability pension, and how it will be affected by increased GST on internet-bought goods. My stand? It will make things worse for me, not better. How did I come to this conclusion? I’ve lived as a woman on a disability pension for roughly four years, and I’ve had a nephew who was on the disability pension for his whole life too. Tax hikes do not result in more pay for us disabled folk. No. In fact, it’s a rare and wonderful day that our pay gets increased. Kind of like spotting a unicorn.

So you can imagine my ire and disgust when the dude I was debating with pulls out the old, “You think you have it bad, imagine what it’s like in [insert less fortunate country here].” His examples were Zimbabwe and the US. Yes, America, your shit has gotten so serious that privileged douchebags in other countries are using your social security system to scare the bad minority folk who don’t put up and shut up.

Now, this tactic caused me some pause. I wasn’t really mad. I explained that am aware of what it was like for them. Of course I do - I’m a progressive who is passionate about social justice. I care about the world. If I can help, I do. I don’t know what it’s like personally, but I do read up on how others are treated.

And then I really thought about the tactic in a more general sense. I have come across this so many times when a group of privileged people are called on their treatment of a discriminated minority.

“You think we’re treating you badly, how about [insert other group here].”

And there’s so many horrible ways to take that. What are they trying to say? Are they trying to deflect blame? Are they trying to say that they’re not bad at all? Or is it something a little more disturbing?

Systematically, unconsciously, is it a group in power saying, “You have it good here. We treat you well. It could be so much worse for you.”

Is that what they really mean?

Be quiet? Don’t complain. Be thankful for what you have, because we’re giving it to you out of the kindness of our hearts and nothing else. It’s not like you’re entitled to it or anything.

Some mightn’t mean anything dark or sinister by this tactic, but it doesn’t matter. Because when I hear this tactic, it strikes fear in me. It’s an angry master pointing at the less fortunate and saying, “That could happen to YOU. BE GLAD. SUCK IT UP.”

It doesn’t make me feel better about my situation. It’s a tactic clearly meant to silence people. It’s effective in silencing people because it’s a tactic of striking fear into people.

That’s a dark fucking thing, you know. That’s some seriously oppressive shit. And you know what? I’m never accepting it as a valid line of debate ever, ever again. I will call a motherfucker on that tactic every time I see it. Because IT’S REALLY FUCKING WRONG.

I don’t think anyone should accept it. So if you see some douchebag using it, call ‘em out on that shit. It’s not right, and I’m not taking it anymore. You shouldn’t have to either.