There used to be a time when racism was quite respectable. There were many sophisticated arguments in its favor. But it was still a mind-bendingly stupid idea. Smart people eventually realized how embarrassing it was and stopped arguing in its favor—but I doubt it was due to calm, deliberate argument alone that this occurred.
Emotional approaches, including appeals to shame, probably carried a large part of the impact of the civil rights movement. But there’s a difference between “I am a man, a human being with thoughts and aspirations, and I believe I have a right to be treated with dignity,” and “what you’re doing is evil, and any attempt to justify yourself is sheer moral imbecility.”
Emphasizing the sheer moral weight of the arguments they’re dismissing by arguing for death might encourage them to consider that they may be doing something wrong, but calling their arguments stupid, or far worse, evil, is likely to signal to them that they’ve been targeted as an enemy, and cause them to dig in their heels.
There used to be a time when racism was quite respectable. There were many sophisticated arguments in its favor. But it was still a mind-bendingly stupid idea. Smart people eventually realized how embarrassing it was and stopped arguing in its favor—but I doubt it was due to calm, deliberate argument alone that this occurred.
Emotional approaches, including appeals to shame, probably carried a large part of the impact of the civil rights movement. But there’s a difference between “I am a man, a human being with thoughts and aspirations, and I believe I have a right to be treated with dignity,” and “what you’re doing is evil, and any attempt to justify yourself is sheer moral imbecility.”
Emphasizing the sheer moral weight of the arguments they’re dismissing by arguing for death might encourage them to consider that they may be doing something wrong, but calling their arguments stupid, or far worse, evil, is likely to signal to them that they’ve been targeted as an enemy, and cause them to dig in their heels.
Methods of Communication—a discussion of different styles of activist communication, including the weak and strong points of each of them.
Thanks! That post is totally made of awesome!