Dear White Men, Stop Telling Other People What Shouldn't Offend Them
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Politics and Activism

Dear White Men, Stop Telling Other People What Shouldn't Offend Them

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Dear White Men, Stop Telling Other People What Shouldn't Offend Them
Fibonacci Blue

Before we begin, let's start with a quick survey.

Are you white?

Are you male?

Are you about to speak on something that involves the struggles of women, POC or other minoritized people?

If you answered, yes to all three of the above issues then I have two very select words for you: Shut up.

Yes, you read that correctly.

Shut up.

Stop talking.

Take your fingers off the keyboard.

Right now.

Don't even bother, because no one wants to hear it.

Sorry, not sorry. If you are not one of the parties involved who is being offended, you don't get to tell them how to think or feel about what's offending them. It's not your place, and, looking at the entirety of history, I can't say that I'm surprised you don't know that. If it literally does not affect you directly in any way, shape, or form, then you must have a really inflated ego to even remotely think it's OK for you to tell others how to feel.

You can't know their pain, you can't go through what they go through.

As a white man, in fact, you will probably never go through anything close to what some people suffer through every day. And it's a slap in the face to put your two cents in if you think you can. White men are the most privileged people in this country; this country was built by white men, for white men, so you are inherently at an advantage. To people who fall outside of this category, it is downright disrespectful for you to tell them how they should feel.

If you were having a heart attack, I wouldn't tell you not to feel pain — this is no different.

No uterus? Then you don't get an opinion on whether birth control should be considered medication or if abortion should be legal.

Not Native American? Then it's not your place to be upset over the removal of Chief Wahoo from the Cleveland Indians' logo.

Not a POC? Then be quiet about whether or not Donald Trump is racist.

Not a woman? Then don't bother sharing why you think feminism isn't important.

As someone with so much privilege, if you plan on ever telling someone to not be offended, please save your breath. You don't get it, and chances are that you sadly never will.

Instead, use your privileges to help others. Listen to those who say they are offended. Maybe try understanding why they feel how they feel. Don't discredit their experiences simply because you don't agree or can't relate. If someone is telling you that something is hurting them, don't question it — lift up their voices instead. Give them a platform to speak out against injustice instead of trying to invalidate their pain.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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