Making Positive Words Negative

Language is fluid. The meaning of words can change so rapidly that, unless one is regularly deeply into social media, one may be confused and defensive when someone uses a word that was initially positive in a negative manner. For example, religious apologists may criticize atheists for using science in a positive way by pejoratively saying that such is "scientism." Likewise, people who are active in the causes of social justice may be labeled pejoratively as "social justice warriors", being "woke", or are promoting "cancel culture." The following links push back against the pejorative uses of these words:

In Defense of Scientism

In Defense of "Social Justice Warriors"

What Does "Woke" Mean?, How the word 'woke' was weaponised by the Right

In Defense of Cancel Culture, What is cancel culture?, In Defense of Cancel Culture, Complications and All,

A final word on this topic: generally, I don't support de-platforming speakers on college campuses as long as they are respectful AND are not allowed to spew hatred and/or blatantly un-scientific propaganda. In other words, truth and falsehoods are not equivalent. A college campus should be supporting critical/science-based thinking and, thus, should not be obligated to allow the latter to speak.

"Can A Catholic Be A Socialist?"

The EWTN Catholic Network just put out a YouTube video highlighting a book entitled, "Can A Catholic be a Socialist?" with a subtitle of, "The Answer is no, and here's why." This troubles me for at least a few reasons. Below essentially was my comment on the video:

"Although the video interview with the authors did present a full spectrum of the meaning of the word, this book is straw-manning what most people believe about socialism. How the word 'socialism' is interpreted is largely determined by how the definition is presented to people (link). I believe that the percentage of US people who agree with the government controlling the means of production is very low, so why the provocative title?

"I am skeptical of a book like this being distributed in an election year from Catholic apologists, who are very supportive of Republicans. Why? listen to how Republicans define "socialism", watch how they downplay social justice activism against systemic inequity (using 'Social Justice Warrior' as a pejorative, for example), and emphasize individual responsibility without consideration of such injustice. I'm sure I don't have to repeat how the Bible talks about the need for justice."

Is "Social Justice Warrior" A Pejorative?

I consider myself an advocate for social justice. Why? It is clear to me that there are deep, conscious (and unconscious), systemic prejudices in our society against a wide variety of minorities, for example:

• Blacks
• Hispanics
• Jews
• LGBTQs
• Women

This Wikipedia page presents the evolution (?devolution) of the SJW ("Social Justice Warrior") term. While some people indeed have wrongly gone from attacking the social injustice to indiscriminately attacking whites and males generally as whole groups, I wonder how representative that is. As far as I can tell, most people who use SJW as a pejorative are conservatives, who tend to turn a blind eye to the ACTUAL systemic inequalities. Thus, without objective evidence of wide-spread attacks by SJW on whites and males as groups, I don't approve of using SJW as a pejorative. As always, if I am presented with sufficient evidence, I will change my opinion on the matter.

The Southern Poverty Law Center Has Devolved

"The upshot: the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), increasingly a refuge for Social Justice Warriors, has published a list and analysis of critics of Islam called “A field guide to anti-Muslim activists” (pdf of the full report is here). The SPLC named 15 people who, in their view, “fuel the hatred of Muslims” in America. Among those named are those who are marginal bigots, like Pamela Geller as well as seemingly real bigots like Frank Gaffney; but two names also appear who are familiar Muslim or ex-Muslim reformers: Maajid Nawaz and Ayaan Hirsi Ali."

Maajid Nawaz and Ayaan Hirsi Ali named a “anti-Muslim extremists” by the Southern Poverty Law Center

Social Justice Warriors

I have been recently made aware that there is such a thing as a "Social Justice Warrior."  From many sources, I now realize that the term morphed into a pejorative a few years ago.  So, what do I, an open-minded male, conclude from this?  I choose to accept the RationalWiki take on this term.  If you disagree with my opinion, please concisely, succinctly and respectfully show me the error of my ways.