I have a question: what do you say to men who call you "negative"? I get called that more than I'd like, and it is frustrating for me to be so angry at things like marriage equality, anti-choice people, the fact that I'm related to these people, et cetera, and not have an outlet. Should I just shrug them off?One of the most common questions I get by email is how to deal with people who use that tired old silencing technique of calling progressives "negative," or some variation thereof, e.g. "hysterical" or "reactionary" or the ubiquitous "easily offended."
My favorite response, which I keep always at the ready—and have used in comments as well as in real life—is: "I'm not [wev]. I'm contemptuous."
And when I'm feeling loquacious: "It's not that I'm [wev]; I am merely contemptuous of the idea that I should not expect more, and I am unafraid to express my disdain."
Delivered with panache, it is withering enough to crumple even the most determined adversary, yet nonconfrontational enough to avoid escalation with even the most belligerent.
It's very handy indeed.
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