Yes! Yes! Yes! I feel like I come across many discussions where this happens and it is frustrating to see people defend their right to free speech but they have no interest in doing research or understanding what they are really saying, and simply bundling groups into one term that fits their vague idea but don't know the historical origin, only to make the argument sound more... "intense". I totally get the humor sometimes, but humor requires a certain finesse. Words are powerful and we should use them well. Also I appreciate that you bring up the subject of "right to reaction", we should probably be more aware of how people receive our comments and not take their reactions as an attack, rather an opportunity to understand other perspectives and strengthen relationships. Can't always be my way or the highway since each person we deal with is a whole different universe with ideas and experiences unlike any other's.
I've thought about this issue many times and I think it's also unfair to just blame the "offender". I think as a society we have set up a standard of harsh judgement and our reaction tends to be an unnecessary mockery of the ignorance of people. We immediately treat someone as a "lesser being" when they do not show broad knowledge, and I guess the natural reaction to that is to get defensive. The issue stops being the initial argument, and turns into this need to prove that i'm not stupid/you're stupid defensive stand. What do you think?
I really like this post. I'm sharing everywhere. (even in the unmentionable other social medias).