So, I debated this person regarding their conservative/bigoted views. It’s long and I apologize in advance:
Me:You say you aren’t ok with bigotry but yet on twitter, why do you quote from Ben Shapiro, who has said the following:
Ben Shapiro: “One American soldier is worth far more than an Afghan civilian.”
Also, I notice you tend to generalize countries you’ve never been to and believe everything from the media, yet you say, don’t listen to the media. For example, you say African countries have bad cultures. I was wondering, do you know anything about the Yoruba, Igbo, Fulani or Hausa cultures in Nigeria? Do you even know that all these countries don’t have the same culture and they are diverse? How can you say an entire country has a bad culture when there are various diverse cultures among them? So why do you believe everything you hear and judge like Chancellor Neighsay?
Them:I never “quoted” that and I don’t recall Ben Shapiro ever saying that. You will not convince me of anything if all you do is say that happened. I will need a link.
Really dude? Have you really mislead yourself enough to take all I have said out of context? I don’t have to be in countries to know if there is a problem. Contrary to what you said, the media doesn’t even TALK about that so I don’t get this info from the media, I get it from well-educated people who actually do their research and don’t lie just to keep from hurting people’s feelings like the media does.
I don’t know any of those Nigerian people you spoke of but it’s a good thing I never said anything critical about their cultures because I don’t know if they are bad or not and I won’t say anything until I know. You don’t seem to understand what I believe: i don’t hate people for their ethnicity/skin color/etc, I don’t hate anyone, but I do look down on cultural practices that are horrendous. Some countries still have slavery, some countries treat women like cattle, some countries arrest you for exercising your right to free expression. These are bad things. Are you trying to say that I’m evil just because I acknowledge that these things are bad? Do you support such bad cultural practices? I think many people you align with politically would have a thing or two to say about some of those practices because they are anything but “progressive”. If you tell me someone is from Nigeria, I’m not going to assume they are bad. If you tell me someone is an extremist, that is when I will get suspicious. Are you suggesting that everyone in Africa or the Middle East is bad? I think you might want to check your language because it sounds an awful lot like bigotry, eh? Point being: culture is NOT the same as race/ethnicity. You are born with your ethnicity, you choose your cultural practices. Don’t try to make me sound like a racist just because I point out the unfortunate truth that some cultures are not good.
This is not how I am. For starters, I am a product of immigration: my mother was born in Ecuador and raised by a South American father and an American mother and they moved to the US and she met my American father and had me. I am a mix of European (mostly Irish and German) from my dad’s side and Jewish, South American, and even a touch of Native American on mom’s side and I love my multiethnic background, and have studied the Spanish language and culture in the school. I have a crush on a girl who is not in my own country. I have had friends from many different backgrounds and ethnicities. I was raised on Judeo-Christian principles that state all men are created equally and I was lectured quite frequently in a Christian school on why slavery and racism is bad. You might think these are not legitimate excuses but they are. I have no reason to hate someone for their ethnicity and I was raised not to. Don’t try to generalize me just because my beliefs don’t align with yours. You can’t just see some of my right-leaning tweets or who I follow on Twitter and assume what you are assuming.
Me:Shapiro, here(also, do answer each point please.)
townhall.com/columnists/bensha…
also, he’s said this:
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You already did. In your tweet, you said African countries have a bad culture and you do the same for the Middle East frequently. You overgeneralized all African cultures as having bad cultural practices when you don’t know anything about them. Now answer me, why did you overgeneralize them all? Who are these ‘well educated’ people? Do they know anything about African cultures? Are they right wingers? I’m saying, don’t generalize an entire country without moving there?
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Really? You say racism is bad, but yet I’ve noticed when black people still protest it, you dismiss their claims and mock BLM. I don’t think you understand what it stands for. I hope you don’t believe the whole Irish slave myth, which is used by white supremacist/neo nazi’s to undermine black struggles.
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On a related note, I see you tweet of white racism/hatred and call those who don’t believe it as being ignorant. If you don’t mind me asking, why is that when you complain about racism, you should be taken seriously, but when black people still do, their claims should be dismissed? Honestly, you are not a black person, so I don’t think you can decide whether or not they can complain about racism as you have not lived their experience.
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On immigration, I’ve seen you support Trump travel ban. You are aware that the countries listed are wrongfully there as the terrorist who have attacked the U.S aren’t from those countries and others, right? Also, a lot of terrorist incidents are committed by white supremacist(recent austin bombing), which shows the U.S has a domestic terror issue. So, Alex, if someone wanted to ban white males, it would be wrong, correct? So why do you believe it is ok to do it to muslims?
Them:
THat first one was just him pointing out the cultural differences. In Saudi Arabia, that is one of the countries that has slavery and where women are treated terribly. He probably should have pointed out that there are some good things about Saudi Arabia, but if you are offended by that tweet, then you clearly didn’t know the context already and need to get educated on it.
Ok, so that is the statement you were talking about. While it appears he DID in fact say that, it was from the year 2002 when he was probably more close-minded. I am not sure if he would say it today but I do have to disagree with what he said regardless. I don’t think civilian casualties in the middle east are something to overlook and I would never say what he said. But again, that was 16 years ago and it’s very possible he doesn’t still have that mindset and would take it back.
- YOu’re doing it again, you’re saying something without providing evidence. I never said “African/Middle East countries have a bad culture”, you are probably getting mixed up with me saying that some bad cultures exist in those areas of the world and that is true. Again, why are you standing up for bad culture? If you consider yourself a ‘liberal’ person, you need to be brave enough to stand up and say that there are problems in some countries. Even I have to admit there are some bad cultures and practices in my country and I am embarrassed by it. Not all African or Middle East countries are bad, I know that. Why is it so easy for you to misjudge just one tweet I make to think that I am a bigot? No offense but you are really unintelligent and cannot put up a good argument.
At this point I’m just done. I can’t take you seriously with any of this. When people like you just shout “racism” at someone you disagree with, you automatically lose the argument. You call me racist but don’t provide any evidence. Let’s face it, you’re just taking things I’ve said out of context. You don’t know what racism is but I’m not going to waste my time lecturing you on it cuz you wont’ listen to anything I say. I’ve already outlined everything in my defense but you are just stubborn as Hell and won’t listen to any reason. You are an awful debater and it’s so hard to read the things you say without groaning or even laughing sometimes. I’m blocking you not because I’m “butthurt” or because I can’t win, it’s because I don’t waste my time with people who can’t develop a sound argument and come to an agreement so it’s not worth it. Don’t ever try to contact me again.
Sorry this is long, but what do you make of this conservation. Personally, I think this person refused to properly answer me because I backed them in a corner.