There is one label that many modern feminists and social justice activists try to avoid at all cost: problematic. It can be described as being offensive or saying something that doesn’t coincide with socially “woke” ideals, but what many of us have failed to remember is that we are ALL problematic. Yes, even you. I am too.
No one comes out of the womb fully aware of the world around us and what is right and wrong. Through the media, our education, and often our parents, we are taught from a young age to buy into society’s norms (to name a few: rape culture, toxic masculinity, and internalized racism and misogyny). It is natural to be this way, and we can’t blame people for being like this.
But just because it’s natural, doesn’t mean it should be that way. It just means we need to fight it appropriately. Too often I see someone on Twitter being viciously attacked by “social justice warriors” for tweeting something problematic. Whether celebrities or high school students, no one should be personally attacked because of something they tweet. It’s inhumane and ridiculous to go after someone like that.
Instead of trying to offend someone who tweets something problematic, we should instead try to educate them kindly. I would suggest linking them to a tweet, article, or video that can explain whatever they misunderstood, and if that doesn’t work, try to direct message them and explain. The point is to do it in a way to where it doesn’t seem like you’re attacking them. If we continue to attack problematic behavior in such a barbaric manner, people will resent social justice as many already do.
Because remember: you are problematic too. And you were probably like them at some point. It is not their fault for conforming to problematic beliefs. It’s what we’re all taught! The only way to fight it is to educate, but compassionately. Even though we are ALL problematic, we can take a huge stride in the right direction if we battle it appropriately.
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