Political Memes

I was the apple in the meme like 10 years ago and my opinions on the matter were not worth listening to. It's sophistry meant to distract from the actual discussion being had.

How are you arguing in favor of debate and then blocking people?

What is being silenced is Bigotry. What happens when you allow bigots to openly be bigots into a lot of spaces you make the place hostile to the targets of those bigots. It's one philosophy of space moderation to create areas where bigots and bigotry does not immediately become the entire focus of a places ecosystem so those targeted communities have places they can participate where they are accepted as normal. Because if nobody chooses that option you as a target always have to approach socializing on the internet as a risk and comfort is always denied you.

It doesn't have to be and usually isn't every space. Within the left there is advocacy for "holding spaces" where people are allowed to be horrible so that they can be approached and taught, debated and if they show desires to be better, not treated hostility in the moment. But it is accepted that those spaces are not comfortable places for the targets of bigotry to dwell. It's a dangerzone.

So please stop this "silencing" nonsense. Yes, moderation teams pick their intended level of anti-bigotry safety vs holding space mentality. Other places where bigots accrue unchanged exist. If you want to do outreach you can pick your venue from a wide selection.