Agree many applications of ‘debate’ are unhelpful, but as I said a few times already in the thread: without that nuance this tweet gives permission to privileged people to say nothing. It allows ‘debate’ to be read as ‘defending marginalised ppl who are being abused’
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Replying to @FlorenceHRS
I didn't really get that from the op though. Debate implies that nuance. If she said don't engage fascists or bigots at all that'd be different. Debate implies a discussion. That their ideas are worth entertaining even if just to shut them down.
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Replying to @ArynTlg
I’ve seen many euphemisms for fellow white people in my field doing nothing as medieval history is constantly appropriated by the far right while enthusiasts harass my colleagues of colour with racist abuse. ‘Don’t debate’ ‘don’t engage’ ‘don’t platform’, whatever. It’s the same.
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Replying to @FlorenceHRS @ArynTlg
They sit there and do nothing to challenge racist conceptions of history with fascists as theirs biggest fans, then tweet virtuous stuff about how debating fascists is only platforming them. Meanwhile death threats are a daily reality for POC in the field.
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Replying to @FlorenceHRS @ArynTlg
If I make it in academia I’m going to devote my career to challenging racist, sexist, transphobic misconceptions about the past (and thus present) because I see that as my literal job. Nothing changes if nobody is willing to argue against prevalent fascist narratives.
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Replying to @FlorenceHRS @ArynTlg
Fascist ideas are often lurking within dominant ideology, they don’t belong solely to fringe twitter accounts with 12 followers. Fascism has to be constantly dismantled and challenged. So I guess we will have to agree to disagree on this one.
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Replying to @FlorenceHRS
Apologies if I didn't get the entire context. I'm well aware of the extent that fascism exists I grew up in a neighborhood where I was in direct conflict with both the kln and neo nazis on a daily basis since I was 12. Sorry if I didn't communicate properly
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Replying to @ArynTlg @FlorenceHRS
The problem I think is that people see debate/platforming as the same thing as calling out. But as Florence has said, you do not call out in order to convince the fascists you call them out to show that people do not agree. Fascists etc will bank on people’s silence
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and will often phrase things in a way that might appear reasonable to someone who is vulnerable to far right radicalisation. In addition, deplatforming only works if people are actually deplatformed on here. They aren’t. But highlighting abuse and racism etc on here
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Stating that it is wrong and that their views are unacceptable often leads to deplatforming as more people are inclined to report.
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Finally, this sort of opinion, “don’t debate fascists” is used often by people who actually do fuck all to help BIPOC, disabled, queer people period. Whether that was meant in the original post, I have no idea. But it is the exact phrasing used
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By privileged “allies” who never show up when it’s needed to defend marginalized people from fascists in their mentions.
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