The "Woe is Me" Defense

There's a game kids do. They do something really obnoxious, like wave their hands around another kid's face, "I'm not touching you, I'm not touching you, I'm not touching you!" and then, when the other kid either screams at them, or hits them, they go, "MOOOOOM! He's being mean!"

It's pretty stupid, but it's something kids do.

Now, when you come to the internet, it's really interesting to watch even grown folks do things which are basically that kind of behavior, then turn around and go, "Woe is me! All these people are being MEAN!" when you get the same response.

If you anonymously comment, make bizarre statements and refuse to cite anything in reality, ignore valid points, and basically show off your ignorance even more? You might find yourself being mocked.

Woe is you!

Look at how mean the world is!

What's interesting is the degree at which this shows up in privilege and silencing discussions. "Woe is me" works really well because the circle the person usually is engaged in, is oblivious to the privilege, and the problematic behaviors in the first place, so easy sympathy points there. (Politeness and Tone are usually part of this game as well).

At the same time, it shows exactly how much this person wasn't engaging in good faith discussion to begin with.

It wasn't about learning -what- was right, as much as an exercise in reassuring non-thought about privilege (-who- was right, and that who is the person playing the game, why are you so mean?)

If someone's not talking with you, there's not point in wasting precious moments on the stupid.