General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: If you are the member of a privileged group AND call yourself progressive [View all]muriel_volestrangler
(101,265 posts)I think he mischaracterised the OP. It's not whether 'logic and the facts' are on one side or another; it's about people not dismissing a minority member who complains about insults or discrimination as 'thin-skinned'. People who are regularly on the receiving end of discrimination, and who are also more likely to know others who are, really do have a better idea about it than those of us lucky enough to belong to majority (or powerful) groups.
The effect that language and the atmosphere have on a debate is not a matter of holding "patently wrong-headed opinions", as Jeff dismissed it. It's about empathy and respect. There isn't a hard-and-fast 'right and wrong' involved, but people's attitudes matter. And I don't like Jeff's, in this area.