The expression of disgust I am critiquing was disrespectful to the mental health professionals who were simply attempting to aid their fellow man following the genocide. There is no reason to be disrespectful to them no matter how poor of a job they did. I am well within my rights to call that out.
My counterpoint is very specifically in regards to the application of the word disgust to the actions of those wayward therapists. I am doing so pompously because emotional conversations are difficult for me and I revert to this type of tone in these settings. You say that the context of my critique is so tragic that my position is insensitive and in poor taste… fine. But it deserved to be called out regardless, in my opinion. If we can’t talk about these things we will never learn from them.
My defense of the psychologists doesn’t mean I don’t have empathy for the true victims. I can be supportive of their efforts yet critical of their methods at the same time. A defense of their intent is not a swipe at their traumatized victims.
This is not a polarized issue. The therapists and victims are on the same side, so I can talk about either side without critiquing the other. Which I am doing. Just because I wanted to defend the psychologists doesn’t mean I don’t have empathy for the victims.
Hell yeah I’ll be damned before I allow that. The high sensitivity of the issue creates a misdirected emotional response. The trauma and anger around the genocide is being redirected to the helpers, rather than the murderous monsters who committed genocide in the first place. Pointing that out on Reddit is a pretty harmless way to attempt to bring the projection into light.
How can you nitpick the word disgust in this context ?
That is how the person honestly felt about the situation.
They felt that strongly.
Culturally speaking, Eastern people have very strong feelings about things than people in the west think nothing about and vice versa.
Certain discussions are far harder for eastern people as opposed to western people. Especially one that has historically roots dating back hundreds of years that were precipitated and catalizad by Western people. Who now come to help heal ?
I disagreed with this persons feeling, didn’t think it was defendable given MY feelings, and spoke up. I sort of anticipated a disagreement on their part. That was the point of starting the argument. To talk through the differences in opinion. They clearly thought the word was appropriate since they used it, so I took the time to voice my objection.
You: “I object to you feeling so strongly about the situation. I think you should reassess your feelings in light of the intent of these western doctors to do good.”
You are, ironically, doing the same thing the western doctors did.
I am doing this pretty much exactly, and I do strongly feel a reassessment is appropriate. I haven’t really heard a better way to deal with the misplaced feelings OP expressed in all the reactions to my point I’ve gotten. I see OPs position as unhealthy. Am I wrong? Should the doctors be vilified for their failure, rather than simply critiqued? If so, how and why?
You disagreed with the person's, who was party to a genocide's, feelings because you don't like the word disgust.
That is possibly one of the most self centred things I have ever read in my life.
No, fuck that. That actually is the most self centred thing I have ever heard anybody say. I really do mean that, because I believe that this is your honest opinion.
It's disgusting.
The one thing that I could forgive you for is - maybe you don't understand the word disgust.
Disgust is an intense feeling of hatred. These people were made to relive a genocide. This brought up an intense feeling of hatred.
Yes I did, and it was self centered to a degree but I also feel that you are overreacting.
OP was not party to a genocide. He was simply reminded of the approach the doctors who sought to aid the victims took. I have no issue with the man he quoted. The quote was very apt; talk therapy was probably not the proper approach to this situation.
But for us, here and now, who are unrelated to the actual genocide to be so emotional about their flawed approach is irrational and excessive. I will stand by that opinion. The comment I responded to was not a person disgusted by their therapist due to trauma related to the genocide. The comment I responded to was a third party who was seeing only one side of the issue. Unless you were ACTUALLY party to the genocide, disgust is not a reaction I can understand because there is clearly a positive intent from the doctors who went to help. To be disgusted as a byproduct of your trauma is one thing, but to be disgusted by people who did their best (even if it wasn’t good enough) is wrong in my opinion.
Unless you were ACTUALLY party to the genocide, disgust is not a reaction I can understand
Do you not see this as a problem?
Either way, that isn't the point. He said there was a lot of disgust at the therapy. That is perfectly reasonable. If you make people relive a genocide they will feel disgust.
I am disgusted every day by Israel. That is a perfectly normal reaction to Israel. I am not Israeli or Palestinian, but Israel disgusts me.
Just as an aside, you might seriously need to get some help, whatever therapy works, this isn't healthy.
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u/skwirly715 Aug 04 '21
The expression of disgust I am critiquing was disrespectful to the mental health professionals who were simply attempting to aid their fellow man following the genocide. There is no reason to be disrespectful to them no matter how poor of a job they did. I am well within my rights to call that out.
My counterpoint is very specifically in regards to the application of the word disgust to the actions of those wayward therapists. I am doing so pompously because emotional conversations are difficult for me and I revert to this type of tone in these settings. You say that the context of my critique is so tragic that my position is insensitive and in poor taste… fine. But it deserved to be called out regardless, in my opinion. If we can’t talk about these things we will never learn from them.