http://www.ordinarycourage.com/my-blog/2011/1/20/contributions-criticisms-and-courage.html
Here is the response I submitted to her blog.
Brene,
I respectfully disagree. You complain about "Hate, criticism, bigotry, ridiculing, belittling" but one of these words is not like the other. Criticism is not necessarily hateful and it is crucial to a constructive dialogue.
I want to suggest (gently and kindly) that we not demonize "criticism" and lump it together with hate and bigotry. Criticism is different.
Writers who promote themselves and their ideas via blogs, tweets, and websites should realize that by putting themselves and their ideas into the public arena and they are inviting public criticism. With their columns, blogs, articles, tweets they seek to speak a little louder than everyone else. Sometimes the public is going to yell back. Of course, the public should not be rude or hateful. But the public should be critical.
When you write that "real" social criticism is done by people who "own their work" and "open themselves up to risk and vulnerability" you kind of sound like you are saying 'shut up unless you have a better idea and a website that promotes it'. You kind of sound like you are saying "only pundits need reply." That is not public discourse.
I don't have an website or blog for my ideas. I am a private person engaged in respectful public discourse. You write that you want to be able to say "I contributed more than I criticized." I want to suggest that criticism can be a contribution.
So, while you have, in these comments, garnered a predictable chorus of syncophants that are (bravely?) agreeing to "hate the rude haters" I implore you to not criticize the criticizers.
I invite all comments and won't delete the ones that disagree. I do not equate critical thinking with hatred or ridicule. There is no shame in anonymity or critical regard.
