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.
Respectfully, this disagreement seems to mostly be about semantics. You're interpreting her words a certain way, but I don't see much difference between the kind of public discourse she's proposing and what you're talking about. She calls it "constructive feedback" or "engaged, respectful debate," and you call it criticism. She's focusing on toning down the vitriol; you're focused on not letting it get toned down to banality.
ReplyDeleteIt seems strange to me that she didn't post your comment and reply thoughtfully to it, as that seems to be the exact kind of public discourse she's talking about. I'm glad, however, that you decided to post it anyway and that she did post the link to it.
SOunds like we are all agreeing (nonviolently) that good criticism is good, and that criticism can be done badly. I agree that technically "criticism" is a word that does not belong with the others.
ReplyDeleteHey Valerie! Checking to see how you are feeling. I heard your feet were bothering you again.
ReplyDeleteI also think that respectful disagreements are part of life. I actually think your post and hers agree more than anything. It seems to me that you both want intelligent discourse without the name calling.
Take care of yourself, we love your blogs!!