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When responding to criticism against China, people who point out that western countries human rights records are also very problematic, or people who point out
by FooBarWidget 5y ago
When responding to criticism against China, people who point out that western countries human rights records are also very problematic, or people who point out that western propaganda is at work, are often accused of whataboutism. The reasoning is that misconduct by western countries doesn't make their criticism against China invalid.
If we accept that, then the reverse should also apply:
Misconduct by China doesn't make China's criticism against the US invalid.
- emptysongglass 5y agoHow would you like me to respond? I have not declared any argument whataboutism. I am only interested in sources from governments which guarantees and exercises a free press. You cannot write a piece of paper in bad faith and declare it legitimate if you are the only source of legitimacy.
- FooBarWidget 5y agoYou could focus on what China actually accused the US of, and whether that accusation has a point, rather than on the fact that the accusation came from China. Where it comes from doesn't matter: only the content matters.
- simonh 5y agoIndeed, the blatant subtext of whataboutist arguments is that these things are ok, they're fine, they're normal and justifiable or should be, and here's a reason why.