4 ms·

"It's a choice to feel like a slave/victim/etc" is a phrase born from legitimate psychological advice, but now is used 90% of the time as a "devil's platitude"

"It's a choice to feel like a slave/victim/etc" is a phrase born from legitimate psychological advice, but now is used 90% of the time as a "devil's platitude" (sounds like, "Just give up. It's inevitable, and you'll be happier.")

new_account_100 5mo ago
I think it's a fair comment in this case, given that the discussion is essentially about civil disobedience. In other words, I think it's worth mentioning that the (former) slaves who took the underground railroad were breaking the law by doing so.
- happytoexplain 5mo ago
  True, but that's not what "feel like a slave" means as an English phrase - i.e. the phrase does not mean, "feel like you're resisting like a slave", it's "feel like you're helpless like a slave". It's an insult meant to make you accept your conditions, not fight against them.
  - new_account_100 5mo ago
    I'm the person who said it, and I explained what I meant. Don't put words in my mouth. I'm speaking from the perspective of an American worker. I feel that the relationship between capital and labor in the United States remains linked to slavery, even 150+ years after its formal abolition here.
    - happytoexplain 5mo ago
      I'm referring to the phrase Quarrelsome used ("[it's a choice] to feel like a slave"), not your original usage. My criticism of Quarrelsome is that, in my opinion, "It's your choice to be a slave" means "resist"; while "it's your choice to feel like a slave" means "accept it". I felt you were being too charitable to them.
      - new_account_100 5mo ago
        > My criticism of Quarrelsome is that, in my opinion, "It's your choice to be a slave" means "resist"; while "it's your choice to feel like a slave" means "accept it". I felt you were being too charitable to them. That was my initial reaction too, I was just choosing to be charitable
Quarrelsome 5mo ago
> but now is used 90% of the time as a "devil's platitude" (sounds like, "Just give up. It's inevitable, and you'll be happier.") and that's exactly the attitude I'm complaining about. You're reading it as oppression when you could also read it as opportunity. Imagine ICE doing what they did this year without mobile tech to organise against it. Forcing the police to wear bodycams is probably one of the best things that has ever happened.

new_account_100 5mo ago

I think it's a fair comment in this case, given that the discussion is essentially about civil disobedience. In other words, I think it's worth mentioning that the (former) slaves who took the underground railroad were breaking the law by doing so.

happytoexplain 5mo ago
True, but that's not what "feel like a slave" means as an English phrase - i.e. the phrase does not mean, "feel like you're resisting like a slave", it's "feel like you're helpless like a slave". It's an insult meant to make you accept your conditions, not fight against them.
- new_account_100 5mo ago
  I'm the person who said it, and I explained what I meant. Don't put words in my mouth. I'm speaking from the perspective of an American worker. I feel that the relationship between capital and labor in the United States remains linked to slavery, even 150+ years after its formal abolition here.
  - happytoexplain 5mo ago
    I'm referring to the phrase Quarrelsome used ("[it's a choice] to feel like a slave"), not your original usage. My criticism of Quarrelsome is that, in my opinion, "It's your choice to be a slave" means "resist"; while "it's your choice to feel like a slave" means "accept it". I felt you were being too charitable to them.
    - new_account_100 5mo ago
      > My criticism of Quarrelsome is that, in my opinion, "It's your choice to be a slave" means "resist"; while "it's your choice to feel like a slave" means "accept it". I felt you were being too charitable to them. That was my initial reaction too, I was just choosing to be charitable

Quarrelsome 5mo ago

> but now is used 90% of the time as a "devil's platitude" (sounds like, "Just give up. It's inevitable, and you'll be happier.") and that's exactly the attitude I'm complaining about. You're reading it as oppression when you could also read it as opportunity. Imagine ICE doing what they did this year without mobile tech to organise against it. Forcing the police to wear bodycams is probably one of the best things that has ever happened.