Melissa Harris-Perry marginalizes hard work

Posted by handyman 9 years, 4 months ago to Culture
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According to Melissa Harris-Perry, an MSNBC host, we have to be "super careful" about the term "hard worker." Apparently we have a new term to add to the growing list of trigger warnings. What could be wrong with the term "hard worker," you might ask? It seems it could be deemed racist or demeaning to underprivileged members of society. You can see this rant here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKdtA...

There is so much that is disgusting about this rant that it is hard to know where to begin. It could be taken merely as an attempt to undercut the interviewee's (Alfonso Aguilar) praise of Paul Ryan, but it could cut deeper whether done intentionally or not. Is she trying to control others' thinking by controlling language?

Perhaps she is trying to undermine the value of hard work, itself. How are Objectivists - who hold the virtue of productiveness in high esteem - to view that?

How could one counter a comment like that if you came across it in a conversation with a liberal?


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  • Posted by $ MichaelAarethun 9 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Twit is the same as air head. Offensive would be saying 240 psi required. Maybe may have been a low guess.
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  • Posted by $ Suzanne43 9 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Handyman, I do agree with you about name calling. It seldom wins arguments as you say. However, when people like Melissa Harris-Perry make such idiotic statements, it does feel good to call them something. "Twit" is pretty inoffensive not like more colorful language that could be used. "Twit" is kind of a verbal rolling of the eyeballs.
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  • Posted by blackswan 9 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I have pictures of things that inspire me on my wall. If I were to have a cotton picker on my wall, it would be to remind me of where I came from; it would give me a sense of pride. I would not sit there, swimming in my juices, thinking about something that hasn't been around for 150 years.
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  • Posted by Dennis55 9 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Herb, thanks for the reply. I appreciate the advice. I don't spend too much time disparaging myself but wanted it clear that I don't mess with an iconic title like AS without a lot of thought. Original or adapted.
    My last favorite President RWR said you can get a lot done around here if you don't care who gets the credit.
    As long as I'm thinking about it-no matter where the best idea comes from-I would like to see a vomit, puked, or plain stupid award. I believe we are approaching the tipping point in our country. I believe since the Great Society up to Yale students not knowing what the First Amendment is..... stupid is winning. I think it makes perfect sense for like minded Gulcher's to at least recognize publicly and in a amusing way--the award winner. Frankly I want to see TAS or GG taking some face time and recognition going into not only the election but to start conditioning the potential audience for AS the Mini Series. Spend the next year pointing out this ridiculous illiterate garbage and by the way stay tuned for our TV series..... Maybe wishful thinking
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  • Posted by $ MichaelAarethun 9 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I believe they believe they do not break wind but have virgin bowels to put it more delicately. Sort of cleaning it up for public consumption. HAT TRICK!
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  • Posted by $ Olduglycarl 9 years, 4 months ago
    They dislike the phrase "Hard Work" cause the are incapable and put to the test, having been weighed and measured, they'd be found wanting.

    It all comes down to them, what they think, what you make them think, because they really believe that their shit doesn't stink.
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  • Posted by $ MichaelAarethun 9 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Democrats have jobs? I thought they were all on welfare? EDIT Yes I know better but when you lay down in the mud with ....don't be surprised when people mistake your for a congressional.
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  • Posted by $ MichaelAarethun 9 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Can't be serious all the time and the award idea came up with perfect timing. Bizzaro vs... Vomita kind of a reverse Wonder Woman? Maybe she's gunning for Wicked Witches Press Secretary... Barf!
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  • Posted by 9 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Suzanne43: thanks for the suggestions. I like the rolling of eyes and walking away parts. Name calling, however, is like an ad hominem quip - they seldom win arguments or wins over others. It's often satisfying, but if one doesn't wish to engage with a reasoned rebuttal, just registering your disagreement then disengaging would seem to work better.
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  • Posted by Joseph23006 9 years, 4 months ago
    I can surmise the closest Harris-Perry came to hard work is the pictre on the wall. There is no sense of relativity in what she implies, demeaning underprivileged or those who won't work, and those who do really didn't do it on their own. I would consider what she does as non-work, the there was the mention of Republicans, the presumption is that Democrats work. She should be 'super careful' about insulting people who ahve jobs.
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  • Posted by 9 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    MA: I appreciate your comments and understand the impulse to want to dismiss MH-P and those like her. I often do also. Sometimes, though, an inane comment like she made just hooks you the wrong way and you want to vent (or maybe puke like Dennis55 suggested). Sorry if some of my puke spattered onto your monitor!

    Using this rant by MH-P as an example, there is a danger in dismissing people who make destructive comments like this. The danger occurs in face-to-face encounters, not in second-hand ones like this. There is nothing we will say here that will ever get back to MH-P, but thinking about this incident serves an instructive purpose for me by providing an incentive to think about ways to respond to such asinine comments if I encounter them face-to-face. That’s why I asked the question about how you Gulchers might respond. I think the worst thing would be to not respond at all. The second worst thing would be to respond with snide or derogatory comments.

    The most important thing is to register some kind of disagreement. In many face-to-face encounters, there are often other participants or just listeners. You might not say anything that will change the mind of the perpetrator, but you might of another listener. I ‘m thinking here of the many social situations one finds one’s self in on almost daily a basis. Except for committed hermits, I’m sure these situations arise often. I think of these “situations” as opportunities to let it be knows that the perpetrator’s view isn’t the only one and isn’t valid. They are opportunities to influence others and get them thinking about reasonable alternatives to the tripe that often comes out the mouths of progressives. Teachable moments, one might say.

    Dismissing or ignoring destructive comments like MH-P’s carries some dangers – both substantive and tactical. (Again, this applies mostly to in-person encounters.) I’ve sort of addressed the substantive issue above – bad ideas need to be countered. Tactically, it is also mistake. A non-response reinforces to the perp and to anyone else aware of the discussion that the perp is winning. Undermining the validity of a destructive idea should be taken at every opportunity. Another tactical point is that you need to understand your enemy. Not just his ideas, but his tactics. Suggesting that one should not think of people like MH-P (like freedomforall) or take the time to look in on what people on msnbc are saying (like wiggys) and just ignore them concedes the entire battlefield to them.
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  • Posted by Herb7734 9 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    You didn't need the disparaging remarks about yourself. I quite enjoyed your move into the bizarre. I especially enjoyed your diatribe at the end.
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  • Posted by Herb7734 9 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    You'll need a special kind of laugh. The kind that starts with your lips vibrating into a chuckle and then a full-fledged, full throated laugh as you turn on your heel and walk merrily away.
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  • Posted by $ Radio_Randy 9 years, 4 months ago
    I'd never heard of this gal, before, but after watching a couple of her YouTube videos...I wanted to throw up. "Hard worker" reminds her of slavery...?

    She truly has to be one of those folks who stay up late, nights, thinking this stuff up.
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  • Posted by $ MichaelAarethun 9 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    That settles it The Atlas Vomited award should have a distinct class of losers. Perry for one and make it bronzed tampons and call it an Obama.
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  • Posted by Herb7734 9 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    We go hungry, they don't get enough widgets.I never understood why that is so hard for them to comprehend. And all the formulas, polemics, and excuses never justify the result.
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  • Posted by peterchunt 9 years, 4 months ago
    People like her should be ignored, as you can’t argue with a absolute dolt.
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  • Posted by johnpe1 9 years, 4 months ago
    "hard work" is a trigger warning for "productive" and a
    virtue for all those who deserve it! . whether it's a mom
    changing a diaper or a dad designing a building, a son
    mowing a lawn or a daughter digging a ditch, they are
    all productive and deserving of praise. . if it drags up
    memories of slaves, it should be thoughts of praise
    for people who were productive and valuable! -- j
    .
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  • Posted by $ MichaelAarethun 9 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Or upon meeting say, "Really? There really is a ------? I thought it was a joke." Then start laughing and walk away saying, "Who would have believed it?"
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