My Gen-Z gave me a great strategy for "what about-ism" responses

[crimycarny]

The Gen-Z’s are running circles around Trump supporters with their unique uses of TikTok to mess with Trump rallies, messing with online Trump merchandise stores, etc.

One tip my daughter gave me which seems to be working is how to respond to “what about isms”. For example when someone says “police shoot more white people than black”, my gut reaction is to point out that whites make up a far greater percentage of the population and it’s the ratio that matters”. But my daughter said to just respond with “So you agree that Police use deadly force far too often and reforms, such as defunding the police, are necessary.” Or, recently, a Trumper was trying to deflect from Trump’s taxes by asking how Joe Biden made so much money on a salary of $200,000”. Instead of arguing that Biden made legit money from speeches and pointing out that Biden’s taxes are all online, I just responded with “So you must be INCENSED about Trump paying zero-$750 in taxes.”

Last example was recently. A FB Trumpee was trying to defend Trump’s Proud Boy remarks by saying “Well, I don’t know much about the Proud Boys but I do know Antifa is burning down and looting cities.”. I forwarded a video of the Proud Boy founder—on video—demanding violence and even for Proud Boys to kill people”. I never engaged about Antifa not really being a thing, I just stated “Since violence disturbs you then I’m sure you are enraged by what the Proud Boy’s founder is calling for.” Crickets in all the above examples.

[Leith]

1. KnR

Excellent advice.

[wnylib]

2. All good responses to keep in mind.

Instead of arguing with them in the way they expect, agree with them in a way that turns their points in agreement with ours.

[ihas2stinkyfeet]

3. yeah, something i have wished for a long time that more dems do- reject the premise.

most pols know how to ignore a question and give the answer they want to give.
beto was good at just turning gotcha questions on their head. just refuse the bait.

[Maraya1969]

4. Do you have a link to that proud boys video? It might be good to share

with some people

[crimycarny]

6. I actually saw it on DU first

I can’t find the original post on DU that provided the link to the video, so I can’t give credit to whoever posted it first.

Here it is:

Link to tweet

?s=20

[alwaysinasnit]

5. k&r for visibility

[Gidney N Cloyd]

7. My first instinct is always to educate but baffling them into silence is good, too.

[crimycarny]

8. Yeah--me too

My first instinct is to always try and educate but I don’t think I’ve had a single success. Finally realized that most who are dedicated Trumpers don’t want to be educated so it’s an exercise in futility, which would frustrate the hell out of me. When I tried my daughter’s approach they have no idea how to respond, lol.

My daughter said Gen-Z is super fired up to vote this election. I hope she is right.

[grantcart]

9. Excellent responses but IMHO a waste of time.

Anyone who defends Trump after 200,000 deaths after he was caught lying isn't going to be persuaded by either fact or clever arguments.

Just saying

[crimycarny]

13. Oh I know I'm not going to persuade anyone

I just like to see them caught without a response.

[frogstar0]

10. All lives matter

When people say all lives matter I say thank you for agreeing that black lives matter because of course all lives include black lives.

[aggiesal]

14. When someone tells me "All Lives Matter", I tell them, say

Black Lives Matter.

Because until you say that, then All Lives DON'T Matter.

I have not had anyone say Black Lives Matter.
They just won't say it.

When they say All Lives Matter, it is a deflection away from Black Lives Matter.
Don't fall for it.

Make them say Black Live Matter.

[Mr.Bill]

11. "I don't care what else Trump does, my 401K is doing great"

You must have loved Obama, he nearly tripled the stock market's value.

[moonscape]

12. I'm far too easily

sucked in. It’s a weakness I’ve acknowledged for eons and yet like a hamster I continue.

Great examples.