The contrarian

Source, Facebook, with thanks to ‘le’.

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I’m all for asking, “Hey, this is interesting. Anyone want to debate this?” By debating in a civil, courteous space, we are able to sharpen our arguments and prepare to be able to hold our own against less-than-civil opponents, who don’t give you a chance to think out your answers. In such a safe space, you might actually need someone to take the part of the opposition, spouting off the typical arguments, and helping you think out your answers by giving you the opportunity to defend them.

However, if no one is in the mood to debate (see, “No need. Thank you,”), then you just say, “OK,” and let it go. We have to fight real battles so often, on so many topics, that we are frequently just NOT in the mood to spar. Also, a commenter playing the part of the opposition risks having late-comers mistake them for a troll, or even getting banned, if their arguments too-closely resemble troll techniques.

Of course, if you really WANT to debate, go to a debate club. Most of these forums are set up for people to enjoy the society of other like-minded people, not as a debate club. I have no problem with someone making the offer, once, but don’t keep pushing it, if no one wants to debate you. There are places specifically for debate.

What Michelle said. To offer to be a contrarian is like offering to be a sparring partner. OK to ask; but if turned down, not at all OK to ask again.

I notice that he offered to be contrarian about kyriarchy. I looked it up; it’s ‘rule by lords’, or in other words generalized power relations. In kyriarchy one can be master or servant depending on situation; what’s constant is domination and submission. Sexism, classism and racism are varieties of kyriarchy.

Such is my shallow understanding of the term. If you have deeper knowledge, then please share it. For instance, what antonyms? Anarchy? Autarchy? Autonomy? Democracy? Equality? What would non-dominating rule be?

In a feminist/social justice sense, “kyriarchy” refers to the confluence of a variety of attitudes that are oppressive in nature (sexism, racism, classism, colonialism, heteronormativity, and ableism are the big ones, but there are more). The general idea behind the concept is that there are many factors that combine to keep groups of people marginalized, and that oppression isn’t always tied to one specific source (ie the patriarchy).