I’m honestly so glad people are evaluating the notion of “virtue signaling” as a thing apart from its cynical co-optation by the right. Having values and materially expressing those values is a good thing.
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The popular usage of the term “virtue signaling” is predicated on the idea that people can’t possibly be sincere about their values, even when they are making actual material sacrifices to align with their values. It’s maddening.
People aren’t out here expressing their values because it’s the popular or pleasant thing to do! They’re not opening themselves up to harassment campaigns and repercussions to their livelihoods because it’s some pathway to ease and popularity!
The whole discussion about whether or not someone “virtue signals” is founded on the right-wing lie that people with deeply held values around justice are an oppressive majority bent on brute-forcing their will on others. It’s a rhetorical reversal of the actual power dynamics at play!
It’s just one more example of how conservatives love to cast themselves as the aggrieved party even when they hold all the institutional power. It’s always this same weird thing.
It's frustrating because we can't know what someone is doing behind the scenes. How do we decide when someone is being performative? I think it's important to be aware of fakers but not at the expense of genuine human expressions of compassion
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