Over at Freethought Blogs, Paul Fidalgo has authored a post entitled “Shut up and Listen“. In it, he advises that if you are a white male, you should shut up and listen if you are told by someone who isn’t a white male that you are being offensive. It doesn’t even matter if you are right! While I’m sure Paul is well meaning, I have a major problem with his stance on this issue.
Paul is essentially saying that if a white male is called out for whatever reason by someone who isn’t a white male, then they should just take it, even if the criticism is completely unfair. Sadly, this attitude allows bullying to take place. Picture the scene:
White male: “I think Rebecca Watson’s treatment of Sara Mayhew was appalling”
Random person: “You are a white male who just doesn’t get it. Check your privilege!”
WM: “But I…”
RP: “No buts! You must listen to women you misogynist!”
The above scenario is completely OK if you follow the logic presented by Paul Fidalgo! Skepticism is abandoned, and the random person is given a free pass to say whatever they like. If you are OK with people using bullying tactics to silence criticism, I suggest you examine your own morality!
I have written before about the importance of criticism, and I maintain my position that if you receive constructive criticism you should take it on board and learn from it. However, it’s a two way street, and the people dishing out criticism can also learn when they themselves get criticized. If we want to eliminate sexism, racism and other forms of prejudice, we shouldn’t judge people based on their race/gender etc. Unfortunately, Paul is not suggesting that: he is suggesting that the views of people who are not white males are automatically valid and must be respected. If that isn’t prejudice then I don’t know what is! 
This reminds me of an article on liberal bullying, where the phrase “check your privilege” is constantly wheeled out in order to try and shut up dissenting opinions.
Once again, the “Angry Skeptic Woman” Twitter account nails it:
I agree w/ Paul Fidalgo. If you're a white male who's right about something, you should pretend you're wrong if a minority disagrees w/you.—
Angry Skeptic Woman (@AngrySkepchick) January 27, 2013
Philosopher Russell Blackford called Paul out straight away, calling him a bully enabler:
@PaulFidalgo Jesus Christ, Paul, this is EXACTLY the wrong contribution from you. You are another bully enabler. /1—
Russell Blackford (@Metamagician) January 27, 2013
Also, Jeremy Stangroom chimed in with a very good point!
So when two members of a marginalized group tell you opposite things – who do you shut up & listen to the most…? #vacuous—
Jeremy Stangroom (@PhilosophyExp) January 28, 2013
In conclusion, what Paul Fidalgo is suggesting should be resisted. Sure, people should be able to take criticism and be able to show compassion, but we should NOT be giving people (for whatever reason) an excuse to bully and insult. If we are to eliminate prejudice, we need to judge people by their actions and not their backgrounds!
