Claire asked Is being homophobic/racist/sexist an opinion?

Sometimes. Like, is it an opinion when people tell me they don't like this https://imgur.com/a/URDTaW7 shirt? Yes. Is it also homophobic? YES
I'm kidding around. So no one pull a, "see, these people think everything is homophobic! So homophobia isn't real!"

I agree with Slagathor.

People insist on calling their racism, misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, etc., "just an opinion" so that they feel they can accuse those who don't "respect" those "opinions" or who criticize those "opinions" of not respecting their humanity ("see, who's the REAL bigot!"). And that doesn't even follow. It is very cowardly and deluded to believe you're being brave by espousing your "not PC enough, unpopular opinion!" and then in the same breath refuse to claim it or own it for what it is. There doesn't seem to be a truly staggering number of people anymore who will tell me they're buying that shit, either. But then, they won't directly tell their friend (who is doing it) that they're not buying it. Is that partly because this completely stupid defense of "it's just my opinion" has worked a lot better better than it should have? It's like people are afraid they're being unfair if they call homophobia what it is, or if they call racism what it is, etc. So, it seems like to me that maybe a lot of the people who claim not to be buying it are buying it, at least a little.

nefarious yeets · 3y

It may be ignorant or prejudiced, but opinions can be ignorant or prejudiced so that alone doesn't make it not an opinion. However, being homophobic/racist/sexist usually comes with an agenda too (or at least certain behavioral patterns) which is more than just an opinion.

inhahe · 3y

To me it sounds more like ignorance/prejudice. You can label an asinine belief as opinion but don't expect me to respect your "opinion".

Arman · 3y

Hm, the term opinion in English has a broader coverage than in German. In German I would say no, it is not an opinion since for most people it is an unreflected urge coming out of the guts. An opinion is something that has been formed at least partly by using brain, information and experience. Not saying those components make that opinion in any way valid, less stupid or reasonable. I just see that an opinion formed by those can be influenced, maybe altered, corrected by fresh experiences or reason. The gut feeling is usually a more deeper rooted sort of fear that is connected to basic instincts and as such less likely to be affected by thinking, reason or experiences.

Kate Matsuda · 3y

It can be, in the form of an ideology that is those things. Other times it is just an emotional reaction born of ignorance. The latter is unfortunate, the former is reprehensible.

Hester · 3y

An opinion that turns into policy that causes suffering and death

Sean ⚡🤖 · 3y

"opinion" is an euphemism in that case

Arthur · 3y

All those aren't an opinion. They are prejudices/preconceived ideas that are weaved at our culture, traditions, history, beliefs...

Merida · 3y

I'd argue its a series of opinions/judgements based on a prejudicial belief.

Pandy · 3y

This is tricky, as a lot of those terms' definitions seem to be different for everyone. However if we take them as they are, then I think yes they can be an opinion, but certainly not a favorable one. That said I believe (and I know this is an unpopular opinion) that you can personally be against supporting something whilst still respecting those who are that thing. A lot of folks will say you have to accept it all or reject it all but people aren't that black and white, and this may get you labelled as a homophobe, racist, and/or sexist but it doesn't mean you are one. But you being one could also be someone's opinion no?

Luis · 3y

we can call it that if you really want to, but it's a dangerous game. the contrast between an opinion like "i like pineapple on pizza" versus "i don't think being gay is natural" is a stark one. i don't know who it serves to refer to any of that as an opinion when they are often based in willful ignorance. i think an opinion is only meant to serve as a reflection of your subjective lived experience, not as denial of reality. calling those ways of thinking "opinions" makes people think they're as valid as preferring the color red to blue, and i honestly don't want anyone's deluded ass thinking that

Teo · 3y

According to every Chris Martinez on Twitter, yes. And responding to it with any condemnation makes you irrational because "you dislike people for merely having a different opinion".