Judgement Day

[http://www.otakunovideo.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/oreimo1-210x300.jpg|210x300px|Oreimo]

I'm so glad to see that Moritheil's been blogging more (and not just re-posting arguments, either). He just posted a gem, Judgement on Otaku. An excerpt: Otaku identity is also the subject of dismissal, shaming, and mockery in the professional press, including â€“ controversially â€“ passing mentions in articles at Anime News Network.

Try as I might, I can't really see picking on otaku, but trumpeting your sensitivity towards gays and lesbians, as any different from having learned what you can and can't get away with. It doesn't seem to indicate that you've actually internalized the idea that stereotypes can be damaging. As usual, Moritheil's absolutely right. I have two things to add:

Making fun of people is wrong. I don't care how clever you are, or how ironic, or whether you "don't mean any harm." "Grow up" or "don't be so sensitive" aren't valid resolutions, because they don't resolve the problem.

The kindest, most respected men in history -- Jesus, Buddha -- spoke most strongly about not making fun of people. This is a well-established standard of conduct.

On the other hand, there's a big difference between making fun of people and critiquing a group phenomenon. All sorts of groups and movements throughout history deserved critique and analysis. To take extreme examples, the Nazis and the Klan deserve analysis and debate. Those groups shouldn't be shrugged off or ignored.

Neither should their members be made fun of or dismissed out of hand.