Tips for readers: Hypersensitivity in the era of wokeness

Photo by Sinitta Leunen on Unsplash

 

I see a lot of articles about “tips for writers.” Here’s one for readers.

Stop applying your sensitivity meter to every story you read. It’s not about you, personally. You may think it is, but most writers are writing to share information. The goal is to provide insight into areas of interest to the writer and to share research they’ve gathered on a particular topic that they feel might be helpful to others.

It’s okay if you disagree; healthy debate is encouraged. It’s one of the reasons many of us write. We want to have a conversation. I’m not saying we should avoid debate; I’m referring to knee-jerk reactions to statements in articles that curtail debate and replace it with pettiness.

If you are confused about the difference, allow me to elaborate.

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For years people with a uterus were women. Therefore, only women had babies. Even now, it’s pretty rare for a person with a uterus not to be a woman. So, when people write or talk about women and pregnancy, it’s not a personal slight to non-binary or transgender people. Please don’t take it as one.

On the other hand, if you ask someone you know to respect your gender identity and they don’t, that is a personal slight. See the difference?

When a Black person says it’s racist that eyeglass makers don’t make glasses that fit their faces, I have to disagree. It’s economics. Black people represent less than 15% of the population in America. How many businesses cater to 15% of the population?

Instead of calling them racist, how about asking them to consider a line of eyewear that better fits Black people? Racism implies a superiority to the person being referenced. I don’t think eyeglass manufacturers are making a statement that non-Blacks are better than Blacks. I think they’re saying they want to sell a lot of eyeglasses. See the difference?

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Also, keep in mind that writers need to think about flow. If writing becomes cumbersome, no one reads it. Let’s say you’re writing a piece about female empowerment and instead of using “women” you say, “people with or without a uterus who identify as female.” You’ve just killed your flow.

A comment I recently got on a piece that referenced scientific research was “If you’re going to include science, include all the science, not just what proves your point.” 

I would argue that the point of a piece is to make a specific point. Otherwise, why are we writing? There is no way to include “all the science” on any topic. Nor should it be a goal. The goal is to write something that moves us as writers and to reference the material that contributes to our thinking. In other words, it’s to do exactly what this person is condemning.

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In short, we are all sensitive people. I’m not saying we shouldn’t recognize that. But no one can address every other person’s individual sensitivities. So, when you read something, keep in mind that it’s not about you; it’s about ideas. Focus on those and maybe give a little bit of leeway when it comes to semantics.

Yes, words matter; but what’s behind them matters more.