| "Individualism" was never really implemented as "western" value; it was only ever a catch-phrase to defend the status quo by insisting those at the top "earned the right" to be there. "Color blindness" likewise has mostly been used to argue that those on the bottom of society deserve to be there; (again) preserving the status quo. I.E. shutting down discussion by labeling racism a "solved problem". "Freedom of speech" complaints most often come from those claiming to be "censored" because they are no longer being given a megaphone. "Rule of law" is used to prevent analysis of those laws by, among other things, demonizing any discussion of those laws' motivations, or the cultural context in which they are enforced. "Objectivity, Facts, and Reason" are used as buzzwords, often by those who know they aren't actually on their side, because 1) everyone knows they are good, and so claiming to already possess them is convincing rhetoric, 2) painting your opponents as "rejecting" them is also persuasive rhetoric, especially to your uninformed audience. Claiming that people are actually demonizing them is a mischaracterization. |