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Objectifying the environmentalist. Is it bullying?

I love sharing information and stories with people.
I have a dislike for small talks and banters as they are not constructive in creating connection between people.
I favour active listening, debating and action planning. It is me and I am clear that we are all of the same. I care for the people and the world we live in. Some will choose to call me environmentalist without really understanding exactly what this means for me. They are not conscious at time that what they say is a form of bullying. Let me tell you a story for you to understand what I mean.

There will be at times a discussion about the world, its politics and its mechanisms. A person will come along and will feel uncomfortable with the discussion at hand. Instead of voicing their concerns and feelings, they will dismiss the conversation entirely by objectifying the individuals by calling them ''environmentalists'', ''green'', ''lefties'' or worst ''emotional''. The tactic is well worked out. The person will listen, smile to hide their embarrassment and blurt out 'you are one of those people, an environmentalist, that's why you are having this conversation'' and chuckle. From there, the point of the conversation we were having is being lost and the focus is on this object, ''us as environmentalists''.

The tendency to objectify individuals to dismiss their voice occurs in all circle. I found myself being dismissed because I am black, mixed race, a woman, an environmentalist, a married kind, an academic, a geek, etc.. It cuts out any opportunity for a shift in the paradigm we live in. Through this form of bullying, we become more polarised, destroying in turn all the bridges for empathy. The human journey towards enlightenment slow down dramatically.

What can we do about it? Nip it in the bud.
Explain that objectifying people is inappropriate. It misses the point of any constructive conversation and ultimately dismiss the fact that we are all human-being with feelings, fear and love.
Encourage individuals to express their feelings and the reasons why they are feeling uncomfortable with discussions about the world we live in. There is nothing wrong with feeling uncomfortable and vulnerable. This should be expressed and welcomed. It will create more connections between you and I and help us all to be one.

http://everydayfeminism.com/2015/12/tone-policing-and-privilege/

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