I am very fascinated by philosophical discussions and argumentations, and I often seek these out with both acquaintances and strangers alike. These discussions allow me to challenge my insights, by exposing myself to the views of others, and the several ways by which they reason through these views. One day, I was having a discussion with three other people — two girls and one boy. We were having a discussion about women’s rights and how to expand public opportunities for women, as leaders within society. It was a very fascinating discussion that had the ability to stir up a string of suggestions and solutions to, what happens to be, a very pressing issue that exists within our contemporary society. The boy in the group decided to give, what he thought, was a solution to the problem, but I never got to hear that solution. “You don’t have the right to speak for us women,” said one of the girls in the group, “you are a privileged white male.” The other girl simply nodded in concert.
This is not the first time I have been thrust into an argument where one or more people are shot down simply because they occupy a place of privilege in relation to that discussion. As a woman of color, I am rarely ever put in a situation where my privilege is challenged, and yet, I can recognize the danger in shutting people’s opinions simply because of their identity. This, in a very broad sense, is an Argumentum Ad Hominem (Ad Hominem).
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This article first appeared in HuffingtonPost/Udoka Okafor
Editor's note: for examples of ad hominem, click HERE and HERE.
