I Am Not a Snowflake
You might want to re-think that label
My dear friend, I am not a snowflake, I am a moral human being. I am an activist that seeks to bring an end to years of injustice, suppression and intolerance to those who do not fit the societal model.
The dictionary defines this slang term as ‘a political insult for someone who is perceived as too sensitive, often used for millennials and liberals’. It is a derogatory label, which is used to chastise those who disagree with ideologies that are not politically correct.
To be blunt, it is usually used by right-wing racists, homophobes and bigots who enforce their supposed superiority and attempt to tear down anyone who questions their harmful beliefs. The sad fact, however, is that the users of this term are not a minority. It has become a word that is frequent within our language, and rather prominent in the comment section of social media.
The use of the term ‘snowflake’ is used to defend those that exhibit politically incorrect views or make distasteful jokes, with the justification that the opposition is too ‘weak’ and ‘easily offended’.
I do not think I am weak for calling out your blatantly racist remark. Yes, I may be easily offended, however, it is because you spurt a torrent of disgusting statemtnets and opinions, that makes avoiding offence rather tricky.
When you post four Facebook posts a day disagreeing with the right to be transgender or belittling the Black Lives Matter movement, yes I am going to be horrified and yes I am going to be offended at your hate-filled words. I am not offended for myself, I am offended for those who you constantly discriminate against. I am offended as a moral human being, that you would dare to have the audacity to be prejudiced against someone else for something as innocent as sexuality or choice of dress.
Calling me a snowflake does not shift the blame onto me. Expressing your opinion that it is in fact my fault for being so easily provoked does not make me the one at fault. Your sexist remark that made me feel uncomfortable was the issue in this conversation, not the fact that I called you out for it.
The irony of this term is that it endeavours to categorise someone as weak and frail. In actual fact, it takes me a hell of a lot more courage for me to stand up to your bigotry and hate speech than it does for you to make that snide little joke about someone’s sexuality. What is weak, is not being able to accept that your actions are harmful and try to make a change. Instead, rather cowardly, you seek to berate me for calling out, when all it would take to do would be to apologise.
It can be very difficult to recognise that you are part of a wider problem and seek to make a difference in your way of thinking. I can wholeheartedly admit that in the past I may have said things out of naivety that was not totally politically correct. I accept that myself, as much as others have been part of a problem of ignorance. Yet, I am willing to educate myself, to learn about inclusivity and diversity and begin to change the way I think, the way I speak and the way I act.
You are not willing to admit defeat and venture into the realm of bravery. You are not willing to wander out of the mindset that an antiquated society has shoved down your throat. You, a weak and close-minded person, are not able to shed the ideologies that you have adopted from others around you and think for yourself.
You are not able to adapt as many of us ‘snowflakes’ are, in order to create a world that is inclusive.
In coining this term, you seek to ridicule an entire generation of people who have adopted the qualities of kindness, acceptance and emotional strength. You seek to tear down years of protestation, struggle and fight for change by spitting out that callous little remark.
What I find especially confusing, is that you criticise us for being offended at your words that cause pain and anguish, yet you are so obscenely offended at the fact that a man may love another man. I am not allowed to be offended when you tell me, as a woman, that I shouldn’t have a high powered career, yet it is completely fine for you to be offended when Black people are out fighting for basic respect.
What you mistake for weakness and lack of resilience, is a small thing called compassion, I’m not sure if you’ve heard of it. In fact, not only is your use of the term completely wrong, it is hurtful and detrimental to the health of many young people.
Mental health problems are rampant all over the world and have become an epidemic. It was estimated in 2017, that 792 million people suffered from mental disorders across the world. So when you mock and discriminate, you are not only perpetuating the problem, yet you are part of the cause. You shame us millennials for being weak and un-resilient, yet your actions make it very hard for us to be strong.
How can people be tough when you won’t accept a large proportion of them for who they are? You expect young men to be strong, masculine and unwavering, yet when you tell them they can’t wear what they like, they cant love who they like, it is, in fact, you that is creating a lack of resilience in them, not their sexuality or their identity.
So, if you think we are creating a ‘snowflake’ society, then so be it. I am proud to live in a society that seeks to generate compassion and inclusion for everyone despite, race, sexuality, identity or image. I am proud to be someone that will show offence when you make a remark that is heinous and wrong. My suggestion to you, however, is that you might want to research the meaning of that word you like to call us.
We are not fragile, we are not weak. We have the ability to finally stand up to years of ignorance and intolerance and we are finally saying no to discrimination.
Our society is one of resilience, resilience against hatred, discrimination and exclusion. So, perhaps you should come up with a new label for us, as the one you are currently using does not exactly fit.
