this post was submitted on 23 Aug 2023
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[–] PreachHard@mander.xyz 4 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

I believe that was the original intent of the word, just wondering if it's essentially defunct because of how it's used now.

[–] TheLepidopterists@hexbear.net 12 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The term (or the term whataboutery, which it emerged from) was originally used by pro-British newspapers during the troubles to complain that when people would whine about IRA activities others would respond by pointing out that their direct opposition, the British, were committing atrocities.

It's always been a tool for Western hegemony to avoid criticism and accusations of hypocrisy.

[–] PreachHard@mander.xyz 7 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Wow that was definitely an enlightening read on the etymology, so the word was fucked from the get go haha..

Sean O’Conaill (1976) - 'I would not suggest such a thing were it not for the Whatabouts. These are the people who answer every condemnation of the Provisional I.R.A. with an argument to prove the greater immorality of the “enemy”, and therefore the justice of the Provisionals’ cause: “What about Bloody Sunday, internment, torture, force feeding, army intimidation?”. '

[–] TheLepidopterists@hexbear.net 6 points 1 year ago

Your willingness to change in the face of evidence is a breath of fresh air, thank you!

[–] GarbageShoot@hexbear.net 4 points 1 year ago

I see, my mistake, though from a descriptivist standpoint a meaning that a word long-since lost and one that it never had are virtually the same thing on a functional level