frnkflwrs
Oct 18, 2021

Johnny,

The premise of the article is legit but I had to stop reading because the second-person tense is toxic for me.

I'm autistic and it sucks to admit but I am also highly suggestible.

I know I got white privilege, so it doesn't help to be continuously told that I don't get it. That just causes me to doubt myself in ways that encourage self-harm.

And to be really clear, I know I got white privilege: the police didn’t shoot me when they had a chance.

Your words are powerful the way a shotgun is powerful, and I am just writing from a space of intersectionality to let you know you’re accidentally hittin’ some civilian casualties when using the second-person tense.

b

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frnkflwrs
frnkflwrs

Written by frnkflwrs

a creative writer interested in the rhythm of the written word.

Responses (2)

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I understand your standpoint, but is it possible for you to see I’m talking about those whom the shoe fits?

Bradley, I am also autistic, and... to be blunt, your response has an undertone of tone-policing.

Do you react this way with second-person language in any other context where "you" is meant in a general manner? Because it sounds like you understand…