A review by absentminded_reader
How to Make a Social Justice Warrior: On Identitarianism, Intersectionality, Mobbing, Racefail, and Failfans 2005-2014 by Will Shetterly

3.0

I made it about one third of the way through this book before realizing that although there were interesting comments woven throughout, most of the book was recounting old flame wars. I had hoped to gain insight into how to deal with social justice warriors, but instead learned about identitarianism and class warfare being the true source of conflict in our nation, not racism. I didn't disagree with Shetterly's opinions on the subject—they are very well researched and documented opinions—but I have enough flame wars of my own on Twitter with "suicide is not a choice" advocates and #GamerGate. For the sake of my blood pressure, I have made the conscious decision to stop reading.

I may pick this book up again one day, and I don't regret reading what I did. I am especially thankful that the concept of identitarianism was introduced to me. It helped me understand better some of the online conflicts I have bumped into within my own spheres. This will help me in my writing. Also of import was noticing how much of this book was Shetterly's need to provide context for his past comments to a sympathetic audience. I immediately recognized the same tendency in my own blogging. It has given me food for thought.