What the Hell is This “ Virtue Signaling” bullshit?

…most of us grew up with having virtues and/or “ morals”

Violet DeTorres
3 min readSep 13, 2017

You know, I’m as old as dirt. So, when I started writing on here, and giving my point of view, I would run into this phrase “ oh, way to debate using “ virtue signaling” and I was like what the fuck is that?

So, I had to go and look it up…

Virtue signalling is the conspicuous expression of moral values done primarily with the intent of enhancing standing within a social group. The term was first used in signalling theory, to describe any behavior that could be used to signal virtue — especially piety among the religious.[1] Since 2015, the term has become more commonly used as a pejorative characterization by commentators to criticize what they regard as the platitudinous, empty, or superficial support of certain political views, and also used within groups to criticize their own members for valuing outward appearance over substantive action.[2][3][4] This more recent usage of the term has been criticized for misusing the concept of signalling and encouraging lazy thinking.

So, say I was having a debate about discrimination against certain ethnicities, that could possibly put their lives in peril, because of unfounded fears, like the internment of Japanese Americans for fear of betrayal to the United States because of their ethnicity, since I myself am part Japanese, then the other person debating me would get all uppity and snippy and throw in the “ virtue signaling” moniker.

Well, hate to inform you ignorant humans, but most of us grew up with virtues and MORALS. Most of us have manners and we’re not raised by a pack of wolves. Most of us were taught Aesop’s Fables or other short stories that had inherent lessons to teach us how to treat one another, or to look out for the wolves in sheeps clothing.

Maybe some of you have forgotten what a “virtue” is…

vir·tue

ˈvərCHo͞o/Submit

noun

plural noun: virtues

1.

behavior showing high moral standards.

“paragons of virtue”

synonyms: goodness, virtuousness, righteousness, morality, integrity, dignity, rectitude, honor, decency, respectability, nobility, worthiness, purity; principles, ethics

These are seven virtues:

Faith is belief in the right things (including the virtues!).

Hope is taking a positive future view, that good will prevail.

Charity is concern for, and active helping of, others.

Fortitude is never giving up.

Justice is being fair and equitable with others.

Prudence is care of and moderation with money.

Temperance is moderation of needed things and abstinence from things which are not needed.

I also found this on The Good Men’s Project…

  • Honor
  • Courage
  • Compassion
  • Respect
  • Loyalty
  • Honesty
  • Prudence
  • Grace
  • Forgiveness
  • Authenticity
  • Humility
  • Excellence
  • Gratitude
  • Kindness
  • Patience
  • Commitment
  • Tenacity
  • Tact
  • Generosity
  • Empathy
  • Contentment
  • Assertiveness
  • Cooperation
  • Adaptability

And the last one is INTEGRITY…

INTEGRITY

Integrity is the solidarity of our virtues; it is the quality by which we live out our values and prioritize our principles. It is the culmination of character in action. To act with integrity is to be a good man.

I will amend the last sentence to state, “To act with integrity is to be a good person, whether it be man, woman, boy, girl, whatever you identify with, you are…

Being a DECENT HUMAN BEING.

So, if I apparently “ virtue signal” to you within the scope of my conversation with you, I’m being a decent human being.

If that offends you, then what kind of a human being are you?

Think about it…

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Violet DeTorres

The Master’s Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master’s House // " When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time" --Maya Angelou