Using an unusually stupid example of wrongdoing to try and excuse other wrongdoing. When in reality it just makes both examples wrong.
"It's okay for China to collect our metadata because the US did the same thing and used it to hunt terrorists in Yemen"
"Dude, that is the stupidest whataboutism I have ever heard. If you think it's wrong against terrorists then why the hell do you think it's okay to do the same against anyone else? If one is wrong then they're both wrong, dumbass."
"Dude, that is the stupidest whataboutism I have ever heard. If you think it's wrong against terrorists then why the hell do you think it's okay to do the same against anyone else? If one is wrong then they're both wrong, dumbass."
by Davezilla July 6, 2019
Get the Whataboutism mug.A person who can't disprove a relevant point which may show bias or a double-standard. So all they have is to say nice whataboutism.
Chris doesn't want to acknowledge his double-standards, when I showed him and example he said nice whataboutism. He had no other response, he is just like all the other whataboutism-flakes.
by MickyD777 January 7, 2021
Get the Whataboutism-flake mug.What americans scream when you point out their obvious hypocrisy because apparently they have some special privilege to do horrible things but other don't
American: China must free Tibet, Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia and Manchuria!! They stole the land from the native people!!
Chinese: Aren't you literally living in the land your ancestors stole from native Americans?
American: WTF!! HOW DARE YOU POINT OUT MY HYPOCRISY!! THIS IS WHATABOUTISM!!!!!!!
Chinese: Aren't you literally living in the land your ancestors stole from native Americans?
American: WTF!! HOW DARE YOU POINT OUT MY HYPOCRISY!! THIS IS WHATABOUTISM!!!!!!!
by anonymous October 12, 2022
Get the Whataboutism mug.Attempt to deflect from valid criticism by claiming that your critic are themselves deflecting from criticism.
US Liberal: Conservatives want children to die because they won't ban all guns!
US Conservative: The vast majority of guns are never used to kill children, and are routinely used for self-defense to actually save lives, including those of children. Besides, you're pro-abortion, which literally murders millions of children every year.
US Liberal: Shutup! That's whataboutism!
US Conservative: The vast majority of guns are never used to kill children, and are routinely used for self-defense to actually save lives, including those of children. Besides, you're pro-abortion, which literally murders millions of children every year.
US Liberal: Shutup! That's whataboutism!
by The Bugle Abridged June 27, 2022
Get the whataboutism mug.A term used to dismiss valid criticism of the user's own hypocrisy.
Not to be confused with saying literally "what about-", which is a similar act of comparing someone's behavior with their own past actions.
Not to be confused with saying literally "what about-", which is a similar act of comparing someone's behavior with their own past actions.
"You're a terrible parent because you won't let your kids watch tv!"
"Didn't one of your kids die because of neglect?"
"That's whataboutism!"
"Didn't one of your kids die because of neglect?"
"That's whataboutism!"
by ColonelCluster February 14, 2024
Get the whataboutism mug.A term used by neoliberals that discourages people using critical thinking skills and/or dismissing them when they stay on point but bring up a valid objective and measureble fact that should be considered in debate. The neoliberal drops the term 'whataboutism" and declares victory in the debate while dismissing all the data necessary to come to a valid conclusion that examines all the evidence.
Person 1: "Put your gun down and surrender!"
Person 2: "What about that gun in your hand? We both have guns. How about if we both put our guns down?"
Person 1: "Stop your whataboutism and surrender"
Person 2: Bang, Bang, shoots person 1 dead
Person 2: "What about that gun in your hand? We both have guns. How about if we both put our guns down?"
Person 1: "Stop your whataboutism and surrender"
Person 2: Bang, Bang, shoots person 1 dead
by Mojorayjones March 2, 2023
Get the whataboutism mug.1.) Anytime someone wants to win the debate and then going back to what they were doing.
2.) Another word for cop out
3.) A verbal kick in the balls during a debate
2.) Another word for cop out
3.) A verbal kick in the balls during a debate
Unable to be used effectively in a sentence here is an example of whataboutism
Laura: I feel we should keep the death penalty in the U.S. Taylor: Well, I think that's because you lack empathy for people.
Laura: I feel we should keep the death penalty in the U.S. Taylor: Well, I think that's because you lack empathy for people.
by stainless67 March 11, 2022
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