Memes

Tankies call ourselves as such because we have 3 options, when the pejorative is flung at us:

1. Attack the legitimacy of the pejorative itself. For example, point out that it really only means "someone who supports existing socialist states" at a consistent level.

2. Own the term. By accepting the pejorative, you acknowledge that the line of division between the tankie and the one accusing the other of being a tankie is the fact that the accuser views the tankie as unjustifiably supporting socialist states, while the tankie believed their support to be justified, usually due to a difference in perspective, historiography, and understanding. This forces the conversation forward, to discussions of existing socialism, and what tankies actually support.

3. Accept that the pejorative exists, but vehemently deny that it applies to you.

Only 1 and 2 actually have a leg to stand on, and present a path forward. The reason we tankies accept the pejorative isn't because the liberal idea of a tankie is a real thing, but because the liberals correctly identify communists as belonging to a coherent group that falls under the same category. This doesn't mean it isn't a pejorative and a strawman, it's like "feminazi" back when that term was popular, only for socialism instead of feminism.

Like "feminazi," tankie is a term used to dismiss people as holding unreasonable views. It's by definition a pejorative and strawman, just like "feminazi."

But it’s not, you see, because tankies call themselves tankies

And black people call themselves the N-word does that mean you get to call them it?

It’s a pronoun. You are against pronouns.

No it's a pejorative.