Social justice warrior

"Social justice warrior" (commonly abbreviated "SJW") is a pejorative term for an individual promoting socially progressive views, including advocacy for women's rights, identity politics, multiculturalism and civil rights.

The phrase originated in the late 20th century as a neutral or positive term for people engaged in social justice. During the Gamergate controversy, the negative connotation gained increased use, and was particularly aimed at those espousing views adhering to social liberalism, political correctness or feminism. Vice reported that the accusation of being an SJW implied a person was engaged in disingenuous social justice arguments or activism to raise their personal reputation. Vice assessed the problematic use of the term: "The problem is, that's not a real category of people. It's simply a way to dismiss anyone who brings up social justice—and often those people are feminists."