Classically relativism:
A theory, especially in ethics or aesthetics, that conceptions of truth and moral values are not absolute but are relative to the persons or groups holding them.
Today I interpret that in the culture of "but, but they are worse."
I have had explained to me when talking about equal rights and the rape culture that I should count my blessings that I don't live in Afghanistan, as if this somehow negates sexism in our own society. This method is often used to try and justify the rampant Islamophobia of the speaker.
I have it explained to me that even thinking of gay marriage would result in my stoning to death in foreign parts and I should thank my lucky stars that the person informing me of this, isn't picking up rocks.
When discussing politics and should one dare to point out the internal failings of one's own "side" this is brushed off by a statement concerning the mental health of the opposition.
You can always brush off or hide an "ism" by finding an example of something worse without even the need to delve further.
It's like watching white folk explain the joys of slavery, and how our slavery when compared to other cultures was really not as bad as some slave owning cultures.
Contorted relativism is all smoke and mirrors, rather than looking at the the reality and underlying truth of an argument a worse case can be found to justify the underlying failings.
So you think you are poor? Have you seen over there? Their poor starve to death. Now that's what I call poverty, so be happy.
So all I ask when listening to others justify their stance on any issue; when they immediately resort to "but have you seen how x behaves" is to immediately mark one point into the loss column.
After all, being at the back of the bus is better than walking.