Quote:
Originally Posted by Hugh
As has been said above, context is all.
Here is something I posted before in another thread about two months ago, replying to you on the same subject, by a writer/columnist called Charles L. Blow, about how using words in context matter.
As I also said, Regarding the N word and the usage of the word Queer, have you ever considered that it may be the people who were denigrated by the usage of the term(s) taking back the word, and empowering themselves by using it within their groups.
You said either a word is acceptable or it isn't, but that's a very simplistic view - you would never have been called the N word or Queer as an insult (or probably in any way) as you are neither, so who are you to tell someone who has had it used against them how they should use it - I know lots of Yorkshiremen who call each their Yorkshire friends "you tight barsteward", but if someone who they didn't know from London said it, they might take offence.
As I said, context is all, and like life, not black and white - ymmv.
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I think that we can all agree then that whether it's wrong to use a word depends upon the context and intent.
I'm still undecided about gay people calling themselves Queer, black people calling each other Nigga etc though. On the one hand I agree that it's for them to decide what terminology to use, yet on the other it's confusing and unhelpful to outsiders to minority groups. If simply adds weight to the often heard phrase "we don't know what we are allowed to say anymore".
I'm still curious as to why you choose to censor yourself with regards to the word used to insult black people, yet don't with regards to gay people etc.
There does appear to be a hierarchy of political correctness in society, of which black people are placed at the top and I simply cannot fathom why.
Quote:
Originally Posted by RizzyKing
We have become far too sensitive in the UK with our gallant band of "offended on the behalf of others" warriors who think they can sterilise the world without realising that banter can be very beneficial even with derogatory terms.
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Well, in my experience anything that could remotely be labelled as racist is normally picked up by (often middle class university educated type) white people. In the meantime, black people just get on with it.
I think that this could be misplaced guilt from the past, but is more likely to be virtue signalling.
The most bizarre attempt to collect PC brownie points was when someone in my company picked someone up for saying that they had "found themselves in a prickly situation". Apparently, this is racist because the pubic hair of black women is more course than that of white women and this is what male slave owners were believed to have said when their wives caught them having sex with their female slaves!?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Carth
100% agreed on that, people who are "offended on the behalf of others" are IMO just s**t stirring attention seekers.
I guess I'm not allowed to say that though  |
Agreed.
Outside of a work situation if someone says something about a disadvantaged or minority group that I disagree with, I'll simply air my views. I certainly wouldn't start to feign offence on their behalf!