Your opinion: racial slurs

[DaFace]

One of the things I personally struggle with the most when it comes to moderation around here is the issue of racial slurs. Racial slurs range from the obvious (e.g., the "n" word) to the relatively innocuous (e.g., "cracker"). It's tough to tell where to draw the line.

So, here's a poll to help me better understand how people feel. There are thousands of words that could be construed as racial slurs out there, so this won't be a comprehensive list. But it'll cover most of the common ones that seem to crop up here and there.

I'll also mention that this poll has nothing to do with what appropriate action there might be for people using them. There will always be a lot of room for interpretation. The poll is merely to help me understand the range of feelings about the topic.

[Jilly]

Originally Posted by ChiTown

In our little PC world, there isn't much left that isn't offensive to somebody or some group.

I really really think this is a common misconception. We live in a world of words and if we choose them carefully, maybe then we'd live in a world that is peaceful. Language has been used as a weapon for far too long, imo.

[wild1]

Originally Posted by tooge

I have no problem with racial slurs. If you are using them here, you are an idiot, a bigot, and a loser. We are all here by our own free will right? We can all turn our computers off right? We can all choose to ignore any poster we want no? Personally, I wouldn't have any list of banned racial slurs. Of course think everythink is over regulated and pussified (is that banned) these days.

THIS - but like I said, what commonly happens is people use mock-offense at racism to try to get people banned that they just don't like.

[ChiTown]

Originally Posted by Jilly

I really really think this is a common misconception. We live in a world of words and if we choose them carefully, maybe then we'd live in a world that is peaceful. Language has been used as a weapon for far too long, imo.

I think we live in a world of wounded vaginas.

Words on a message board? Meh. You can choose to ignore any and all of that. Now, if someone calls me a Wigger to my face, well, we're going to have a problem. j/k

[Katipan]

What happens is that the general CP population will come up with a phrase like "strawberry wafers" and we'll ALL know what they're saying without really saying it.

I understand a moderator's headache, but I'm O.G.

Less moderation the better.

[Buehler445]

Originally Posted by Jilly

I really really think this is a common misconception. We live in a world of words and if we choose them carefully, maybe then we'd live in a world that is peaceful. Language has been used as a weapon for far too long, imo.

That's a little overly utopian. You can say ANYTHING and there is a possibility it will be offensive.

For ****'s sake, you can say nothing and be offended. I applied for a supervisor position in my current job once. I didn't hear a word from the manager. A few weeks later she mentioned in passing that they were going to combine that function and not backfill. I was a little offended she didn't say anything to me about it. She just determined that the candidates weren't good enough so they cancelled the search. I was pretty pissed (to be fair to her I'd been here less than a year, but I would have done a better job than the toolbox that is doing it now).

Point remains. Words you choose to construct your message have different meanings to different people. Add in that they are just words, there isn't any non-verbal communication to support understanding and it is flat impossible to communicate exactly what you mean all the time.
Posted via Mobile Device

[BigMeatballDave]

I voted for none of the above. Its just a word. Get over it...

[BigMeatballDave]

Originally Posted by tooge

I have no problem with racial slurs. If you are using them here, you are an idiot, a bigot, and a loser. We are all here by our own free will right? We can all turn our computers off right? We can all choose to ignore any poster we want no? Personally, I wouldn't have any list of banned racial slurs. Of course think everythink is over regulated and pussified (is that banned) these days.

Yup...

[wild1]

sorry started blabbing before i saw the poll.

[BigRichard]

Originally Posted by Jilly

I really really think this is a common misconception. We live in a world of words and if we choose them carefully, maybe then we'd live in a world that is peaceful. Language has been used as a weapon for far too long, imo.

No disrespect but I think you are completely wrong on this.

[Baby Lee]

Originally Posted by Jilly

There are other ways to joke around and there are other ways to speak. Why, would it EVER be necessary to use a word that could be hurtful to another human being, whether used in a joking way or not? Why can't we just elevate ourselves to another level of being so that when we use words we use them in a manner that is respectful. Why is it SO hard and SO offensive to people to actually ask that we speak in a manner that is aware of others and their feelings?

I'm not picking on you, I just think this conversation is one that we shouldn't even be having. If it can be thought of as offensive, why use it when there is SO much more language out there that is not offensive?

Because the good of a full access to expression and creativity and humor outweighs the bad of individuals who take offense at words without regard to context.

With the exception of puns, humor is pain, whether it's a wiffleball bat to the scandal bundle, or Mr. Furley thinking Jack Tripper is gay, or the Three poking each other in the eyes while getting a frying pan to the noggin, or the endless jokes about infidelity or sexual humiliation or just plain being in the wrong place at the wrong time. As Michael Valentine said, they laugh because it hurts.

[Mr. Krab]

I don't really see how "Jap" is, it's nationality not race.

[ChiTown]

Originally Posted by Mr. Krab's

I don't really see how "Jap" is, it's nationality not race.

No shit.

It's short for that really offensive word, "Japanese"

It's a context word, I'm sure. When people say the word "Japanese", no one is offended. But, when they say, "Did you see those Japs snapping all those pictures of the Sears Tower?", well, that would create a shit storm.

[FAX]

I oppose censorship in any form. I, myself, have had a perfectly good poem ruined to hell and gone by "The Man" jacks.

Seriously, though ... this is all about context, Mr. DaFace. Censorship is bad for everybody. Filter out the "n" word and forget the rest unless it's clear that some poster is trying to insult people by using a particular word.

I honestly don't understand why more Planeteers don't avail themselves of the ignore feature.

FAX

[BigVE]

Originally Posted by FAX

I oppose censorship in any form. I, myself, have had a perfectly good poem ruined to hell and gone by "The Man" jacks.

Seriously, though ... this is all about context, Mr. DaFace. Censorship is bad for everybody. Filter out the "n" word and forget the rest unless it's clear that some poster is trying to insult people by using a particular word.

I honestly don't understand why more Planeteers don't avail themselves of the ignore feature.

FAX

How do u select just that ONE as the only one that is deemed worthy of being called a racial slur or offensive?

[tooge]

Originally Posted by BigVE

How do u select just that ONE as the only one that is deemed worthy of being called a racial slur or offensive?

that's what I was thinking. If I am mexican and you only ban the "N" word and someone calls me a spic, then I go "hey, what makes the "N" word so special?" Dont ban anything at all. If someone uses it and it is offending everyone, then ban the ass. Seems pretty simple to me. Kinda like banning guns. If you are out at your farm shooting safely at targets, who cares. If you start shooting at people, you go to jail.