Is it ok.......Warning...contains racial slurs

[kingclick]

Is it ok to call someone a....

1. Wetback?
2. Faggot?
3. Towelhead?
4. Dyke?
5. Kyke?
6. Beaner?
7. Cracker?
8. White Trash?
9. Homophobe?
10. Jesus Freak?
11. Bible Thumper?
12. Zealot?
13. Queer?


So really, why is it ok to call someone some names but not others?

[GracieMae]

I'm not sure I see where you're going with this but I sure do find it offensive.

[kingclick]

I'm not sure I see where you're going with this but I sure do find it offensive.
Why do you find it offensive. I'm just trying to start a debate.

Should I give a warning to potential posters?

[GracieMae]

Yes, a warning would be great that this contains racial slurs hence why I find it offensive.

[mom2burgess]

Well I have been known to call myself Tattooed white trash (Hey I live in a trailor and Ihave lots of tatoos! lol) I don't think it's really ok to call any one ANY of those, although I will admit I have said several of the non racial ones before. And reading through it again, I don't think Jesus Freak really has bad conotations. Iknow several who call themselves jesus freaks

[kingclick]

Yes, a warning would be great that this contains racial slurs hence why I find it offensive.
Well I tried to change the original title of the thread....but us mods don't have them powers no more...

[GracieMae]

Homophobe?
Jesus Freak?
Bible Thumper?
Zealot?

These are not racial slurs and I can't say as they are offensive when they apply. I know many homophobes and zealots. *I* could be called a Jesus freak.

Racial slurs never apply.

[GracieMae]

Done KL.

[kingclick]

Thankies!

[rara avisnongrata]

I agree with Gracie Mae on what is and what is not a "slur".

I was not offended upon opening the thread, as they were not being used hatefully in this context - just debate fodder.

Not sure how anyone could make an argument that they are "okay", with the exception of the words GM pointed out as not truly being slurs.

[GinnyPotter]

Racial slurs are never okay.

I agree with Gracie on the four words she pointed out.

[kingclick]

Queer isn't racial. Neither is faggot.

Ok...so what makes wrong to call someone a racial slur?

I think it is a double standard that we can call people homophobes, bible thumpers, holy rollers, jesus freaks. Yet those same people that use those offensive insults are the same that would pitch a pissy hissy fit if someone used nigger or camel jockey.

Why the double standard?

[GracieMae]

A person can not control what race they are. Most people take pride in their race. A persons race is not up for debate and should be off limits to negative comments.

A person can be in control of being homophobic, a Bible thumper or a Jesus freak.

Racial slurs breed intolorance and ignorance.

I may call someone a Bible thumper but I would never use a racial slur. The two are most definitly not the same.

[kingclick]

1. A person can not control what race they are. Most people take pride in their race. A persons race is not up for debate and should be off limits to negative comments.

2. A person can be in control of being homophobic, a Bible thumper or a Jesus freak.

3. Racial slurs breed intolorance and ignorance.

4. I may call someone a Bible thumper but I would never use a racial slur. The two are most definitly not the same.
1. Why? Race is equal to religion in the eyes of the law. So religion should also be treated equally when it comes to respecting each other.

2. I agree that a person can be in control of being homophobic. However it becomes a slur when the INSULTER cannot prove that the person is homophobic.

3. Racial slurs do breed intolerance and ignorance. But so do religiously based slurs. Towelheads is a religiously based slur and that one is off limits, right?

4. They are not the same, however they are just as insulting, divisive, intolerant and breed ignorance equally.

[GracieMae]

Is this about other threads here?

Calling someone a name based on their beliefs or opinion is in no way the same as calling them a racial slur. Not at all. That is fact.

[GracieMae]

Queer isn't racial. Neither is faggot.

No, but they are words I expect to hear from ignorant people. They may not be racial slurs but they are slurs against a group of people. Totally unacceptable IMO.

[GinnyPotter]

I believe that homosexuality is not a choice. Therefore I believe that using slurs of any kind to refer to homosexuals is akin to using racial slurs.

[kingclick]

Is this about other threads here?

Calling someone a name based on their beliefs or opinion is in no way the same as calling them a racial slur. Not at all. That is fact.
In no way? That would not be a fact but your opinion Gracie.

So it's less horrible to call someone a faggot than a nigger? Or less horrible to call someone a Raghead than a kyke? Is it less horrible to call someone a butt buddy then it would be to call someone a Spic?

I disagree with your opinion. Being insulting about someones ETHNIC, RACIAL, RELIGIOUS or SEXUAL origins are all equally offensive.

[GracieMae]

Fine, disagree till the cows come home. I made my feelings quite clear and I am done.

[kingclick]

No, but they are words I expect to hear from ignorant people. They may not be racial slurs but they are slurs against a group of people. Totally unacceptable IMO.
As are Jesus Freak, Homophobe, Holy Roller, Bible Thumper, Zealot, Fundie.....

[GracieMae]

Fine, disagree till the cows come home. I made my feelings quite clear and I am done.

I repeat.

[kingclick]

I believe that homosexuality is not a choice. Therefore I believe that using slurs of any kind to refer to homosexuals is akin to using racial slurs.
So it SEEMS (and correct me if I'm wrong) you are saying that unless it is a racial based slur or a sexuality based slur, it's fair game and acceptable. Is this true?

[kingclick]

I repeat.
Ok.

[Mabel]

Racial slurs breed intolorance and ignorance.
This can be said of most slurs, not just racial slurs, IMO.

[GracieMae]

No, but they are words I expect to hear from ignorant people. They may not be racial slurs but they are slurs against a group of people. Totally unacceptable IMO.

That's pretty much what I said here.

[casper]

To pinpoint the word "queer," the term is trendy in today's society with such hit shows as "Queer As Folk" and "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy." The term "queer" becomes derogatory only when one uses it with the sole purpose to hurt one's feelings.

[Beelzebub]

As are Jesus Freak, Homophobe, Holy Roller, Bible Thumper, Zealot, Fundie.....


That term is used to describe people whom have a fear and/or loathing of homosexuals.

The term Zealot actually came from a Jewish group whom fought Roman rule (Palestine I believe but I could be wrong). We use it now to describe people that are fanatical about a cause (religious or not).

Fundamentalists are merely a group or movement whom wish to return and follow strict religious principles and often oppose secularism.

I do not see how these terms equate to words such as nigger, because nigger is a disparaging term in itself, the first three are not.
You can argue that people throw "fundamentalist" and "zealot" around, but in truth they are not actual insults, unlike nigger, wetback, towel head and the multitude of other racial slurs which were racist terms upon their creation.

In fact (if I am understanding you correctly) if you claim the first three are derogatory remakes, you are in actual fact giving more power to the words and more meaning than they would otherwise possess.

[Samityna]

I don't think it is right to use any type of derogatory slur of term. I believe in the Golden Rule and would hate to think that people are thinking of me in those terms and just naturally don't use those terms.

But... what is a "beaner"? Umm... it's something I call my youngest son (used to call him 'my little bean' and it has evolved into beaner) and if it's something derogatory, I hate to think I've been calling him that for all these years!

~Sarah

[rara avisnongrata]

Sarah -

"Beaner" is a racial slur used to refer to Mexicans, and perhaps other hispanics?...don't know. It has to do with their traditional ethnic diet being rich in beans. I don't know...being a bean eater is a good, healthy thing, right? I have always thought this was an especially lame slur.

Incidentally, I call my DS my "little bean", "beanie", and yes, occasionally "my little beaner" slips out. Of course, I mean it in a totally unrelated way...but we do have many hispanic neighbors and sometimes I worry someone will overhear and think I mean it in the "unkind" way, :paranoid: !

[Opus]

No, but they are words I expect to hear from ignorant people. They may not be racial slurs but they are slurs against a group of people. Totally unacceptable IMO.Actually, the word QUEER is used in the gay nations own chants

"We're Queer, and here and in your face"

not exact but close

and I dont understand why just the existence and listing of any word would be offensive to anyone, i wonder, does reading the dictionary offend those when they come accross the words?

I do of course think, in answer to the question, that it is isn't proper or right to call anyone any of those names

[Demona]

Homophobe is descriptive - there is no other single word for that characteristic, slang or not: similar to 'racist', 'misogynist'.

There is no logic to which words acquire power in a language / culture. Why is 'fuck' more offensive than 'have sex'; 'shit' more offensive than 'poo', and 'cunt' more offensive than 'twat' or 'vagina'.

And what is offensive changes over time. Religious swearwords (damn, hell) used to have much more power than they do now. 'Nigger' used to be an acceptable word.

All you can do is be culturally aware of what may be considered offensive and be accordingly careful if you do not wish to offend. Personally, I find no single word offensive, but I can certainly take offense at who is using the word, or the manner in which they are using it.

Opus - 'queer', like 'nigger', has been 'reclaimed' to some extent, in that it is acceptable for gay/black people, and people they know intend no ill-will (such as close friends), to use it. People who do not know one's circumstances/attitudes will probably not appreciate it simply being used as a synonym for 'homosexual'.

[Mabel]

To pinpoint the word "queer," the term is trendy in today's society with such hit shows as "Queer As Folk" and "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy." The term "queer" becomes derogatory only when one uses it with the sole purpose to hurt one's feelings.

I agree that whether the word 'queer' is acceptable to the gay community or not, if you use it with a negative intent, it is wrong to use the word.

[Opus]

I agree that whether the word 'queer' is acceptable to the gay community or not, if you use it with a negative intent, it is wrong to use the word.
Since I dont use the term for insuting perposes I dont worry about the usage and my gay friends have never complained either

and I agree that gay people if offended can talk about it and as such straight people dont have a right to be offended by a term that doesnt apply or is used towards them

[GracieMae]

Opus, people have the right to be offended by anything they find offensive.

Another person has no right to tell them what they may or may not be offended by.

[Opus]

Opus, people have the right to be offended by anything they find offensive.

Another person has no right to tell them what they may or may not be offended by.
well, we will have to agree to disagree on that subject gracie

If someone calls someone shorty, I dont think I have a right to be offended even though I was the shortest kid in my school system (5'2"), in my opinion the person being called it has the right to either be or not offended

but I understand your point of view

I just diagree with it

Hope your day is going well