Originally Posted By debtee I've read this topic with interest. I think what country you live in can play a part of this as well. Our news carried the whole clip of Michael Richards tirade complete with subtitles, just in case you missed it! The reason for this I believe is the N word does not carry the same weight here in Australia as it does in America. An example I have of how different countries perceive things is last year someone called me a Nazi on LP and I was greatly offended as I grew up in England and that's NOT a word you use there. I reported this to the mods that I had been called the N word and they sent me a message back instantly all concerned and would see to it straight away...UNTIL they discovered it was not YOUR N word but the Nazi word??? The offensive word was left in until I complained once again and I believe only removed because of the insulting nature of the thread not because of the actual use of this word. I could not understand this acceptance of what I considered to be a huge insult. I came to the conclusion that what's offensive to one part of the world is not offensive somewhere else!
Originally Posted By jonvn "No. In the tattoo thread probably. And I stand by that." You're not following. Never mind.
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder "You're not following. Never mind." No, I'm following. No one can say in person some of the things that are said to people on the Internet on a consistent basis without reprisals. Period.
Originally Posted By jonvn I basically am the same both on and off line. Tone of voice and facial expression allows you to say things in a manner by which the same words when read seem less hostile when spoken directly. Anyway, the word "queer," I am pretty sure, originally was a way to describe homosexuals in a polite manner. That was the original way to do it. Later, it took on a hostile intent.
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder "I basically am the same both on and off line. Tone of voice and facial expression allows you to say things in a manner by which the same words when read seem less hostile when spoken directly." Uh-huh.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 <Anyway, the word "queer," I am pretty sure, originally was a way to describe homosexuals in a polite manner. That was the original way to do it. Later, it took on a hostile intent.> I'm not sure, but it may be true. Now it's claimed almost in a radical way by gay people. Which just points out again how words evolve and how intent is key.
Originally Posted By peeaanuut There are certain words that people should never use. The N word is definately one of them. I dont care if your black, white, chinese, mexican, canadian, British, french, Russian, Indian, australian or any race. If you are human you should not say the word. And a "Street" variation of the word is just as bad as the original word. Even words like "queer" which apparently has become socially acceptable should not be used. Under no circumstances, bottom line. We are a world community, we are all humans. Thats it, plain and simple. I dont care what anyones intentions are, the words are hateful in any tone, they are hateful in with any facial expression, they are hateful in any written or typed color. They are simply meant to demean(sp?) and anger others no matter what the circumstance is. Just because one person thinks they are "above" the word has no bearing. The word is a negative. If they choose to call themselves that than they have not thought about the social implications of their actions and quite inconciderate. Was what Richards did wrong, oh you bet your behind it was. Getting anger is not the issue. people get anger all the time. But getting anger and using one of the most vial, vilthy, dirty words possible is unnacceptable. He has made ammends in the best possible way he know how and we hope they are heartfelt. Now do I think he needs to go and apologize to everyone he has offended face to face. Of course not because there will always be the opportunists. He has said his peace and as long as that peace is right in his heart and right with higher being, if he so chooses to have one than that is alright with me. Now of course if he does it again, than we know he is full of it and cannot be trusted again. Just as with Gibson, there were opportunists that wanted to further the hate instead of addressing the one individual and the situation. Lets take the benefit of the doubt with this one, he was upset, he apologized and we can let it go. Unless there is a next time.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< BTW SuperDry it was SUPER great spending time with you here in Korea . GLAD you made that flight to Japan. Since I managed to keep you out until 5 in the morning AND got you on the dance floor (this is AFTER he got into so much kids, he actually postponed his flight to keep hanging out with me), >>> Yea, that was great. Half way around the world, and there were still an LP friend to visit. I did end up making that flight in plenty of time. I just saw Mr X a few minutes ago, and we talked all about this thread and some other things. And I told him all about that dance floor in Korea, and how I have never seen someone able to clear one off in a hurry like you did a couple of times that night . Did you notice that when I joined you, all of the ladies stuck around that time?
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder "You are in no position to state otherwise." Give it a rest, I'm not going to belabor this with you. I don't believe you. Live with it.
Originally Posted By jonvn You can believe what you want. When I meet people from Texas, my first ocmment is "So it's your fault." People don't get bent out of shape about it when these things are said face to face.
Originally Posted By debtee I thought I'd better qualify that I also do not believe the N word should be used! I was just mentioning the differences around the world.
Originally Posted By MissCandice Debtee, being called a Nazi is certainly against community standards and I was shocked to read that it took so long to have that removed. It's not a good thing to be called in America either.
Originally Posted By mele Especially to you, debtee! I can't imagine anyone being so mean to someone as nice as you. Grr
Originally Posted By DAR Did anyone happen to notice the tv ads for Seinfeld's seventh season? He was hardly in them at all.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan Yeah. The ads said: "Enjoy the antics of Jerry, George, Elaine and the guy with anger issues across the hall."
Originally Posted By DAR True story I'm watching an episode last week and in the episode Kramer was dating a black woman. Talk about irony.
