Offended by a Phrase

Shine · Posted: Sun Jul 02, 2006 10:11 pm Post subject: Offended by a Phrase

As I am reading several posts this evening, I am beginning to see a phrase repeatedly appearing in various places. The one I am refering to is

addman · Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 2:02 am Post subject:

I agree Shine, this phrase is often bandered around without little thought, despite the fact that it is quite offencive.

My brother was born with down syndrome, and there was a group of narrow minded individuals who used to call him names at school. That was one of them.

I reckon this word should be put on the word censor.

Shadowveil · Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 2:08 am Post subject:

Maybe we need some sort of non-offensive insult for these situations. "Smeg-head", perhaps?

Ruster · Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 2:38 am Post subject:

Yes, 'smeg-head' is a perfect replacement in my mind. Who do we speak to to get said changes? I'd quite like to know who is responcible for this aswell.

3kul · Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 4:33 am Post subject:

I'm not sure I really think that this is a good idea. Yes, when it's used in the wrong context, the word 'retard' is offensive in more ways than one, but it's not actually a swear word. To quote the dictionary, 'retard' can also mean 'to cause to move or proceed slowly; delay or impede'. It hardly seems fair that I or anyone else should be forced to change the way we speak or be censored because of the actions of just one person.

I think that the word censor does have it's uses, but I also think that this was just a one-off mistake. Honestly, how many times have people called other people here a retard in an inappropriate or derogatory manner? Place it in the Hall of Shame as an example of the kinds of behaviour that we don't approve of or something like that, but I think that censoring words like this is hardly necessary.

LordPsycho · Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 6:02 am Post subject:

retard - (v) To hold back

I don't know how that could be applied by definition to anyone. Shine, if you could report the posts they appear in, I'll take care of it.

Edit: Never mind Shine, I found the source of the phrase. One of the moderators must have put it into the word censor...and I think I know who,

anyways, said phrase was used to replace l o l. I've changed it to:

lol

Goron40 · Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 1:04 pm Post subject:

The retards being reffered to are DP and I. We had a mini l o l censor battle, and this mod found it humorous to fix such a thing.

Netdroid9 · Posted: Tue Jul 04, 2006 4:13 am Post subject:

What a load of PC bullcrap. It's only offensive if you want it to be. If you don't like the word 'retard', ignore it. Simple. No need to go adding word filters for words that have perfectly legitamate uses.

PS: Can we uncensor l o l? It's annoying enough on the EC forums Sad

...

LordPsycho · Posted: Tue Jul 04, 2006 5:14 am Post subject:

Net, Let me share a story.

I have what is now after years of physical therapy a mild case of Cerebral Palsy. Because of that, I've heard said term enough. Because of that, I will not have the term used as such on my forums. You have a problem with that? Because it now seems you have a severe case of "Open mouth, Insert foot"

3kul · Posted: Tue Jul 04, 2006 5:24 am Post subject:

Aren't you overreacting by censoring it completely though? Where do you draw the line between what is offensive enough to be censored and what's not? If someone used the word 'gay' in a derogatory or offensive manner, would you ban that word too?

LordPsycho · Posted: Tue Jul 04, 2006 5:35 am Post subject:

No, but it's personal with that word we are discussing here right now.

And I've made my decision. and It's final.

3kul · Posted: Tue Jul 04, 2006 5:56 am Post subject:

So hang on now, if I said "banning the word 'retard' is so gay", you wouldn't ban the word 'gay', but if I say "banning the word 'gay' would be retarded", you'd ban the word 'retard'? Where's the sense in that? Both words have one or more proper uses, but can also be used in an offensive or derogatory manner - in that sense, I could say that they are the same.

I'm sorry, but to me, it just seems like you want to ban the word 'retard' for all the wrong reasons. I'd understand if people were calling each other 'retard' all the time, and it was a problem, but it's not. One instance. That's all we've had. Search the term 'retard' and the only posts you'll get are from this thread. Put it up in the Hall of Shame, since that's what it's there for, or if you're adamant on banning the usage of the word, then make a poll. Censoring one thing because you feel it's personal but not another thing simply because it's not just isn't fair.

addman · Posted: Tue Jul 04, 2006 6:22 am Post subject:

Words that are currently upsetting people should be banned. That word has upset me, Shine and even the owner of these forums, The Sensei. It's not just The Sensei taking it personally because it is affecting more than one person.

If people started using the word gay and it offended a bunch of people, I imagine that the same would happen. It's not for the wrong reasons, it's to stop people bandering around petty insults.

As far as I am aware, no one has used the word gay as an insult to anyone here on these forums, so therefore the issue has not been addressed. It doesn't make sense to say "that's not fair", as I bet it would be treated in exactly the same manner should the need arise. Just because it's not banned at this moment in time doesn't mean The Sensei tolerates it, where in his post did he say that he wants to insult homosexuals?

Also, 3kul, why are you so adamant on keeping this word? Do you even intend to use it?

UncleAsriel · Posted: Tue Jul 04, 2006 6:27 am Post subject:

Calm down, everyone.

Although I agree that the usage of those words in such a manner is quite offensive, they both can be used quite innocently in conversation without being overly vicious. The Sensei, taking this into account, has put neither word on the list of censored words. Everyone can use the words retard and gay quite readily, without censorship. All that is asked in return is that the first Dojo rule is obeyed:

LordPsycho · Posted: Tue Jul 04, 2006 7:03 am Post subject:

and I see alot of the second and often forgotten rule being broken: