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General Windypops
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Posted - 2006.08.15 22:48:00 -
[1]
Edited by: General Windypops on 15/08/2006 22:49:16
This evening, a young guy in local was smacktalking away and calling people 'retarded'. I politely asked him to stop, making the point that I found the phrase offensive, but he continued to use the phrase (deliberately now, to wind me up) despite my polite requests.
I'm curious - what do other people in the community think. Is the word 'retarded' any less offensive than derogatory words against people from certain religious or racial background? It's a word that's well known to be highly offensive when used against those with an actual handicap, so should it be tolerated whilst similar phrases used against specific religions or cultural backgrounds are not?
Even if the majority finds it perfectly legitimate, should it be appropriate when a large minority are offended by it?
Maybe i'm the only one here who finds it offensive. What are your thoughts?
This isn't intended to be flamebait, just a legitimate test of public views.
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Auraurious
Celtic Anarchy
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Posted - 2006.08.15 22:50:00 -
[2]
Generally I find that what offends me with words is not so much the word itself, its the intent and meaning that the person is trying to show through the word.
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General Windypops
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Posted - 2006.08.15 22:51:00 -
[3]
I think you probably have hit the nail on the head there - even if the word itself isn't considered by all to be derogatory, it's inferring that you have a mental handicap, and that that is 'amusing'.
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JForce
The ARR0W Project
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Posted - 2006.08.15 22:52:00 -
[4]
I don't think it's a big deal. It is exactly the same as calling someone stupid. Now that person may not be stupid or retarded, but name calling is a part of the game for some people.
I don't think it's worth discussing.
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Joshua Foiritain
Gallente
Coreli Corporation
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Posted - 2006.08.15 22:52:00 -
[5]
I dont read local in empire for a reason 
Other then that, petition his ass if he offends you.
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[Coreli Corporation Mainframe] |
Dak Hakin
Jericho Fraction
The Star Fraction
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Posted - 2006.08.15 22:53:00 -
[6]
Yeah, I am kinda bothered by the wholesale use of that word now. Sadly it has become a commonly used slang now.
_______________________________________________
I am the devil, and I'm here to do the devils work.
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Jimmy Saville
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Posted - 2006.08.15 23:01:00 -
[7]
Personally, I find it entirely offensive, and it's one of the sad things about these kind of communities where words that are never used in polite conversation are suddenly acceptable when the person is not standing in front of you.
/sigh
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cold lazarus
Amarr
Reikoku
Band of Brothers
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Posted - 2006.08.15 23:01:00 -
[8]
To Be Quite honest what one persons annoyance is anothers ignorance.
Smoking
drinking
swearing
spitting
Dress sense
hair style
any of these above can cause offence to another person, hell even bad spelling on these forums attract them.
unfortunatly you cant cover everyone in cottonwool to keep them from being offended at the drop of a hat. But there is always the block button 
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Auldare
S.A.S
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Posted - 2006.08.15 23:02:00 -
[9]
I dont know, everytime i see someone use that word the following image pops up;
Wild west, some guy with 'dirt' all over him with less teeth than a duck saying to his mate, 'that boy aint right he's a reeeetarddd'
i.e. people who use the word do not give me the slightest conficence that they can count and walk at the same time themselves.
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David Hassellhoff
Hairy Chests Inc.
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Posted - 2006.08.15 23:08:00 -
[10]
Agreed - in my view, it's a highly offensive term, but it says a lot more about the immature mindset of the person that uses the phrase than the person they're calling 'r*******'. I would love to see it banned, but just because others use the phrase doesn't mean you should use it too.
Signature unrelated to eve -Eldo ([email protected]) |
Pesky LaRue
Minmatar
L.O.S.T. Foundation
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Posted - 2006.08.15 23:16:00 -
[11]
that word doesn't phase me at all - i know it's popular connotation but it's meaning is actually nothing to do with the mentaly handicapped, per se -
Retarded
1 : to slow up especially by preventing or hindering advance or accomplishment : IMPEDE
2 : to delay academic progress by failure to promote
so, the fact that this guy was bandying the word around means that HE would have annoyed me, but that word itself wouldn't although had he been calling people "mongoloids", i'd have probably found that more offensive - but ultimately, he's being an idiot and he's probably loving that he gets a rise out of you so the best thing you can do is petition him or block him.
i hate to say "sticks & stones", but there are many words that only have power if you give them the power.
This message came from the Minmatar Messiah, accept no imitations
Pesky LaRue, Minmatar Messiah
Bringing Salvation To Your System Soon!
++ PRAY FOR PESKY ++ |
NATMav
F.R.E.E. Explorer
EVE Animal Control
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Posted - 2006.08.15 23:17:00 -
[12]
TBH, I don't even associate the word with the "mentally handicapped" anymore. Everything is supposed to be so politically correct these days that the opposite is actually occuring, where previously offensive words have been made into common slang. It's quite similar to the use of the N word among a certain race, calling someone the J word because they are tight with money, regardless of their heritage, calling someone the other N word because they are very disciplined and strict.
Of course, all of these can be offensive depending on the intent of the source, and the receipient, or they can be shrugged off as completely harmless by others.
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Mister Poopypants
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Posted - 2006.08.15 23:18:00 -
[13]
Personally, I think political correctness run amuck is lame.
(Oh, wait, now I'm being offensive toward people who have certain kinds of physical disabilities...  )
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Boogaloo
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Posted - 2006.08.15 23:21:00 -
[14]
 Originally by: NATMav
It's quite similar to the use of the N word among a certain race, calling someone the J word because they are tight with money, regardless of their heritage, calling someone the other N word because they are very disciplined and strict.
Personally I find all of the examples you have given to be offensive, regardless of context.
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Ghoest
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Posted - 2006.08.15 23:21:00 -
[15]
Edited by: Ghoest on 15/08/2006 23:21:52
There is nothing wrong with using the word "retarded" as an insult.
There is something inherently wrong about making insults sure - but "retarded" is no worse than any other negative comment.
People dont like seeing "retard" as an insult because it points out the obvious - retards are dumb and incompetent. Dont be afraid of the obvious.
Wherever you went - here you are.
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Ghoest
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Posted - 2006.08.15 23:25:00 -
[16]
Originally by: NATMav
TBH, I don't even associate the word with the "mentally handicapped" anymore. Everything is supposed to be so politically correct these days that the opposite is actually occuring, where previously offensive words have been made into common slang. It's quite similar to the use of the N word among a certain race, calling someone the J word because they are tight with money, regardless of their heritage, calling someone the other N word because they are very disciplined and strict.
Of course, all of these can be offensive depending on the intent of the source, and the receipient, or they can be shrugged off as completely harmless by others.
WRONG WRONG WRONG
There is nothing inherently negative about being black, white or of any other race. So using racial terms as an insult is bad because it unfairly infers that the race it self has a negative trait.
Being a retard is unfortunate sure but its also definetly negative.
So were you metaphorically call some one a acting dumb "a retard", you are not making an unfair inference about retards.
Wherever you went - here you are.
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Tyranical Teabagger
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Posted - 2006.08.15 23:27:00 -
[17]
bleh. People are overly sensative or simply whine too much. Not that I smack in local and call people names, but I do call them as I see them wether they're standing right in front of me or not. If I really don't like them they'll hear about it. I just don't do it in game; because it's against the rules or to a complete stranger; because I don't know them. Is it offensive? Sure it's meant to be, but someone is offended somewhere by just about everything. Get over it. It's really not worth your time or mine there are already too many petitions and yours is just one more clogging up the works for no good reason. I hope you're offended by my post.
just my .02
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Boogaloo
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Posted - 2006.08.15 23:28:00 -
[18]
Edited by: Boogaloo on 15/08/2006 23:29:31
So mocking other players by calling them a name that's associated with people with genuine difficulties is amusing? It's funny? Just something to laugh off? Show some respect. I'm sure you woudln't find it amusing if you personally suffered.
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Tricit
Caldari
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Posted - 2006.08.15 23:32:00 -
[19]
As long as the person in question uses the word in question correctly, if it is a word, then by all means, use it.
Retarded means something that is slow in any sort of way.
"That snail is retarded, it goes by on the soil very slowly."
"Those runners are retarded compared to the one's who have already finished."
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Doggsbody
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Posted - 2006.08.15 23:33:00 -
[20]
In my view, we live in a community, and a community should show respect to all of its members. If a significant proportion of the community are offended my something we should be mature enough to avoid things that cause offence to so many.
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Baldour Ngarr
Artemis Rising
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Posted - 2006.08.15 23:35:00 -
[21]
Originally by: Tricit
As long as the person in question uses the word in question correctly, if it is a word, then by all means, use it.
Retarded means something that is slow in any sort of way.
"That snail is retarded, it goes by on the soil very slowly."
"Those runners are retarded compared to the one's who have already finished."
Wrong in both examples. To be retarded means to be *held back* by something - slowed down artificially, not just to be slow.
In any event, the fact that it's generally used in the same sense as crippled, spastic, mentally disabled or whatever the in-phrase is today, means it's intended to be offensive, and therefore should be petitioned.
________________________________________________
"I tried strip mining, but I lost, and it's cold flying around in space naked." |
Bess Tower
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Posted - 2006.08.15 23:35:00 -
[22]
Originally by: Pesky LaRue
Retarded
1 : to slow up especially by preventing or hindering advance or accomplishment : IMPEDE
2 : to delay academic progress by failure to promote
Interesting how selective you been here. The rest of the dictionary definition goes on to say
Often Offensive. Affected with mental retardation.
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Ghoest
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Posted - 2006.08.15 23:37:00 -
[23]
That is not a reasonable standard. Besides its pretty clear that the majority does not find the term offensive.
Wherever you went - here you are.
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Gift
Amarr
Loot
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Posted - 2006.08.15 23:38:00 -
[24]
Grow up, it may be childish to call people silly names but it is no less childish to be hurt by such names.
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cold lazarus
Amarr
Reikoku
Band of Brothers
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Posted - 2006.08.15 23:38:00 -
[25]
Originally by: Boogaloo
Originally by: NATMav
It's quite similar to the use of the N word among a certain race, calling someone the J word because they are tight with money, regardless of their heritage, calling someone the other N word because they are very disciplined and strict.
Personally I find all of the examples you have given to be offensive, regardless of context.
And that is the crux of the matter if someone calls me any of them i can ignore it, but it causes offence to you, so who is right in thier positon you or me?
It all boils down to PC'ness. Do we ban these words from the dictionery? if so can you imagine the amount of words that would have to be banned ( just look at this forums word filter) e.g in a post above someone posted lame can that word now be banned?
Again in a post above someone said words have power and indeed they do, it is how the word is expressed that gives it its power.
To the OP this person in local if he reads the forums will be full of himsell because of the amount of posts this thread has got(you know this because of the way he increased the usage of the word when you complained about it),thus giving the word some power to him and others but if you had just hit the ignore button no power.
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General Windypops
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Posted - 2006.08.15 23:42:00 -
[26]
Edited by: General Windypops on 15/08/2006 23:44:32
Edited by: General Windypops on 15/08/2006 23:42:55
Originally by: Gift
Grow up, it may be childish to call people silly names but it is no less childish to be hurt by such names.
Let me make sure I fully understand your point here. If someone calls me an offensive name, and I am offended, it is simply my duty to accept it as the 'mature' thing to do, rather than to make a stand on a principle?
By extrapolation, I assume you support 100% freedom of speech? By which I mean the freedom of any extremist, from any faith, race or country to be able to say what they like against any faith or race or country, because it's 'immature' to oppose that?
Personally, I consider words that are offensive about the handicapped to be as serious as abuse of creed, country or faith.
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BranBresil
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Posted - 2006.08.15 23:47:00 -
[27]
Edited by: BranBresil on 15/08/2006 23:49:20
Edited by: BranBresil on 15/08/2006 23:48:31
I'm going to have to agree with the above poster, and this whole issue that really gets my gall up.
I hate to say it, but nobody has a right to not be offended.... PERIOD.
On top of that though, there is the ignore ability, so the only reason you could possibly take exception would be as a matter of convenience, you don't want to be bothered with setting him to be ignored.
I really see no reason to shackle everyone's free speech ability just because it happens to offend you and you can't be bothered to set them to ignore. You really don't like it? Kill him, it's that simple.
As far as this goes, I am of the opinion that pretty much nothing should be censored. I'm on the hedge as far as the whole offensive character name issue too, however in that case.. if they're in system, there's no real way to be able to completely avoid the off chance you might glance at their char name and be offended. So a very slim case can be made for that.
As far as speech though? Heck no.
I for one say let anyone use racial slurs, genitalia references, and profanity. Either way your perception of them will be affected, you can always kill them, and at the very least ignore.
No reason to prevent people from making fools of themselves, especially when considering the possibility that whatever word someone happens to find offensive might actually occasionally find legitimate use.
So yeah, my two cents on the matter.
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Leilani Solaris
Gallente
0utbreak
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Posted - 2006.08.15 23:49:00 -
[28]
OOP 
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Dante Kira
Caldari
Miner Protection Guild
Tactical Narcotics Team
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Posted - 2006.08.15 23:52:00 -
[29]
It seems that the OP is one of those people who would wish nothing more than to butcher all words that "might" contain offensive meaning.
I can just see 1984 thanks to this type of thinking.
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A lonely cowboy who some call Hamill the Mark, |
Tyranical Teabagger
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Posted - 2006.08.15 23:52:00 -
[30]
Freedom of speech is #1. I believe people should be allowed to say whatever they wantwether they're a racist biggot or a bible thumping snake handler. I have the right to disagree with them or simply walk away and ignore them and so do you. The only power other peoples words have over you are the power you give them.
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