General Discussion

Solly Mack

(97,107 posts)

147. Thank you.

Wed Mar 23, 2022, 04:55 PM

Mar 2022

How anyone denies the power of words, for good and for bad, is beyond me. Thought may as well not exist for them. Books, songs, and movies may as well not exist for them.

The idea that a slur is only offensive if you take offense is like saying I'm sorry for anyone I might have offended after making an offensive remark.

Blaming the victims of racial, sexist, and homophobic verbal abuse - when that was the intention of the abuser the whole time. To cause harm.

Pretending it didn't happen won't make it stop. Won't make it go away. And those words of hate always carry the threat of action.

Ignoring hate does not make it go away.

It only emboldens it.

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Would it be possible for everyone to talk about women without using insults? [View all] iemanja Mar 2022 OP

Let's turn it around. North Shore Chicago Mar 2022 #1

No rehabing this word because it's a gender-based slur, we're not Indian-Hindu nor British & intent hlthe2b Mar 2022 #11

No, let's not obamanut2012 Mar 2022 #21

Oh, for fuck's sake. Scrivener7 Mar 2022 #22

Too late for that. MineralMan Mar 2022 #53

Amen. Wednesdays Mar 2022 #70

Yes. Relying on word roots to forgive ugly misogynistic usages MineralMan Mar 2022 #72

I Could Not Agree More RobinA Mar 2022 #96

Thank you North Shore Chicago Mar 2022 #106

It's the context not the origin of the word that's important. meadowlander Mar 2022 #117

That's like trying to rehab the old Sanskrit word& symbol Svastika. Doesn't work. Hekate Mar 2022 #137

Agree w the sentiment of the OP and the reply above. FreepFryer Mar 2022 #2

Thank you! obamanut2012 Mar 2022 #3

Agree, sadly. It should not be hard to find appropriate and accurate epithets for poorly spooky3 Mar 2022 #5

Yes, exactly obamanut2012 Mar 2022 #9

EarlG spoke out for trans women indeed. BlackSkimmer Mar 2022 #18

It was in the same OP he did obamanut2012 Mar 2022 #23

I think I remember him commenting on the jokes that feminize Lindsay Graham. Scrivener7 Mar 2022 #25

Absolutely. BlackSkimmer Mar 2022 #58

DU admins have spoken out against anti-gay and anti-trans comments. yardwork Mar 2022 #39

Maybe anti-gay and anti-trans. Certainly, racial slurs. But I am not seeing any push back LizBeth Mar 2022 #79

I agree that sexism on DU is a bigger problem than ever. yardwork Mar 2022 #105

It does seem worse than usual lately. BlackSkimmer Mar 2022 #59

Yeah obamanut2012 Mar 2022 #65

I don't understand any of the questions. Doodley Mar 2022 #4

Why do you think this is helpful? obamanut2012 Mar 2022 #24

It is helpful to those who like to use slurs and don't want to be told not to. Scrivener7 Mar 2022 #34

Bingo! obamanut2012 Mar 2022 #66

Maybe you could ask some questions for clarification? yardwork Mar 2022 #40

I read the questions several times and do not understand what they are asking. Doodley Mar 2022 #115

Some DUers were calling him Lady G. nt DLevine Mar 2022 #116

Okay thanks for clarifying. I appreciate it. He's a very effeminate lawmaker who is anti-gay. He is Doodley Mar 2022 #120

Call him what he really is, a hypocritical jackass. nt DLevine Mar 2022 #122

This thread was started because someone dared to call Graham "Lady G"? AntiFascist Mar 2022 #164

No, that's not why the thread was started. nt DLevine Mar 2022 #168

I suggest we call him "Lady Bug," how's that? n/t AntiFascist Mar 2022 #173

I call him a pos hypocritical jackass from hell. nt DLevine Mar 2022 #174

Why is "lady" part of your insult? Why do you think "lady" is an insulting Scrivener7 Mar 2022 #177

I should have said "ladybug" as one word, and this is allegedly something... AntiFascist Mar 2022 #179

I am so tired of hearing sexist slurs then the user "promise" it has nothing to do with women. LizBeth Mar 2022 #183

FYI a ladybug is an insect. If you need to know how it relates to Lindsey Graham, just use Google AntiFascist Mar 2022 #188

What is it you don't understand? BlackSkimmer Mar 2022 #60

The thought police are out again making their rounds. BannonsLiver Mar 2022 #187

Excellent and helpful reminder. Thank you. spooky3 Mar 2022 #6

Thank you! brer cat Mar 2022 #7

It's why people flocked to Jackpineradicals.com in 2016, so they could call Democrats the c-word. betsuni Mar 2022 #8

Oh, God! Remember that? Because not allowing it was infringing on their liberteh. Scrivener7 Mar 2022 #32

Thank you! nt DLevine Mar 2022 #10

This message was self-deleted by its author YoshidaYui Mar 2022 #12

This message was self-deleted by its author betsuni Mar 2022 #20

The problem is the more we try to suppress such talk, the more it empowers the use of those words Amishman Mar 2022 #13

Words have power. What we call people matters n/t MindHowYouGo Mar 2022 #16

Words Have The Power RobinA Mar 2022 #98

we were raised with treestar Mar 2022 #150

So, you're ok with gay slurs? Racial slurs? DLevine Mar 2022 #17

I bet we know the answer to your question obamanut2012 Mar 2022 #27

Yup DLevine Mar 2022 #28

I'm White And Not Gay RobinA Mar 2022 #100

"Slur away with female terms". That is just sad. nt DLevine Mar 2022 #102

It's Very Freeing, RobinA Mar 2022 #104

Imagine DU allowing posters to call Clarence Thomas the N word. DLevine Mar 2022 #110

We would not do that treestar Mar 2022 #152

I don't engage with right-wingers. DLevine Mar 2022 #156

They aren't treestar Mar 2022 #161

The op is about asking DUers to not use gendered slurs. DLevine Mar 2022 #162

Not using them against Lindsay Graham treestar Mar 2022 #167

It wasn't just about Graham. DLevine Mar 2022 #172

Isn't that ironic? The one insult toward men treating them like women, raping them in prison LizBeth Mar 2022 #184

I have been mocked because of my accent. I could be offended, but I choose not to be. We can't Doodley Mar 2022 #130

I have a problem with all of them, but it doesn't make reacting productive Amishman Mar 2022 #112

I hear what you're saying, but I disagree that we shouldn't call it out. DLevine Mar 2022 #114

no one ever mentioned permitting that treestar Mar 2022 #154

of course not treestar Mar 2022 #151

Of course right-wingers use slurs, it's what they do. Fuck them. DLevine Mar 2022 #160

So, using that logic, we should use the n word and the r word as much as we want , huh? BlackSkimmer Mar 2022 #19

If by we, you include white people then no. CrackityJones75 Mar 2022 #57

lolz obamanut2012 Mar 2022 #67

I get what you're saying, but if its a noun instead of an adjective....... oldsoftie Mar 2022 #144

No. treestar Mar 2022 #158

So, do you call a black person a nword? obamanut2012 Mar 2022 #26

I don't use such language, which is not what I'm suggesting Amishman Mar 2022 #113

I don't really see the OP's suggestion as punishment or suppression Torchlight Mar 2022 #148

I say again: Oh, for fuck's sake. In the real world, language matters. Scrivener7 Mar 2022 #29

As a gay woman, I've seen that the opposite is true. yardwork Mar 2022 #42

Very well put. Thank you. Hekate Mar 2022 #138

Men did give women the right to vote in that treestar Mar 2022 #163

I always find those who say, "words only have power if you assign it to them", bullwinkle428 Mar 2022 #45

Thank you! yardwork Mar 2022 #49

But telling them they have power just by using a word treestar Mar 2022 #153

Nope. You are incorrect. MineralMan Mar 2022 #56

The purpose is to give offense iemanja Mar 2022 #76

No, that is not the problem. MineralMan Mar 2022 #77

I think they have done well accomplishing that and are using that very reasoning LizBeth Mar 2022 #85

Yes. There is no possible defense for using the c-word. MineralMan Mar 2022 #89

+1 LizBeth Mar 2022 #92

on a message board is not the same as formal speech treestar Mar 2022 #155

This message was self-deleted by its author MineralMan Mar 2022 #170

DU is a community. If some violate that community's standards, MineralMan Mar 2022 #171

All these years black people have been encouraging iemanja Mar 2022 #90

That's utter and complete bullshit. Solly Mack Mar 2022 #127

You sum it up perfectly! Behind the Aegis Mar 2022 #142

Thank you. Solly Mack Mar 2022 #147

Blaming the victim while standing virtuously. I didn't do it. The person I insulted LizBeth Mar 2022 #185

Well said Amishman. Doodley Mar 2022 #128

True. And right wingers would use those words against treestar Mar 2022 #149

Same with the grave dancing. oldsoftie Mar 2022 #14

Not Sure How You See That As Parallel ProfessorGAC Mar 2022 #33

Agreed. yardwork Mar 2022 #43

I'm gonna vent here too...lol OneGrassRoot Mar 2022 #35

Glad I wasn't the only one!! I really thought I WAS. And I agree with you too oldsoftie Mar 2022 #36

I gotta agree with you with all the cutesy name slurs people make up for tfg, Putin, whomever. BlackSkimmer Mar 2022 #61

Thank you! All of these childish names and acronyms are simply used show that the poster is one of Dial H For Hero Mar 2022 #62

Good way to put it oldsoftie Mar 2022 #83

"Kid" being the operative word here lol. BlackSkimmer Mar 2022 #99

Some of them are clever treestar Mar 2022 #157

Apples & oranges, bud Tarc Mar 2022 #55

Well there ya go. Difference of opinion. Some people deserve a disparaging word too then oldsoftie Mar 2022 #81

The cute "cword" terms are almost always left up, and wtf gravedancing? obamanut2012 Mar 2022 #68

+1 LizBeth Mar 2022 #94

TOTALLY Agree and THANK YOU!!! 👍 nt Raine Mar 2022 #15

Kick. Scrivener7 Mar 2022 #30

Sticks and stones... dixiechiken1 Mar 2022 #31

The slurs come out when it's thought it can be gotten away with Ohio Joe Mar 2022 #37

Do you approve of such language? iemanja Mar 2022 #87

I do not... Ohio Joe Mar 2022 #93

I'm glad to hear that iemanja Mar 2022 #95

K&R WhiskeyGrinder Mar 2022 #38

Let's get rid of people calling others "dicks" too luv2fly Mar 2022 #41

. WhiskeyGrinder Mar 2022 #44

So some slurs are okay? luv2fly Mar 2022 #51

If you're confused by such things, you might find it helpful to not use any slurs at all, rather WhiskeyGrinder Mar 2022 #52

I believe that was the point. CrackityJones75 Mar 2022 #63

If that was the point, then what's the controversy? yardwork Mar 2022 #107

It's like when white people claim to be the victims of racism iemanja Mar 2022 #78

+1. Exactly LizBeth Mar 2022 #86

So you don't think whites can be victims of racism? oldsoftie Mar 2022 #101

Individuals can be victims, but we're talking about systemic oppression here. yardwork Mar 2022 #108

Oh no, I don't believe that at all. But some think it can't happen at all oldsoftie Mar 2022 #111

Who exactly is the racial oppressor of whites? iemanja Mar 2022 #133

Any race can oppress any other race. Saying it only goes 1 way is false. oldsoftie Mar 2022 #143

If a black person calls you a name iemanja Mar 2022 #180

You continue to excuse it by comparing scale. Racism is racism. oldsoftie Mar 2022 #181

Actually, it doesn't. yardwork Mar 2022 #47

Yeah not so much luv2fly Mar 2022 #50

It isn't a gendered slur, you are being so offensive obamanut2012 Mar 2022 #64

Huh? luv2fly Mar 2022 #71

Huh? obamanut2012 Mar 2022 #75

but really what you want to ensure iemanja Mar 2022 #80

Post removed Post removed Mar 2022 #46

I can and do agree to quit using sexist and homophobic tropes Ferrets are Cool Mar 2022 #48

Can you be nice to other DUers? iemanja Mar 2022 #82

When using a sexist or racist slur you are insulting/hurting ALL of that group. LizBeth Mar 2022 #88

This message was self-deleted by its author Doodley Mar 2022 #118

Well, apparently not when talking about Lindsey graham oldsoftie Mar 2022 #145

Whenever I hear something like "Miss Lindsey" or "Lady G"... AntiFascist Mar 2022 #175

I always assume it comes from someone who thinks women are inherently inferior. Scrivener7 Mar 2022 #176

I appreciate your point of view, but I disagree... AntiFascist Mar 2022 #178

Yes. Their aim is to insult gay men by comparing them to women. Scrivener7 Mar 2022 #182

+1 LizBeth Mar 2022 #186

Indeed. There are many, many words we can use for, say, MTG or Boebert. Tarc Mar 2022 #54

Colorfully and well said! iemanja Mar 2022 #84

I will admit that I'm guilty of that COL Mustard Mar 2022 #69

I agree and have spoken out also. Insulting all women. No way would we use a racist slur to LizBeth Mar 2022 #73

Indeed, well said obamanut2012 Mar 2022 #74

Any Dem who stoops to that should be ashamed of himself (or herself should that be the case). CTyankee Mar 2022 #91

I'm sorry Lindsey Graham has problems BradAllison Mar 2022 #97

Of course he has problems iemanja Mar 2022 #136

I agree and I support this request. SYFROYH Mar 2022 #103

Thank you! It's progress not perfection for all of us. yardwork Mar 2022 #109

I cringe every time someone on DU uses the slur "douchebag". milestogo Mar 2022 #119

at times a word will become so used treestar Mar 2022 #166

As a gay man, I have no issues with feminizing Lindsey Graham. beaglelover Mar 2022 #121

That's nice for you obamanut2012 Mar 2022 #123

Thank you! beaglelover Mar 2022 #126

It's so sweet you don't give a damn about how women feel about this obamanut2012 Mar 2022 #140

Thanks again! beaglelover Mar 2022 #146

It is really sad you think gendered and lgbt slurs sre okay obamanut2012 Mar 2022 #165

And I think it's really sad that you let mere words affect your life so much. beaglelover Mar 2022 #169

I would hate if someone called me these things treestar Mar 2022 #159

As a woman, I have an issue. It suggests that calling a man a woman is an insult. Scrivener7 Mar 2022 #129

You're entitled to your beliefs as am I. beaglelover Mar 2022 #132

Queer isn't an insult iemanja Mar 2022 #134

Tell that to the people who try to use that word as an insult. beaglelover Mar 2022 #139

He's anti-gay. He wants to deny you rights, yet he feminizes himself. Of course, it is funny. Doodley Mar 2022 #131

I have seen few such incidences of what you describe...I suggest following the TOS rules to deal Demsrule86 Mar 2022 #124

that doesn't always work iemanja Mar 2022 #135

So many instances, and most go unhidden obamanut2012 Mar 2022 #141

There are other insults that do not involve gender. LiberalFighter Mar 2022 #125