How do we define 'Bigotry'? A start to an important conversation

[stevenleser]

Let me immediately clarify by saying that the 'We' is the DU community.

I raise this question because it has come up so many times in the past. Issues like use of the 'B' word that rhymes with 'itch', the recent gay caveman thread, 'zionism', etc., become extremely ugly and divisive threads and situations. I am hoping that we as a community can discuss what we believe constitutes bigotry and thus draw a line in the sand. People who cross it, I think, should be tombstoned. As I mentioned to Skinner when I wrote this OP in the "Ask the Administrators" forum http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=437x2594 :

"There is this previous question about bigotry towards Jews http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

There was a recent picture posted that many of us believe constitutes bigotry against Blacks (the OP was locked), and there is the ongoing conversations in GLBT forum and elsewhere about bigotry toward gays. We also had the questions about where the line is when Hillary was running for the nomination about bigotry toward women. I can see the question coming up about latinos if immigration becomes a hot topic again..."
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Let me start off by saying that in general, I defer to the group being targeted when it comes to determining what is bigotry, but I feel we should also have the right to ask, "OK, why do you think this is bigoted?" when the situation is not obvious. I asked such a question twice in the last 3 years, once regarding the 'B' word (I accepted the explanation of women here who explained that it is bigoted. Not only do I object to its use online and ensure I don't use it online, I correct people who I hear using the word in the real world). I also raised the question in regards to arguing about the priority of movement on gay civil rights issues. Is it OK to argue that, for instance, health care reform should come before an end to DADT or DOMA? Not only that, such arguments became intense and some people used the unfortunate term "Pony" to describe the furthering of gay rights. I think that is wrong and nasty, but is that bigoted? Also, if you are one of the people who used the term "Pony" do you want to take the opportunity of this OP to apologize to the LGBT community here?

I think a parallel to the use of "Pony" is the use of the words "Zionist/Zionism". I think it is theoretically possible to use these words and not be bigoted, but I think there is a strong possibility that those who use them are in fact bigoted or at the very least are using them as a dog whistle (See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog-whistle_politics if you are unfamiliar with the term). Should these kinds of terms be banned and those who use them tombstoned? How about the use of a monkey to depict President Obama?

How does the rest of DU feel about this? I offer as a starting point to the discussion that anyone who is against complete equal rights for women, latinos, gays, african americans, jews, muslims, etc., should be shown the door.

What do my fellow DU'ers think?