Use of language on this board
 

I know I will probaly be flamed a bit for this post, but i feel this has to be said.

SomeFM members have been using derogitory terms such as "restard" and "gay". I feel that we all have used these terms in negative sense to describe things or people we disaprove of i.e "That so gay." or "That guy is retarded." I my self have done this in the past without relising the hidden hate and prejuduce these terms convey.

By using terms like "gay" and "retard" to describe things that are odd or disagreeable we are in a sense saying that being gay or being retarted is odd and disagreeble. To drive the point home there are many derogitory terms that you wouldnt use in place of "gay" or "retard" you would not say for instance "that so black" to describe a negative scenario.

The point is we should all learn to limit the use of this language because it offends members of this forum and other people you encounter. I have a neice who has aspergers and some of my good friends are homosexual.

I just felt this had to be said

\Restarts http://discussworldissues.com/forums...es/tongue1.gif

You perceive those words to be negative. Thats just political correctness crap. 99% of the people saying those things do not mean them as slam against mentally challenged or homosexual people, but rather as slang terms for something stupid. Don't get worked up over something so lame.

Remember! Its the context in which you say something, not what you say!

\End thread [yes]

btw we have moderators for that http://discussworldissues.com/forums...lies/wink1.gif

If you find these tame forums offensive god help you in real life, as said don't take it so seriously http://discussworldissues.com/forums...lies/cool1.gif

Political correctness has nothing to do with anything i said. Dismissing something as politicaly correct rethoric perpetuates the use of this language. Without knowing it many people contribute to a culture that does not accept homosexuals and and mentaly chalenged people. It fuels the label.

at one point it used to be common to say things like "stupid as a ni**er" even for non racist people

These phrases should not be taken literally. For instance if I refer to someone as an a-hole, I am not actually suggesting that they are an orafice used to pass solid waste. The same as a pain in the neck is hardly ever discomfort felt in the upper vertibrae.

As i said leave this to moderators [rolleyes]
this thread is gay.

ecept those words are not derogitory labels for a particular group of people or culture. it is used to decribe someone's character.

c'mon man whats the point of that. I am just trying to bring up a point that hits close to home for me and others. I am not moraly or intelectualy superior to anyone.

Because its their job http://discussworldissues.com/forums...ies/blink1.gif
yes a "job" that's how L_M called it , so don't blame me MODS http://discussworldissues.com/forums...es/tongue1.gif

but its been mentioned already hence the "this thread is gay",
lighten up might do the trick , at least works for me my friend http://discussworldissues.com/forums...lies/wink1.gif

well gay doesnt just mean homosexual.

maybe when someone says "this thread is gay" what theyre really trying to say is "this thread is happy!" or "this thread is merry" or "this thread is lively" :P

have a gay christmas all :D

i hate how people take a perfectly legit word and try to turn it into something we should never say! lets take gay back as a positive word!

Welcome to forums on the Internet.

Come on get gay you retard. http://discussworldissues.com/forums...ies/smile1.gif

This thread is retarded [thumbup]

I am all for it man! Many of my freinds are trying to reclaim the word just as many black people have attempted reclaim the "n" word. there is such hidden homophobia among men. Most men wouldn't claim they are homophobic but call them a "fagot" or "gay" and see how they respond. Men feel the need to publicaly display their heterosexuality to distance themsleves from the gay label. This is why so many gay people are afraid to be open. And we perpetuate the negativeness of this lable by using the term in a negative light. It may seem minor to a heterosexual male, but may have broad implications for someone else. so why use it?

why care? its not fueling anything. sure im against someone actually going to a mentally challenged person and then saying "you stupid retard" or something to them, and personally i think that person should be beaten =P. but just saying "this thread is retarded" or "that is the most retarded thing ever" its just a word, not aimed at someone who could genuinely be offended or hurt by it. just dont get so worked up over words.

People need to stop obsessing about improper use of words and trying to take offense to everything. If they said "that's homosexual" then I could understand. But gay doesn't always have to mean homosexual. Gay is more like the F word. It has a bunch of uses. Its a short easy to use word. When I say something is gay I don't mean that it's homosexual, just like when I say F you I don't actually want to have intercourse with you.

Retarded is fine too. It doesn't have to refer to a mentally handicapped person. Retarded as a negative word used to describe something. It could mean that it's lame, its stupid, etc.

I see nothing wrong with the words. If people start saying "well this is mentally handicapped" or "this discussion is homosexual" then you can take offense to it, but gay and retard are commonly used words that don't have to be always be associated with homosexuals or mentally handicapped people. When someone says "this is gay" the first thing that pops into my head is silly/lame, not homosexual. Maybe this is one of those remove your mind from the gutter scenarios where someone needs to rethink the way the associate words.

This has to be the most retarded collection of posts ever. What a gay topic. [rofl]

I've had plenty of friends who are gay, I've shared houses with 3 people who are gay but I tell you what it's never stopped me using the phrase, "That's gay!". If it's apt, use it. You just use the phrase for emphasis. You hear a fairly wussy song, that song is gay. You hear a fairly stupid statement, that's retarded. You go out in the sun in July and it's ****ing hot, it doesn't mean the heat is violating one of your orifices you are just using the word for emphasis.

You need to stop being so sensitive. There is a lot worse going on it the world than people saying things like, "gay" and, "retard" I suggest you use your energy trying to solve those problems first.