R-word - I felt like such a ###### - Ad Discussion

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Locke

I hate this debate, its the easily offended vs. the overly protective.

Its a word. Its literal English translation means "Late." Get insulted over it, or not, whichever.

So people should be able to call them ######s in the context as a dehumanising term or put down?

It easy for someone to say don't be offended when it's not you personaly that's being affected by it. I volunteer with the Special Olympics and these kids and young adults are trying to distance themselves from that
negitive term and the stigma and discrimination that goes with it. They may be slow and such but most young adults with this disability hold down jobs and try to be productive members of society. It's more about educating people and getting them to view these people in a positive manner.

[Madman]

Anyone else laugh out loud?

No? Just me.

edit - Just to clarify, I laughed at the sheer impact of the ad and the use of all those words at once in a public ad...not at the words or their use in everyday defamation.

[fatso]

Well said Dion.

Whenver this debate comes up I'm always surprised to see how many people take it upon themselves to protect the language and remain true to the etymology of words. Such saviours of language! How would we ever survive without? Surely we'd slide down the slippery slope and, well, never be able to ever communicate with each other ever again!

The historical origin of the word '######' and its multiple meanings aren't being disputed here. The point is that the word '######' is often a term to denigrate and insult people (either challenged or not). It does so by labelling someone else as deficient and inferior and only has any meaning because it implies an analogy between the target of the word and the mentally challenged individuals generally. No one is saying the word should be banned from language or that it couldn't be appropriately used in other contexts. Rather that it should not be deployed as an insult against other people. Is that really so unreasonable or even difficult to understand?

As for the ad.... not a fan. I like the cause, obviously, but the ad misses the mark. In my opinion, people don't respond to those kinds of 'shock tactics'. And I don't get the point of the picture.

[CrusaderPi]

Originally Posted by Raekwon

What meaning is that? just curious because I couldn't find another meaning

It basically meant 'a lazy person of lesser intelligence'. I don't have any old dictionaries in my house, so I don't know exactly. Over time that meaning has change (because language evolves) and now it means 'a slur against black people'.

BTW, did you know both PAKI and SPIC are acronyms?

[Dion]

Originally Posted by fatso

Well said Dion.

Whenver this debate comes up I'm always surprised to see how many people take it upon themselves to protect the language and remain true to the etymology of words. Such saviours of language! How would we ever survive without? Surely we'd slide down the slippery slope and, well, never be able to ever communicate with each other ever again!

The historical origin of the word '######' and its multiple meanings aren't being disputed here. The point is that the word '######' is often a term to denigrate and insult people (either challenged or not). It does so by labelling someone else as deficient and inferior and only has any meaning because it implies an analogy between the target of the word and the mentally challenged individuals generally. No one is saying the word should be banned from language or that it couldn't be appropriately used in other contexts. Rather that it should not be deployed as an insult against other people. Is that really so unreasonable or even difficult to understand?

As for the ad.... not a fan. I like the cause, obviously, but the ad misses the mark. In my opinion, people don't respond to those kinds of 'shock tactics'. And I don't get the point of the picture.

I think shock tatic is being used to get people to talk about this issue. By the looks of things it's working here.

[fatso]

Originally Posted by Dion

I think shock tatic is being used to get people to talk about this issue. By the looks of things it's working here.

Ya, good point. However, is it convincing anyone to revise their position? For example, you and I are already quite adamant about our feelings on this issue. Is it encouraging anyone who uses the casually uses the term as an insult to re-think that? In any event, just my opinion on the ad.

Hey CrusaderPi... got any more gems of knowledge? Maybe something with jews and gypsies? Don't let the auto-filter slow you down dude!

[Frank the Tank]

Remember Sean Penn from I am Sam? Everybody knows ya never go full ######.

[jammies]

Originally Posted by CrusaderPi

It basically meant 'a lazy person of lesser intelligence'. I don't have any old dictionaries in my house, so I don't know exactly. Over time that meaning has change (because language evolves) and now it means 'a slur against black people'.

Uh, the reason it "meant" that is because lazy people of lesser intelligence were supposedly just like black people. The word itself derives from the Spanish "negro, negra" meaning a black man or woman; there is no happy derivation of the word we're missing out on.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by fatso

Ya, good point. However, is it convincing anyone to revise their position? For example, you and I are already quite adamant about our feelings on this issue. Is it encouraging anyone who uses the casually uses the term as an insult to re-think that? In any event, just my opinion on the ad.

If it get's a few people to rethink, it's a start. That said i'm not sure if it's going to have a huge effect as people with ignorances on the issue are not always easly swayed.

You can't force people to change. You can only hope that some will give the message some thought.

[CrusaderPi]

Originally Posted by fatso

Hey CrusaderPi... got any more gems of knowledge? Maybe something with jews and gypsies? Don't let the auto-filter slow you down dude!

Actually I got a great one about Jews. It's the Spanish-jew theory. Ever wonder what happened to the Spanish Empire? The theory goes that the Spanish lost their wealth and empire because Queen Isabella was an anti-semite and decided to kick the Jews out of Spain. So Spain lost a good chunk of their merchants, lawyers, and accountants and with it the ability to effectively manage their wealth.

[Shazam]

You never go full ######.

* NOTE: This is a line from the movie "Tropic Thunder". Don't get your panties in a knot.

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by CrusaderPi

Actually I got a great one about Jews. It's the Spanish-jew theory. Ever wonder what happened to the Spanish Empire? The theory goes that the Spanish lost their wealth and empire because Queen Isabella was an anti-semite and decided to kick the Jews out of Spain. So Spain lost a good chunk of their merchants, lawyers, and accountants and with it the ability to effectively manage their wealth.

Yup. And then they got AIG to manage their money!

[troutman]

Not a good time for my special olympics joke?

[CrusaderPi]

Coincidentally, as a result of this thread, I found out my wife's cousin won 3 medals at the Special Olympic games in Boise.

[DESS]

Originally Posted by troutman

Not a good time for my special olympics joke?

On the contrary...maybe it'll help lighten the mood!

[Frank the Tank]

Originally Posted by troutman

Not a good time for my special olympics joke?

Whats better than winning a gold medal at the Special Olympics?

[DESS]

OMG and people say I show bad judgement on here.

[CGYTransplant]

Originally Posted by Frank the Tank

Whats better than winning a gold medal at the Special Olympics?

Not being ret.....um.....Mentally Challenged?

[Flacker]

Originally Posted by DESS

OMG and people say I show bad judgement on here.

Oh yes!!! Please make sure that things stay on the level in here DESS. Your patience and tact will be very useful in keeping things tasteful in here. We should just kill all r...NOT EVEN GOING THERE!!

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Frank the Tank

Whats better than winning a gold medal at the Special Olympics?

Almost - Whats better than winning a silver medal at the Special Olympics?

Many people respond right away "gold medal", then you lay down the (offensive) punchline.