Without taking sides in this debate, let me just say that you’d have an easier time arguing that “slurs are sometimes okay to say” than trying to argue that “‘retard’ isn’t a slur”.
It’s like, 100% a slur. You know how ethnic slurs are called ethnic slurs? That’s because there are non-ethnic kinds. Really curious what definition you use for slur that wouldn’t include “retard”. It’s an old-timey word used to describe a specific type of person, which is now largely considered offensive by that type of person, and has become used in a general sense as an insult…I mean, what box does it not check?
Seems like its regional. Some areas really hate it. Others its totally fine to use at work. Thanks to the internet, both can interact and think the other is odd.
I think Lemmy is over sensitive about these things too. To me, retard is more like a funny word. But there are plenty of people who think it should never be used anymore because of actually retarded people and how they may feel.
Also, the word is banned from YouTube I think, and possibly large parts of reddit as well. :) I think its silly but whatever, I can live with not using it, sure.
It’s harder to understand why using a word would be wrong when they don’t affect you. Have some empathy and understand why for people that are marginalized and called something as a slur that it would be nicer to just stop using the word.
Nobody is banning the word, either. Just responding with their own free speech to say it’s idioitic to not understand why slurs are wrong to use.
I can tell you why people are annoyed at it. Its because more and more words are ending up being banned or seen as politically incorrect. We had a chocolate ball here in Sweden that was called “negerboll” since negro just meant dark or black. And all of a sudden, it was a bad word and we had to call it a chocolate ball instead.
Its just one example but the point is, it’s a ridiculous trend to ban words just because some people may feel insulted by the word. We have almost banned the word “fat” as well and replaced it with “big boned”. Do you understand what I mean? It becomes absolutely ridiculous.
Its almost as bad now that you can’t point out who you mean in a crowd. If you say “the black guy over there”, or “the Chinese woman”, some people think it’s racist. Come on. This is not normal.
Retard is a slur? Yikes.
@DrDickHandler @CoffeeGhost
Has been for decades.
Without taking sides in this debate, let me just say that you’d have an easier time arguing that “slurs are sometimes okay to say” than trying to argue that “‘retard’ isn’t a slur”.
It’s like, 100% a slur. You know how ethnic slurs are called ethnic slurs? That’s because there are non-ethnic kinds. Really curious what definition you use for slur that wouldn’t include “retard”. It’s an old-timey word used to describe a specific type of person, which is now largely considered offensive by that type of person, and has become used in a general sense as an insult…I mean, what box does it not check?
Seems like its regional. Some areas really hate it. Others its totally fine to use at work. Thanks to the internet, both can interact and think the other is odd.
Here’s a good test for whether it’s a slur. Would you say it in front of someone with Down’s Syndrome, or would you find another word?
Is it a slur or advanced physics? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retarded_potential
Just learning how slurs work?
I think Lemmy is over sensitive about these things too. To me, retard is more like a funny word. But there are plenty of people who think it should never be used anymore because of actually retarded people and how they may feel.
Also, the word is banned from YouTube I think, and possibly large parts of reddit as well. :) I think its silly but whatever, I can live with not using it, sure.
All slurs can be funny to the right idiots.
I think banning words are funny. :) Can’t wait to see what’s next. Probably the word Muslim will insulting soon.
It’s harder to understand why using a word would be wrong when they don’t affect you. Have some empathy and understand why for people that are marginalized and called something as a slur that it would be nicer to just stop using the word.
Nobody is banning the word, either. Just responding with their own free speech to say it’s idioitic to not understand why slurs are wrong to use.
I can tell you why people are annoyed at it. Its because more and more words are ending up being banned or seen as politically incorrect. We had a chocolate ball here in Sweden that was called “negerboll” since negro just meant dark or black. And all of a sudden, it was a bad word and we had to call it a chocolate ball instead.
Its just one example but the point is, it’s a ridiculous trend to ban words just because some people may feel insulted by the word. We have almost banned the word “fat” as well and replaced it with “big boned”. Do you understand what I mean? It becomes absolutely ridiculous.
Its almost as bad now that you can’t point out who you mean in a crowd. If you say “the black guy over there”, or “the Chinese woman”, some people think it’s racist. Come on. This is not normal.
You’re either 15 or 65. No way you’re a dense edgelord.