An anonymous commenter pointed out my use of the word 'retard' as a noun. At least he read the entire article.
He said it's use was highly inappropriate and offensive. While I suppose you can look at it that way, I don't. It's quite simple why: I'm not a politically correct person; if you can't handle that, this blog isn't for you. I feel that quite a few people get uptight about irrelevant shit. When I say 'retard', I'm not referring to the mentally handicapped, but the lack of thinking before saying something. I can be a retard, I've had to eat my words before. I am always willing to admit my mistakes.
He then used my own expression against me. Expansion of Knowledge.
When I say we should all expand our own knowledge, I mean that we should all keep learning. If you don't know something, figure it out. Ask someone, Google it, Yahoo Answer it. This has nothing to do with being politically correct. Learn about stuff, things, and whatever else you are interested in.
Now would I be politically incorrect in say, a job interview? No, of course not. A business or professional setting? Absolutely not, it's not smart for me to do so. This blog is neither of those.
Would you freely use the "N" word on your blog?
ReplyDeleteI see where you're going. Yes, I can see how 'retard' and the 'N' word can be related. As stated in the other comment, I made a mistake with a passive statement. It's the same as the word 'gay'. I still believe people take things way to literally. The 'N' word incites violence. When it is used, it's usually directed in a way to threaten. In turn, the violence can be turned on the user. I wouldn't use gay on here either for a similar reason. If you're taking retard as literal statement, it's not. You're not mentally handicapped are you? Why are you taking offense to it in the first place?
ReplyDeleteIt was the principle of the matter. I don't need to directly relate to a concept to understand its importance. I just can't stand when people are too selfish to see how their actions affect others.
ReplyDeleteniggggaaaaaaaa
ReplyDeletecheck it folks, it's a tough world out there, if you're gonna let a word hurt you than you're taking life too seriously and need to step back.
someone saying an offensive word isn't actively attacking you or your people, but if you let yourself be hurt or offended this is your own weakness. step up and deal with it. i mean we all know the internet is for whiners who need an audience, but really bro, step it up and cope, it's just a word
that's really sad you think it's just a word and don't have the intelligence to understand how certain actions create a much bigger effect. that's ok tho ;) at least sean has the intellect to comprehend this.
ReplyDelete@Jdizzzzzzle
ReplyDeleteI understand where you're coming from, but I also see what the other person is saying. You and I see saying certain words as just a way to express an idea, but we've failed to realize that there are people out there that use the same words to convey hurt. The normalization of these words contributes to the negative stereotypes of types of people or cultures.
The use of the 'N' word by a person contributes to the negative opinion of that person by some people.
I do feel people are too PC sometimes, it would make life easier if those words did not exist.
and there's your situation. it's just a word but people have allowed that to attribute to personal pain. example: the word retard offends a lot of people because using it lightly undervalues the significance of certain people's situation.
ReplyDeleteso make it what it is.
when you tell someone "hey, don't use that word, you don't know the effect it has on people" you're actively doing two things.
1, you're requesting that someone value and recognize someone else's challenges as significant to themselves
2. you're attempting to censor their speech
in regards to the first, if you want something to be valued greater, give it greater value. why should most people care about the intricacies and challenges of the life of someone who's retarded? make a stand and make it relate personally, but don't think that because someone is challenged it makes their life any more significant. replace 'retard' with 'jew' or 'cracker' or 'trust-fund baby'. having the challenges that come with being retarded i have no doubt must be difficult, but it is selfish to assume that those challenges should be any more significant to each individual than the challenges that beset every other person on the planet, they are, simply put, the challenges that that individual must go thru. and you step thru it. and you live life as best you're able despite naysayers. i mean, really, we have a goddamn black man as president, don't say your life is too hard, you just need a stronger work ethic.
and on censoring someone else's speech because it hurts your feelings? is this fucking america, or not?
Fair Enough.
ReplyDeleteUsing such words in a personal setting is a whole different ball game than using it in a medium such as this. You are addressing a larger, possibly impressionable crowd. It seems like its simply a word to you, but for some, simple words influence much larger actions. Have u ever experienced any serious forms of oppression? It's not something ee should just accept and deal with, but fight to change. If we just dealt with everything we wouldn't even have a black president, that is a product of change. Some people simply aren't intelligent enough to handle such shallow words and that's why its important to not fuel the hatred that stems from using these words.
ReplyDeleteIt's more than just the word, the actual word is a tiny part of it, its the actual action and disrespect that is being presented by their use.
And not once did I ever say he can't, I suggested he shouldn't, completely different meanings.
Yes, this medium can reach a larger audience. I see your argument and agree, however the people that would be interested in my blog aren't that easily upset. For every person that is sensitive, there is one that isn't.
ReplyDeleteright. this is the internet. it is the one single forum which the general public knows better than to take seriously. except for you.
ReplyDeleteand this is a small blog on the internet that you likely would have to actively search to find. more likely than not, you know sean personally, otherwise you would have no idea of this blog. hey were you at last night's party?
The general public knows better than to take it seriously? haha...i don't know how you can make that statement, there's a ton of really really stupid people out there. A TON.
ReplyDelete