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something to think about....

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killbill

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something to think about.... Posted: 02-02-08 17:29pm


I know it's not meant to offend (at least, I hope it isn't), but, if you think about it a little, when you use words like "gay" and "retarded" as derogatory, it can be offensive to many people. Gay means homosexual and retarded means mentally delayed or handicapped. I know we live in pretty politically correct times and I know about freedom of speech, but I think that if you are not setting out to offend or hurt someone, then why not think of an alternative word to say the same thing. You can say something is birdbrained, dense, dopey, dumb, imperceptive, insensitive, lamebrained, opaque, slow, stolid, thick, asinine, backward, deranged, dim-witted, dull, fatuous, feeble-minded, foolish, half-witted, idiotic, imbecilic, inane, ludicrous, moronic. You get the idea. Why not take the opportunity to challenge yourself to expand your vocabulary? I'm not pointing any fingers or telling anyone how to live their life. It's just something to give a second thought to next time you are about to click on "Submit" that might just save someone a small hurt with no loss to you. Thanks.

Verizon-y

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Posted: 02-02-08 17:44pm

First let me say that you are correct, we should avoid these words because they may hurt people's feelings. However, I just wanted to show the actual definitions of these words, according to the dictionary.

You wrote:

killbill wrote:

Gay means homosexual and retarded means mentally delayed or handicapped.

They do, in fact, mean those things, but they also mean other things as well:

American Heritage Dictionary
v. re·tard·ed, re·tard·ing, re·tards

v. tr.
To cause to move or proceed slowly; delay or impede.

v. intr.
To be delayed.

n.

1. A slowing down or hindering of progress; a delay.
2. Music A slackening of tempo.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
gay
–adjective
1. having or showing a merry, lively mood: gay spirits; gay music.
2. bright or showy: gay colors; gay ornaments.
3. given to or abounding in social or other pleasures: a gay social season.
4. licentious; dissipated; wanton: The baron is a gay old rogue with an eye for the ladies.
5. homosexual.
6. of, indicating, or supporting homosexual interests or issues: a gay organization.
–noun
7. a homosexual person, esp. a male.
–adverb
8. in a gay manner.

killbill

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Posted: 02-02-08 17:47pm


Never said they didn't mean those things did I?

O0o0h_baby

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Posted: 02-02-08 18:08pm


No, you didn't and while those words can be hurtful, Future has proved that they can and are being used in a way that isn't directed towards anyone.

kaiteo

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Posted: 02-02-08 19:38pm


What hurts the most, I think, is that people use these words in their daily vocabulary as if they were any other word. It has just become the norm to use them. I know it's not anyone's fault, but to see it happen so much...it just...wow. I don't know.

Ingi

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Posted: 02-02-08 20:17pm


These words are slang for homosexual and mentally slow. They can be slang for other things as well. I'm sorry that words hurt - we shouldn't allow them to but they do.

Ingi

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Posted: 02-02-08 20:29pm


Killbill: please do not take this wrong. You just joined the forum a little over a week ago and have only posted in 2 places that I've seen. Tell us about you, please. It is hardly fair to have a one sided conversation where you come on and 'school' us as to what we should do, yet we have no idea who you are. So tell us about yourself.

young Girl

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Posted: 02-02-08 20:30pm

Ingi wrote:

Killbill: please do not take this wrong.

You just joined the forum a little over a week ago and have only posted in 2 places that I've seen. Tell us about you, please. It is hardly fair to have a one sided conversation where you come on and 'school' us as to what we *should* do, yet we have no idea who you are. Wink

So tell us about yourself.

i agree

kaiteo

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Posted: 02-02-08 21:02pm

Ingi wrote:

So tell us about yourself.

I was thinking that, too! At least we know he/she knows how to use dictionary.com Laughing

ladylee70

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Posted: 02-02-08 22:24pm


I know people who are homosexual and they don't seem to mind when people say, "That is so gay." I am sure their are some other people I haven't met that are offended. However, the saying "retarded" is very offensive to a lot of people I know. When I worked in Arizona, there is an educational diagnosis of mental retarded. Here in Idaho and in Washington, it is considered cognitive disability (although if the IQ and adaptive levels fall below 70, it is still considered mental retarded...just not a nice name really). A lot of people don't have that knowledge and do have certain language in their vocabulary. I just think it there are so many factors involved. I do personally feel that one is worse than the other. That is based on my perceptions and personal experience. I will never forget when I was talking about a friend who is Deaf. I said, "Deaf" when another woman butted into my conversation and scolded me fr using that word as it wasn't politically correct..she told me to use the word hearing impaired. I used it as a teaching period and explained that I have been involved in the deaf culture, etc. etc... and in the Deaf culture it is more appropriate to use the word Deaf and NOT hearing-impaired. If you are deaf but have been raised in the hearing world, then you may prefer the word hearing impaired. So...some other people in that category may find the word Deaf offensive. The point I am trying to make is that it is impossible to be politically correct all the time, because what one person views as PC maybe completely the opposite as what another person does. Some people also are not aware of how one word can be truly offensive because they don't have the experience associated with that word. I guess when someone does say a word that we find offensive, we should just use it as a teaching opportunity. The person may still choose to use that word but at least we played our part. I don't believe in scolding someone, just teaching or showing why we may have varying opinions.

Verizon-y

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Posted: 02-02-08 22:26pm

O0o0h_baby wrote:

No, you didn't and while those words can be hurtful, Future has proved that they can and are being used in a way that isn't directed towards anyone.

Thank-you. Smile

kaiteo

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Posted: 02-02-08 23:58pm

ladylee70 wrote:

I know people who are homosexual and they don't seem to mind when people say, "That is so gay." I am sure their are some other people I haven't met that are offended. However, the saying "retarded" is very offensive to a lot of people I know. When I worked in Arizona, there is an educational diagnosis of mental retarded. Here in Idaho and in Washington, it is considered cognitive disability (although if the IQ and adaptive levels fall below 70, it is still considered mental retarded...just not a nice name really). A lot of people don't have that knowledge and do have certain language in their vocabulary. I just think it there are so many factors involved. I do personally feel that one is worse than the other. That is based on my perceptions and personal experience.

I will never forget when I was talking about a friend who is Deaf. I said, "Deaf" when another woman butted into my conversation and scolded me fr using that word as it wasn't politically correct..she told me to use the word hearing impaired. I used it as a teaching period and explained that I have been involved in the deaf culture, etc. etc... and in the Deaf culture it is more appropriate to use the word Deaf and NOT hearing-impaired. If you are deaf but have been raised in the hearing world, then you may prefer the word hearing impaired. So...some other people in that category may find the word Deaf offensive.

The point I am trying to make is that it is impossible to be politically correct all the time, because what one person views as PC maybe completely the opposite as what another person does. Some people also are not aware of how one word can be truly offensive because they don't have the experience associated with that word.

I guess when someone does say a word that we find offensive, we should just use it as a teaching opportunity. The person may still choose to use that word but at least we played our part. I don't believe in scolding someone, just teaching or showing why we may have varying opinions.

Wow...you brought up some very good points. I have no argument against this at all.