mlknchz: (Default)
[personal profile] mlknchz
To continue a comment made on another journal...

When it is brought to your attention that a term you are using is offensive to someone, to continue to use it brands you not only as insensitive, but ill-mannered.
To do so shows either insensitivity (you don't care about giving offense) or naivete (you consider yourself "down" or educated enough that the offense is somehow nullified). There is, moreover, no argument that "you SHOULDN'T be offended" or "But you don't understand the history of that term". Specifically WHAT the term is is also un-important. If a person is offended by a term, they are offended. A well-mannered person will act accordingly.
I recognize arguing a point like this on the basis of good manners falls on deaf ears in most cases.
It IS however, on that basis that this argument becomes most important. Good manners are nothing more than showing consideration and respect towards the people we meet.

Date: 6/14/06 08:05 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] chocolatebark.livejournal.com
oh hey, what brought this up?

Date: 6/14/06 10:00 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] mlknchz.livejournal.com
a discussion in another journal anent the use of the "N" word.

Date: 6/14/06 10:05 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] mlknchz.livejournal.com
..and a particular comment along the lines of "*I* know the history of the term, and refuse to give it power, thefore when I use it, I'm showing how educated, not how ignorant I am"

Date: 6/14/06 09:53 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] st-ranger.livejournal.com
When I play WoW (the game Im addicted to) I interact with the other players in my guild over Ventrilo, which is a voice communication dealie. Yesterday, people in chat were telling jokes I found to be offensive, but I kept my mouth shut, as I usually do, because... what's the use? I'm not gonna change these people. Then someone said "I think people who are easily offended...should be." And I disconnected!

Date: 6/14/06 10:03 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] mlknchz.livejournal.com
I've known you long enough to know you aren't "easily offended". What they were saying was probably offensive enough for them to know it.
Also, that "I think people who are easily offended...should be." is purely a rationalization for bad behavior. EVERYONE has something that offends them; as long as it isn't THAT particular subject "people shouldn't be thin-skinned" but when it IS...you know what happens.

Date: 6/14/06 10:11 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] inertiam.livejournal.com
Does this mean I should never have been playing Wolfenstein on the web as "Wolfgang Kraut"?

Date: 6/15/06 12:03 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] mlknchz.livejournal.com
umm...how is that offensive?

Date: 6/15/06 12:12 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] inertiam.livejournal.com
It's pretty close to saying "Mickey O'Potaty", "Darnell Fred Chickenson", "Sol Kosherberg", etc?

Date: 6/15/06 12:37 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] mlknchz.livejournal.com
still not getting it....

Date: 6/15/06 03:07 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] inertiam.livejournal.com
You're just trying to make me say the n-word & the k-word or whatever other letter-words you can imagine.

Date: 6/15/06 03:55 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] mlknchz.livejournal.com
actually, this all seemed food-oriented and was making me hungry ;)

Date: 6/15/06 12:03 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] mlknchz.livejournal.com
Manners are a too-oft overlooked reason for behavior.

Date: 6/15/06 02:15 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] a-kumquat.livejournal.com
it's amazing how many people don't even say please or thank you.

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The Lord of Desultory Manor

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