Offended? - I Don't Believe It

[Steve R]

If someone were to call me a nigger, I'd be slightly offended, but only because I happen to not be a nigger. If, on the other hand I was black and someone called me a nigger, I feel fairly confident that I would have the presence of mind to respond with something along the lines of "Thank you for that. You have reassured me that I am not a white-trash, honkey".

Now, if someone were to call me a white-trash, honkey, I might reply by pointing out that at least I'm not ginger, Welsh, Irish, Jewish or whatever. It really shouldn't be a big deal.

I find it hard to believe that people have listened to the tripe uttered by politicians, self-appointed "do-gooders" and the media over the last few decades, to such an extent that they are genuinely offended by these terms - like the insanely fervent christian (lower-case "c" intentional) who actually exhibits the signs of stigmata.

I am therefore inclined to believe that it has simply become fashionable to be so thin-skinned.

It is to be hoped that this silliness soon goes out of fashion and people stop behaving like cissies.

When I was a child, there was a saying: "sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me".

[Sam Slater]

You are correct on a lot of levels. I brought this exact topic up a while back. Some people can become too touchy.

While I agree to an extent about your points, I would also apologise to someone if they had said I offended them. It is just the way British people are brought up isn't it? Terry hasn't made a big deal about it, and I'm sure your comments were just in jest.

I think it's better all round you apologised to Terry, and I'm sure he'd accept like a mature adult and we can move on?

[Kramer]

You really seemed to have missed the point of Racism entirely haven't you. The term "nigger" isn't simply another way of identifying if someone is black or not. Saying "you're a nigger" isn't the same as saying "you're black". The term "nigger" is a term that carries with it derrogative conotations that travel back hundreds of years. It is a term used to put black people down. The term itself only carries its power because of the history of the word and saying it to a black person not only offends them but also hundreds of years of there ancestorary.

The fact is, is that language is one of the most powerful tools we have in our society. Maybe someday the term nigger will loose all of its power just like the term "tinker" which aslo has a history of racist conotations yet today you wouldn't think twice to call someone a little "tinker". Right now though the racism and injustice of our ancestors is still fresh in the publics consciousness and therfore we have to be careful about the terms we throw around and remember that language has power and what may seem totally harmless to one person can be deeply hurtful to another.

Personally I hope I would never use the term nigger as it is important to me to remove myself from this countrys embarrasing history of slavery and institutionalised racism, as much as possible.

To me, people who use racist language are themselves racist as they are showing no respect for those who have fought hard to abolish racial hatred.

[Steve R]

I assume you are referring to my "spear" comment on another thread?

Well, as it happens, this thread was not in fact inspired by that one. I was not directing the comment at "Terry"; indeed, I haven't a clue who "Terry" is.

Incidentally, I'd say the current favourite expression "move on" must surely be set to replace "have a nice day" as the world's most annoying, don't you think?

[Steve R]

For such a lengthy lecture to me, largely on the subject of language, it is sublimely ironic that you only managed to construct one sentence that is correct in both grammar and spelling.

Congratulations!

[Kramer]

Well said Warren! But yeah he's correct about my spelling and grammar, it does suck. It's amazing I can actually hold down a job writing for a magazine or was able to graduate from University. I didn't realise I'd be judged on my spelling and grammar skills when writing in an internet forum but Captain pedantic strikes again. It's a little embarrassing being lectured on anything slightly interlectual by a meat headed racist like Steve R. Still he is dodging the subject and I'd like to hear waht he has to say on my argument. Before you say anything, I know my grammer and spelling haven't improved with this latest post.

[Sam Slater]

[quote]Sam, I feel you don't really have a right to tell other people off for being overly sensitive.[/quote]

No, you are obviously correct. Criticising a persons feelings is wrong on most occasions, but criticising their reaction to an emotion is fair. I suppose I haven't explained my stance particularly well.

Maybe it's the reaction of being offended that sometimes can become an over-reaction.

I mean, if you called me a divvy, and I told you I was offended, I'd have every right to be offended. If you got an e-mail saying I was seeing my solicitor of your blasphemy over my intelligence levels you would be within your rights to be critical of my reaction of being offended.

Feelings and emotions are hard things to discuss I suppose. There are no hard & fast rules, just general ones. Calling you a certain name on Monday may make you laugh, while on Wednesday you could get offended and smash windows!