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Just for my own personal mollification, this is that un-postable post :)
"Why is that it is not ok on DU to use the "N-word" or make derisive and patently offensive anti-semitic statements, or use the "c-word" when speaking of women, but it is fine to blast away at people of Christian Faith."
Well, for one thing, to use the "N" word or the "c" word is not only offensive, it goes along with all the right-wing, neocon bullies in office right now, and frankly the few people that agree with that agenda wouldn't fit in here at all. It's racist, sexist, and those attitudes make up a large part of our problem.
As for your indignation about Christians being blasted, I have to say, the admin has USED the Christian faith, along with those who seem willing to follow it for selfish ends, and it's painfully difficult to separate the "problems" we're having with these people without sounding as if we're condemning all Christians.
And frankly, there ARE Christians that believe their bible just really ought to be in law, respected, with prayers in school and laws about marriage. It is not our fault, not my fault, and not your fault, that the religion is being USED, but it IS our fault if we can't rise above being hateful about it, on both sides. When we attack a typical "Christian" view being touted by the neocons, it's another handy tool of THEIRS that it sounds as if we target all Christians, when we're only targeting those that want to force their faith. It works to their advantage to divide us in this manner, when we both know, the DU's on this board believe very strongly in religious freedom. It's a given here.
We can't help it that it sounds as if we attack all Christians, if in attacking the agenda of the neocons, it sounds as if we're attacking all of you. It's...not our fault you agree with their philosophy. It's not your fault they see fit to use it.
As one who grew up non-Christian in a VERY Christian midwest, it took me YEARS into my adulthood before I could be fair and not hateful to Christians. I had to meet quite a few intelligent, thoughtful and kind people before I could rise above my prejudice. From one that didn't even think she WAS prejudiced. I got better. I offered up a blanket apology last week, in fact, over all the times I and others have put down Christians as a group. I really am sorry. I've learned better.
So, I've evolved to the point that the 'N' word is hateful to me, because in that one word was embodied the philosophy and the label to allow some humans to see OTHER humans as less human. A convenient hateful label, which parents STILL TO THIS DAY have to explain to their children. I had a hard enough time with my kids, and we aren't black. I cannot FATHOM what that conversation must be like for black families...but all I know is...their children will NEVER hear, or overhear, that word from me or mine. I refuse to use it. NO. I say no and I mean NO! that will not EVER happen because of me or mine. I will NOT be another person to allow it.
For those that had to deal with this word? For those that grew up having to understand they, themselves, could and likely would be the subject of it, with all that history and hatred? For a kid to hear that word the first time, and ask...what's that mean? I think they have the right to "play" with that word. Use that word, laugh about that word, YOU do anything you like with that hateful word, do and say anything, as a god given right, because surely those that know the word can be directed so easily at them, in this day and age, are the ones entitled to use it, lessen it, laugh about it, and in the end, own it. I see NO hypocrisy. Anyone that had to learn what that word meant, and had to understand it likely applied to most, if not all, of their family, likely their ENTIRE history in our nation...they have the right to play with this word in any way they want, to make it laughable, to make it less painful, to take it away from those that would be hateful about it. If you never had to worry about anyone calling YOU the "N" word, you can scarcely understand what it really means, can you? And your children? And your parents, and my gosh, grandparents. Anyone in your family, friends and neighbors, ALL knowing that "word" applies to them in the minds of SO many, and for how long, and for WHY?? Greed and immorality. The convenience of spotting a "black" man a mile off, how very easy to keep THAT population in bondage, generation after generation. Whereas all my Irish ancestors had to do was lose the accent, the black family was still black, so easy to target, and already so run over the families themselves were ripped apart for slavery. It makes me sick. Imagine learning that history, in THIS nation of freedom, to learn people still say that damned word, with almost the same misunderstanding and hatred? It's beyond me, and if you have to ask the question, it's beyond you too. They have the right, seeing as, they're the one's that have to learn they're the object of the hatred. They paid the price for it, whether they wanted to or not. From the day "they" were born.
We don't.
The "N" word. Theirs to use anyway they want, with my personal blessing. Trash that word, play with it like a frisbee, it is yours to laugh about or obliterate, all those who feel subject to it, hurt by it, or left almost unable to deal with the rage they feel over it. Maybe from having to learn what it meant, as a child. Maybe from having to explain what it mean to their own children. All I know is, I won't further it, and I won't imagine for a second I'm qualified to judge the feelings of those affected by it. I don't have a clue how it feels, and the brightest thing to do is just admit it.
As far as women being "c", it's just bad taste, but as a woman, I can say that generally, those that have to use THAT word in conversation show themselves quickly to be lesser, and are treated that way. I wouldn't worry about it. Woman-hating and name-calling are hallmarks of the "other" side, the bigoted side, and are far less typical of this board and democrats in general, all the way around.
Those that like such things, they don't much like our "side", imho
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