Where do you draw the line when it comes to

[cboy4]

political correctness?

Do you have a zero tolerance policy, or are there exceptions?

And be honest.

For instance, is it okay to use words like, "You won't believe what that bitch did today...she's hilarious." between friends, but not okay to use the word in general terms?

***The reason I bring this up is last night, someone insisted on using the word "lezbo." (sic).

The thread in which this was posted has been locked and deleted, but I know myself (a guy) and some other male and female DUers found it in horrible taste.

Yet, someone who claimed to be a lesbian, said she didn't have any problem with it because there are worst slurs.

Oh brother.

Of course I pointed out a slur is a slur.

I just can't imagine women (gay OR straight) wouldn't have a problem with the word "lezbo" being thrown around....especially by a male.

If lesbians want to refer to themselves as lezbos, that's up to them.

But I just don't know where people draw the line any more.

And I don't know whether they truly feel it's okay, or they're simply trying to provoke people.

[hlthe2b]

1. One has to care about the affect of their language before

they will self-correct. I find those who scream most loudly that they are the victims of "overly political correct" society really don't care who they offend. That having been said, I know people slip up and would not give the matter undue concern unless there was a pattern. But, like harassing behavior in the workplace, if one points out that your behavior or use of language is offensive, I think to not correct it, is contemptuous.

And yes, I was among those who found the use of "Lezbo" to be inappropriate and called the poster on it.. Ironically, the male DUer who used the term, countered any arguments on the appropriateness of its use, that he was "gay"-- a point that clearly escaped me...:crazy:

[zabet]

2. Personally,

my political correctness is usually due to
respect. I can be politically incorrect out
of disrespect.
The term 'lezbo' does not bother me but, I do
not use it and would not use it here out of
respect to other DUers.

[cboy4]

4. Huh come the term "lezbo" doesn't bother you?

Just curious.

I mean, would you have a problem with the word "beaner" when it comes to describe a Mexican person?

[zabet]

6. Words are just words.

The inherent lack of someones ability to
form a coherent sentence without stooping
to simplistic inflammatory descriptions does
not bother me. It just shows the callous
shallowness of their intellect.

[LostinVA]

16. Words aren't just words, and you're very naive if you really believe that

Words cause misery, intolerance, death. Words murdered 12 million innocents. Because the words gave birth to the actions. Hate crimes aren't created in a vacuum. The crematoriums didn't spontaneously erupt from the Earth. Lynchers didn't suddenly just think,"Hey, I think I'll go hang someone just because." Matthew Shepherd's murderers didn't just randomly choose him. All of these started with WORDS, words of intolerance and hate, words which marginalized. Words like "kike," "nigger," "fag." "Inferior," "unnatural," "disgusting."

Naivete or willful ignorance.

I'm glad I didn't see that thread last night, although this one is shaping up into something similar, I bet.

[zabet]

18. I was referring to the use

of these terms on DU. Not
their use and/or effect on societies
world wide.

[LostinVA]

26. Well, if they're not okay to use in society, why do you think slurs are okay on DU?

[zabet]

27. Just where in the heck did you come up with that idiotic thought?!!

citizen_jane (1000+ posts) Sun Nov-18-07 06:39 PM
Response to Original message
2. Personally,
my political correctness is usually due to
respect. I can be politically incorrect out
of disrespect.
The term 'lezbo' does not bother me but, I do
not use it and would not use it here out of
respect to other DUers.


Notice here I said I did not use it.

You jumped in after another poster asked me to
clarify that statement. You in essence 'cherry-
picked' a single response out of a sub-thread and
have decided to make it something it is not. :eyes:

[hlthe2b]

20. or the 13 yo who committed suicide after hateful internet hoax

There have been many threads on it, but basically the mother of another teen adopted the persona of a boy to engage the girl in order to find information relative to her own daughter. She ended up cruelly leading the girl on, only to "dump her" via cyber-postings that were incredibly personally abusive and ugly. If you think hateful language does not harm, tell that to this poor child's bereaved family.

[LWolf]

3. A slur is a slur.

Disliking or disrespecting someone does not legitimize a slur.

[SharkSquid]

5. Hell some of the stuff I have seen on here

said about other human beings would make my grandfather cringe.

[me b zola]

33. Could you give some examples please

[Blashyrkh]

7. I don't use political correctness. Just another form of censorship.

I'm intelligent enough to know when it is and when it is not appropriate to use certain words. I don't need another self-righteous prick adding to the list of "Things I Am No Longer Allowed To Do Because It Might Offend Someone".

You know what offends me? DICTATING TO OTHER PEOPLE.

[cboy4]

10. Well don't you think you're being politcally correct

by saying you know when it is and when it is not appropriate to use certain words?

And do you not think it's a slur to call a lesbian and lezbo, or a gay male a faggot or a Mexican a beaner or a Chinese person a chink, etc.?

I don't think this is a case of anyone dictating to you.

I think this is a matter of common courtesy, respect as well as concern for the feelings of others...especially minorities.

It's depressing to hear you imply this doesn't seemingly concern you.

[Name removed]

17. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Bluebear]

35. I know you don't support hate crime laws either.

The shame is you are focusing on things YOU are not "allowed" to do rather than realizing how it may hurt others.

[SharkSquid]

8. I know I had a friend on USS LASTSHIP

that would always joke around with me, we would throw around some mildly derrogatory Jewish terms (I of course would use some less than flattering Yiddish terms as well). We would also occasionally joke about some Conspiracy theories as well. But all you fellow sailors here know its very different on a ship.

[sam sarrha]

9. if you really want to evolve as a sentient human being,.. you must quit using derogatory, insulting,

hurtful or genital terms when referring to anyone especially women, and minorities...and gossip of any sort,

as a Buddhist i really do try to follow the middle path, also known as the Noble 8 Fold Path, .. which is the 4th Noble Truth of the 4 Noble Truths. Google four noble truths or search in http://www.buddhanet.net

here is a mantra i say a lot every day when i fall short or i see others suffering short comings

THE FOUR IMMEASURABLES

May all beings have happiness and the causes of happiness
May all beings be free of suffering and the causes of suffering
May all beings never be separated from the happiness that knows no
suffering
May all beings be free of anger, aversion and grasping that causes us to hold some beings close and others distant


there is a reason Republicans deny and fear Evolution.. if they evolve in least little bit they will cease to be Republicans, their entire world will be torn asunder forever, because once you perceive people in a 'World' view where we are all connected.. you can never go back

[cboy4]

13. I love Buddhism and admire Buddhists.

But it's cracks me up hearing you describe "THE FOUR IMMEASURABLES" with your avatar choice. ;)

[Manifestor_of_Light]

34. His handle is a pun, as well.

Samsara is the worldly existence of our unenlightened reality and rebirth.

May I throw in this website, brought to you by Jews who believe in the repairing of the world, called tikkun olam: www.wordscanheal.com

Quote:
Words Can Heal is a national campaign to eliminate verbal violence, curb gossip and promote the healing power of words to enhance relationships at every level.

At a time when so many feel that outside events are beyond their control, we offer concrete tools and know-how to dramatically rebuild our communities and relationships through the words we speak and the way we communicate. At a time of national crisis, as we re-evaluate our lives and re-order priorities, the Words Can Heal message resonates even more forcefully.

Words Can Heal has captured the imagination and commitment of an unprecedented coalition. Our board includes the top leadership, leading diplomats, Wall Street's most influential CEO's, America's leading clergy, Hollywood celebrities and community leaders of every stripe,

including:
Tom Cruise, Goldie Hawn, Rene Russo, Senator Tom Daschle, Senator Sam Brownback, Congressman Peter Deutsch, Alan Hassenfeld, Chairman and CEO of Hasbro, Warren Weiss, Venture Partner at Charles River Ventures and Robert Schuller, Founding Pastor of Crystal Cathedral.
=============

[sam sarrha]

36. my avatar is a reminder of who Bu$h is..never forget who he is:what he's done..but pray for him..i

dont believe that is inconsistent. the Truth is that he is a lier, he is deceptive and destructive, he will go down in history with the rest of the megalomaniacs who were mass murderers.. he is a psychopath,

before he gets out of office his death toll in the middle east may be over 700,000.. and has totally destroyed the lives of millions. 4.5 refugees homeless in iraq.. millions crippled in iraq with literally no medical care..who will return home to filthy water, 85% unemployment, no electricity in 130* degree heat to listen to the cries of hungery sick,suffering children

, their lived devastated and ruined, families devastated and cast into perpetual poverty in iraq and elsewhere,

his legacy of devastation will linger for generations in the middle east and here, i believe that is as bad as dar fur.. and no one even blinks.

i see nothing wrong in pointing out the truth.. as a Buddhist it is required to to do what one can to prevent suffering, i know few individuals alive today who are causing as much suffering..perhaps only north korea.

my avatar is a reminder to all who that person really is.. inside his sheep's clothing.. there is nothing wrong with the truth, it is a window out of darkness.

[cboy4]

40. I know! I was just being silly.

And believe me...you don't have to explain any of that. lol

[scarletwoman]

14. I would vote for your post if I could, thank you for bringing Dharma to the discussion. (nt)

[treestar]

11. Doesn't matter where you draw it

Someone always claims to be offended on the internet.

Likely we offend people right and left and they just never say anything about it.

You can only control your own reactions, not those of others.

The safe side is that if you question it at all, then don't use it. "Lesbo" does sound slightly mocking, but then so is "preggo" and people use that with no problem.

You can easily mock the oppressor group (whites, men - look how many female comedians make a career out of man-bashing) but the trouble with being in the oppressed group is that you can never be equal, because you can never be mocked. Your need not to be mocked because it will hurt you shows your group is still powerless. And that you are dependent on the oppressor group not mocking you. Which they will of course continue to do once they sense that it helps them keep their power. So my thought is that it would be best to own it or throw it back at them, for example, Hillary saying, "yeah, I can be a real bitch, as terrorists and other Republicans will find out."

[OHdem10]

12. I believe in civility--sometimes political correctness can be

to far.

Another thing, I heard reports taling about the J. MCCain Story.

found it most interesting that Democrats will be held to a much
higher standard because they insist on Political Correctness.
Since The GOP do not care as much about it, they get a pass
more often than not. A Democrat would have been called on this,
while McCain in some peoples view got a pass.

I think MCCain go flommoxed and was caught off guard. He was
speaking to a group of hard core conservatives. The woman who
said it was an "older woman". Hard Core Conservatives disdain
political correctness and feel their speech is being interfered
with.

[LostinVA]

15. I think it's highly offensive -- the same as calling someone a "f*ggot"

And honestly, I can't think of any gay women okay with being called a "lezbo."

[trayfoot]

19. Hmmmmmmm

I find the term "political correctness" quite strange......funny, even. There are just some things (words) which are in bad taste! Now, I guess there are those who would call me "politically correct". But, I don't see it that way. I just think that people should have enough sense to speak without insulting others - just simple courtesy - NOT political correctness!

[Quantess]

21. Agreed. You practically took the words out of my mouth.

Or would that be fingertips?
Welcome to DU.:toast:

[AlCzervik]

22. i'm not sure, honestly it depends, sometimes i'm surprised what will make me say "WTF"

here's an example-there was a thread and a poster referred to Jane Harmen as "that jew broad" and it threw me, "Jew broad", really? and for the record i don't know any gay woman that refers to herself as a "Lesbo", the Gay people i know call themselves "Gay". Ethnic slurs bothers me and i have 2 nieces that are persian and they've gotten shit at school about, my niece was called a rag head, Sand*gger, camel jockey and the rest of the usual.

I don't think i'm politically correct, i've always hated those expressions, my mother's parents were horribly racist, so much so that after about the age of 7 when i understood what they were saying i didn't go to their house anymore. It's really not difficult to not call people slurs.

[LostinVA]

23. OMG -- I can't believe someone said that about Jane Harmon

I missed that. Was it deleted?

Ugh.

[AlCzervik]

24. check your pm--ok?

[LostinVA]

25. Did -- thanks!

[IndianaJones]

28. there are exceptions...namely for myself. nt.

[cboy4]

29. Tell me what they are. We need a second sub thread

deleted.

[IndianaJones]

30. ch*nk....the racist asian descriptor. I use it when in the company of select family members nt

[cboy4]

31. Why? Connie Chunk had made a lot of money in

television using that last name, even though she could have used Maury's last name.

[IndianaJones]

32. lol. nt.

[philosophie_en_rose]

38. I use the word "ho" all of the time.

I'm asian. Some of my best friends are Hos. :)

[H2O Man]

37. If someone said

"Senator Hilarious Clinton," I'd say they crossed the line.

[Midlodemocrat]

39. I have to admit that I use the term 'bitch' when referring to

a particular person that I know IRL. Usually I spice it up with the word 'fucking' as well.

It's wrong. I know it. I don't say it out loud all that much, but when I see/ hear of this person, I almost always think 'that royal fucking bitch'.

In my defense, I came to this conclusion about this person because of the way she behaves towards children.

[Rex]

41. I can't stand this PC world.

Fuck political correctitude. There are things we as humans KNOW BETTER than to say. Let us keep politics out of good taste. They were never meant to go together IMO.