Important Message Re: Language!

Jeremy · Post by **Jeremy** » 21 Sep 2004 20:59

Having discussed this topic to some length, the moderators and admins are in full agreement that discriminatory language will not be tolerated on this forum - any post from now on that contains language deemed by the moderators to be discriminating against a particular group of people in a negative way will receive a warning. After that initial warning a second offence will be punished with a short suspension from the forum. Repeated offences will mean longer suspensions.

Obviously the context of the language and the situation it is used in will be noted. In particular this is about the usage of words like “gay” and “fag” when used in a negative context.

Ignorance will not be a defence – if you are unsure about something send a pm to a moderator asking or don’t use the word.

If you have any questions or comments about this policy feel free to post it here or to pm an admin or moderator and ask them your question!

mosher · Post by **mosher** » 21 Sep 2004 21:02

Man this post is SO ripe for someone playfull to say "this new rule is so gay!"

Tsiangkun · Post by **Tsiangkun** » 21 Sep 2004 21:53

kin eye stl Deiskrimaneight egenst bhad spL'rs n yousirs uf p0re gr4mmir ?

Splint · Post by **Splint** » 21 Sep 2004 21:56

Just to add to Jeremy's post;
As usual we will be much more leniant in the Discussion and Footblog sections. those are the least moderated sections of Modified and they will remain that way. However, if it gets ridiculously excessive you can expect it to be moderated.

As a greater society/world we don't use the 'n' word, or kike, or towel head, or spic, or mic, or any other of the sterotypical derogatory terms associated with certain groups. Remember that just because these little words may not be offensive to your particular sub-culture it doesn't mean that it isn't offending the cultures or lifestyles of others in the community. Likewise, the use of a phrase such as "that's so gay" is extremely offensive to people within a particular group as well as many people who may not be in that group.

I believe everyone on this forum possesses enough intelligence to understand this. Please respect your fellow shredders.

Thanks.

ShredPirate · Post by **ShredPirate** » 21 Sep 2004 22:20

i think that banning such words gives them more power.
makes people think they are more serious and offensive that they were meant to be. just my opinion.

sandman420 · Post by **sandman420** » 21 Sep 2004 23:33

yea dude thats pretty gay. Banning words does absolutely nothing but put some kind of power to a word. Words are words. What the fuck?

Posi-Cole · Post by **Posi-Cole** » 22 Sep 2004 03:11

sandman420 wrote:yea dude thats pretty gay. Banning words does absolutely nothing but put some kind of power to a word. Words are words. What the fuck?

Wow, you are so cool with your defiance.

Trolling the moderators is not a good idea if you enjoy posting here.

mc · Post by mc » 22 Sep 2004 08:02

keeping phrases like, "that's so gay", as acceptable and casual shows a total disregard for / ignorance to the fact that it's hurtful and offensive to many other people. Most people are so into themselves that they can't even grasp that concept. "if it's unoffensive and meaningless to me, then I refuse to see it as anything else to anyone else. Everyone else needs to chill out." I fucking HATE that POV, and frankly, most people are more than willing to adopt it. So what, let ignorance prevail? screw that. I'm all for the rules. If it "empowers" the word among the ignorant... well, it's not like they're gonna be any less ignorant if you let them do as they will and keep things casual and unrestricted. I'll take the lesser of two evils, thank you very much.

hacksterbator · Post by **hacksterbator** » 22 Sep 2004 08:21

totally agree with you matt!

sandman420 · Post by **sandman420** » 22 Sep 2004 08:25

words being hurtful and offensive is innacurate. The only way that I say that something is gay and a homosexual would get offended is if he thinks something is wrong with being gay, cause otherwise there is no offense in saying a word. So in theory he is actually gay cause he hates homos. I dont know its pretty early, I just woke up.

mc · Post by mc » 22 Sep 2004 08:58

sandman420 wrote:words being hurtful and offensive is innacurate. The only way that I say that something is gay and a homosexual would get offended is if he thinks something is wrong with being gay, cause otherwise there is no offense in saying a word. So in theory he is actually gay cause he hates homos. I dont know its pretty early, I just woke up.

dude. fuck. you.

seriously. straight up. that's the stupidest thing I've seen written on modified in a long while.

I just need to say that again. Fuck you.

To you, the word Fag is just something you say to or about someone you don't like. But for me (personally, this is my life we're talking about here), the word fag is a word associated with being mocked, ostracized, belittled, beaten... I heard it shouted at me while these things went on, my whole adolescence. It might mean nothing to you, but let me tell you, it's different when you're on the other end of it.

So that's what it means to me. it's not the word that hurts, it's the connotation. it's how it fits into my life experience, just like every other word. It's not like a dictionary in my head opens up with a definition whenever I hear a word. It brings up memories and experiences that relate to that word, that's just the nature of the human mind.

Can you wrap your brain around that concept, asshole? When someone's got you held down and beating you with your face in the snow while someone else kicks you in the head, and they call you a fag the whole time they're doing it, it tends to grab a different meaning.

just be aware that that word means something different to other people. and there's nothing wrong, or hypocritical, or self loathing about it.

so show a little consideration and sensitivity to your brothers.

habitat · Post by **habitat** » 22 Sep 2004 09:35

Im sorry, ive used gay alot in the forums, which I will now stop. The only reason I say it is because its kinda stuck in my vocab. I dont mean it as homosexual, but more of just a way to say something sucks, but I guess that relates back to homosexuality. I guess I need to get rid of it anyways. Not a good word to use when getting a job and moving out into the real world

Tsiangkun · Post by **Tsiangkun** » 22 Sep 2004 09:37

sandman420 wrote: So in theory he is actually gay cause he hates homos.

Dude, I know you said you just woke up, but let some blood get to the brain before you post wack shit like this.

Gays don't have to be ashamed of the sexual orientation to be offended by people using the word gay. Using the word gay to imply wrong, odd, or fucked up, displays to society as a whole that you feel homosexuality is wrong, odd, and fucked up. Hate inside your house if you have to, but keep it out of society at large. I personally don't like to see hate language used, and agree with the mods and admins.

Once you leave home and are out in the world, the language of hate can get you ruffed up. More than that, using hate language can hold you back in life. I get to interview and hire people. I google every thing people list on their resumes before I call them for interviews. I check usenet postings, forums, websites, homepages, etc. People that use hate language are immediately discarded, along with people that post like script kiddies. It might not be fair, but it is certainly as fair as life. You are free to do anything you want, but you must accept the response to those actions.

ShredPirate · Post by **ShredPirate** » 22 Sep 2004 10:51

haha, i see what i've started here. but i was talking more along the lines of swear words, not discriminatory words.

didn't mean to spark a subject that has been discussed in at least 10 other threads...

zachatree · Post by **zachatree** » 22 Sep 2004 11:39

being raised gay was a word i learned and used befor i even new what a homosexual even was, i will quit saying it in the fourms but if you ever meet me an talk to me i cant promess any thing... its a word i use to point out the annoying things it life, why? I HAVE NO IDEA it was how i was rasied i have many homosexual friends and they are the greatest in no way am i a homofobic.

sandman420 - i have to second matt, thats so fucking just dumb it frustrates me !!!!!!

Whatsfootbag? · Post by **Whatsfootbag?** » 22 Sep 2004 12:12

out of curiousity,matt are you homosexual?ive always been cool with having gay friends and stuff it doesnt bother me,becuase a lot of my guy friends think"DUDE they will hit on me or somethign!"hahah i just laugh when they say that cuase if a gay guy is hitting on you,you're puttin out signs that you're intrested

..but yea sandman,that was some pretty whack,ignorant,rude,etc etc stuff you said.you should watch what you say around here becuase this isnt in person so you have no idea really of what they are like....just be careful with the words you choose when it comes to things like racism homosexuals/lesbians etc.

the Executioner · Post by **the Executioner** » 22 Sep 2004 12:26

...ignorance.....immaturity....

sandman420 · Post by **sandman420** » 22 Sep 2004 12:55

hey man personal experience is personal experience.

My roommate is gay. I live with him, just me and him. I clearly have no ill will about homosexuality. I briefly discussed this issue with him to "get my brain wrapped arround" the matter. He says that you need to calm your ass down.

When i was a kid other kids beat me up and kicked me and what ever fuck i had to stab a kid with a pen in 6th grade because of crazy shit. Dont sit there and whine to me about your childhood being fucked up, cause I can promise you that mine was no picnic either.

If those kids called me polish while they kicked me does that make me get my panties in a wad when I hear that word? I supose but who the hell knows or cares? EVERYONE in this world has different esperiencees clearly. Im not going to give myself a lobotomy to forget to use certain words that get people pissy. Deal with your shizer and move on man dont spend the rest of your life worrying about dumb stuff like people calling you a homo. Worry about hitting that food processor with three good looking atractive people (hopefully nekkid) watch while rubbing oil over their bodies. See that really matters.

Im pretty insensitive and stuff (most likely an asshole) but just understand that MY life experience were different than yours just like vice versa. But it doesnt mean either of went through more shit than the other to have the right to hold a word hostage.

And what I said about people hating homosexs' because they get pissed at the word gay, I wasnt really sure what the hell that meant even now reading over. Seriously it makes no sense. So why are you getting pissed it was just nonsense. Dont be so sensitive man you were raised arround too many women. <-that was clearly a joke to mr sensi-pants

Cant we all just get a bong?

wolfpac444 · Post by **wolfpac444** » 22 Sep 2004 13:07

Yeah, 420 rulez d00d!

But seriously... using such language simply perpetuates the stereotype and reinforces the connotation that homosexual people are inferior. If you can't take three seconds to think about the way you say things, then don't post.

zachatree · Post by **zachatree** » 22 Sep 2004 13:15

if you pay for the bong !