There is a lot I agree with here. But I do think the pendulum has swung too far. There is a difference between advocating for your positions clearly and without apology (such as opposing trans ideology or leftist politics) and casually using degrading language towards other people. I can respect the first, but not the second.
If you don’t like the use of that word, I don’t intend to change your mind. Everyone has the right to say what they want (that’s the definition of free speech) and others have the right to get offended about it. But in this case, there is a difference between saying that about an ideology and saying that about or to a specific person—just leaving that there.
I am not making a point about free speech. Of course you have the right to say what you want. But it is nevertheless a hurtful word, whether you are directing it at a person or are using it to express your disgust with an ideology. I guess I’m curious why you would want to use a word like that—what is the benefit? Sometimes we use language that is painful for a reason—for example, using the accurate pronouns and descriptors for trans-identified people, even if it causes them pain. But if there is a reason here, I don’t see it. What point are you making, except that you don’t care about how people who have been harmed by that word feel?
The point that I am making—and that seems to have been missed from my last comment—is that this is not about people at all. I do not sit around worrying about whose feelings I will hurt today with my writing. Neither do I go around deliberately offending individuals. That’d be a most unproductive use of time. Each of us is responsible for what we choose to take personally. Doesn’t have to be more complicated than that, unless we make it so.
Or, we could just not use degrading slurs. Doesn’t have to be more complicated than that.
Look, you’re right—I am responsible for what I take personally, and I’m not looking for an apology. I’m fine. But I stand by my original comment, which is that I respect some of your political points, but I don’t respect your language or your callous attitude. There is a difference between “worrying about whose feelings [you] will hurt”—which I agree seems unproductive—and simply acknowledging your words have an impact and trying to minimize harm. Of course it’s about people, and declaring otherwise doesn’t make it true. What you are saying is that you just don’t care. Which is your right, I guess. But I discovered the GC movement because I was disillusioned that the Left cared more about ideology than harm done to actual people. Seems like GC is the same, just different ideology.
The r-word. Whatever your intent, it is painful that it is being used as a slur again. Like the n-word, I don’t think it should be used at all except in history lessons. I’m not defending the language policing excesses of the woke movement, but some words really are hurtful.
There is a lot I agree with here. But I do think the pendulum has swung too far. There is a difference between advocating for your positions clearly and without apology (such as opposing trans ideology or leftist politics) and casually using degrading language towards other people. I can respect the first, but not the second.
If you don’t like the use of that word, I don’t intend to change your mind. Everyone has the right to say what they want (that’s the definition of free speech) and others have the right to get offended about it. But in this case, there is a difference between saying that about an ideology and saying that about or to a specific person—just leaving that there.
I am not making a point about free speech. Of course you have the right to say what you want. But it is nevertheless a hurtful word, whether you are directing it at a person or are using it to express your disgust with an ideology. I guess I’m curious why you would want to use a word like that—what is the benefit? Sometimes we use language that is painful for a reason—for example, using the accurate pronouns and descriptors for trans-identified people, even if it causes them pain. But if there is a reason here, I don’t see it. What point are you making, except that you don’t care about how people who have been harmed by that word feel?
The point that I am making—and that seems to have been missed from my last comment—is that this is not about people at all. I do not sit around worrying about whose feelings I will hurt today with my writing. Neither do I go around deliberately offending individuals. That’d be a most unproductive use of time. Each of us is responsible for what we choose to take personally. Doesn’t have to be more complicated than that, unless we make it so.
Or, we could just not use degrading slurs. Doesn’t have to be more complicated than that.
Look, you’re right—I am responsible for what I take personally, and I’m not looking for an apology. I’m fine. But I stand by my original comment, which is that I respect some of your political points, but I don’t respect your language or your callous attitude. There is a difference between “worrying about whose feelings [you] will hurt”—which I agree seems unproductive—and simply acknowledging your words have an impact and trying to minimize harm. Of course it’s about people, and declaring otherwise doesn’t make it true. What you are saying is that you just don’t care. Which is your right, I guess. But I discovered the GC movement because I was disillusioned that the Left cared more about ideology than harm done to actual people. Seems like GC is the same, just different ideology.
Thanks for your comment. Which type of degrading language are we talking about?
The r-word. Whatever your intent, it is painful that it is being used as a slur again. Like the n-word, I don’t think it should be used at all except in history lessons. I’m not defending the language policing excesses of the woke movement, but some words really are hurtful.
Excellent article. Thoughtful, articulate,intelligent. Thanks from downunder. Commonsense prevails.
Thank you for your comment. Indeed, I hope common sense will prevail…