Over the last couple months in particular, I've personally become increasingly disturbed at the common and excessive use of words like fag, faggot, queer, etc on tww. Typically these are used in a manner that implies intent to insult and thus indicate a prejudice against homosexuals. I don't think it has necessarily become a more frequent occurrence on thewolfweb lately, but for whatever reason I have become more aware of it when it does happen.

As owner of thewolfweb, I frown upon discrimination, prejudice and hatred in its many forms - racism, homophobia, xenophobia, sexism, religiphobia, politiphobia (yeah i made those last 2 up but you know what i mean), etc. As owner of thewolfweb, I also celebrate and embrace free speech and am proud that thewolfweb has continued to be a place where it is only rarely necessary for a moderator to remove even controversial points of view. And even then, this action is only taken when users decide to express their views in a way that is disruptive and often intentionally malicious to the larger community.

I believe that discrimination is best overcome not by the force of an authority, but by the encouragement of individuals to their peers to reconsider their motives and actions. As such, I would like to merely point out that I personally reject the use of such prejudiced words. I ask you, my friends, to consider your own actions and the beliefs and convictions which they represent. Whether you believe homosexuality is an appropriate lifestyle or not, I urge you to treat others with respect.

Thanks for considering this point of view
qfred

tl;dr - if you call people a faggot as an insult, you're kindof an asshole.

11/4/2010 11:58:43 AM

*like*

11/4/2010 11:59:58 AM

ibt someone calls you a fag

11/4/2010 12:00:33 PM

Quote :

"*like*"

[Edited on November 4, 2010 at 12:01 PM. Reason : .]

11/4/2010 12:00:40 PM

I refer you to the episode of South Park with the bikers.

Just because someone is a faggot it doesn't mean that I'm calling them a homosexual.

11/4/2010 12:01:42 PM

also, I agree with the OP's statement, but trying to get folks to be respectful of other on here is like trying to get pigs to paint fences- you can try all you want, but it ain't gonna happen


I would also like to say I agree with ^that statement




fag has moved to a different place in our vernacular lexicon- yes, it can still be a mean spirited hate word for a homosexual, but it is also something that I see thrown out as just common slang b/w buddies at a bar. not being gay myself, it isn't likely to offend me, but I try to keep the feelings of others in mind... I guess I just don't see it as that bad- kinda like when someone says "fuck yo couch, nigga" - they are not calling someone a nigger, but rather just using a term (phrase in this case) that has become common place in our society.

[Edited on November 4, 2010 at 12:06 PM. Reason : h]

11/4/2010 12:01:48 PM

Kris



message_search.aspx?type=posts&searchstring=faggot&username=Kris&usertype=match





[Edited on November 4, 2010 at 12:05 PM. Reason : ]

11/4/2010 12:01:51 PM

CYA?

I agree. It's surprising to me how often I hear the word thrown around in my classroom or in the hallway, but then again most of my kids seem to lack any kind of an internal monologue.

11/4/2010 12:02:40 PM

Quote :

"if you call people a faggot as an insult, you're kindof an asshole."

But other insults are A-OK.

11/4/2010 12:04:25 PM

One of my favorite words. I try to say it at least once a day.

11/4/2010 12:05:29 PM

Name-calling, as a rule, is offensive, but certain words are more offensive than others even though they're "just words."

[Edited on November 4, 2010 at 12:05 PM. Reason : ]

11/4/2010 12:05:33 PM

Insults are supposed to be offensive. If they aren't offensive, they aren't effective.

11/4/2010 12:06:57 PM

wait....so I can't smoke fags?

*note I only make jokes b/c I feel comfortable doing so IRL with my non-hetero friends. I don't use this word to antagonise people.

[Edited on November 4, 2010 at 12:20 PM. Reason : disclaimer]

11/4/2010 12:06:59 PM

because it took me so long to edit:

Quote :

"fag has moved to a different place in our vernacular lexicon- yes, it can still be a mean spirited hate word for a homosexual, but it is also something that I see thrown out as just common slang b/w buddies at a bar. not being gay myself, it isn't likely to offend me, but I try to keep the feelings of others in mind... I guess I just don't see it as that bad- kinda like when someone says "fuck yo couch, nigga" - they are not calling someone a nigger, but rather just using a term (phrase in this case) that has become common place in our society. "

I would also like to say I think it is wrong to go after someone and flat out call them a faggot cock sucker just to try to hurt them, but then again, I don't think going after someone like that is appropriate anyway, no matter what you say

11/4/2010 12:08:04 PM

Quote :

"you can try all you want, but it ain't gonna happen"

also, whenever I think about using the word fag, I wonder what a good friend of mine would think of me. I was one of the first people he came out to, and he came out to several of our old friends from high school at my wedding. While I would never mean it as an insult to homosexuals, I know it can be taken that way, and I can't stand the thought of somebody, such as my friend, believing I am judging their lifestyle. There are plenty of other words to use to insult somebody, without bringing homosexuality into things.

Quote :

"tl;dr - if you call people a faggot as an insult, you're kindof an asshole."

11/4/2010 12:08:16 PM

11/4/2010 12:09:07 PM

Quote :

"Insults are supposed to be offensive. If they aren't offensive, they aren't effective."

For that matter, something can be offensive without having any real malice at all. See: Some stand-up comedy routines.

11/4/2010 12:09:53 PM

I think it is acceptable for people to use this word

also, I think it is totally acceptable for other people to slap someone across the face for using this word - and no retaliation is warranted, just a feeling of stunned embarassment

11/4/2010 12:10:22 PM

LOL at comparing nigger to faggot.

11/4/2010 12:10:37 PM

w

[Edited on November 4, 2010 at 12:12 PM. Reason : s]

11/4/2010 12:12:05 PM

Nigger is definitely the 1 seed when it comes to offensive words. Faggot probably comes in at 3 behind cunt.

11/4/2010 12:12:30 PM

shutup nigger faggot

11/4/2010 12:12:45 PM

Quote :

"Insults are supposed to be offensive. If they aren't offensive, they aren't effective."

I understand this, and, to be honest, I don't really have a great retort for this. I try not to offend others in my daily actions, especially with the words I use. ::shrug::

[Edited on November 4, 2010 at 12:14 PM. Reason : ]

11/4/2010 12:13:08 PM

Quote :

"nigger faggot"

hmmmm... there must be something about double g's

:/

[Edited on November 4, 2010 at 12:14 PM. Reason : ]

11/4/2010 12:14:15 PM

while i appreciate your 2c, was this even necessary?

11/4/2010 12:14:26 PM

Quote :

"Nigger is definitely the 1 seed when it comes to offensive words. Faggot probably comes in at 3 behind cunt."

So, first and foremost, we don't want to insult black people, then it is women and finally homosexuals.

Good to know. Keep me posted if this changes!

11/4/2010 12:15:23 PM

i think I'm just gonna step out of this thread while I still can...

11/4/2010 12:15:56 PM

11/4/2010 12:16:10 PM

^^^ That's OK. White men don't even get ranked so you should feel lucky.

[Edited on November 4, 2010 at 12:16 PM. Reason : .]

11/4/2010 12:16:47 PM

Also, what are numbers four through ten in the offensive rankings?

11/4/2010 12:16:56 PM

http://www.afterelton.com/TV/2010/06/louis-ck-extraordinary-ten-minute?page=0,0


Watch episode 2 of Louie on hulu.

Or are you guys are a bunch of bundles of sticks?

11/4/2010 12:17:01 PM

Double..

[Edited on November 4, 2010 at 12:17 PM. Reason : Shit]

11/4/2010 12:17:01 PM

Where does the white man fit into that priority list?

11/4/2010 12:17:03 PM

Quote :

"^^^ That's OK. White men don't even get ranked so you should feel lucky."

That's because the blacks, women, and gays are keeping you down. You need to stand up and complain if you want to be insulted.

11/4/2010 12:20:12 PM

They're just words

You give them the power they have to be offensive by being offended by them. Maybe ^*?'s gay friend doesn't flinch at the word fag. Maybe he understands "fag" is a juvenile term people use in an attempt to hurt others and so it doesn't bother him. In that case, YOU are the one giving power to the word by worrying about whether or not it bothers him (especially dumb if it doesn't).

I don't typically use the word fag unless I'm making fun of someone for doing something decidedly homosexual (or I'm referring to UNC people). But your ability to just let it slide off you is what devalues the word. That's what makes it useless. People will move on to calling people names with other words once they learn that we aren't fazed (right spelling this time) by the use of words meant to be offensive.

tl;dr: Giving people negative attention when they use these words is what they want. Don't do that.

11/4/2010 12:23:09 PM

Quote :

"I believe that discrimination is best overcome not by the force of an authority, but by the encouragement of individuals to their peers to reconsider their motives and actions. "

I tend to agree.

Quote :

"fag has moved to a different place in our vernacular lexicon- yes, it can still be a mean spirited hate word for a homosexual, but it is also something that I see thrown out as just common slang b/w buddies at a bar."

I have trouble buying this though. That's so gay... not in a gays are bad way, but in a way that the thing I'm describing as gay is bad. You're a fag... not in a gays are bad way, but in a way that the person I'm describing as fag is bad. [no homo... can't have that association bad association, not that gays are bad, just don't confuse me with a homo].

Its just that every word for gay in our lexicon has happened to move to a different place to mean bad, and in no way reflects attitudes towards gay people.

Anyways, I hope none of this came off as queer (not in the gay way, but in the bad way), b/c I wouldn't want you to think I'm a gay wad or anything.

I might buy the argument that fag is just common slang b/w buddies at a bar to mean something less than or bad or dumb, if it wasn't that every word for gay is just common slang for that.

Again, I'm not for authoritative censoring, but I don't buy that argument in the slightest.

11/4/2010 12:26:16 PM

it's also british slang for cigarettes.

11/4/2010 12:27:39 PM

Quote :

"what are numbers four through ten in the offensive rankings?"

That's a good question. I think 1 and 2 are pretty clear, and they have been for some time. Faggot has made a strong push in recent years so I think that's why it is 3. After that it's kinda blurry and it's all a big tie. I think Hispanics are the next group to make a big push, making spic #4. But it's too early to tell at this point.

11/4/2010 12:28:30 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2nTbqbtGug

embed plz

11/4/2010 12:30:38 PM

the point i was making there is that, while it might not be the most appropriate term, it isn't meant to mean anything about actual homosexuals. It is like saying something is retarded.

I don't know... I am not supposed to be in this thread anyway

I just think in certain circumstances, it isn't as bad as others, but I, as a rule, try not to offend others around me so I try to avoid using terms like that anyway. I just don't find myself getting offended in a lot of situations like others do, apparently, when I hear it being used



^lol ... "I heard what you said!"

[Edited on November 4, 2010 at 12:36 PM. Reason : s]

11/4/2010 12:30:48 PM

Is it matter of a Miller Test wherein the average person deems it obscene, or is the words sociological history? I'd say twat is pretty high up.

11/4/2010 12:31:47 PM

Eh, I'm not sure about twat...it's still kinda silly-sounding in a way. And you can say it on cable.

I'm thinking about words that would evoke the strongest reaction if said in public.

11/4/2010 12:34:43 PM

I think the only reasonable solution is a code that automatically replaces such words from a list of ridiculous and absurd words to create unintentional madlibs and let the hilarity ensue.

Anyone who disagrees is a total voluptuous-rhinoceros.

11/4/2010 12:43:22 PM

Anyone else getting urge to parody this? I am, but then again, I will probably be qntmbanned.

I was thinking something along the lines of:

Over the last couple months in particular, I've personally become increasingly disturbed at the common and excessive use of words like ass, asshole, assopening, etc on tww. Typically these are used in a manner that implies intent to insult and thus indicate a prejudice against assholes. I don't think it has necessarily become a more frequent occurrence on thewolfweb lately, but for whatever reason I have become more aware of it when it does happen.

As a poster on thewolfweb, I frown upon discrimination, prejudice and hatred in its many forms - racism, homophobia, xenophobia, sexism, religiphobia, politiphobia (yeah i made those last 2 up but you know what i mean), etc. As a poster on thewolfweb, I also celebrate and embrace free speech and am proud that thewolfweb has continued to be a place where it is only rarely necessary for a moderator to remove even controversial points of view. And even then, this action is only taken when users decide to express their views in a way that is disruptive and often intentionally malicious to the larger community.

I believe that discrimination is best overcome not by the force of an authority, but by the encouragement of individuals to their peers to reconsider their motives and actions. As such, I would like to merely point out that I personally reject the use of such prejudiced words. I ask you, my friends, to consider your own actions and the beliefs and convictions which they represent. Whether you believe being an asshole is an appropriate lifestyle or not, I urge you to treat others with respect.

Thanks for considering this point of view
merbig

tl;dr - if you call people a asshole as an insult, you're kindof a faggot.


That's just a rough parody. I'm sure someone can do better with using the word "nigger" or something.

But yeah, using faggot isn't particularly creative. If you want to insult someone, put some thought into it.

11/4/2010 1:02:20 PM

I am arrogant enough to take credit for opening the floodgates on the Wolf Web when it comes to the use of "faggot" as an insult. I bet if you compare the incidence of the word being posted in 2001-2002 between myself and all other users, I'll beat 'em all put together. I say this to establish my bona fides.

"Faggot" is an excellent word, and sometimes it's the right word. But it's almost always hurtful to someone when you throw it out in public, and that goes for using it in a thread.

When it comes to the Wolf Web, it is almost always just as effective and sometimes even more appropriate to use "motherfucker" instead. And I guarantee you that you're gonna catch fewer innocent bystanders with it. It's like choosing a more accurate weapon for your drive-by, you dig?

What I'm trying to say is that when you're trying to dig at a motherfucker and call him a faggot, think about all the other people catching the splash, and think twice whether "motherfucker" might not work just as well if not better.

God bless.

[Edited on November 4, 2010 at 1:14 PM. Reason : ...]

11/4/2010 1:13:54 PM

so we no longer like this?

Quote :

"DO IT FAGGOT"

quite honestly, most (i'd say all, but it hasn't come up with some of them) of the gay people (men and women) i know couldn't care less about the use of "faggot," as they're above caring about such things

words are just words and nothing else...i could vocalize any number of derogatory terms but the very fact that i don't suffer from having those prejudices makes them just words and nothing more...the very idea that homosexuals are somehow inferior is much more insulting than the use of a slang term

i get what you're saying, though...it reflects poorly on tww as a whole and on the individual...which is why you have never (and will never) see me use terms like "nigger" or "faggot" in an insulting way...i rarely use "gay"

i do, however, have a tendency to use the word "retarded" in a way it was not originally intended and while i may make the argument that it can be used more literally as an insult than "faggot" can be, i admit that i should not use it as i do and i am making the attempt to be more aware of words i use

11/4/2010 1:22:17 PM

IN ON PAGE ONE FAGS

11/4/2010 1:25:02 PM

YOU CAN CALL ME ANYTHING EXCEPT LATE FOR DINNER.

11/4/2010 1:25:08 PM

Awesome OP

11/4/2010 1:30:23 PM

I have a gay friend that says "fag" and "faggot" all the time. I don't say it around him, but it's funny when he does. Well, I'll say "fag", but not "faggot."

11/4/2010 1:31:00 PM