6 ms·

I think the idea is that a slur is a much stronger insult typically aimed at one's ethnicity. What's being said here is that the word retard is an insult, but

I think the idea is that a slur is a much stronger insult typically aimed at one's ethnicity. What's being said here is that the word retard is an insult, but does not rise to the level/strength of a slur.

germinalphrase 6y ago
Feels like you’re cutting that a bit thin. In any case, my experience (and - probably - the context of my cultural upbringing) was that the word was used to both denigrate people with developmental disabilities and to degrade those who did not. This wasn’t calling someone a “loser”. This was using an immutable characteristic of someone’s personhood against them and attacking others by asserting a resemblance.
- Person5478 6y ago
  In the US calling someone a retard is considered very tame compared to calling them a nigger or spic, etc. Yes, calling someone a retard isn't polite, but it's nowhere near the level of offense of the other words. Not all insults are created equal and that was the point the other poster was making. Putting it in the same category as the other words is a bit much. It's like comparing Harvey Weinstein with that drunk asshole who slapped the waitress on the ass. Neither are good, but they also don't deserve to be described as equivalent.
mint2 6y ago
Wait I’m misunderstand you, right? Reading your comment it almost seems like yours saying that the r word isn’t a slur or isn’t that bad of one?! It’s a word that takes a whole class of people and uses them as an insult when talking about other people. Are you seriously going to try to pull some narrow technical originalist definition to argue that in this specific edition of this specific dictionary it defines “slur” as being about ethnicity and thus that word can’t be a “slur” bc it effects a class of people that isn’t a specific ethnicity?
- prepend 6y ago
  I think it lessons other, more hurtful, words that are used as slurs. Look, we should be polite and not use offensive words, but be consistent. The referenced word is rude and offensive but in no way the same room as words that have resulted in lynching, genocide, systematic oppression. If we want to go all polite and ban all “slurs” then we’ll be getting butthurt over calling someone “stupid” or “idiot.” And of course I’ve worked with people who are upset at any foul language and even blasphemy. Are we going to get to a point that major reporters are thinking it’s attention worthy to say someone says “Goddammit?” Arguing over whether that’s as offensive as another word just a matter of time and we are experiencing a slippery slope. Either we’re going to get offended by everything and live in China/Disneyworld where there’s never offense, or we’re going to stop getting hysterical over unimportant things and use that attention to fight real, difficult, systematic problems.
  - mint2 6y ago
    Here’s the thing, it’s not less bad than whatever others you’re thinking of. You’re just confusing your own familiarity with acceptability. Just because you’ve heard the word and are used to it, and maybe used it without your bubble caring, doesn’t mean it’s less hurtful than other words. As the other words fell out of general acceptance, many people who were familiar with the words said many of the same arguments you’re making now. Are you sure you’re not acting like a 50’s white person complaining about how you can’t say certain words anymore?
    - Person5478 6y ago
      I could just as easily claim only a pedophile could hold the opinion you hold, but that would probably be a tad unfair. So how about you refrain from it as well, eh?
      - mint2 6y ago
        Your analogy makes no sense. I don’t know what else to say. It flat out makes no sense.

germinalphrase 6y ago

Feels like you’re cutting that a bit thin. In any case, my experience (and - probably - the context of my cultural upbringing) was that the word was used to both denigrate people with developmental disabilities and to degrade those who did not. This wasn’t calling someone a “loser”. This was using an immutable characteristic of someone’s personhood against them and attacking others by asserting a resemblance.

Person5478 6y ago
In the US calling someone a retard is considered very tame compared to calling them a nigger or spic, etc. Yes, calling someone a retard isn't polite, but it's nowhere near the level of offense of the other words. Not all insults are created equal and that was the point the other poster was making. Putting it in the same category as the other words is a bit much. It's like comparing Harvey Weinstein with that drunk asshole who slapped the waitress on the ass. Neither are good, but they also don't deserve to be described as equivalent.

mint2 6y ago

Wait I’m misunderstand you, right? Reading your comment it almost seems like yours saying that the r word isn’t a slur or isn’t that bad of one?! It’s a word that takes a whole class of people and uses them as an insult when talking about other people. Are you seriously going to try to pull some narrow technical originalist definition to argue that in this specific edition of this specific dictionary it defines “slur” as being about ethnicity and thus that word can’t be a “slur” bc it effects a class of people that isn’t a specific ethnicity?

prepend 6y ago
I think it lessons other, more hurtful, words that are used as slurs. Look, we should be polite and not use offensive words, but be consistent. The referenced word is rude and offensive but in no way the same room as words that have resulted in lynching, genocide, systematic oppression. If we want to go all polite and ban all “slurs” then we’ll be getting butthurt over calling someone “stupid” or “idiot.” And of course I’ve worked with people who are upset at any foul language and even blasphemy. Are we going to get to a point that major reporters are thinking it’s attention worthy to say someone says “Goddammit?” Arguing over whether that’s as offensive as another word just a matter of time and we are experiencing a slippery slope. Either we’re going to get offended by everything and live in China/Disneyworld where there’s never offense, or we’re going to stop getting hysterical over unimportant things and use that attention to fight real, difficult, systematic problems.
- mint2 6y ago
  Here’s the thing, it’s not less bad than whatever others you’re thinking of. You’re just confusing your own familiarity with acceptability. Just because you’ve heard the word and are used to it, and maybe used it without your bubble caring, doesn’t mean it’s less hurtful than other words. As the other words fell out of general acceptance, many people who were familiar with the words said many of the same arguments you’re making now. Are you sure you’re not acting like a 50’s white person complaining about how you can’t say certain words anymore?
  - Person5478 6y ago
    I could just as easily claim only a pedophile could hold the opinion you hold, but that would probably be a tad unfair. So how about you refrain from it as well, eh?
    - mint2 6y ago
      Your analogy makes no sense. I don’t know what else to say. It flat out makes no sense.