4 ms·

I’m sorry I triggered you. People actually do care about the meaning behind words. That’s why we are talking about it. Words shape understanding, understanding

by drooby 5y ago

I’m sorry I triggered you. People actually do care about the meaning behind words. That’s why we are talking about it. Words shape understanding, understanding shapes actions, and actions have consequences. Perhaps if we used more compassionate language to refer to these people it would support our efforts to prevent this violence you talk about. Also, as of this year the Biden administration has asked ICE, CBP to stop using the term “illegal alien”.

hunterb123 5y ago
there's a time and place to care about words, mind you these are legal words baked into our immigration laws. noone will believe you care if you squabble over what to call someone while letting them be trafficked. illegal alien is not offensive, stop trying to make a false debate so you don't have to discuss the real issue, the cartels. Biden can ask ICE and CBP to use whatever words he wants, like that does something, they're just following the laws he helped write. maybe he should have updated the immigration laws in his half a century as a senator.
- drooby 5y ago
  Dude… do you know where we are? We are in a comment thread discussing the usage of words in media bias… is this not the time and place? This isn’t a thread about the cartels. Talk about false debate.
  - hunterb123 5y ago
    Dude... follow the chain. This was about whether or not illegal immigration has a neutral term, it does, illegal alien, the legal term. I did dive into the issue itself, but it doesn't make it a false debate, unlike the semantics debate. I was pointing out how bias in the media in this topic always turns to a word debate not a debate on the issue. Keep in mind YOU brought up xenophobia and not the cartels. You continued the semantics debate, but not the root issue.
    - drooby 5y ago
      Well I disagree. I don’t think there is any such thing as a neutral term in politics. No one has an objective understanding of some combination of words. Just because the term does not illicit emotions in you, does not mean it doesn’t in other people. Like I said, Biden has already recommended the term “illegal alien” be changed - thus highlighting its politicization. And on your second point I take issue with the premise. Like I said earlier, I think our understanding of words have consequences, debating their meaning is debating the issue. However, is it the most fruitful and meaningful debate? Perhaps not.. but again, we are in a comment section about word usage in media bias - so that’s why I’m focusing on it.
      - hunterb123 5y ago
        My point is the same. You, like Biden, want to argue semantics, which word to swap out that is "less offensive" but says the same thing. Even if the word isn't offensive, and you have no idea how many find it as such, if any. That's the priority. All pointless to solve the actual issue, but makes a great show and distracts people. Unlike Biden, you had no power to change the immigration laws, so I don't hold anything against you. But yes, this is about media bias and word usage. Let's just chalk semantic debates up as a tool used in that bias.
        drooby 5y ago
        It’s honestly really strange how triggered you are.
        hunterb123 5y ago
        You've thrown that "insult" again at me while advocating changing a legal term because you think it triggers people. Strange.
        drooby 5y ago
        Your edits have clarified your intent. I thought you were reaching for ad hominem or something by making unsubstantiated claims about my beliefs. “You like Biden”, vs, “You, like Biden”. Regardless though, you’re still making unsubstantiated claims about my beliefs… I didn’t advocate for changing legal terms.. I was only explaining why “those on the left” feel uncomfortable with the term. My first comment was geared more towards an educational tone rather than a prescriptive tone. I recommend reading it again. I didn’t edit any of my posts. See, this is why I think language is important. Gonna have to call it here though. Good chat.

by drooby 5y ago

hunterb123 5y ago

there's a time and place to care about words, mind you these are legal words baked into our immigration laws. noone will believe you care if you squabble over what to call someone while letting them be trafficked. illegal alien is not offensive, stop trying to make a false debate so you don't have to discuss the real issue, the cartels. Biden can ask ICE and CBP to use whatever words he wants, like that does something, they're just following the laws he helped write. maybe he should have updated the immigration laws in his half a century as a senator.

drooby 5y ago
Dude… do you know where we are? We are in a comment thread discussing the usage of words in media bias… is this not the time and place? This isn’t a thread about the cartels. Talk about false debate.
- hunterb123 5y ago
  Dude... follow the chain. This was about whether or not illegal immigration has a neutral term, it does, illegal alien, the legal term. I did dive into the issue itself, but it doesn't make it a false debate, unlike the semantics debate. I was pointing out how bias in the media in this topic always turns to a word debate not a debate on the issue. Keep in mind YOU brought up xenophobia and not the cartels. You continued the semantics debate, but not the root issue.
  - drooby 5y ago
    Well I disagree. I don’t think there is any such thing as a neutral term in politics. No one has an objective understanding of some combination of words. Just because the term does not illicit emotions in you, does not mean it doesn’t in other people. Like I said, Biden has already recommended the term “illegal alien” be changed - thus highlighting its politicization. And on your second point I take issue with the premise. Like I said earlier, I think our understanding of words have consequences, debating their meaning is debating the issue. However, is it the most fruitful and meaningful debate? Perhaps not.. but again, we are in a comment section about word usage in media bias - so that’s why I’m focusing on it.
    - hunterb123 5y ago
      My point is the same. You, like Biden, want to argue semantics, which word to swap out that is "less offensive" but says the same thing. Even if the word isn't offensive, and you have no idea how many find it as such, if any. That's the priority. All pointless to solve the actual issue, but makes a great show and distracts people. Unlike Biden, you had no power to change the immigration laws, so I don't hold anything against you. But yes, this is about media bias and word usage. Let's just chalk semantic debates up as a tool used in that bias.
      - drooby 5y ago
        It’s honestly really strange how triggered you are.
        hunterb123 5y ago
        You've thrown that "insult" again at me while advocating changing a legal term because you think it triggers people. Strange.
        drooby 5y ago
        Your edits have clarified your intent. I thought you were reaching for ad hominem or something by making unsubstantiated claims about my beliefs. “You like Biden”, vs, “You, like Biden”. Regardless though, you’re still making unsubstantiated claims about my beliefs… I didn’t advocate for changing legal terms.. I was only explaining why “those on the left” feel uncomfortable with the term. My first comment was geared more towards an educational tone rather than a prescriptive tone. I recommend reading it again. I didn’t edit any of my posts. See, this is why I think language is important. Gonna have to call it here though. Good chat.