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Is the word "retard" really a necessary or useful addition to this sentence? It is roughly the equivalent of calling someone "nigger" or "faggot" as an insult.
by SwellJoe 12y ago
Is the word "retard" really a necessary or useful addition to this sentence? It is roughly the equivalent of calling someone "nigger" or "faggot" as an insult. When used in this way it is demeaning to the developmentally disabled.
I understand that this is somewhat common usage on the Internet at large, but I believe we'd all like to see Hacker News be better than the Internet at large. And, I'm sure you don't intend harm or insult anyway (other than the "people who move back and fourth between two cities"); but, the harm is there, whether intended or not.
- tomjen3 12y agoUnless you are developmentally challenged you should not comment on whether things are offensive. Lets not turn HN into tumblr.
- SwellJoe 12y agoSo, I can't call out racism when I see it? Can't call out misogyny in a conversation with only men in it? Can't call out oppressive language in any circumstance unless I am directly effected by it? No, I don't think that's the way it works, and it's not the way it should work. I hit the privilege lottery: I'm white, male, able-bodied, middle class, American. If I'm unwilling to call oppression what it is, I'm empowering the oppressive behavior. I believe my request was polite and stated without malice or (much) judgment. I would ask you to consider where your desire to argue with that request comes from.