I know! And then RaceFail '09 happened, and I started paying attention to stuff, and yeah. I mean, I know it isn't used that way very often these days, and I'd prefer to think of it as shorthand for "lamentable", but. How many physically disabled people and their loved ones feel the same?
Yeah, that's. More of a grey zone? Word reclamation is weeeeird like that. I would also say that using "gay for" as code for "head over heels for" is 100x less offensive than using "gay" as code for "stupid", etc. Likewise, lovingly offensive nicknames, though those I figure are more easily censored? IDK. And swearing I tend to be pretty okay with, too, though if you're swearing around kids, it should be because their parents are okay with it. Guess who works with elementary school kids for a living? ME, THAT'S WHO! 8D
I don't want to say that the intent behind words doesn't count, since not meaning to hurt someone doesn't make them less hurt, but I'd say that intended meaning of the word is definitely a considering factor, I guess? Just. Using something a person can't change as an insult doesn't sit right with me.
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branchandroot
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Date: 2009-04-09 02:30 am (UTC)Yeah, that's. More of a grey zone? Word reclamation is weeeeird like that. I would also say that using "gay for" as code for "head over heels for" is 100x less offensive than using "gay" as code for "stupid", etc. Likewise, lovingly offensive nicknames, though those I figure are more easily censored? IDK. And swearing I tend to be pretty okay with, too, though if you're swearing around kids, it should be because their parents are okay with it. Guess who works with elementary school kids for a living? ME, THAT'S WHO! 8D
I don't want to say that the intent behind words doesn't count, since not meaning to hurt someone doesn't make them less hurt, but I'd say that intended meaning of the word is definitely a considering factor, I guess? Just. Using something a person can't change as an insult doesn't sit right with me.
BUT YEAH, BASICALLY.