# Dehumanizing language should not be allowed **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [June 13, 2023, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dehumanizing-language-should-not-be-allowed/985435 "2023-06-13T16:14:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2023, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dehumanizing-language-should-not-be-allowed/985435/43 "2023-06-13T18:39:54Z")
> [@GIGObuster](#): > > Although, as I’m just saying, going for an example that uses the word in the correct way, in the animal world, does not really help in this case when attempting to declare that this is not “dehumanizing.” It was a side-note. My main point is that the word is usually used to describe humans who are invading. And while I agree that it is inappropriate and inflamatory in the context of immigration, I think trying to say that “invader” is “dehumanizing” is not the best case to make. As I said above, I far prefer “demonizing”, which I think gets much more directly at what is wrong with referring to people attempting to peacefully immigrate as “invaders”. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2023, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dehumanizing-language-should-not-be-allowed/985435/44 "2023-06-13T18:43:24Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > I’ll ask for clarification on this, not in the interest of relitigating the past, but to make sure I understand when a post becomes “attacking the poster.” Breaking LHoD’s quote into three parts: > > 1. _I don’t give a shit what you say about giving a shit._ → this is certainly angry and I could see a “tone it down” note. But it doesn’t seem like an insult or attack to me. it’s kinda insulting. It’s certainly being a jerk. I would moderate that in my forums. I’d like to repeat what I said above: if you find yourself so angry at a post that it’s hard to reply politely, you are almost certainly better off reporting it than responding to it. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2023, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dehumanizing-language-should-not-be-allowed/985435/45 "2023-06-13T18:44:39Z")
Well, I’m also thinking at the human level, leaving mollusks out of the picture, I’m referring here too about the intolerant declaring immigrants as not being “human” as in the dictionary definition one also encounters about being human (usually the second or third meaning) “of or characteristic of people’s better qualities, such as kindness or sensitivity. “the human side of politics is getting stronger”” What the intolerant like to do is to dehumanize immigrants both ways, as being animals or by declaring that immigrants have no kindness or empathy, in this case the intolerant are telling others that immigrants are ‘beings that are able to take over a nation by force, because they do not have human qualities’. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2023, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dehumanizing-language-should-not-be-allowed/985435/46 "2023-06-13T18:48:08Z")
I’m going to be completely honest here. I’m getting really pissed off about this mess. **Don’t parse the post!** , that is not how we moderate. The angry language leading " _and it’s deeply shameful that you_" is clearly attacking another poster. I can’t believe we’re still talking about this part of it which shouldn’t be part of this thread. Another poster calmly explained in the cornfielded thread what was wrong with using “invaders”, I think it was @wolfpup that stayed within the rules and accomplished something. The angry tirade by LHOD accomplished only getting him tossed from a thread. **Now, can we please drop litigating and breaking down a post from a cornfielded thread and get back to the point that @Johnny_Bravo is trying to get clarification on?** ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2023, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dehumanizing-language-should-not-be-allowed/985435/47 "2023-06-13T18:48:58Z")
> [@Johnny\_Bravo](#): > > We don’t need a list of proscribed terms but we should absolutely have a rule against that type of language. Just curious. Would this apply to the Pit as well? I’ve seen people called a lot of things over there. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2023, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dehumanizing-language-should-not-be-allowed/985435/48 "2023-06-13T19:01:43Z")
Sorry, but to finally address the OP, as of right now the plan is to handle these on a case by case basis. We’re not drawing any bright lines. This is our usual policy. I can easily see calling a specific group invaders being a moddable. I don’t really see “illegals” as used in that thread as being moddable. But a reply that explains why the usage is offensive without going after the poster that said it is well within the rules. If it turns into a back and forth that hijacks a thread, all posters will be advised to drop it or take it elsewhere. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2023, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dehumanizing-language-should-not-be-allowed/985435/49 "2023-06-13T19:03:41Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > I don’t see any way in which that post is helpful. I do. It’s helpful in that it clarifies that we’re not going to be burdened with yet more rules, and explains why the rules we already have are sufficient. The problem with more rules is that mods then feel an obligation to interpret them and enforce their interpretations, and in a few cases this has already led to some questionable and strained judgment calls. There is no reasonable person here who is in favour of letting racism and xenophobia run rampant, at least no one that we would want to keep on the board, but we already have plenty of tools for dealing with such posts and the individuals who make them. ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2023, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dehumanizing-language-should-not-be-allowed/985435/50 "2023-06-13T19:14:54Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > I don’t really see “illegals” as used in that thread as being moddable I am _tremendously_ disappointed that “illegals” won’t be modded as a reprehensibly hateful slur. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2023, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dehumanizing-language-should-not-be-allowed/985435/51 "2023-06-13T19:16:25Z")
Not sure what rule that would fall under and was pretty common usage for even newspapers until recently. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2023, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dehumanizing-language-should-not-be-allowed/985435/52 "2023-06-13T19:16:53Z")
Just out of curiousity, would calling a poster, an outside individual or a group ‘pieces of shit’ be dehumanizing? Because we have _thread titles_ like that. Only they are always aimed at one side, so apparently it’s acceptable. And the language used against conservatives on this board is often dehumanizing. If we start modding on vague categories like ‘dehumanizing’ words, I will make it a mission to mod report every fucking time someone uses ‘dehumamizing’ language against me, Republicans, conservatives, etc. This weaponizing of language is getting ridiculous. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2023, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dehumanizing-language-should-not-be-allowed/985435/53 "2023-06-13T19:19:49Z")
And if you look into the reason most newspapers changed their minds, you would see why we might want to follow suit. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2023, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dehumanizing-language-should-not-be-allowed/985435/54 "2023-06-13T19:20:48Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > Just out of curiousity, would calling a poster, an outside individual or a group ‘pieces of shit’ be dehumanizing? Because we have _thread titles_ like that. Outside of The Pit? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2023, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dehumanizing-language-should-not-be-allowed/985435/55 "2023-06-13T19:22:14Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > This weaponizing of language is getting ridiculous. I see this more like _de_weaponizing of language. ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2023, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dehumanizing-language-should-not-be-allowed/985435/56 "2023-06-13T19:22:59Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Not sure what rule that would fall under and was pretty common usage for even newspapers until recently. > **Hate speech.** Do not post hate speech directed against any race, religion, ethnicity, nationality, or gender in any forum. And surely we have a rule against hateful slurs somewhere, do we not? ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2023, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dehumanizing-language-should-not-be-allowed/985435/57 "2023-06-13T19:27:48Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Outside of The Pit? Not the thread titles - at least I haven’t seen the use of ‘piece of shit’ in a thread title outside the pit. But for clarity, are we saying that dehumanizing language should be okay in the Pit? And dehumanizing language against the right is pretty common here, in multiple fora. I’m glad we’ll be getting rid of all of it if we go this way. I’ll do my part to help. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2023, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dehumanizing-language-should-not-be-allowed/985435/58 "2023-06-13T19:29:44Z")
You can always report it to the Mods, right? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2023, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dehumanizing-language-should-not-be-allowed/985435/59 "2023-06-13T19:30:10Z")
Outside the pit, yes. In the pit no. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2023, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dehumanizing-language-should-not-be-allowed/985435/60 "2023-06-13T19:34:22Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > And dehumanizing language against the right is pretty common here, in multiple fora. We’ve pointed out specifically what we mean be dehumanizing(or perhaps, demonizing) when it comes _from_ the right. Perhaps you can point out specific examples when it is directed _at_ the right? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2023, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dehumanizing-language-should-not-be-allowed/985435/61 "2023-06-13T19:35:23Z")
Specifics would be good, generalizations are fairly useless. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2023, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dehumanizing-language-should-not-be-allowed/985435/62 "2023-06-13T19:39:26Z")
As always, as always, context should be considered. There is a **current, active** movement of violent terrorism against immigrants, thoroughly cited here and elsewhere, that relies on othering language against immigrants to stir up murderous activity against them. That’s what elevates these terms to something we should be concerned about. Diluting this concern with “BUT WHAT ABOUT THE CONSERVATIVES” is a terrible idea, unless we’re looking at specific cases in which there’s a significant movement of people who are actively murdering conservatives based on the “dehumanizing” rhetoric. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dehumanizing-language-should-not-be-allowed/985435.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dehumanizing-language-should-not-be-allowed/985435.md?page=4)