“Hate” is a particularly strong word in the English language. Calling a person, or by extension through a grouping, a “hater” means they actively pursue or support a strong opposition agenda toward the target. In some cases, it may be a legitimate epithet (e.g., WRT a particular large retailer), but most of the time it is on a par with “the N-word”.
One recent/current example is “cop-haters”. I, for one, feel that the police ought to be held to a very high standard, given the level of authority that is bestowed upon them. It almost eliminates “benefit of the doubt” in questionable cases that keep popping up. Many others like myself do not “hate” the police, and even realize that their job can place them in difficult positions, but to call us “cop-haters” is, for the most part, way beyond the pale.
So, before you go spitting “-hater” at someone else, consider that doing so will make you look like a total asswipe to all but a small group of similar asswipes like yourself. Just knock it the fuck off, unless you simply do not want to be part of the conversation.
I should add, by the way, that i basically agree with your second paragraph. Those who call for police reform are often called (incorrectly) cop-haters. Those who opposed the Iraq War were sometimes accused of not supporting the troops, or of being supporters of Saddam. The “haters” thing is just another example of the overblown rhetoric that people too often use in place of ideas and rational debate.
It’s still not the same as calling someone a nigger, though.
To paraphrase John Mulaney, you know how I know your assertion is bullshit? Because you can say “hater.” When you’re talking about whether two words are equally bad, and you can’t even say one of them, that’s the worse one.
OK, I stand corrected. It is not as bad. The effect of attempting to belittle one’s opponent is slightly similar but not “on a par with”. The effect of making the person using the term look like an asswipe is, nonetheless, comparable.
No, it’s not even vaguely similar*. There’s nothing a “nigger” can do to not be Black. You? Just don’t say anything and poof who can tell that your a “hater”?
No absolute stranger, who has no way of knowing your opinions, is going to drag you out of your bed, and lynch you, just because of the color of your skin.
*Yeah, it sucks, it isn’t a counter argument, it accomplish nothing . . . but it ain’t similar.
“Hater” is its own word now, separate from the simple meaning of “one who hates”, just like “player” is separate from “one who plays”, and doesn’t necessarily carry all the emotional charge that the actual word “hate” does - it is often used more in the sense of mere dislike, or even just cynical mistrust.
Try being the janitor for several years at an agricultural-based college in the Animal Sciences building. I’ll pause for a few seconds while that sinks in.
But them kids are on my lawn! With their saggy pants and their wacky words! Do you know what them kids do? Do ya? Well, I’ll tell ya!
They say things are “cool,” but they’re of a normal temperature!
They say things are “bogus” when they’re merely disappointing, and not false or spurious at all!
They say things are “awesome,” but those things do not inspire awe!
They say things are “radical,” but they have nothing to do with altering social structures through revolutionary means and changing value systems in fundamental ways!
They say things are “ironic,” when they are simply coincidence!
…ok, I got off track on that last one.
But damn, words change and it sucks. It’s hell getting old. Alls we can do is suck it up, Buttercup, and just wave the ol’ walker around some.
