# Limiting/flagging/forbidding post with content offensive to other members.

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limiting-flagging-forbidding-post-with-content-offensive-to-other-members/814854>\
**Category:** About This Message Board\
**Created:** [May 26, 2018, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limiting-flagging-forbidding-post-with-content-offensive-to-other-members/814854 "2018-05-26T13:27:02Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 14

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**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\
**Post date:** [May 30, 2018, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limiting-flagging-forbidding-post-with-content-offensive-to-other-members/814854/261 "2018-05-30T15:56:39Z")

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> [@you\_with\_the\_face](#):
>
> Can I ask _why_ it’s an issue? It’s clear from the context that I didn’t direct the term at any poster but was rather offering it up as an extension to the hypothetical; the dang thing is put in quotes for a reason. Other recent **Skald** threads show similar usage. See [here](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=20989974&postcount=43) and [here](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=657881&page=3&highlight=nigger).
> 
> I’m vexed at the idea that I somehow crossed a line. **LHoD** first wrongly accused me of adulterating the thread with sexual abuse in spite of my efforts to be as non-graphic as I could possibly be, and now he’s acting offended at the mere notion that hypothetical characters could speak in racist ways?
> 
> I understand the challenge you’re under as a moderator, but I think there is little defense for even issuing me a non-warning finger wag in that thread.

Your second link is from 2012, so I really can’t speak to that since it’s before my time as a mod.

The first was was in a thread dedicated to discussing homophobic insults, so anyone wandering into that thread knew it was about slurs and the like. It was being used in a conversation about insults and slurs. Nigger is one of those particularly unique slurs, in my opinion, that it’s use (rather than it’s prohibition) has to be justified. You could have made your point in a variety of different ways, including censoring the word, without losing anything. I’m sorry you felt “finger-wagged” at, but I considered to cross the line, especially given the context of the thread.

On the other hand, I found absolutely nothing wrong about your other post in that thread, since exploring why April may want to cut off contact with her father is completely in bounds for the discussion of the hypothetical.

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**Author:** ![Ed\_Zotti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/fbc32d/32.png) [@Ed\_Zotti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ed_Zotti)\
**Post date:** [May 30, 2018, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limiting-flagging-forbidding-post-with-content-offensive-to-other-members/814854/262 "2018-05-30T15:59:13Z")

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The issue raised by the OP appears to have been settled to the satisfaction of all. We’re now starting to drift off into peripheral matters, so I’m closing this thread. If you want to continue discussing a related topic, please start a new thread so that the debate may be properly focused. Thanks.

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