[QUOTE=MrDibble]
Look, she’s an American Black, I don’t expect her to know what’s offensive to a South African Coloured. I did not Pit her, this is not a Pitting of her. This is a request for action by the Administrators.
And Quiddity, for the last time, her motives have absolutely nothing to do with it. The word Hottentot is an ethnic slur. That’s a fact.
[/QUOTE]
Nonetheless, were it me, and had I taken the name for my own reasons (all benevolent), I’d be gobsmacked to see someone complaining about this bitterly without having even bothered to ask me my motivation. I’d definitely feel pitted.
Poly, for you to make the assumption that the “naivete shown here” is not valid, you’d have to make the case that everybody here took part in the small circle of people and couple of threads you’ve cited. I didn’t. I reckon lots of people didn’t. In fact, I had to Google “Hottentot” to find out what it was.
I think Mr. Dibble might have done better had he…
(1) stated the nature of his objection clearly in the OP
(2) referenced the thread you’ve just now told us about
(3) refrained from hurling personal insults while demanding respect
and (4) been less coy about “Venus Hottentot”, which is a special-case derivative
[QUOTE=An Arky]
(I’m thinking of, say, the term Indian for Native Americans. Many folks of that heritage indeed use that term for themselves and don’t consider it perjorative).
[/QUOTE]
I’m Cherokee (7/8), and I hate the term “Native American”, as do most people I know. I use the term “Indian” regularly.
[QUOTE=Quiddity Glomfuster]
Nonetheless, were it me, and had I taken the name for my own reasons (all benevolent), I’d be gobsmacked to see someone complaining about this bitterly without having even bothered to ask me my motivation. I’d definitely feel pitted.
[/QUOTE]
I asked her why she chose the name way back in post 16 of her thread, before this thread was started. She saw my question, and responded to it on page 2.
[QUOTE=MrDibble]
Well, the OP was directed to mods, not you, so I don’t care what you think.
[/QUOTE]
Actually, since you posted it to ATMB, your OP was directed to every reader of this board. Had you reported one of the offendingly-named posters posts, or emailed a mod, it would have been directed to a mod.
(1) stated the nature of his objection clearly in the OP
[/QUOTE]
So outright stating “Hottentot’s a racial slur to my people” and giving two examples of similar usernames that Americans might understand wasn’t stating my objection?** Did anyone actually read my OP?**
[QUOTE=Liberal
(2) referenced the thread you’ve just now told us about[/QUOTE]
I didn’t think it was relevant. The word Hottentot’s a racial slur. it’s a simple fact. Past discussions seem kind of irrelevant. Plus, please, you’d still have tried to shit in the thread the way you did even if I had linked that discussion. It’s your way.
[QUOTE=Liberal]
(3) refrained from hurling personal insults while demanding respect
[/QUOTE]
I certainly wasn’t demanding repect from you. I was asking the Mods to do something. You dragging your issues in here was a hijack. One you’re still continuing, I see.
[QUOTE=Liberal]
and (4) been less coy about “Venus Hottentot”, which is a special-case derivative
[/QUOTE]
It’s irrelevant, I wan’t coy - I mentioned my awareness in post #2, and what did I say there?
[QUOTE=me]
Before anyone chimes in, I know who it’s a reference to. Doesn’t make it any better, believe me.
[/QUOTE]
That should tell you all you needed to know about whether I cared about the derivation. It’s the word that’s offensive. There are contexts where it isn’t. I don’t think a username is one of those.
This is not GQ or GD - I didn’t see the need to push a bunch of cites in. Of course, if the Mods had asked for clarification, I’d have provided it.
[QUOTE=Ethilrist]
Actually, since you posted it to ATMB, your OP was directed to every reader of this board. Had you reported one of the offendingly-named posters posts, or emailed a mod, it would have been directed to a mod.
[/QUOTE]
No, it was directed at the Mods, why would I ask anyone else to do something about it, as I did in my OP. The fact that everyone can read it doesn’t mean it’s directed at everyone. But I do see your point about mailing/reporting. I’ll certainly do that when Kaffir or whoever joins the board.
Words only have the power over you which you give to them. If you’re so weak that you give a word the power to get you this worked up about it, that says as much or more about you as it does about those who use it. Just bey starting this thread, rather than quietly emailing a mod or two behind the scenes, you’ve given the word you object so much to even more power over you. It’s just a word. This culture of oversensitivity we live in is pathetic, quite frankly.
[QUOTE=Omega Glory]
I asked her why she chose the name way back in post 16 of her thread, before this thread was started. She saw my question, and responded to it on page 2.
[/QUOTE]
I mentioned this thread there, as some of you feel s/he should be in the loop.
Oh, okay then. I usually try to stay away from the vitriol, but I’d like to request that my username immediately be changed to “Jesus is a Cunt.” Thanks.
Community standards suggest that we be respectful to each other. Brazil Nuts are no longer called “nigger toes.” Get with it.
[QUOTE=Shoshana]
Oh, okay then. I usually try to stay away from the vitriol, but I’d like to request that my username immediately be changed to “Jesus is a Cunt.” Thanks.
[/QUOTE]
So now you’ve singled me out as unworthy of respect as well as a godbotherer?
[/QUOTE]
I’d have more respect for you if you , for instance, realised that *all *of a quote is in italics, making your parenthetical a little redundant. And if you didn’t try and make every thread about you, as you are still doing.
[QUOTE=Liberal]
After insulting someone on a personal level, and continuing to do so, you shouldn’t be quibbling about what forum this is or isn’t.
[/QUOTE]
Take it to the Pit if you want a Libfest. I was merely saying why the OP wasn’t a link-laden cite-fest. I already apologised about godbotherer, and I meant it. I still think you’re threadshitting, but I shouldn’t have used an insult like that.
[QUOTE=Shoshana]
Oh, okay then. I usually try to stay away from the vitriol, but I’d like to request that my username immediately be changed to “Jesus is a Cunt.” Thanks.
[/QUOTE]
Let’s see…2002 join date? Since you’re new, I’ll go ahead and let you know that you have to email an administrator to get a name change.
[QUOTE=Q.E.D.]
Words only have the power over you which you give to them. If you’re so weak that you give a word the power to get you this worked up about it, that says as much or more about you as it does about those who use it. Just bey starting this thread, rather than quietly emailing a mod or two behind the scenes, you’ve given the word you object so much to even more power over you. It’s just a word. This culture of oversensitivity we live in is pathetic, quite frankly.
[/QUOTE]
The words sound different when the person using them is also whipping you with a sjambok, believe me. Wanna see my scars?
[QUOTE=Derleth] MrDibble: On the other hand, nobody would ever have been aware of the status of that word if you hadn’t explicitly called attention to it. You gave that word a much more impressive standing here than it could ever have attained otherwise. I can only wonder what you must think of the person who picked it.
[/QUOTE]
Obscure to YOU, perhaps, but not to anyone who knows anything about South Africa. :smack:
[QUOTE=MrDibble]
Take it to the Pit if you want a Libfest.
[/QUOTE]
You may as well stop. It isn’t working. This thread is all about you and your demands and your sensitivity. It belongs in the Pit only because of the way you’ve handled it.
You started this thread with a valid request. Frankly, you should simply have mailed an administrator with your request, if all you wanted to do was get their attention to the problem. We both know you posted here instead to make a point. Stripped of the vitriol and histrionics, the point, in my opinion, is valid.
Everything (and I do mean everything) you have done in this thread since has either obfuscated the validity of the original point, or has taken away from that validity by making you look like an obnoxious jerk. Your points are not made any more valid through jumping up and down and screaming them, or by being combative about counter-points, or by engaging in quite thoroughly ad hominem comments about posters, no matter what you think of them or what they themselves may have said.
It is a fact on this Board that not everyone will see an issue as being as important as you do. For some, it is a lack of understanding, for others it is a lack of caring, for still others, it would be the result of disagreement with your basic assumptions. The fact that others will post responses to your statements that don’t treat the issue with the same importance you attach to it should not prompt angry, defensive responses. Rather, calm, rational, expository responses will accomplish much more. When that is not possible, the <ignore> button is a good defensive measure.
I was impressed with your calm, rational discussion of the use of the word “Capes” in another thread in which we both posted. Your points were much more effectively made there than your points have been made here. As someone who is on your side in this discussion, I cringe at your posts, I wish they were not made, and I suspect you have not helped your cause with them. You might wish to reconsider the tone, at least, of many of them, and, in a calm, rational fashion, outline your specific concerns, addressing the main points made by those who are not yet in agreement. This might help the Administrators/Moderators reach a decision you are better able to live with.
