# Why did I get an official warning for supposedly insulting Forrest Gump? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [October 5, 2017, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-i-get-an-official-warning-for-supposedly-insulting-forrest-gump/797995 "2017-10-05T02:25:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2017, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-i-get-an-official-warning-for-supposedly-insulting-forrest-gump/797995/21 "2017-10-05T04:00:08Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > The acknowledgment that “retard” is unacceptable language has been around for forever. I am 59, and when I was about 9 years old, I said “what a retard!” within hearing of a Girl Scout leader. She let me know in no uncertain terms that the term was cruel and unacceptable. I didn’t necessarily understand the underlying reasoning, but I sure got the message. > . But why was it acceptable here on the SDMB for something over 500 posts, even used vs posters and real people, but on the 501st use it suddenly becomes unacceptable? ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2017, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-i-get-an-official-warning-for-supposedly-insulting-forrest-gump/797995/22 "2017-10-05T04:00:48Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Sure. But why wasn’t it modded any of the hundreds of other times it was used, even vs real people and other posters? Again, who cares? Every mod doesn’t see every post, and getting a warning is no big deal at all; just remember, keep it in your back pocket, and don’t do it again. One single warning is _ **NO BIG DEAL** _! ---
**Author:** ![Crazyhorse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crazyhorse/32/31_2.png) [@Crazyhorse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crazyhorse)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2017, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-i-get-an-official-warning-for-supposedly-insulting-forrest-gump/797995/23 "2017-10-05T04:02:40Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > The acknowledgment that “retard” is unacceptable language has been around for forever. I am 59, and when I was about 9 years old, I said “what a retard!” within hearing of a Girl Scout leader. She let me know in no uncertain terms that the term was cruel and unacceptable. I didn’t necessarily understand the underlying reasoning, but I sure got the message. > > I do understand why someone might mourn the passing of the term - maybe it is because I lived in New England for a long time, but I don’t “hear” the term (or its relative “retarded”) as offensive or having anything to do with people with genuine intellectual challenges. To me, there is just something slightly funny about the term that would, if I could, make it fun to use. > > HOWEVER, I am not setting myself up as the arbiter of what terms are offensive and which aren’t. My basic rule is that I have enough respect for other people to follow their wishes in regard to simple requests like “please don’t use this term to describe me/us, it is derogatory.” I don’t HAVE to understand why people feel that way, although it’s good if I do. What I do need to do is show basic consideration to other people. Ergo - persons with disability and the groups that represent them have made it clear that “retard” and “retarded” are hurtful terms. What does it cost me to avoid them, then? Absolutely nothing. This is all correct as far as I’m concerned. The issue is that the board doesn’t generally make a rule against being offensive. The rules are set up to allow posters to express themselves and other posters to decide how credible/likable/whatever they are. The moderators only step in when someone insults another poster directly and outside of the Pit, or uses a slur that has been classified as ‘hate speech’ by TPTB. I think the post and the series of follow ups were extremely warnable for other reasons. But if the moderators here are calling this hate speech then, as Miller said in the quote I posted earlier, what about “idiot”? If “idiot” is banned then what about “moron?” and so on. If the OP can be warned for calling a character a retard, you could be warned for calling a columnist or a politician an idiot. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2017, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-i-get-an-official-warning-for-supposedly-insulting-forrest-gump/797995/24 "2017-10-05T04:04:51Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Again, who cares? Every mod doesn’t see every post, and getting a warning is no big deal at all; just remember, keep it in your back pocket, and don’t do it again. > > One single warning is _ **NO BIG DEAL** _! No, it is not “one single warning”. It is a brand new **RULE** foisted without any warning or notice. Sure, "Every mod doesn’t see every post, " but how so they didn’t see Five_fucking_hundred other posts? It’s a new rule, just like not calling other posters 'cunts". No matter how much you hate the term, new rules have to be listed and Noted before warnings are handed out. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2017, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-i-get-an-official-warning-for-supposedly-insulting-forrest-gump/797995/25 "2017-10-05T04:11:28Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > No, it is not “one single warning”. It is a brand new **RULE** foisted without any warning or notice. > > Sure, "Every mod doesn’t see every post, " but how so they didn’t see Five_fucking_hundred other posts? > > It’s a new rule, just like not calling other posters 'cunts". No matter how much you hate the term, new rules have to be listed and Noted before warnings are handed out. It’s a free, anonymous message board. The fucks I give are zero. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2017, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-i-get-an-official-warning-for-supposedly-insulting-forrest-gump/797995/26 "2017-10-05T04:12:16Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > It’s a free, anonymous message board. > > The fucks I give are zero. Of course. _You_ didn’t get the warning. :rolleyes: and if they mean nothing, why give them? Why not rescind this warning? ---
**Author:** ![Crazyhorse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crazyhorse/32/31_2.png) [@Crazyhorse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crazyhorse)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2017, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-i-get-an-official-warning-for-supposedly-insulting-forrest-gump/797995/27 "2017-10-05T04:22:09Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > … but the fact that you don’t mind being called a retard, and possibly wouldn’t mind being called a fag or a kike or a cunt, does not change that those words all are widely heard as offensive. All of them are offensive, but only two of them are considered to be hate speech here. Calling anyone offboard a cunt or retard is permissible by the rules, precedent, and explicit declarations by the moderators. A warning from out of left field after literally thousands of posts using the term including by moderators over the years is surprising and sets a new precedent that should be clarified by TPTB. I’m sure it will be in due time. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2017, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-i-get-an-official-warning-for-supposedly-insulting-forrest-gump/797995/28 "2017-10-05T04:23:03Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Of course. > > _You_ didn’t get the warning. :rolleyes: > > and if they mean nothing, why give them? Why not rescind this warning? But I have gotten warnings. I agreed with the mod and moved on, and learned from my experience. It really is no big deal, unless you decide to be a constant asshole. Warnings are just that: warnings. “Hey, don’t do this anymore.” (Me: “OK. Got it.”) ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2017, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-i-get-an-official-warning-for-supposedly-insulting-forrest-gump/797995/29 "2017-10-05T04:27:45Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > But I have gotten warnings. I agreed with the mod and moved on, and learned from my experience. > > It really is no big deal, unless you decide to be a constant asshole. > > Warnings are just that: warnings. “Hey, don’t do this anymore.” > > (Me: “OK. Got it.”) But you didnt get this one. If warnings are no big deal, then why are you fighting so hard to make sure \*\*Shagnasty \*\*keeps this one? You seem to care a great deal, despite saying that you dont. In any case, it’s a new rule, out of left field. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2017, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-i-get-an-official-warning-for-supposedly-insulting-forrest-gump/797995/30 "2017-10-05T04:33:02Z")
I don’t care either way, but protesting a warning is ridiculous. As I said, accept it and move on. It’s really no big deal. Well, unless you continue to be an asshole. ---
**Author:** ![Penfeather](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penfeather/32/384_2.png) [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2017, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-i-get-an-official-warning-for-supposedly-insulting-forrest-gump/797995/31 "2017-10-05T04:40:32Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > I can’t tell if you are arguing with or against me but that is a good comparison. “That’s so gay” rarely has anything to do with actual homosexuals. It is its own phrase. I am not saying it is the classiest thing to say but it certainly doesn’t imply that the person saying it is a homophobe or referring to homosexuals at all. The term “gay” has always had multiple meanings. And here’s a a New Zealand ad that gently challenges people who use the term ‘gay’ disparagingly: [: If it’s not gay, it’s not gay.](https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/97532018/kiwis-are-showing-the-love-for-an-ad-that-challenges-how-we-use-the-word-gay) “It’s deeply disappointing, but it’s not gay”. Watch and learn something. ---
**Author:** ![Crazyhorse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crazyhorse/32/31_2.png) [@Crazyhorse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crazyhorse)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2017, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-i-get-an-official-warning-for-supposedly-insulting-forrest-gump/797995/32 "2017-10-05T04:47:33Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > I don’t care either way… Thank you for taking the time to let us know. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2017, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-i-get-an-official-warning-for-supposedly-insulting-forrest-gump/797995/33 "2017-10-05T04:55:02Z")
> [@Crazyhorse](#): > > A warning from out of left field after literally thousands of posts using the term including by moderators over the years is surprising and sets a new precedent that should be clarified by TPTB. I’m sure it will be in due time. Pretty much. I think a formal warning here is a little too much. I’m not going to argue too hard about relative offensiveness - if the powers that be want to regulate retard as hate speech, fine. But I _really_ don’t think all people make an automatic assumption on this one. I’m nearly 50 and a pretty bleeding-heart liberal pc dude and I don’t - it really occupies a lesser tier of slur in my head. So IMHO a note would have been more appropriate than a warning. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2017, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-i-get-an-official-warning-for-supposedly-insulting-forrest-gump/797995/34 "2017-10-05T05:42:00Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Well, now you know. > > I’m amazed at how upset people get for receiving a warning. What are you afraid of? It’s a fucking warning on an anonymous message board. > > I’ve received a couple myself, years ago, but it taught me a lesson. > > Learn from your warning and stop bitching about it. > > It’s not like it’s going on your employment record; it’s just a simple warning to think about your word choices. > > And yes, “retard” is offensive. > > Move on for God’s sake. Agreed. If anything, two threads about it is just going to draw more attention to the fact that you have a warning. You are a good guy, you are a good poster. But you got lazy and got your hand slapped. Apologize and move on. But let it go. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2017, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-i-get-an-official-warning-for-supposedly-insulting-forrest-gump/797995/35 "2017-10-05T05:51:30Z")
> [@Lucas\_Jackson](#): > > Agreed. If anything, two threads about it is just going to draw more attention to the fact that you have a warning. You are a good guy, you are a good poster. But you got lazy and got your hand slapped. Apologize and move on. But let it go. Apologize for what? He has done nothing that hundreds of others posters didnt also do and with no Warning. Look, if TPTB want to make using “retard” a non-no, then they gotta post it. They cant make up new rules on the fly. ---
**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:** [October 5, 2017, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-i-get-an-official-warning-for-supposedly-insulting-forrest-gump/797995/36 "2017-10-05T06:00:43Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Apologize for what? He has done nothing that hundreds of others posters didnt also do and with no Warning. What percentage of those occurred in The BBQ Pit? Of those remaining, how many were discussions about the use of the word? ---
**Author:** ![Crazyhorse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crazyhorse/32/31_2.png) [@Crazyhorse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crazyhorse)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2017, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-i-get-an-official-warning-for-supposedly-insulting-forrest-gump/797995/37 "2017-10-05T06:26:48Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > What percentage of those occurred in The BBQ Pit? Of those remaining, how many were discussions about the use of the word? What difference would that make? Hate speech is modded in every forum. If it’s acceptable in the Pit it’s acceptable in any other forum if it’s about an offboard person. If it’s hate speech in any other forum then it’s also hate speech in the Pit. ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2017, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-i-get-an-official-warning-for-supposedly-insulting-forrest-gump/797995/38 "2017-10-05T07:26:54Z")
If the word retard is used in the movie then **Shagnasty** was simply quoting it and does not deserve a warning, just as if a Tarantino film were being discussed and a certain offensive word for those of African descent was used of a character. If the word is not in the film then the warning should stand. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2017, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-i-get-an-official-warning-for-supposedly-insulting-forrest-gump/797995/39 "2017-10-05T07:32:28Z")
No one to my knowledge has been modded for calling someone a retard in the Pit. Is it offensive? Perhaps. Is it hate speech? That’s ridiculous. Is any derogatory term hate speech now? And if it is and that’s grounds for warnings and bannings there needs to be a list of officially prohibited terms. Stupidity can be genetic or a disability or whatever. Is it hate speech to call someone or something not participating on this board stupid? Is it hate speech to call someone in the Pit stupid. Hate speech is almost a stupid concept in itself for that matter. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2017, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-i-get-an-official-warning-for-supposedly-insulting-forrest-gump/797995/40 "2017-10-05T07:39:30Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Apologize for what? He has done nothing that hundreds of others posters didnt also do and with no Warning. But officer, everyone else was speeding. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-i-get-an-official-warning-for-supposedly-insulting-forrest-gump/797995.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-i-get-an-official-warning-for-supposedly-insulting-forrest-gump/797995.md?page=3)