# 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:** 7
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2017, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-i-get-an-official-warning-for-supposedly-insulting-forrest-gump/797995/121 "2017-10-05T22:21:57Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > We can all be clear that using the term “nigger” to refer to someone who is “black” is inappropriate _per se_ (though please note that the demographic of those who are “black” has appropriated the term and uses it freely…). But just because this is true doesn’t mean that ANY and EVERY derogatory term used for some demographic of people should be eliminated on the basis that it is “hate speech.” No, but equivalent levels should be treated equivalently. And the only people who have the ability to determine the level are the demographic in question. There is no way those who use the term against them can determine it. And all evidence I’ve found indicates that mentally disabled consider “retard” as bad as “nigger.” I was hoping we’d made progress on this, but I guess not. As far as I am concerned, treating it as less offensive is playing favorites, saying that the mentally disabled don’t have as much right to claim something is offensive as black people do. **I wanted Shagnasty to get his warning rescinded** , because it was unfair to enforce a new rule without telling anyone about it. So I’m happy about that. But it sucks that the rule itself got rescinded. We could use with a lot less of that bullshit bigotry on this board. I also hate that **Chronos** didn’t clarify that “insulting a fictional character” was not the issue, since **Shagnasty** keeps bringing that up as if it is relevant. A word that disparages a demographic remains disparaging no matter who you use it for. Yes, even the lesser ones. And, yes, since people keep bringing it up, **BigTard** actually offends me not because of it being a derogatory nickname, but because it is disparaging towards the mentally ill/mentally disabled. But its use also gives me an indication of which posters I can safely ignore their feelings without feeling remotely guilty. I don’t have to worry that it’s some personal bias because I don’t like them. (Exceptions if someone is making a joke that in effect makes fun of those who use the term.) ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2017, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-i-get-an-official-warning-for-supposedly-insulting-forrest-gump/797995/122 "2017-10-05T23:41:05Z")
> [@](#): > > I also hate that Chronos didn’t clarify that “insulting a fictional character” was not the issue, since Shagnasty keeps bringing that up as if it is relevant. I thought that I had clarified that, but maybe it was just in a PM. That’s correct; the issue of “insulting a fictional character” was never relevant. The only time that insults, per se, are an issue on this board is when they are directed at a member of the board, outside of the BBQ Pit forum. The problem was not the insult, it was the offensiveness of the term. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2017, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-i-get-an-official-warning-for-supposedly-insulting-forrest-gump/797995/123 "2017-10-06T00:18:23Z")
Just as an observation, I suspect that any more sensitive term we now adopt for the description of any unfavorable condition will in time come to be seen as hateful and insensitive. Trying to enforce these kinds of bans is, in my opinion, lame. I mean it cripples our discourse. No, no – it handicaps us. Stop. I meant it disables our ability to describe aspects of the human experience. It becomes physically challenging. Not sure how to fit “differently abled,” in there, but hopefully my point with respect to euphemism creep is obvious. At one time, “handicapped,” was the sensitive replacement for “crippled,” and now it’s on its way out as patronizing or offensive. There will come a point at which any term we now exalt as sensitive and correct will sound as offensive as “retard,” does now. ---
**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:** [October 6, 2017, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-i-get-an-official-warning-for-supposedly-insulting-forrest-gump/797995/124 "2017-10-06T00:26:43Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Just as an observation, I suspect that any more sensitive term we now adopt for the description of any unfavorable condition will in time come to be seen as hateful and insensitive. Trying to enforce these kinds of bans is, in my opinion, lame. > > I mean it cripples our discourse. No, no – it handicaps us. > > Stop. I meant it disables our ability to describe aspects of the human experience. It becomes physically challenging. > > Not sure how to fit “differently abled,” in there, but hopefully my point with respect to euphemism creep is obvious. At one time, “handicapped,” was the sensitive replacement for “crippled,” and now it’s on its way out as patronizing or offensive. There will come a point at which any term we now exalt as sensitive and correct will sound as offensive as “retard,” does now. I think this is both true and not especially important. Two hundred years ago, “to hell with you” was one of the most offensive things an adult could say to another; today, I’ll read that line in a read-aloud to my third graders with little more than an explanation. Meanings of words change, including their connotations and social acceptability. Fortunately, we don’t have to write for the past; and on this messageboard we don’t have to write for the future. All we have to write for is the present. If the term “developmentally disabled” makes its predictable way down the euphemism treadmill and, thirty years from now, becomes offensive, I don’t think **Chronos** is gonna revisit threads from today where people used it and ding people. The euphemism treadmill is both real and real slow. Keep up, people. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2017, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-i-get-an-official-warning-for-supposedly-insulting-forrest-gump/797995/125 "2017-10-06T00:31:48Z")
To some extent that’s true, but “retard” was never considered a sensitive or technical term. The adjective “retarded” was, but never the noun. ---
**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 6, 2017, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-i-get-an-official-warning-for-supposedly-insulting-forrest-gump/797995/126 "2017-10-06T00:41:12Z")
The usage of any word by itself is insufficient to characterize it as so-called hate speech. ---
**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:** [October 6, 2017, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-i-get-an-official-warning-for-supposedly-insulting-forrest-gump/797995/127 "2017-10-06T00:44:20Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > To some extent that’s true, but “retard” was never considered a sensitive or technical term. The adjective “retarded” was, but never the noun. [Not sure that’s true](https://www.bostonglobe.com/ideas/2017/03/06/the-word-and-challenging-history-words-for-dummies/6heGdgEkMRaUw4MPYVF6yN/story.html): > [@Boston Globe](#): > > As a verb, “retard” has a lengthy history going back to the mid-1400s, always used to describe a blockage, holding back, or slowing. The adjective “retarded” has been found in print since the 1600s. In 1909, the now-taboo word appeared in the clinical context of a pediatric journal: “Then there are the ‘backwards,’ or the retards for their years, and those subnormally endowed in respect to mental gifts . . . ” ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2017, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-i-get-an-official-warning-for-supposedly-insulting-forrest-gump/797995/128 "2017-10-06T02:38:11Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > Actually, this looked like an insult to me, too, and I almost reported it, but if you look at the context, it’s pretty clear that he’s talking about someone worrying about getting warned and is using “you” meaning “one”. So, I don’t think he was actually insulting anyone here. > > You probably noticed that, too, and that’s why you didn’t warn him. I’ll just see myself out. I was 50/50 on this myself, so didn’t report it. Could be insult, could be “you” as a generic. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2017, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-i-get-an-official-warning-for-supposedly-insulting-forrest-gump/797995/129 "2017-10-06T02:40:16Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > **[Moderating]** > > On further consideration, and after consultation with other mods, I have rescinded the warning. **Shagnasty** ’s use of the term was still offensive and inappropriate, but it did not rise to the level of a Warning. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2017, 9:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-i-get-an-official-warning-for-supposedly-insulting-forrest-gump/797995/130 "2017-10-06T09:00:18Z")
> [@Buck\_Godot](#): > > Here would be my argument as to why retard might not be hate speech when used in certain contexts but would be in the context used by the OP. > > First, even the OP recognizes that calling someone a retard is generally meant as an insult. When the OP is called a retard tomorrow or someone calls another person a retard in the pit, it is because of some action or attitude that the insultee took that was disliked by the insulter. Now when the OP used the word retard to describe Forest Gump, it was not due to any actions or attitudes of Forest Gump, it was due to who he was. So using this insulting word to describe Forest Gump’s mental imparement effectively insults all other people who are mentally disabled. This is what makes it hate speech. Wait…so if you’re ugly, and I call you ugly, that not only insults your ugly ass but everyone else that’s ugly and THAT’S the definition of hate speech? So what’s the PC alternative, beauty deprived? Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2017, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-i-get-an-official-warning-for-supposedly-insulting-forrest-gump/797995/131 "2017-10-06T14:39:56Z")
Well done for rescinding the warning. > [@octopus](#): > > The usage of any word by itself is insufficient to characterize it as so-called hate speech. Fortunately, we have context. ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2017, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-i-get-an-official-warning-for-supposedly-insulting-forrest-gump/797995/132 "2017-10-06T15:15:43Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Wait…so if you’re ugly, and I call you ugly, that not only insults your ugly ass but everyone else that’s ugly and THAT’S the definition of hate speech? So what’s the PC alternative, beauty deprived? > > Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. I guess if you said I’m going to hang out with all the uglies down at the plastic surgery clinic, I would find that yes you were being insulting to a class of people. You are defining them by of a derogatory term. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2017, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-i-get-an-official-warning-for-supposedly-insulting-forrest-gump/797995/133 "2017-10-06T16:57:32Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > Sigh. > > People, there is no such thing as “hate” speech. That’s a politically correct, made-up bullshit concept so that some people can get all righteous and indignant over something somebody else said. > > It’s speech, period. Deal with it. If it twists your shorts into a knot, perhaps you need to get a grip on reality. Remember the old saying about sticks and stones? If somebody says something, such as in your example of calling Sulu a fag, then you simply decide how much value you want to put on that person’s statement…and then move on with your life. > > Political correctness is killing us as a society. Says one who was warned at least twice for using racial slurs. ---
**Author:** ![Pantastic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3bc359/32.png) [@Pantastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pantastic)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2017, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-i-get-an-official-warning-for-supposedly-insulting-forrest-gump/797995/134 "2017-10-06T17:37:16Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > Political correctness is killing us as a society. Yeah, we were so much better off when people dealt with being offended by minor things, like a black person eating at the same lunch counter, that they created laws against it and vigorously enforced them. Or when people were so offended by different religions that they’d write covenants to ban Jews from buying houses. Or when people were so offended by gay men that the police would raid gay bars and beat them. Why can’t we go back to the good 'ol days when it was only straight white christian people that were allowed to be offended? ---
**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 6, 2017, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-i-get-an-official-warning-for-supposedly-insulting-forrest-gump/797995/135 "2017-10-06T18:41:42Z")
> [@Pantastic](#): > > Yeah, we were so much better off when people dealt with being offended by minor things, like a black person eating at the same lunch counter, that they created laws against it and vigorously enforced them. Or when people were so offended by different religions that they’d write covenants to ban Jews from buying houses. Or when people were so offended by gay men that the police would raid gay bars and beat them. Why can’t we go back to the good 'ol days when it was only straight white christian people that were allowed to be offended? Equality of opportunity for all people was and is a worthwhile fight. A crusade against referring to a brown bag as such leads to well deserved ridicule. An ever expanding list of so-called hate speech is closer to the crusade against brown bags. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2017, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-i-get-an-official-warning-for-supposedly-insulting-forrest-gump/797995/136 "2017-10-06T18:43:50Z")
> [@Pantastic](#): > > Yeah, we were so much better off when people dealt with being offended by minor things, like a black person eating at the same lunch counter, that they created laws against it and vigorously enforced them. Or when people were so offended by different religions that they’d write covenants to ban Jews from buying houses. Or when people were so offended by gay men that the police would raid gay bars and beat them. Why can’t we go back to the good 'ol days when it was only straight white christian people that were allowed to be offended? Why don’t have a real radical idea here and go back to using common sense? Wow, what a concept. Then people might not make ignorant posts like yours. Nah, it’ll never happen. We’re screwed. Everybody’s gotta be on the lookout for something to be offended by these days. ---
**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 6, 2017, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-i-get-an-official-warning-for-supposedly-insulting-forrest-gump/797995/137 "2017-10-06T18:56:50Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > Why don’t have a real radical idea here and go back to using common sense? Wow, what a concept. Then people might not make ignorant posts like yours. > > Nah, it’ll never happen. We’re screwed. Everybody’s gotta be on the lookout for something to be offended by these days. Except for those who desperately hunt for excuses to offend others. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2017, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-i-get-an-official-warning-for-supposedly-insulting-forrest-gump/797995/138 "2017-10-06T19:00:56Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Except for those who desperately hunt for excuses to offend others. Or be offended by others\*, for that matter. \*You know. “Liberals”. ---
**Author:** ![bucketybuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@bucketybuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bucketybuck)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2017, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-i-get-an-official-warning-for-supposedly-insulting-forrest-gump/797995/139 "2017-10-06T19:11:41Z")
I just happened to read a post in a recent thread in which a poster referred to a group of people as “gun nuts”. Clearly this is insulting, it’s intention is to insult gun owners by implying that they are cognitively impaired and lacking in various mental faculties. But in doing so it has used a term which is insulting to those who unfortunately and through no fault of their own are cognitively impaired and lacking in various mental faculties. How are these people supposed to feel when they see such hateful descriptors being thrown around so casually. While the moderators are discussing this wider topic I would respectfully ask that they also consider banning use of the word “nuts” due to its well known derogatory history. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2017, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-i-get-an-official-warning-for-supposedly-insulting-forrest-gump/797995/140 "2017-10-06T20:13:26Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > \ > It’s speech, period. Deal with it. If it twists your shorts into a knot, perhaps you need to get a grip on reality. Remember the old saying about sticks and stones?\ Says the man who famously banished any dissenting poster to his personal cornfield. Pot, meet kettle. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-i-get-an-official-warning-for-supposedly-insulting-forrest-gump/797995.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-i-get-an-official-warning-for-supposedly-insulting-forrest-gump/797995.md?page=8)