- 08:59 AM
- 12/22/24
Too easy.
Racism, sexist, religion-ism are ugly. And this thread demonstrates that.
But posting a headline like "ANTI-GAY SLUR YELLED AT KID" or whatever, does nothing but perpetuate the issue.
Support the resolution of the problem, not the problem itself. How do we make it better, not worse? What can we do to change it for the better?
posted by rmcrymple at 10:29 AM on March 27, 2012
I guess the view from my ivory tower is skewed from the glare of the golden coins surrounding my feet reflecting the sunshine from the clear blue sky into my eyes creating a false sense of what society has created.
Thanks for setting me straight everyone. Or should I not say straight?
posted by rmcrymple at 09:44 AM on March 27, 2012
I guess I learned in kindergarten that whole "sticks and stones" saying. It applies today more than ever. People will always have opposing view points, right or wrong. BUT it is how we learn to deal with the adversity or hate that comes with those view points.
We will always have bigots, racists, sexists, anti-semites, etc. etc. etc. It has always been and will always be.
Words can be hurtful, but you have to be able to roll with the punches, no matter how hard they hurt.
And I still don't understand how we try to hold professional athletes to higher standards on anything. They will continue to disappoint us if we do. They are regular humans with super-human ability or skill, not super human intellect.
Lets quit trying to expect them to change the world outside of their respective games.
posted by rmcrymple at 07:53 AM on March 27, 2012
Fag, Queer and Gay all meant way different thing in the not to distant past and have evolved to something else today. As they are now used to "classify" a lifestyle, it's unfortunate that people turn to them as disparaging remarks as well.
But language is language. If the word "fag" or "retard" become synonymous with an insult, not representing what their true definition is, then who is to say the language evolution these phrases are taking should stop. Meaning is placed on words throughout time.
I've said "that was queer" when saying something is odd or out of place and people give me looks. That is their problem for thinking something else is referenced in that moment.
Not justifying what the player in question did, just giving perspective on language.
posted by rmcrymple at 01:22 PM on March 26, 2012
I don't know that "anti-gay slur" is the correct phrase. He didn't say "I hate gay ball boys." or "You are figuratively and metaphorically a ball handler." I think he used a gay-slur to express anger. A poorly chosen expression at that. How about something like "you are a terrible ball boy, maybe you should think about going to the NFL" or "stick to video games kid, you suck as a ball boy." that would have hardly made the "news".
posted by rmcrymple at 11:26 AM on March 26, 2012
Dynamo's Colin Clark Yells Anti-Gay Slur at Ballboy
"ATHLETE WHO SHOULD NOT BE TREATED AS A ROLE MODEL EXPRESSES ANGER AGAINST BALL BOY USING INNOCENT WORD SOMETIMES INTERPRETED AS ANTI-GAY BY PEOPLE WHO SHOULD LEARN TO ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES" was too long.
well done.