<p>So this is going to be a incoherent story. Whatever. I feel like getting it out.</p>
<p>And if anyone personally knows me, my cover might be blown now.</p>
<p>So, I was sitting down in 2nd period, editing a paper and eating a cupcake (like always..joking). </p>
<p>So we were doing this mock trial thing, and I was a witness, and though I went already, my attorney was insisting I sat with the team."</p>
<p>The interaction:</p>
<p>"Once I get up to cross-examine the next witness, go sit in my seat."</p>
<p>"Uh...why?"</p>
<p>"Just do it. Or are you TOO BUSY EATING YOUR CUPCAKE"</p>
<p>"Um..."</p>
<p>"Look, I'm not trying to be a fag or anything."</p>
<p>"I don't like the use of that word." <em>gets up to sit somewhere near them</em></p>
<p>ANYWAYS, I'm mostly annoyed by his use of that word, and it took a lot of restraint to just say that without actually wanting to hit him. And I swear, every single day people use that word, gay, retarded all in the wrong--and offensive--ways. YOU ARE NOT COOL. UGH</p>
<p>I have mixed feelings on the whole offensive-terms thing. I definitely agree that making fun of the mentally disabled, etc. is not cool. However, there’s a point where definitions change and adaptation is more valuable than offense. The word “idiot” used to be a medical and legal classification implying mental disability. Nowadays, nobody considers it a dig at the ■■■■■■■■.</p>
<p>In general, I would say that both sides need to chill a little. It would be a good idea to consider the possible emotional impacts of your language, but politically-correct witchhunts don’t make the world a better place either.</p>
<p>I think I was pretty chill, and I don’t really see my opinions changing. While I see what you mean with being overly PC…this is I just cannot take. I don’t know what it is, but it extremely angers and frustrates me…it’s just this implication that the people they are referring to are inherently inferior. I just flat-out don’t like it and most people use it derogatory ways…sure meanings change, but right now it is offensive. And you can tell the nastiness in their tones as they say it…it’s just disgusting.</p>
<p>Yeah words such as “gay” and “■■■■■■■■” have gone through many changes over the years…</p>
<p>“Gay” used to be used often to describe something very merry or happy; “What a gay old time we are having!”</p>
<p>Then it advanced and was used to refer to a person attracted to the same sex. Now it’s changing again; now it’s used to refer to something that the orator does not approve of.</p>
<p>The same thing goes with “■■■■■■■■.” It has been a term used to describe someone who was not very punctual (“en ■■■■■■” I believe is French for “tardy”). It also was a politically correct reference to someone with a mental disability; the usage was corrupted when the word started to become a reference to something stupid, but nowadays it is solidifying in the new usage.</p>
<p>There are linguistic changes all the time; we are at that point where the words “gay” and “■■■■■■■■” are going through a metamorphosis, and they just so happen to be in the stage where the remnants of the old meaning are still bitterly in our minds.</p>
<p>A lot of people use those words without much thought put into it. Sometimes it’s like a verbal reaction, people grew up using the word often in a not-so-PC world, and the habit kind of stuck. Just do what you did, calmly correct them, and let it slide. </p>
<p>If you catch someone intentionally insulting someone, do what you will.</p>
<p>Did this person mean “Look, I’m not trying to be a homosexual or anything” or “Look, I’m not trying to be obnoxious or anything”? If the latter, it isn’t hating on gay people.</p>
<p>^Ugh…He meant the second but used the word “■■■,” so to me that makes it appear as the first. It’s like saying “gay” or “■■■■■■■■” to mean stupid. I disagree with it and it disgusts me. I don’t know if I explained this well…</p>
<p>Is it me or does the cupcake add a sort of comical effect? (Not to undermine your annoyance/irritation)
I think that I’m more upset that he was extremely rude to you, and the word choice was unfavorable. However, I’m guilty of letting a “■■■■■■■■” here and there slip, but by no means am I malevolent in my comments. It’s more like, “Well, that was ■■■■■■■■” (in reference to something klutzy that I do), etc.
It was more the context than the actual word that bothered me though, I have to say.
Sorry you had a rough time today. Hopefully tomorrow will be better for ya.</p>
<p>I’m a little annoyed with people using ‘gay’ as a common word to describe something weird or stupid. People say that it doesn’t mean homosexual, but it’s an indirect way to insult homosexuals. There are some homosexuals that find it offensive to use the term ‘gay’ like that. What if we started saying: “That’s ‘straight’!” or “You’re so ‘straight’”.</p>
<p>You acted appropriately. Don’t overreact to this kind of stuff. From what I can tell, use of the word is going away, andf actually, there’s an entire South Park episode on how ■■■ doesn’t mean homosexual anymore, it means an obnoxious/annoying person. As long as you appear calm, your side will appear to be the reasonable one. Remember, words are human constructs and only have as much meaning as we give them, so if you don’t take much out of the word OR is the meaning of the word switches, then problem solved.</p>
<p>But anyway, look up the South Park episode. I think it sums up the argument pretty well. People hate homosexuals less and less, but obnoxious people are still and will always have insults directed at them.</p>