2006-07-21 05:53:56 · 33 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
no it is not a slur......
Illegal, or unlawful, is used to describe something that is prohibited or not authorized by law or, more generally, by rules specific to a particular situation (such as a game).
alien-In law, an alien is a person who is not a native or naturalized citizen of the land where they are found. Types of "alien" persons are:
2006-07-21 05:56:34 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is a descriptive term that has derogatory connotations and may be politically incorrect in a certain over-sensitive society, but nonetheless is not a "slur" per se unless applied to a person innocent of the charge. Then it is indeed a slur and may occasion a suit for slander. BUT, If you apply it correctly to a person who is actually guilty of the offense it is a deserved description and cannot give rise to any legitimate cause to take offense.
However, be mindful that it is the type of characterization that may cause a person to take umbrage at the remark and deliver you a nasty slap in the face or perhaps a challenge to a duel.
It is similar, perhaps, to calling a developmentally disadvantged person a RETARD. It is the most unkind way to name someone, even though truthful, it is a sort of bitter or vicious truth type of truth.
It is kinder and more polite to call such people undocumented visitors. Yes this is a euphemism, but so what. Why kindle hatred?
Kindness, as always, is optional and more a reflection of the giver than the recipient. Anyone can easily be kind to Mother Theresa. ( rest her soul) You will ultimately be judged by how you treat the least among us, not the highest or most deserving. The quality of mercy is not strained. Charity is an attitude of good heartedness, not just donating money to a cause. It is very noble to take a higher road and be kind to these unfortunate wretches that envy USA and pine for its benefits. They should be gently corralled, given a good talking to and then returned to their own nests, like birds that have fallen from trees.
If you prefer to be ignoble and unkind, then by all means, call them this and enjoy your freedom to do so. Just be ready to explain it to St Peter at the Pearly gates someday.
2006-07-21 06:14:32 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope.
Illegal refers to "against the law". Alien means "not born to or legal in the country in which they're in".
However, if you classify all hispanics as "illegals"...then yes, that is a slur. There are plenty hard working, bonafide hispanic "transplants" (which means they began in their country, then came over here and got legal, so it's not a slur either) that are not deserving of the term "illegals".
I think the slurs you are referring to (and ONLY provided here for the poster's education) would be like:
Spics, towel heads, *******, chinks...etc etc etc....
Those are slurs with the sole intent of being defamatory of the race in general...as you can see, "illegal alien" is not that.
It is referring to fact, where as terms like "****" are used in hate.
Hope this clarifies for you.
2006-07-21 06:03:00 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are already slurs for that. They do not need to "categorize" the actual appropriate term just because it is actually being used and it applies to people. Should resident or citizen be categorized a slur as well?
Too sensitive!
2006-07-21 11:10:28 · answer #4 · answered by Max B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, absolutely not, you cannot make a description that is plain, and a good descriptionand outlaw it, I would think. Alien doesn't mean from outer-space, it's definition is:
a·li·en (l-n, lyn) KEY
ADJECTIVE:
Owing political allegiance to another country or government; foreign: alien residents.
Belonging to, characteristic of, or constituting another and very different place, society, or person; strange. See Synonyms at foreign.
Dissimilar, inconsistent, or opposed, as in nature: emotions alien to her temperament.
NOUN:
An unnaturalized foreign resident of a country. Also called noncitizen .
A person from another and very different family, people, or place.
A person who is not included in a group; an outsider.
A creature from outer space: a story about an invasion of aliens.
Ecology An organism, especially a plant or animal, that occurs in or is naturalized in a region to which it is not native.
TRANSITIVE VERB:
Law a·li·ened , a·li·en·ing , a·li·ens
To transfer (property) to another; alienate.
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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Old French, from Latin alinus, from alius, other; see al- 1 in Indo-European roots
Many uses, but it describes someone from another country.
About Illegal, that describes the current laws on immigration in the United States.
Therefore the term "illegal alien" could not be considered a racial slur, also another valid reason is that there is no illegal alien nationality, and race of illegal aliens is not used either. They are multi-cultural, multi-countrial, and yes, multi-racial.
2006-07-21 06:03:03 · answer #5 · answered by marque_de_sade666 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course not. that's ridiculous. Unless you and I are thinking of different meanings for illegal alien it's a BAD thing to be one. As sad as it is, they have no right to be in the country. So they're an illegal alien. It's not an insult, just a fact. If they don't want to be called that they should try to become a legal citizen.
2006-07-21 05:58:51 · answer #6 · answered by nothingis_sound 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
nope, they are illegal, and the definitions of alien say it all
(1340) A person, animal, plant or other thing which is from outside the family, group, organization, or territory under consideration.
(____) A foreigner who is not a subject of the country in which he lives.
(1935) Any life form of non-Earth origin.
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Alien
It doesn't mean they are some outer space creature, as many assume.....it means what it means, and like it or not, the term fits
2006-07-21 05:57:44 · answer #7 · answered by ndussere 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no. it is an official title. alien, actually, is an acronym and therefore, holds an official meaning.
however, i can understand how calling someone this can be seen as a slur, if they are not an illegal alien.
2006-07-21 06:26:56 · answer #8 · answered by joey322 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, because it is a legitimate label... someone who is in the US legally with a green card or visa is considered a legal alien. Someone who has no documentation and is not here legally is an illegal alien.
Simple.
2006-07-21 07:42:32 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the word "alien" implies other than human. I don't like that. It is better to say "illegal immigrant."Foreigners are not "beings" from other planets. However, if someone has entered this country w/out legal channels, they are indeed "illegal immigrants."
2006-07-21 05:58:22 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋