For example, if I am gay and I call someone a ******, is that okay for me, but not okay for someone who is not gay? Or, if I am black and call someone a ******, is that okay for me, but not okay for someone who is not black? Or...jewish...or a woman....or short....or skinny.....or brown...or an immigrant....or..well, you get it.
2006-11-24 19:52:09 · 7 answers · asked by eschampion 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
i do not think it's acceptable.....by allowing one group to use certain language and not another, you are only exacerbating the differences between the groups and pushing them further apart
2006-11-25 05:33:34 · answer #1 · answered by SNAP! 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To be safe, it's best to avoid using these words in general. However, I think in certain relationships and situations, it's understandable. For example, the use of the n word in African-American culture has a reason: it is used to dis-empower the offensive nature that the word originally carried. That's not to say that it isn't still controversial, even within that group.
People will always offend each other with this type of thing, or an offensive word will be overheard. For example, let's say my best friend calls me a 'drunken mick' at a bar--I know she's just kidding around, but another person of Irish heritage might take it seriously--even if most would understand and find it funny, there is always one person that will not.
That covers social acceptability.
As for a moral ground, I believe that we have the ability to say whatever we want and I would never want to change the first amendment. However, with that comes certain responsibilities, and amendment or not, people will always push that line or even cross it unintentionally sometimes.
2006-11-25 00:37:48 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Morally, some ppl would LIKE to believe that you should be equal and not use those words in the first place, and they would also LIKE to believe that if you use them, its equal that noone should take offence, yatta yatta
But to be honest, in the world we live in, you should try to be more open and caring to your fellow man, and not use words like that. However, you may with friends or when in a good mood (hey, bad language sometiems happens, especially with me and i'm in a certain mood) And if so, it kind of matters if you use the right word with the right person.
I myself am gay, and i've used the word f****t a few times here and there. But its more of an offensive word based on who says it, same with other words, etc etc.
Just like if someone called me a b***h, i'd be horribly offended, but when my bf does it.. in certain bed-related situations... whoo... i melt.
2006-11-24 19:57:07 · answer #3 · answered by Midnite 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I'd say so.
Sociologically speaking, that's exactly how it is.
When a dominant culture (say, heterosexual) uses derogatory terms (say, queer) the less dominant culture (say, homosexual) will reduce the negativity of the word by adopting and using it within its realm. Ditto for other, racist, for example, slurs.
Sort of like an oyster and their grain of sand, hmm?
2006-11-26 04:19:23 · answer #4 · answered by Zeera 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure, that is totally acceptable because of the relationship.
Both of you understand where it's coming from and how it's meant.
An outsider does not share that bond.
2006-11-24 19:58:58 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. If a word in offensive to a certain group??? THEY have no business using it either!!
2006-11-24 19:56:21 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, its called a double standard & its ignorant to call any one any name period!
2006-11-25 01:48:50 · answer #7 · answered by Julia B 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋