when you use racist or homophobic language, but feel its ok to call people mong, retard or spastic as an insult? as the mother of a child with downs syndrome i have personal experience of overhearing ignorant people calling their friends (?) these names and feeling my stomach sink knowing that my son will have to bear these names throughout his life.
2007-01-31 22:19:04 · 7 answers · asked by louie3 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
i am guilty! i guess i separate the word into 2 very different uses. you have caused me to think before i use those terms again! sorry!
2007-01-31 22:26:08 · answer #1 · answered by Marco 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
that's a very good question and apart from the obvious being that people are always contradicting themselves and are generally hypocrites, ther's probably a few reasons. Firstly i think it matters not what is said but how it is said and how its taken. we ourselves can help affect these things with good explainations and points of views that we communicate to those affected. You could also say it might be better that these insults wont just be heard by your son but that if he hears others calling it to their friends mayb it wont hold as much meaning for him. I agree that the fuss made over racist etc remarks is 100 times more than other insults which can be as much if not more personal and hurtful. There's terrible double standards within the world and all we can do is work on ourselves and those around to encourage understanding and positivity
2007-01-31 22:31:44 · answer #2 · answered by kendyminx 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I answered a question about 'political correctness' the other day which was roundly thumbs downed(!) saying that PC was introduced because it was necessary - because ignorant people have these wicked thoughts in their head, and unltil they stop thinking them, it will still be needed, to at least stop them saying them out loud.
Whether it's overt or covert, insulting language (and therefore insulting thoughts) is wrong, wrong, wrong. People are people regardless of whether they have special needs, or if they are black, muslim or women (all of which groups have been 'protected' by PC and all of whom have been victims of abuse) - we should value eaach and every one of them for their own special contribution to the world, and not judge them by our own, flawed standards. Best of luck.
2007-01-31 22:35:23 · answer #3 · answered by Roxy 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It really is disgusting. I'm sorry you have to go through that. I think physically challenged people are the last hold out for "political correctness". What you say also applies to obese people etc. You also don't see campaigns against calling overweight people "pigs", or "lardo" etc. It's still "safe" to disparage people with physical challenges.
As far as your son is concerned, he has your love to balance out the cruelty that the world will throw at him. Don't worry TOO
much.
====
Marco? Good on you. :)
2007-01-31 22:28:03 · answer #4 · answered by Q&A Queen 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
its not ok ..these names are disgusting and i hate to hear them being used. A friend of my son called another friend a 'retard' and i explained to him what he was implicating...he hasnt done it since, as he didnt even know what it meant!!
2007-01-31 22:22:47 · answer #5 · answered by tizzy 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It is true what you say, I have heard this myself, it is usually the ignorant who say these things.If it makes you feel any better there are lots of people who don't like these comments being made.I am one of them. : )
2007-01-31 22:26:30 · answer #6 · answered by pageys 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I know how it feels to be ridiculed. It changes one's outlook on the words they use.
2007-01-31 22:27:19 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋