Is it too PC now to think that certain mere words can offend and should be avoided to placate the minorities?
I don't think so. Some people think that words don't hurt people and we should not be dictated to by anyone else trying to tell us what we can and cannot say. I agree that our freedom of speech should not be restrained, unless it can be shown that others have suffered some sort of harm.
Examples of disability slurs that offend me are retard, fucktard, and lame. They harm me because my feelings are hurt as I have kids that have mental and physical disabilities. To say that retard means slow and lame means feeble doesn't make me feel any better, especially when the intent is obvious. These are words that have been used to vilify people with intellectual disabilities.
Swear Words
I think that it is still possible to be offended by swear words.
For example the word "cunt" is probably one of the last taboo words in our language and is considered by most as a vulgar word and to be avoided in polite discussion. The gender opposite term "dick" is also offensive, though for a strange reason, much less offensive.
I have heard that some people use that word freely and it is not offensive, rather they use it in an affectionate manner or as a descriptive word where members of their societal group aren't offended and outsiders should show respect for its usage.
Is it best to avoid these words in polite conversation? I think so, as other words are available that cause less offense and are more communicative.
Are these "magic" words and don't really matter as they don't cause any real harm? A single letter change may alter their meaning anyway and they are just letters grouped together, so what's the big deal?
I would appreciate your thoughts, thanks.
I don't think so. Some people think that words don't hurt people and we should not be dictated to by anyone else trying to tell us what we can and cannot say. I agree that our freedom of speech should not be restrained, unless it can be shown that others have suffered some sort of harm.
Examples of disability slurs that offend me are retard, fucktard, and lame. They harm me because my feelings are hurt as I have kids that have mental and physical disabilities. To say that retard means slow and lame means feeble doesn't make me feel any better, especially when the intent is obvious. These are words that have been used to vilify people with intellectual disabilities.
Swear Words
I think that it is still possible to be offended by swear words.
For example the word "cunt" is probably one of the last taboo words in our language and is considered by most as a vulgar word and to be avoided in polite discussion. The gender opposite term "dick" is also offensive, though for a strange reason, much less offensive.
I have heard that some people use that word freely and it is not offensive, rather they use it in an affectionate manner or as a descriptive word where members of their societal group aren't offended and outsiders should show respect for its usage.
Is it best to avoid these words in polite conversation? I think so, as other words are available that cause less offense and are more communicative.
Are these "magic" words and don't really matter as they don't cause any real harm? A single letter change may alter their meaning anyway and they are just letters grouped together, so what's the big deal?
I would appreciate your thoughts, thanks.
