I don’t care if it’s ‘just’ a tweet, don’t say the F-word

People have every right to use whatever word they want to use.

This has been weighing a little bit on my mind lately, so I’ll take this opportunity to rant.

Let’s take the N word for example. There’s no law that states you can’t say it, as far as I know.

However people tend to not say it in the presence of black people, why? Because they (black folks) typically don’t fucking stand for it.

Not let’s take this F word. What do gay people tend to do when people throw this word at them? Run and cry to whoever will listen that they’ve been offended. I’m sorry, but that’s not how you get people to respect you. Start standing up for yourselves and stop tolerating these insults and people will get a much clearer message. No one will or should feel sorry for people who can’t or won’t stand up for themselves.

I am in no way saying that it is in any way OK to berate, insult, or degrade people based on sexual orientation, but there was a time not all that long ago when people threw racial slurs around and nobody batted an eyelid. People of color stood up for themselves and refused to let people degrade them based on their race and now even racists are scared to spew racist slurs or views in public. Not because they give a shit about being PC, but because they know they run the risk of getting their ass kicked. Next up, homophobes. They won’t go away just cuz you whine and cry to your mommy or the media that they call you mean names. Someone calls you a fag, either ignore it or do something about it, running and crying only reinforces the idea that gay people are weak sissies.

As for OP, maybe you should let someone fight their own battle. It’s usually better that way.

My 2 cents. I’m sure some people will disagree, and accuse me of being homophobic.

Good convo Robyn, been a while since we had a new poster who was able to articulate and disagree with someone without being a total jerk-wad and resorting to name calling and all caps typing.

I say there’s a fine line between educating people and being a PC nazi. You can chastise people for making jokes, but I don’t think that accomplishes anything, people are still going to feel the way they feel. Not to mention it’s a joke. I’ve stuck up for gays in the past when my friends say ignorant things, but all I can do is disagree with them and state my reasons. I can’t change what they think, how they feel or what they believe. I’ve tried. By chastising them for their opinions and beliefs I feel no better than the homophobes. Tolerance, like freedom, is a two way street.

Jokes are jokes. If everything was PC we’d barely get any laughs. Damn near every comedian has a laugh at someone else’s expense. Everyone should be able to, and have every right to make fun of each other. I laugh my ass off when Dave Chappelle makes fun of white men, for example. I know it’s different because white men have kind of been running the world for the last few centuries and we’re far from an oppressed minority, but what’s the sense in getting my shorts in a knot about how Dave feels? I would feel like such a lame bastard getting offended by what someone else thinks, says or feels. It’s just words, and it’s just ignorance, and no matter how “right” or “wrong” or “politically correct” their views might be they are entitled to them. Either laugh it off or do something about it, don’t expect someone else to come to your defense. I have black friends that laugh at shows like Family Guy when they make jokes and stereotype black people. It’s jokes! Life’s too short to be getting offended every time someone makes a joke at your expense. If someone however were to say something demeaning and inflammatory to them, they wouldn’t look at me like “are you going to handle this?” They’d be up in that ass immediately, or they’d take the high road or they’d trade verbal insults or whatever. They would never in a million years go and cry about it to someone else. That’s just the kind of people I associate with, easy going but strong people, not fucking pussies.

I guess there’s nothing wrong with sticking up for someone who’s not around to defend themselves, I’m just very cautious when it comes to fighting other people’s battles, it’s very seldom worth it. I just don’t laugh at the joke if I don’t find it funny. I might say “that’s not funny” or “That was in poor taste”

As for your personality argument I kinda have to call bullshit. I hate the word “can’t”. If you “can’t” stand up for yourself then you’re pretty much fucked in this world. I say learn, everyone is capable of it. I have no sympathy for cowards. I’ve stood up to people twice my size, was it scary? Yes, did I really want to do it? No. Confidence comes from within. I can’t imagine being an adult and saying or thinking “I don’t have the confidence to stand up to that asshole who is calling me names” I’m a pothead, I’m peaceful by nature but I’ve learned that there is a time when being passive and peaceful puts you at a huge disadvantage. So if you really truly “can’t” stand up for yourself, the harsh reality is that you’re going to have to put up with being treated like trash and disrespected.

I get offended sometimes, but never on behalf of other people. I have enough of my own anger/outrage to deal with.

No I didn’t really yell at anyone, that bitch was submitted by that godzilla guy who was trolling me the other day. He knows where I live and what car I drive because I told him, because I wanted to prove to him and any other trolls that I wasn’t scared of some idiot on a message board. Maybe not the smartest thing to do but I’d rather be confronted than call someone names while hiding behind a keyboard and an alias. Besides, I’ve stated before where I live and what I drive, if anyone really wanted that information they could find it. You could google Tommy Jules and find my myspace page which I’m pretty sure has my real name and stuff, and then you can find my facebook, twitter, probably my e-mail. Go nuts, trolls.

Anyways I think we’re done here, yes? We’ve heard what each other have to say, and I commend you for fighting the good fight, you sound like a great person, but I just hope you don’t spend too much time being offended by what someone thinks. I tend to feel more sorry for ignorant people than wish ill upon them or try to “correct” them. It’s simply not worth stressing over.

Cheers Robyn, I get the feeling this won’t be our last exchange.