Hypersensitivity

[brolyx74]

Why are people becoming so sensitive? You can't say anything nowadays becuase someone will get offended. I'm specifically referring to people who are hypersensitive about the word gay, though other words can apply. I don't think that me saying gay should involve you at all. In my opnion, it's fine to say gay. Gay as a synonim for stupid has been built into me, and I shouldn't have to change my damn vernacular to appease them or any other special interest group. We're not saying being homosexual is stupid. If we were, we'd come out and say it. Can someone explain the damn hypersensitivity please? Also, I propose the use of the word GEY. It is a homophone for Gay, but literally means stupid or some other insulting conotation.

[Skylar1]

When you, attribute negative connotation to a word that refers to a specific group of individuals, you are pronouncing indirect hatred towards that group.

[brolyx74]

Well, atleast with Gay, it didn't always mean homosexual. It used to just mean happy. I'm just saying, for example, when I say gay, I have no thought of homosexuals in my mind, and so they should just get over themselves. Not everything is about them. Its like they don't understand words can have multiple meanings. I mean, in the dictionary a deffinition of Beaver is a female reproductive organ.

[TheThunderBringer]

I'll say it right now that gay as a synonym for stupid is one of my biggest pet-peeves.

Well, atleast with Gay, it didn't always mean homosexual.

But it does now; admit it, NO ONE thinks 'happy' when they hear the word gay.

I'm just saying, for example, when I say gay, I have no thought of homosexuals in my mind, and so they should just get over themselves.

"I'm not wrong! Everyone ELSE is!"

Its like they don't understand words can have multiple meanings.

You're being very extreme right now; try to calm down and read over your thread before clicking 'Submit.'

[Anoleis]

Why are people becoming so sensitive?

Oh dear, are we just noticing this?

You can't say anything nowadays becuase someone will get offended.

I find this slightly insulting....

In my opnion, it's fine to say gay.

I think that's why it is called an opinion.

I'm just saying, for example, when I say gay, I have no thought of homosexuals in my mind, and so they should just get over themselves.

Well you see, 200 years of repression(actually about 2000, but w/e), and at least 50 years of out right violence tend to make people defensive.

[brolyx74]

I just don't really understand the issue with most words. I understand that in some cases, its extremely insulting, but in others, people don't mean anything by what they say. If someone was growing up with certain words meaning certain things, would they change just like that because someone said, don't say that or people you don't even know will get mad. And for gay, sometimes people mean it as in aethetic, but because of some of the negative connotations, people will think they mean stupid.

Well you see, 200 years of repression(actually about 2000, but w/e), and at least 50 years of out right violence tend to make people defensive.

That sounds more like black people than gays to me.


My main problem is with the frivolous claims of hate people have. Towards people like me who have no disrespect to homosexuals, but just don't want to change the vernacular they've been accustomed to for years. Things like that with any group annoys me, not just with homosexuals and the word Gay.

[Skylar1]

My main problem is with the frivolous claims of hate people have. Towards people like me who have no disrespect to homosexuals, but just don't want to change the vernacular they've been accustomed to for years. Things like that with any group annoys me, not just with homosexuals and the word Gay.

ok...

so let's try this then,

Let's say that from now on instead of using the word "stupid", we use Yokokuwabara. We'll say things like "man, don't be so yokokuwabara". Hm? that bothers you? but people have become so accustomed to saying it. It's not like they're insulting you or anything. I mean, words can have different meanings according to you after all.

Seriously now.. >__>

[blueangel06661]

First off. Even if the word "gay" did mean the word "happy" at one point in time you're not backing that statement up very well because you want to use it in the form of stupid which has nothing to do with happy.

Also people are getting over sensitive about EVERYTHING. So the best thing to do? Try not to say anything that offends people.. It's really not that hard to do. Makes you appear more mature rather than spewing the N word or saying Gay randomly for no reason.

[Meenah]

First off. Even if the word "gay" did mean the word "happy" at one point in time you're not backing that statement up very well because you want to use it in the form of stupid which has nothing to do with happy.

Also people are getting over sensitive about EVERYTHING. So the best thing to do? Try not to say anything that offends people.. It's really not that hard to do. Makes you appear more mature rather than spewing the N word or saying Gay randomly for no reason.

I totally agree with you, buddie. (:

It doesn't matter what word you use, have nothing nice to say, don't say it at all. Leave it as that.

[Anoleis]

That sounds more like black people than gays to me.

...umm wow. Africa wasn't colonized until after the fourteenth century(by Europeans that is)
While homosexuals have been persecuted since the beginning of Christianity and slightly before.

[brolyx74]

Yes, but I hear perscuted for 200 years, I think slavery and lack of rights until the Civil rights Movement.

Ericgamer, if saying that was something people were accustomed to, I wouldn't have a problem with it. Seriously, don't pretend you know how I think. I also don't get offended when anyone says anything bad about jews, even when they are being directly hateful. Oh, and way to rip off a commercial.

Blueangel, I'm not saying to go around and start spouting off things for no reason, but if someone says something like "that test was so gay. I didn't even know a single answer." are they talking homosexuals? No. They are saying it was hard, and since they have grown up with that kind of speech, they use it. I don't see why this usage is all bad. Hateful usage I understand getting mad at, but not that kind of usage.

I guess I can't understand either side. the hateful or the sensitive side, because for me I don't discriminate with my hate. I don't hate people because they are black or white or homosexual or straight. I hate people based on who they are.

Question:
Is it ok to say something like Fag if you are a homosexual or you know someone who is homosexual, or does that have nothing to do with it?

[blueangel06661]

Blueangel, I'm not saying to go around and start spouting off things for no reason, but if someone says something like "that test was so gay. I didn't even know a single answer." are they talking homosexuals? No. They are saying it was hard, and since they have grown up with that kind of speech, they use it. I don't see why this usage is all bad. Hateful usage I understand getting mad at, but not that kind of usage.

Can you please read what you post. Usage of that word in that form is basically saying it for no reason. No where in the dictionary does gay = stupid or dumb. So thats an incorrect use of a word in a poor setting. Because you don't think of it and it just comes out means that you don't think about it when you say it therefor you are spouting it off without reason. Since the words stupid and dumb have been around for the same amount of time and specifically mean what they mean rather than something else why not just use them.

Your arguments are equivalent to a middle schoolers.

[brolyx74]

Sorry but when you've been using a word long enough it loses meaning and it just becomes another word to you. I suppose I misunderstood what you said before, so I will admit that my statement inaccurate, based on what you meant, but not by what I thought you meant at first glance.

I don't see why nobody can even understand where I'm coming from. There's a difference between hate and laziness.

[blueangel06661]

Sorry but when you've been using a word long enough it loses meaning and it just becomes another word to you. I suppose I misunderstood what you said before, so I will admit that my statement inaccurate, based on what you meant, but not by what I thought you meant at first glance.

I don't see why nobody can even understand where I'm coming from. There's a difference between hate and laziness.

Well if you're still in high school or something chances are you'll grow out of it. If not good luck bro.

I admit I used to use the word in the same context but I grew up and realized how stupid it made me sound and quit.

[brolyx74]

Well, I just turned 16, and I understand that some people can take offense to it so I don't use it in social situations, because I could get in trouble by hypersensitive people, but when I'm at my house or hanging out with friends, i may or may not say it in regular conversation. It depends. I never say it in a hateful conotation though. Again, my problem being with people who take things to be hateful when the person means no disrespect by it.

[TheThunderBringer]

I don't see why nobody can even understand where I'm coming from. There's a difference between hate and laziness.

We understand where you're coming from; it's just that where you're coming from isn't a logical place.

Again, my problem being with people who take things to be hateful when the person means no disrespect by it.

There's little to no way they can know, and, at the very least, it will make people uncomfortable.

[Anime-Prince]

Yoko, what you don't seem to address is why it's so much of a problem for you to take other peoples feelings into consideration.

You don't understand why they get offended about something? Who cares. Just don't do it. There's many different ways you can express distaste. You can use many other words.

Why is it your so bothered about people who find certain things offensive?

Just accept it, and move on man.

[brolyx74]

I don't understand because most things don't offend me. The thing is, in my life, people haven't made it a big deal until I entered a place where there is a strong GSA. And most people hated the homosexuals because they made a big deal about it. I just don't get why people are so hypersensitive. Nothing hateful offends me, so that's why I don't understand the big deal about such a trivial word. I swear people give words too much power.

[Miss Moonlight]

I don't understand because most things don't offend me. The thing is, in my life, people haven't made it a big deal until I entered a place where there is a strong GSA. And most people hated the homosexuals because they made a big deal about it. I just don't get why people are so hypersensitive. Nothing hateful offends me, so that's why I don't understand the big deal about such a trivial word. I swear people give words too much power.

Welcome to the concept of "Other People."

[Anime-Prince]

If they don't offend you, then good, your a strong guy.

Don't presume that just because things don't bother you, they won't, or shouldn't bother everyone else. The world doesn't work that way. It's never a notion of whether you intend to disrespect people, it's a case of whether you do, or you don't.

That's why people take measures in simple and easy things like; Being polite. Thinking before they speak. Not using words out of context. Most of us aren't looking for a confrontation, we look to avoid it. It's as simple as that.

[brolyx74]

that is understandable, I just wish that people could be as strong as me. Society has given words too much power. I am polite in social situations, but I hate things that are trivial, but people make a huge thing about it.

[Eris]

Other people have always been overrated anyway. The way I see it is that if people choose to be offended where no offense is intended, then they're idiots.

[brolyx74]

The way I see it is that if people choose to be offended where no offense is intended, then they're idiots.

I really hope you're being serious and not facetious. That sums up my feelings pretty well.

What about comedians. There is always that stand up comic who says retard or gay. Most people find it funny, but there's always a group to protest saying "Stop Hate Comedy" It's stand up. I would love to see their reactions to a roast. That would be priceless.

[Eris]

The way I see it is that if people choose to be offended where no offense is intended, then they're idiots.

I really hope you're being serious and not facetious. That sums up my feelings pretty well.

I'm quite serious. There are some borderline cases, though, with phrases and terminology that is strongly associated with intended offense, such as racial slurs.

[polaris 北極星]

people are foolish for putting expectations on other people. in the world we live in today, there are less and less scruples. and things which were not politically correct 10 years ago are now commonplace in society. it is our human right to either like or dislike something, and our human right to voice those feelings of like or dislike. in this way, i put no expectations on other people as far as their respect for others (or even themselves) people stereotypically have less and less regards for other people. i even see it in this forum...alot! someone will voice their opinion about something, and then other people will try to explain (often in a very rude and condescending way)why their opinion is better than someone else's. and why someone else's opinion is stupid or wrong... like people cant understand why everyone doesnt think like them. and the sad thing is that people dont see the selfishness in this behavior, or they just dont care. so to expect people to be considerate of others is just setting yourself up for disappointment.

theres always going to be someone who likes to make rude "gay" comments, and there will always be the gay person that takes offense to those comments. to EXPECT someone to share your views is unrealistic. but then again, some people just like to complain. you cant get mad at a snake for biting you...welcome to the human mentality