Post by guesstimatejones on Jun 27, 2011 14:22:43 GMT -5
As many are aware, I have strong feelings on the swearing regulations we enforce. In light of the recent implementation of the command "fagkick," I would like to fully explain my thoughts on the matter and analyze the hypocrisy often demonstrated by the staff.
Before all else, I need to dispel the ignorant belief that 'fag' is not an overly offensive word. It is my strong conviction, and one that I can support, that 'fag' is no less offensive than 'nigger' or any other derogatory hate slur. I also hold firm that it can be more offensive than words like 'fuck' or 'cunt'. Notice that I say 'can'. The difference is that 'fag' directly insults and derides one specific demographic. It frames them as something negative, dirty, and wrong. And while 'fuck' might shock younger players, it does not distinguish them, insult them, and leave them lessened. Despite the common use of 'fag' on the internet, it remains strongly offensive to a group that is currently a center of media attention. Homosexuals are in the spotlight due to the ongoing debates in America and the vocal outrage towards giving them rights. The homosexual group is being openly persecuted right now. There is open hatred and disgust towards their life style. To not only argue that 'fag' is not offensive, but subsequently incorporate 'fag' into our very list of commands, is feeding a hate that is very alive and public today.
Now, I'm not arguing that the word be removed. There simply needs to be a clear standpoint that our guests can understand. It is horribly hypocritical of us to openly use hate speech, while banning the word 'fuck' because "kids play here." Is it really better for them to hear the word fag? What are we afraid of, that they'll start using swear words at school? Is it okay for them to call their classmates fags but not okay to tell them to fuck off? A word like fuck won't drive a student to kill themselves; a word like fag does. So what the hell is our standpoint? We can deride whole groups but not casually use profanity?
We need to just relinquish our hold on language. There are only two reasons to restrict profanity on AU70. One is to 'protect' younger players, but what they don't read at our server they will hear from their friends, parents, other adults, music, movies, and video games. Ultimately, most will make the decision to start swearing or not before their parents are comfortable *regardless* of our rules on the matter. Our decision to not expose them is so miniscule compared to how exposed they already are that it serves only one other purpose, which is that repetitive and needless swearing is annoying. But this falls into the category of spam, and is treated the same way we treat spam. Therefore, it should be called spam. It shouldn't be described as profanity specifically, spam is a good enough definition. Instead of warning a guest who is spamming profanity with "no swearing" it should simply be "no spamming." Because casual use of profanity does minimal damage.
To summarize, my recommendation is that we at least find an even standpoint. We are currently pushing a hypocrisy, restricting language that does not deride a specific group while openly using hate speech such as 'fag'. Either accept that fag is a very offensive word that derides a group currently fighting for their rights and ban it too, or open the server up to profanity. Not spam. To clarify again, spamming profanity can and should be punished as spam. But casual profanity should be freed, as restricting it serves no functional purpose. One point you might make is that I make a strong argument for how offensive 'fag' is, yet I seem to push that we should continue to say it along with other profanity. While I would like to see our focus reverse and restrict only racist and homophobic hate speech, I would just like to see us take an even standpoint. And because restricting profanity serves no purpose, it makes logical sense to simply free all language. At least then we don't seem to be pushing a homophobic rule structure.
Before all else, I need to dispel the ignorant belief that 'fag' is not an overly offensive word. It is my strong conviction, and one that I can support, that 'fag' is no less offensive than 'nigger' or any other derogatory hate slur. I also hold firm that it can be more offensive than words like 'fuck' or 'cunt'. Notice that I say 'can'. The difference is that 'fag' directly insults and derides one specific demographic. It frames them as something negative, dirty, and wrong. And while 'fuck' might shock younger players, it does not distinguish them, insult them, and leave them lessened. Despite the common use of 'fag' on the internet, it remains strongly offensive to a group that is currently a center of media attention. Homosexuals are in the spotlight due to the ongoing debates in America and the vocal outrage towards giving them rights. The homosexual group is being openly persecuted right now. There is open hatred and disgust towards their life style. To not only argue that 'fag' is not offensive, but subsequently incorporate 'fag' into our very list of commands, is feeding a hate that is very alive and public today.
Now, I'm not arguing that the word be removed. There simply needs to be a clear standpoint that our guests can understand. It is horribly hypocritical of us to openly use hate speech, while banning the word 'fuck' because "kids play here." Is it really better for them to hear the word fag? What are we afraid of, that they'll start using swear words at school? Is it okay for them to call their classmates fags but not okay to tell them to fuck off? A word like fuck won't drive a student to kill themselves; a word like fag does. So what the hell is our standpoint? We can deride whole groups but not casually use profanity?
We need to just relinquish our hold on language. There are only two reasons to restrict profanity on AU70. One is to 'protect' younger players, but what they don't read at our server they will hear from their friends, parents, other adults, music, movies, and video games. Ultimately, most will make the decision to start swearing or not before their parents are comfortable *regardless* of our rules on the matter. Our decision to not expose them is so miniscule compared to how exposed they already are that it serves only one other purpose, which is that repetitive and needless swearing is annoying. But this falls into the category of spam, and is treated the same way we treat spam. Therefore, it should be called spam. It shouldn't be described as profanity specifically, spam is a good enough definition. Instead of warning a guest who is spamming profanity with "no swearing" it should simply be "no spamming." Because casual use of profanity does minimal damage.
To summarize, my recommendation is that we at least find an even standpoint. We are currently pushing a hypocrisy, restricting language that does not deride a specific group while openly using hate speech such as 'fag'. Either accept that fag is a very offensive word that derides a group currently fighting for their rights and ban it too, or open the server up to profanity. Not spam. To clarify again, spamming profanity can and should be punished as spam. But casual profanity should be freed, as restricting it serves no functional purpose. One point you might make is that I make a strong argument for how offensive 'fag' is, yet I seem to push that we should continue to say it along with other profanity. While I would like to see our focus reverse and restrict only racist and homophobic hate speech, I would just like to see us take an even standpoint. And because restricting profanity serves no purpose, it makes logical sense to simply free all language. At least then we don't seem to be pushing a homophobic rule structure.
