Re: Casey Anthony

Michael Snyder wrote:
Poe wrote:
Ruthless wrote:
Hey Michael,

But what if someone calls you a chick with no intention of demeaning
you? Is not insult in the mind of the insulter?

Personally, I don't believe I've ever been offended by being called a
chick. I don't know if I've ever talked about how much I love words, and
the meanings of words, and the way people interpret words. Communication
is absolutely one of my favorite things in the world. I'm able to see why
a word might be demeaning to someone because I'm in love with
communication and the way we do it, and I tend to spend copious thought
energy figuring this sort of thing out. That doesn't mean that I'm
necessarily going to buy someone else's interpretation of a word on a
personal level. When I hear "chick" used to describe a lucious young
thang, I tend to equalize it with a word like "stud". To me, it means
someone who on first sight is attractive enough to make the beholder want
to get to know 'em a little better.

But, if I called someone a stud, and he told me that he found the word
offensive, that it felt demeaning to him because it seemed to imply that
his only value was as a potential bedmate or breeder, I'd apologize and
avoid using the word in his presence. It wouldn't matter to me that I
initially had no intent to cause insult by using the word. If he
communicated to me that the word was insulting to him, and I continued to
use it in reference to him, I could no longer claim that I had no intent
to offend. Obviously, once I know that it insults him, I'm intentially
insulting him by continuing to use it.

Davi


Would you use it to describe others, not him, but possibly in his presence? I try not directing my insulting words at someone who claims s/he is offended, but I don't stop speaking to others in that way simply because they're within ear-shot. It's complicated here by the fact you don't know who is "in the room", so to speak, on usenet.

Anyone is entitled to be offended by anything.

They are NOT entitled to tell others how to speak.


I agree and I bet Nancy will too. After getting to know her, I find she's one of the most logical and fair-minded people on the planet. Watching you guys, I see agreement more than disagreement. JMO.
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Relevant Pages

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