“The pejorative nature kind of got lost somewhere along the way.”
Not according to some, who I’m surprised havent descended into this comment section yet.
It genuinely amazes me that some people learn of a racist origin and immediately crusade against it, on behalf of people who dont give a fuck.
Words change. When the majority of people are using a phrase in a benign manner, then dragging the racist origins back into the light is a really dumb way to fight against bigotry.
Guilt tripping people into adapting new phrasing isn’t just arrogant and patronizing; it’s counterproductive - it makes the actual fight against racism seem petty and performative.
Maybe. Or maybe they’re afraid to speak up because of how they’ll be punished by the system. Only time really tells, and sometimes that means complaining about stupid shit no one cares about.
I’d rather look stupid a few times, but make sure that I’m giving voice to those who don’t have it, than keep quiet and never be wrong.
You’re erring on the side of caution, and I get the impulse. But there’s a fine line between giving voice to the unheard and drowning out the current conversation by crusading on their behalf without actually checking whether they wanted a champion in the first place.
Language isn’t static, and if people who would’ve been the target of a slur no longer feel targeted by a modern, benign use of the word, maybe it’s worth listening to them instead of getting stuck in etymological guilt.
This is essentially justification for tone policing, language gate keeping, or inventing offenses that marginalized groups themselves aren’t actually calling out.
Campaigning on their behalf looks less like allyship and more like self-importance wrapped in a savior complex.
“The pejorative nature kind of got lost somewhere along the way.”
Not according to some, who I’m surprised havent descended into this comment section yet.
It genuinely amazes me that some people learn of a racist origin and immediately crusade against it, on behalf of people who dont give a fuck.
Words change. When the majority of people are using a phrase in a benign manner, then dragging the racist origins back into the light is a really dumb way to fight against bigotry.
Guilt tripping people into adapting new phrasing isn’t just arrogant and patronizing; it’s counterproductive - it makes the actual fight against racism seem petty and performative.
Maybe. Or maybe they’re afraid to speak up because of how they’ll be punished by the system. Only time really tells, and sometimes that means complaining about stupid shit no one cares about.
I’d rather look stupid a few times, but make sure that I’m giving voice to those who don’t have it, than keep quiet and never be wrong.
You’re erring on the side of caution, and I get the impulse. But there’s a fine line between giving voice to the unheard and drowning out the current conversation by crusading on their behalf without actually checking whether they wanted a champion in the first place.
Language isn’t static, and if people who would’ve been the target of a slur no longer feel targeted by a modern, benign use of the word, maybe it’s worth listening to them instead of getting stuck in etymological guilt.
This is essentially justification for tone policing, language gate keeping, or inventing offenses that marginalized groups themselves aren’t actually calling out.
Campaigning on their behalf looks less like allyship and more like self-importance wrapped in a savior complex.
Yeah, I think we’re just talking from both sides of the grey area. But you’re right, it’s simply someplace in the middle.
We really need more people like you. That’s exactly what annoyed me so very much, but I could not articulate this thought. Thank you for doing so :)