Week 67: George Carlin, Whoopi Goldberg, and the "seven words"

[Everyman]

I'm just wondering, how does it offend someone to read these words, when used in this discussion context?

As a pragmatic matter, BN used to bleep these words, and may still -- I haven't tried it recently.

As a mere member, I don't dare try typing them into a message to see whether BN will bleep them, but Ilana could if she wanted to.  

[IlanaSimons]

My swear words are also bleeped when I type them.  We've got a nondiscriminating censor in our computer program here. 

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Everyman wrote:

I'm just wondering, how does it offend someone to read these words, when used in this discussion context?

As a pragmatic matter, BN used to bleep these words, and may still -- I haven't tried it recently.

As a mere member, I don't dare try typing them into a message to see whether BN will bleep them, but Ilana could if she wanted to.  

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[KathyS]

Sorry, I asked this question with tongue-in-cheek.  I know these words would be** bleeped**.  It's just another form of censorship -  as in:  where do lines get drawn, as it pertains to what I had said? 

We can't separate these lines, on a broad level.  I think anyone going to see Carlin, or Goldberg, had to expect what comes out of their mouths.  It's like saying:  If you want to associate with me, you have to expect, and respect, what I say.  Otherwise, we have nothing in common, or nothing to say to each other.  Do you agree, or not, with this?

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Everyman wrote:

I'm just wondering, how does it offend someone to read these words, when used in this discussion context?

As a pragmatic matter, BN used to bleep these words, and may still -- I haven't tried it recently.

As a mere member, I don't dare try typing them into a message to see whether BN will bleep them, but Ilana could if she wanted to.  

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[TiggerBear]

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KathyS wrote:

TiggerBear, is that what the word 'squaw' means, now? I thought it just meant "Indian Woman".  I've never had an occasion to use that word, but I'm also out of that cultural loop.

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TiggerBear wrote:

Words such as *igger, *unt, *aggot, ect...  have different contexts depending on cultural usage. There is nothing wrong with reapropiation. The problem comes when people far outside of that culture use them.

I have more a problem with people who use nonenglish words unknowing the real meaning. It took all my self control not to hit the last guy who called me squaw. The guy just didn't realise he was calling me *unt over and over.

And Mr. Carlin got lucky, remember Lenny Bruce.

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*unt, **bleep**, vagina, female genitalia 

more specifically in reference to a woman's parts who was used exclusively as a sex slave

So yeah, it's derogatory.

[debbaker]

I don't have a problem with word reapropriation----if you can own it and change it go for it. But I do think that constant use of some of these words show a lack of respect for yourself as well as others. Yes, we all get angry and use these words at times---not a problem. I just find the gratuitous use of this terms offending. So many films and comedians have chosen this path. At a certain point in time it is no longer entertaining, just juvenile.