@Sphinx, @trinsec: about https://qoto.org/@Pat/107805405025437432 , and for context:
https://qoto.org/@tripu/107801777673859261
I used a certain word to refer _to the word itself_ (that's called “metalanguage”), because I wanted to refer to the controversy caused _by someone else_ who in turn used the word — I did not direct the epithet towards any one person or group. My typing the word could not be more removed from the intention of a true racist hurling it at someone.
I am not a US citizen nor resident. English is not even my mother tongue.
Speaking about languages, the word itself is an _alteration_ of a word in my own language, Spanish (_“negro”_) which meant (and still means) literally “black” (that's it, just a colour, no connotations and not taboo for 500+ native speakers).
Whatever responsibility or guilt someone else feels at the mere sight of that word, I am guaranteed to be 100% free of — different continent, different History, that word never been used by my ancestors.
The distance between me using a word in this particular way, and an American white supremacist using it as insult and abuse on purpose, is of cosmic proportions.
All that _has_ to matter, or we are all doomed.
🇳🇱
I have to agree with @tripu and say im rather surprised at @Pat 's response. Trripu used the word to reference what someone said, not directed at anyone and not with harmful intend. Saying someone said the word, and not youtself using the word beyond that context, is an awfully petty thing to block someone over, especially considering he wasnt explicitly condoning its use. Context means everything and when we start ignoring context we cant possibly make progress on any issue.
That said, pat is welcome to block who they want and for any reason. So it is their right to block. But I do think its important to voice my disapproval.
For the record I am speaking as an individual here and not as a moderator.
@freemo @tripu @Sphinx @trinsec
This is a no-brainer. He knew exactly what he was doing when he posted that awful video.
It was completely uncalled for, since he could have made his point without doing that.
> not directed at anyone and not with harmful intend.
The use of the word is harmful in nearly every context, whether it's a quote or not, and regardless of who it is directed at. As to intent, no one can see into someone else's thoughts to know for sure, but given his previous toots about blackface, Mien Kampf and racial-bias in movies, I'm pretty sure he was looking for the reaction he got.
(BTW, I made my point about the topic without using that horrible word in this toot:
https://qoto.org/@Pat/107805405025437432 )
@Pat
I cant speak to the previous content you mention as i may have missed it. I seem to recall him saying he was reading mein kampf but that it was not an indication of him supporting the message.
As for the word being harmful in every situation i cant agree, the following woulda be an example where its not harmful: "Shaniqua was called a nigger by a racist today and this is uncalled for, we cant accept that language. I strongly condemn the use of that words towards blacks!". In this context i woukd say not only is not harmful but it is being used positively to condemn racism. As far as i could tell this is more or less the way tripu used it and also the way in which joe roagan used it.
@freemo @tripu @Sphinx @trinsec
I didn't say "every situation", I said in "nearly" every context. That quote you gave could have been, "Shaniqua was called <the n-word> by a racist today which is uncalled for. We can't accept that language. I strongly condemn the use of that word."
The only time I think it could be used is to explain it to someone who has never heard the word before, if someone asks what "the n-word" is. And then it should be done in a non-public setting.
In any case, that's not even what he did. He used it as a tag for God's sake, and posted a video with people saying it over and over again without context. And he did it just to get a reaction to the use of the word.
And I'd prefer if you don't use that word again either, even in a quote.
@Pat
I cant view the videos here in egypt so i cant comment on if the context ia acceptable.
I can say that in any direct communication with you id avoid the use of the word in any context simply as a sign of respect i can not promise to do so in a general or public context. I feel saying "the n-word" rather than the actual word is an unhealthy approach to the problem. Respect comes from intent, not the mere utterance of a word. Not only do i find it acceptable to use the word in a context such as that, i find it preferable.
I think we need to fight against a society where we attack people without awareness of the context and using the word in a descriptive way is perfectly fine and outside of conversations directly between us i will have no problem using ot descriptively as i have in the past.
@freemo @tripu @Sphinx @trinsec
If you haven't seen the video, now I understand why we're in different places on this. He posted three toots, as I remember, replying to his own original toot, so that each one appeared in the local timeline. The last one (which is the first that someone sees as they read the timeline, was that horrible video, without much (or any) context, as I remember. And, as I said, he used the word as a tag.
In any case, we've got an asshole disrupting this conversation, so...
You understand my position.
@Pat
Ahh yes it could be once i see the video my stance may change. Either way i respect your decision.
@tripu @Sphinx @trinsec