@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.

@Sphinx @trinsec

@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 )

@freemo @Sphinx @trinsec

@Pat and I seem to have basic disagreements about rules of engagement, acceptable speech, and logical reasoning, which we aren't going to solve. We are not going to convince each other. Definitely not when one side is literally blocked by the other. (I absolutely respect his decision to block me.)

For passers-by, and because I keep on feeling implicitly accused of bigotry, lack of sensitivity, or worse: **context and intent matters**. I insist on this because that basic rule keeps resurfacing in the discussion (🧵):

1/5