Political correctness on CelticsBlog...

[ScoobyDoo]

Barefacedmonk:

When you said, regarding me, "I'm not upset...yet then I continue to rant on...but hey, I'm not upset..." That isn't much of a response, it's really more just mocking in nature and it's incredibly arrogant that you assume to have a monopoly on how I really feel. Let's assume that I mean what say, and that I have a bit better handle on how I actually feel than you do. Just because I'm engaged in discussion doesn't mean I'm upset and perhaps you could simply respond with something other than a mocking retort.

Secondly, I know why I started this thread, that hasn't been lost on me. But discussions are not static, they're always dynamic and changing, with various people bringing various viewpoints and analogies into the equation, that's why they're called discussions. Do you think it's possible to begin a discussion on one topic and see that something else in the world relates to that topic? Or are all topics in the world singular with no correlation to anything else?PC on this blog is relative to PC in the larger world as far as this discussion goes. I do think it's possible to talk about how PC on the blog and PC in society as a whole as related even though they are in different contexts.  

Meanwhile, playing under the site's rules while on the site is not open for discussion.  

This being said, I do believe what I said - that the Celtics were playing like chicks - was fairly harmless, particularly assuming most people understood the context.

Interestingly, not one female, of which I have been told there are numerous on this site, has come out and said how offended they were by my comments about the Celts playing like chicks. Hmmm, that's interesting.

And for the record, as I'll be the judge of my own upbringing, I didn't face hardships, I faced opportunities. I only mentioned a few of the opportunities as a reference point of things that I felt were worth worrying about rather than someone saying "BOO!" to you about something trivial, that apparently can shatter your sense of self worth or something - it's just perspective, my perspective.    

[Greenbean]

I just don't like the PC/baby-proof culture
Words are as strong you make them. Are those "bad words" are taboo in this culture, but they are just words.

Its annoying to hear "thats a mean thing to say", or "thats insensitive, how can you say that?". Like I can't be honest anymore. And no, for me honest does not equal being intentionally disrepectful. Like what Kobe said to the refs, or Lebron's whispering about his distaste of a reporter's questions. I had no problem with that

Where do you draw the line, though?  Are racial slurs just figures of speech, as well?  I mean, they're "just words", but there's certainly a long history of hate behind them.

I don't like feigned offense, and I don't like people twisting somebody's meaning, but there are certain words that are simply unacceptable in most contexts.  I think asking somebody to avoid using them -- whether it's at CelticsBlog, at work / school, or even among your friends -- is perfectly reasonable.

Good point. Id like to also add that this is a forum community. Everything we write can easily be misinterpreted. How often do athlete's quotes get taken out of context because we could not hear the tonality, delivery, or even the question.

All we have is those silly emoticons to add to our words. They definitely are not enough if we want to have an anything goes type of forum about a basketball team we are all so passionate about. I ALWAYS feel bad when soemone takes my words the whole way and views it as an attack. Its even worse when that person comes back and attacks me.

Well just imagine if this was the kind of place where attacks were welcome. I would not be here thats for sure.

[Fafnir]

This being said, I do believe what I said - that the Celtics were playing like chicks - was fairly harmless, particularly assuming most people understood the context.

Interestingly, not one female, of which I have been told there are numerous on this site, has come out and said how offended they were by my comments about the Celts playing like chicks. Hmmm, that's interesting.

You didn’t say it once though. You made it the topic of your post, and made repeated allusions to it. You said they were:
“playing like 6 year old girls”, “chics”, “ballerinas”

You know what’s most telling to me about your post, is that you predicted that it wasn’t okay to say such things. You cited your sisters and mentioned how “and please no comments how it is not PC”.

Built in outrage when it was locked, which you should have seen coming based on your defensive comments in the OP.

Whether or not anyone has indicated to you or in this thread that they were offended is irrelevant to our rules. We want to be welcoming to everyone here.

[ScoobyDoo]

Hi LooseCannon, actually, just because I'm engaging in a long discussion where people are expressing opinions doesn't mean I am upset they don't agree with me. To the contrary it's been fairly enjoyable. Again, I would like to emphasize that what I say in words I actually mean, they are not made up.

I don't assume that you, or Barefacedmonk or any other poster are upset because you're engaging in discussion.

This is a good learning experience and it's exactly this kind of debate that makes America great. I think it's impossible to have enough of this. It makes everyone's ideas, if not challenged or changed, at least thought about.

I may change all, some or none of my thinking about these issues after this debate, that is up to me to decide. And some of you may change your thinking as well, or not, but that's irrelevant to me. The relevant point is that we are certainly all thinking about our opinions. That is excellent and that is fun.    

[Chris]

You know what’s most telling to me about your post, is that you predicted that it wasn’t okay to say such things. You cited your sisters and mentioned how “and please no comments how it is not PC”.

Honestly, I have not seen all those posts, so I can't speak to this situation specifically, but just for a little look in the minds of a moderator...if you need to qualify any post you say with something like that, it is most likely going to be addressed by us. 

If you find yourself saying things like "no offense", "with all due respect", "don't jump all over me", or you have to actually mispell a word so it doesn't get picked up by the filter, chances are, what you are writing is not going to last long on this forum.

[OsirusCeltics]

I just don't like the PC/baby-proof culture
Words are as strong you make them. Are those "bad words" are taboo in this culture, but they are just words.

Its annoying to hear "thats a mean thing to say", or "thats insensitive, how can you say that?". Like I can't be honest anymore. And no, for me honest does not equal being intentionally disrepectful. Like what Kobe said to the refs, or Lebron's whispering about his distaste of a reporter's questions. I had no problem with that

Where do you draw the line, though?  Are racial slurs just figures of speech, as well?  I mean, they're "just words", but there's certainly a long history of hate behind them.

I don't like feigned offense, and I don't like people twisting somebody's meaning, but there are certain words that are simply unacceptable in most contexts.  I think asking somebody to avoid using them -- whether it's at CelticsBlog, at work / school, or even among your friends -- is perfectly reasonable.

To be honest, I don't think a line should be drawn. I understand the history, I'm a history buff myself. But words switch/shift their meanings through centuries. About 60-70 years ago it was disrespectful to call a person "black", but times have changed

I just can't take away someones' freedom of speech/expression. Even if I or anyone else doesn't agree with certain words people say, it is their natural right to say what they feel

[Roy H.]

I just don't like the PC/baby-proof culture
Words are as strong you make them. Are those "bad words" are taboo in this culture, but they are just words.

Its annoying to hear "thats a mean thing to say", or "thats insensitive, how can you say that?". Like I can't be honest anymore. And no, for me honest does not equal being intentionally disrepectful. Like what Kobe said to the refs, or Lebron's whispering about his distaste of a reporter's questions. I had no problem with that

Where do you draw the line, though?  Are racial slurs just figures of speech, as well?  I mean, they're "just words", but there's certainly a long history of hate behind them.

I don't like feigned offense, and I don't like people twisting somebody's meaning, but there are certain words that are simply unacceptable in most contexts.  I think asking somebody to avoid using them -- whether it's at CelticsBlog, at work / school, or even among your friends -- is perfectly reasonable.

To be honest, I don't think a line should be drawn. I understand the history, I'm a history buff myself. But words switch/shift their meanings through centuries. About 60-70 years ago it was disrespectful to call a person "black", but times have changed

I just can't take away someones' freedom of speech/expression. Even if I or anyone else doesn't agree with certain words people say, it is their natural right to say what they feel

I appreciate the libertarian stance, but man, if people just said what they feel the truth is with no filter, I've got a feeling that this would be a lot more volatile and violent society than it already is.  Words, despite simply being a construct of our language, still have a lot of power.

[wdleehi]

I just don't like the PC/baby-proof culture
Words are as strong you make them. Are those "bad words" are taboo in this culture, but they are just words.

Its annoying to hear "thats a mean thing to say", or "thats insensitive, how can you say that?". Like I can't be honest anymore. And no, for me honest does not equal being intentionally disrepectful. Like what Kobe said to the refs, or Lebron's whispering about his distaste of a reporter's questions. I had no problem with that

Where do you draw the line, though?  Are racial slurs just figures of speech, as well?  I mean, they're "just words", but there's certainly a long history of hate behind them.

I don't like feigned offense, and I don't like people twisting somebody's meaning, but there are certain words that are simply unacceptable in most contexts.  I think asking somebody to avoid using them -- whether it's at CelticsBlog, at work / school, or even among your friends -- is perfectly reasonable.

To be honest, I don't think a line should be drawn. I understand the history, I'm a history buff myself. But words switch/shift their meanings through centuries. About 60-70 years ago it was disrespectful to call a person "black", but times have changed

I just can't take away someones' freedom of speech/expression. Even if I or anyone else doesn't agree with certain words people say, it is their natural right to say what they feel

It is not taking away one's freedom of speech.



It is making sure they understand there is consequences for the things you say.  




For this site, the consequences for allowing certain language or remarks of subgroups effects the type of conversation we have here.  It effects the posters we have here.  It effects the readership we have here.  



I think most are happy with the level of those three things on this site now.  (compared to places like ESPN forums)

[Greenbean]

You know what’s most telling to me about your post, is that you predicted that it wasn’t okay to say such things. You cited your sisters and mentioned how “and please no comments how it is not PC”.

Honestly, I have not seen all those posts, so I can't speak to this situation specifically, but just for a little look in the minds of a moderator...if you need to qualify any post you say with something like that, it is most likely going to be addressed by us. 

If you find yourself saying things like "no offense", "with all due respect", "don't jump all over me", or you have to actually mispell a word so it doesn't get picked up by the filter, chances are, what you are writing is not going to last long on this forum.

Joel Anthony has no offense.

I think it is hillarious when Chris Bosh says to KG, "Dont jump all over me" andw then cries.

With all due respect, I think Spolerstra is in over his head.

I really hope these words last a long time!

[Chris]

You know what’s most telling to me about your post, is that you predicted that it wasn’t okay to say such things. You cited your sisters and mentioned how “and please no comments how it is not PC”.

Honestly, I have not seen all those posts, so I can't speak to this situation specifically, but just for a little look in the minds of a moderator...if you need to qualify any post you say with something like that, it is most likely going to be addressed by us. 

If you find yourself saying things like "no offense", "with all due respect", "don't jump all over me", or you have to actually mispell a word so it doesn't get picked up by the filter, chances are, what you are writing is not going to last long on this forum.

Joel Anthony has no offense.

I think it is hillarious when Chris Bosh says to KG, "Dont jump all over me" andw then cries.

With all due respect, I think Spolerstra is in over his head.

I really hope these words last a long time!

The exception that proves the rule...

[Roy H.]

Joel Anthony has no offense.

Except when he plays us, apparently.  Then, he turns into Moses Malone.

[Chris]

It is making sure they understand there is consequences for the things you say.  

Just like I am not a fan of the over the top direction the "PC" movement has taken at times, I am even less of a fan of the over the top direction the "freedom of speech" movement has taken at times.

The idea that your words cannot have consequences is preposterous IMO.  Freedom of speech protects people from being suppressed by the government for their words.  That's it.  It does not give anyone the right to say whatever they want without consequences from the rest of society.

Whether it is being thrown out of an institution (or basketball game), being labeled a racist by society and basically blackballed from pursuing your career as a comedian, or being punched in the face by the guy you just insulted.  Freedom of speech is not going to stop any of those things.

Now, the guy who punched you in the face may get arrested, but it is not because he infringed on your freedom of speech.  And chances are, when he threw that punch, he full well knew that there could be repercussions from it, just like there can be from things you say.

[OsirusCeltics]

I just don't like the PC/baby-proof culture
Words are as strong you make them. Are those "bad words" are taboo in this culture, but they are just words.

Its annoying to hear "thats a mean thing to say", or "thats insensitive, how can you say that?". Like I can't be honest anymore. And no, for me honest does not equal being intentionally disrepectful. Like what Kobe said to the refs, or Lebron's whispering about his distaste of a reporter's questions. I had no problem with that

Where do you draw the line, though?  Are racial slurs just figures of speech, as well?  I mean, they're "just words", but there's certainly a long history of hate behind them.

I don't like feigned offense, and I don't like people twisting somebody's meaning, but there are certain words that are simply unacceptable in most contexts.  I think asking somebody to avoid using them -- whether it's at CelticsBlog, at work / school, or even among your friends -- is perfectly reasonable.

To be honest, I don't think a line should be drawn. I understand the history, I'm a history buff myself. But words switch/shift their meanings through centuries. About 60-70 years ago it was disrespectful to call a person "black", but times have changed

I just can't take away someones' freedom of speech/expression. Even if I or anyone else doesn't agree with certain words people say, it is their natural right to say what they feel

I appreciate the libertarian stance, but man, if people just said what they feel the truth is with no filter, I've got a feeling that this would be a lot more volatile and violent society than it already is.  Words, despite simply being a construct of our language, still have a lot of power.

I hold no political stance
But I don't think words have power. People give words power
Thats why this generation doesn't feel hurt by the "bad" words that the older generation experienced. Its because people's perceptions change

You become a better society when honesty is at the forefront. May not be honesty alot of people like, but I don't like keeping skeletons in the closet

[Chris]

I hold no political stance
But I don't think words have power. People give words power
Thats why this generation doesn't feel hurt by the "bad" words that the older generation experienced. Its because people's perceptions change

I agree that people give words power, and that it changes over time.  But that doesn't mean the power the words have is non-existent. 

[OsirusCeltics]

I think the freedom of speech is a direct response to the PC world we are in.

In France, it is common place for a younger child to drink wine like its a regular drink. But in the US its illegal for a person under 21 to drink. But in other countries theres really no age limit. Its that "forbidden fruit" syndrome where when a US child is finally of age he goes bonkers with the alcohol lol. And its not a coincidence that there are more alcohol-related crimes in the US than anywhere else

Its the overprotection I can't stand, like humans aren't able to breath and think for themselves. I myself am not for the constant swearing, but that's other people's choice not mine