Comments on: Del. agency sorry for saying what not to say

By: Timmy

Timmy — Mon, 04 May 2009 14:39:54 +0000

Well that’s dump, why are they getting mad? They were working towards tolerance in a work envioronment. They should be grateful.

By: Keith

Keith — Mon, 04 May 2009 12:58:57 +0000

A word only has the power that people give it. Context is crucial in determining what power a word has. As many have noted, when being called “queer” by one’s friends, it is generally not offensive because no offense was meant. I totally agree that the N-word is offensive in every instance because of the long and dark history of its use. However, what Mr. Gibson, aside from his rather blundering observations, has failed to understand is that the N-word is not being used by black people among themselves for the most part. Instead, the word has been modified to replace the -er with -ah, creating a different word. This modified word is used similarly to the way “queer” is used in gay circles.

While I, as a white male, would not feel comfortable using either word for fear that I might be misunderstood and inadvertently give offense, my point is that there are layers of meaning to words and the context makes a difference, in most cases, as to how that word will be interpreted by its audience.

Thus, a statement that using the words “X” “Y” or “Z” will not be tolerated by management in a work environment is far different than a statement that John or Jane Doe is an “X” “Y” or “Z”.

Groups that criticized the Department of Transportation for attempting to prevent these kinds of offensive epithets from being used as weapons by employees, I think, have become so focused on the words themselves that they failed to notice their context.

By: J Mathews

J Mathews — Mon, 04 May 2009 04:10:20 +0000

I’m gay, but actually hate the fact that some gay people use the term queer. Think about what the word means… queer was always an insult.

Some gay news websites actually change all references from ‘gay’ to ‘queer’ which I find bizarre.

Black people who call themselves nigger (and think it’s cool) just don;t understand the real story behind the word. Likewise gay people who like to call themselves ‘queer’, do so for all the WRONG reasons.

By: equalnotspecial

equalnotspecial — Mon, 04 May 2009 03:02:59 +0000

Kristy. Well said. Quoting the words and pointing out they are offensive to some, is rational and reasonable. I don’t like the word “queer” because that is what those who beat me up, breaking ribs and kicking me, and cutting me with a knife, used during my bashings. But I had heard it used as a hate word before then. But perhaps I’m a bit biased.
I prefer “gay” as a generic term for LGBT, even though there are those who currently use it in a derisive manner. More important than the actual words, it the way in which they are used. Stopping hate speach requires pointing it out.

By: Morgan

Morgan — Sun, 03 May 2009 02:44:01 +0000

I am not about to apply the “queer label” to myself. Want the “queer label”, by all means free to do so, just don’t expect that all gay males necessarily want that sort of thing for themselves.

By: Will

Will — Sat, 02 May 2009 21:24:48 +0000

I don’t see what was bad for them literally spelling out the words that it would be best to avoid. It actually makes sense to me. Now it should probably be mentioned that the “list” is not, by any means, exhaustive and that anything “of the like” should be discouraged, etc. So, rather than rebuke, kudos to them.

By: cwf

cwf — Sat, 02 May 2009 18:49:38 +0000

The way to truely rid the culture of all this reactionary crap about words, and to stop being offended by them is to stop giving them power.

This whole article is a great example of how we keep giving power to simple words. You give a word importance you empower it to hurt. That is why years ago we embraced the words queer and dykes!

By: Shane

Shane — Sat, 02 May 2009 15:46:57 +0000

anytimg the NAACP gets involved, it just becomes laughable.

words don’t have power unless you give it to them. this letter was clearly meant to help us, but everyone is so on edge about every single thing these days you cant even put out a letter of what NOT to say, without getting in trouble?

gimme a break……. lets find some real news now.

By: Island Boy

Island Boy — Sat, 02 May 2009 13:16:54 +0000

Why are they protesting too much? I’m Asian, and if there was a newsletter stating, “Don’t call an Asian a gook.” I’d find it funny. Yeah, it’s an unsophisticated way of saying, “Watch your mouth!” but it does get the message across.

Better newsletter should say, “Know each other. Respect one another.”

By: drewski

drewski — Sat, 02 May 2009 12:50:53 +0000

As a unionized government employee, I think I could add some general info that might help explain this memo. First, while you have DOT employees who have sense, you’re also talking about a lot of guys who, uh, aren’t exactly as sophisticated as James Bond. Second, I doubt that the memo would’ve contained those words if there hadn’t been prior issues of people using them–and perhaps facing minimal disciplinary action for doing so. Third, if it’s a union setting, there are those times when you have to be brutally explicit about what is and is not allowed. Otherwise, if Joe Meathead’s been dropping the N-bomb for the last 15 years, he could continue to do it (in violation of agency policy and state law) because of the concept of past practice. That has a lot to do with the strength of the union (or the chapter) and the people running the union/chapter.

Finally, the notion that a number of people were really so offended–well, they doth protest too much. If I tell you what not to do, and provide examples which are clearly examples and not limits, then I’ve put you on notice that words and phrases LIKE the ones I’ve presented will ALSO be unacceptable.