Hate speech and slang are not the same things

mlm olo mlm·12/25/2018, 3:00:53 AM·3 votes·3,205 views

Just because someone uses the "N" word, does not make them a racist. Anything can be a "N" word. I can call a tree the "N" word. The "N" word doesn't even have to be hateful. I can lovingly call my mother the "N" word.

I say "N" word because the boards censors the full word. Which goes to show how zero tolerance only increases the negative stereotype. It's right there in the phrase, "ZERO TOLERANCE".

So basically, because some people were assholes HUNDREDS of years ago, present day people aren't allowed to use certain words. Even though, the culture has DRAMATICALLY changed. You think true racist people are using the same language for HUNDREDS of years? They moved on and created new words that aren't censored. Banning a word does not alter a persons personality. True racist people are going to think racist thoughts no matter how much you ban their language.

88 Comments

Umbral Regent12/25/2018, 3:13:38 AM9 votes

Just because someone uses the "N" word, does not make them a racist. Anything can be a "N" word. I can call a tree the "N" word. The "N" word doesn't even have to be hateful. I can lovingly call my mother the "N" word.

I say "N" word because the boards censors the full word. Which goes to show how zero tolerance only increases the negative stereotype. It's right there in the phrase, "ZERO TOLERANCE".

I'm going to cut to the heart of the issue. The reason the N-word is treated with zero tolerance is because, if it were given a case-by-case basis of leniency (allowing it to be used colloquially in some cases, but banning it for being used hatefully in others), it would become needlessly harder to actually punish when it's used in hateful contexts, because then it would require further investigation to see if it was used by two people palling around, or by someone who wanted to berate and deride someone for something they had no choice in.

And this is ignoring whether or not people would generally be okay with it, even if it's used in a friendly manner. There are some black people out there who absolutely detest the word, even when it's used as a synonym for "friend" or "guy", and there are others outside of the targeted group who aren't okay with it either.

So should we just ignore the people who are put off by its usage, simply because the word's being used in a friendly context?

And on top of all of that, there are dozens of words you could use to refer to people with that haven't historically been used as hate speech. "Buddy", "guy", "pal", "friend", "dude", "man", "bro", etc. - Why use a word with a known historical background of prejudice when there are way more options on the table?

So basically, because some people were assholes HUNDREDS of years ago, present day people aren't allowed to use certain words. Even though, the culture has DRAMATICALLY changed. You think true racist people are using the same language for HUNDREDS of years? They moved on and created new words that aren't censored.

Racist culture may have changed, but what hasn't changed is the fact that the N-word is still used as hate speech. If racist culture has moved on, they haven't moved very far at all.

And, like I said, it's not like we don't have any other word to use.

Banning a word does not alter a persons personality. True racist people are going to think racist thoughts no matter how much you ban their language.

So, what? Because some people will remain adamantly racist no matter what, we should just accept it and let them do their thing?

If they want to be racist and vile, they can do it elsewhere. Riot's made their stance clear - they don't accept racism, and they're ready and willing to show any racists who happen to display their true colors to the door.

ModUlanopo12/25/2018, 4:12:17 AM6 votes

Even though, the culture has DRAMATICALLY changed.

My grandmother used to say, "just because we don't hang them as much any more, doesn't mean everything's okay." I don't know what culture you come from, but I was raised to understand that people may experience hurts I don't share. That doesn't make those experiences and feelings less valuable or real than mine. It just makes them different and the cornerstone of sympathy is overcoming those differences.

I'll also point out that one of my ancestors went to prison for helping slaves escape the south, so my culture hasn't changed at all. We still believe "traditional" southern attitudes towards minorities are fundamentally wrong and the language they use may be subtly changed, but the intent remains the same and is just as awful as it ever was.

They moved on and created new words that aren't censored.

Oh really? Why don't you give us a list and we'll add them to the filter?

Jo0o12/25/2018, 4:28:15 AM6 votes

I sincerely believe you're only on these boards to see how much shit you can stir up.

PresBushDid71112/25/2018, 2:55:33 PM6 votes

I would love to live in a haze, where I was under the impression racism stopped being a thing 100 years ago. Especially when, on almost a weekly bases, a new video comes out of some vile being spewing the N word at people. Hell, in the last couple days we have the white woman from Minnesota going to the Virgin Islands and calling any and everyone the N word. Likewise, while anicdotal, I don't know of anyone that thinks that lt would be a good idea to starting spewing the N word among four random strangers. I could be wrong, by all means experiment with that yourself in real life. Maybe you'll become the next viral villain, or worst get your jaw realigned.

rujitra12/25/2018, 3:38:23 AM5 votes

Slang is only acceptable within those communities where the slang is popular and understood.

The League community is so diverse that only the most universal slang (ex things like "sup" and "bro") can be allowed.

Just because one person thinks something is slang does not make it acceptable to use outside their circles where it is acceptable. Just as how you would not talk to your grandmother the same way you talk to your coworker the same way you talk to your friends in town the same way you talk to your friends from across the globe.

The Highest Noon12/25/2018, 4:11:25 AM1 votes

That ain't yo choice, fam. You don't get to tell someone else what their own words mean. They could be making the most vile statements imaginable, but if in their heart and mind they don't have any ill will behind their words, you just gotta accept that.

Edito: I understand the purpose of what you're saying about hate speech and slang, but my words cover pretty much any instance of "intended speech".

I just realized that I wasn't quoting who this was aimed towards. Rip me