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BGonline.org Forums
A Few Responses on Offensive Language, Stick and Stones, and Political Correctness
Posted By: Casper van der Tak In Response To: A Few Responses on Offensive Language, Stick and Stones, and Political Correctness (Bill Riles)
Date: Monday, 22 November 2010, at 3:03 p.m.
I agree partly Bill.
I think there is a difference that depends on the historical context. For example, if a Flemish person tells a 'Dutch' joke, I'll laugh if it is funny, and ignore if not funny. Dutch people will tell there Belgian jokes, and this is innocent. I think most of the Dutch are rooting for the Belgian soccer team if the Dutch team is out of competition, so this says something. If someone would call me a 'Dutch socialist', well, so be it. I would not agree (believe I am quite centrist), but nothing to get excited about. In any of these cases, if someone would feel offended or anything I'd agree with you.
I think it is a different case if people were severely and repeatedly oppressed, and especially if jokes and expressions that were used to defend this oppression continue to be used. That is why I never use 'Jew' expressions or jokes (to our shame, many Dutch Jews got killed in WW-II), and why now, knowing more about the background of Polish expressions and jokes, I also would not use them. These expressions and jokes would, with good reason, raise concerns about safety for at least some Jewish or Polish people. I believe there is a very valid reason to listen to Jewish and Polish requests in this regard.
BTW, I think the discussion on the use of words in Scrabble really silly. These words exist, so using them in scrabble is fine. And also the 'niggardly' story is just plain silly.
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