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A comment on GitHub threatens to shut down a repository for using the word 'retard'. Parent comment

Re:GitHub threatens to shut down a repository for using the ... by KirinDave on Wednesday July 29, 2015 @12:37AM (#9966196)
> The words that were offensive 200 years ago are laughable today.

Even if we take this at face value, we are not living 200 years ago. We're here now, and your words can have impact beyond what you realize.

You're lucky that words don't affect you so. That's your good fortune. Some words evoke experiences and implications that can drive people to depression and suicide.

Basic. Civility. Is. Not. Unreasonable.

> my point is that we SHOULDN'T be concerned.

Then you won't be concerned when I tell you your basic set of inalienable rights you take for granted has, by and large, been won on the backs of slaves and economic disparity for thousands of years. You are at the tip of a pyramid of privilege that expands backwards in time. Have some good grace about it and stop using useless and hurtful words just because you technically can.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:GitHub threatens to shut down a repository for using the ... by aerovistae on Wednesday July 29, 2015 @12:51AM (#9966260)
Should we ban all these 'useless' words too? Like eggplant, spade, and oreo? After all, many people find them offensive.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ethnic_slurs_by_ethnic...

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:GitHub threatens to shut down a repository for using the ... by KirinDave on Wednesday July 29, 2015 @12:55AM (#9966278)
Would it actually bother you if you couldn't use those words in those contexts? You're arguing over a principle while dismissing the real harm people have suffered. The word that got banned has no meaning or use outside the most base kind of interactions.

It's not like you can no longer say the word "eggplant" at the supermarket to refer to a vegetable.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:GitHub threatens to shut down a repository for using the ... by aerovistae on Wednesday July 29, 2015 @01:00AM (#9966299)
'Retard' has no meaning or use?

https://www.google.com/search?tbo=p&tbm=bks&q=retard&num=10

Also, please be careful how you use the word 'vegetable.' My aunt is in a coma, and many people find that offensive.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:GitHub threatens to shut down a repository for using the ... by KirinDave on Wednesday July 29, 2015 @01:39AM (#9966488)
> 'Retard' has no meaning or use?

Homonyms are not the same word, you ridiculous caricature.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:GitHub threatens to shut down a repository for using the ... by aerovistae on Wednesday July 29, 2015 @01:45AM (#9966502)
Praytell, what here do you think is being used as a homonym?

Where exactly do you think the word 'retard' as a noun comes from?

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:GitHub threatens to shut down a repository for using the ... by KirinDave on Wednesday July 29, 2015 @02:34AM (#9966707)
A foreshortening of "developmentalluly retarded" that became its own derogatory noun.

Again for someone who beat the drum about the fluidity of language you seem to have a tough time seeing it in action or accepting that new words can emerge via the context.

[ Parent | on HN ]