misfiled as "Keet, Electric"Sep 24, 2017

Words are bullshit, but we keep using them because they're still too convenient to ditch. Some words take on – or are born into – meanings of sensitive topics, and sometimes those words will themselves become sensitive topics.

"Gay man", "gay Paris", "gay man", "that's gay", and "gay man" are all distinctly different in meaning depending on their context in time, culture, and place.

Words aren't ideas. Words are the _shadows_ of ideas.

Show threadmisfiled as "Keet, Electric"Sep 24, 2017

If I call myself a "tranny", I can expect a wide range of reactions:

• startled – "Oh, I thought that was a bad word!"
• neutral – "Not my business what folks call themselves."
• angry – "I heard that word is offensive and I'm calling you out!"
• friendly – "Sisters gotta stick together!"
• confused – "You're, uh... into automotive parts?"

...and so on. But which of these responses is "right"?

Show threadacetone kitten
@ElectricKeet i mean, there's also the possibility of treating a slur like a stone - you see someone might throw it at you, you pick it up and throw it in their face _first_, defiantly claim ownership over that word. a dangerous tactic but it can be effective. i think this is how we recaptured "queer"
Sep 24, 2017 at 10:54pmSubwayTooter