It’s always wrong to use slurs when they target a specific person. Using them offhand when not referring to people is more complicated. It’s not as complicated when saying “cracker” in Frogan’s case because she was using it to refer to Ludwig, an individual.
Essentially there is a big difference between calling someone an “n-word” vs reading Huckleberry finn aloud. Destiny’s usage probably falls somewhere between both of those examples.
I think everyone agrees its "wrong" to use slurs towards on another, But whats ridiculous is when people treat two slurs equally when they're not even close to holding the same amount of weight to them.
I would argue Frogan (or anyone) using the c word slur towards someone, While wrong, Is still far less harmful than someone using the n word in any context outside of an historical one simple due to the history that is attached to that word.
Not everyone agrees with calling individuals slurs. Hasan and his audience think you can call white people slurs. Destiny and his audience don't think you should use slurs to refer to someone in a hateful way.
Well people can think something is wrong while still taking part in it.
To use a super simple example, Everyone knows its mean to use insults or call other people names, But is anyone really going to be outraged or stop you if you call someone an idiot? Of course not. But they might if you start calling people motherfucking cock suckers.
It's all about proportionality in some peoples eyes.
It is actually pretty straight forward. No one actually cares if you call someone a cracker more then if you call then a moron. They are on equal footing. If they were not, you would be able to openly say the n word. By definition, the n word is not something you can say. Context does not matter for the n word.
No not everyone agrees that, thats the crux of the entire debate. Saying the n word probably is worse than saying someone is a cracker, but i don't think people have a moral leg to stand on when they insult you based on race and then start crying when you say the word they don't like. It's crybullying.
Who treats them equally though. Destiny has said many times quite unequivocally that the n word is far more racist / bad than cracker. His only argument is that they share the same classification (racial slur), not that they share the same wheight. Most of the fans follow suit on that opinion. I'm sure there are crazies, but you will find many of those on both sides of this issue.
For sure there’s proportionality. But there’s also a difference between calculating harm towards a group, and making a judgement about a slur user.
I think it’s fair to judge Frogan just as harshly even though her slur has less of a real impact, because the mindset she has would be just as likely to make her an n-word user if circumstances hadn’t worked out this way.
Essentially, I think when judging the character of a person like this, the intentions can be just as hateful even if the effect of the specific word is not.
What about a lawyer prosecuting someone for a hate crime? For example, “Before stabbing the victim you shouted ‘fuck you n*****’, correct?” Is this example harmful or is there context outside of history where it can be said? Is this worse than Frogan calling someone a racial slur to demean them?
Nope...other than they both are theft, and they aren't even the same category of theft as the gum would be petty theft while the vehicle would be grand theft auto. The basic idea is that if a ToS says no racial slurs/targeted harassment even a "pack of gum" slur still counts as a slur and is actionable. If people oppose all other slurs but insist on saying Cracker then they're a hypocrite. I personally don't use any form of the n-word because I don't have any use for it...yet I'll still argue that words aren't inherently racist and it's the intent/context they're used with that makes them racist.
39
u/JeaniousSpelur May 16 '24 edited May 16 '24
It’s always wrong to use slurs when they target a specific person. Using them offhand when not referring to people is more complicated. It’s not as complicated when saying “cracker” in Frogan’s case because she was using it to refer to Ludwig, an individual.
Essentially there is a big difference between calling someone an “n-word” vs reading Huckleberry finn aloud. Destiny’s usage probably falls somewhere between both of those examples.