|
It isn't the words themselves that offend us - it's the suggestion of ignorance and lazy thinking that causes offense.
I was in a bar with two good friends the other night who, for reasons best known to themselves decided to start a tirade against immigrants.
Now there are perfectly respectable reasons and arguments in favour of limiting immigration (which I may not necessarily agree or disagree with, but will accept that they might be respectable points of view) but as soon as a derrogatory racist word is thrown into the mix, it evaporates all of someone's finely crafted argument and reveals it for plain old ignorance and mean spirit (to put it nicely)
I try to give people the benefit of the doubt - it's harder to live that way, but ultimately more rewarding - However, it is upsetting when people display their mean-mindedness, mindless hatred and sloppy thinking in this manner.
Now how about the words? Well you know, it doesn't matter what the actual words are at all. Offensive words evolve and change all the time, and will continue to do so. I think even in 50 years we will see a softening of some of the terms we might think are outrageous today, only to be replaced by newer unpleasantries.
No, it's not the words, it's the sentiments behind them, and what they reveal about our real thoughts on these kinds of issues.
|