xepherys

I debated whether to post this here or in Tilted Politics. Here won the toss up.

I wonder why people allow words, whose very meanings shift and evolve over time, to weigh so heavily over them. I first really started thinking about it while reading another TFP post about "pet names" and people using such names as 'hun', 'cutie', 'sweetie' with people they didn't know. But this extends to all language. As language is a tool to convey thoughts, one must realize that someone's thoughts may not be parallel to their own, and that the same word can have many meanings. Nowhere is this seen more than the US in today's "politically correct" circles.

Take the word "nigger". Now I understand that in it's initial creation, it had a negative intent. It was meant to belittle. But that was in a time long ago, generations past. Sure, some people still try to use the word as an insult against blacks, colored folk, african americans... whatever the hell dark skinned people in the US with African heritage are called these days. Maybe the PC crowd will adapt that... "Dark skinned US citizens with African heritage". *sigh* But if black people didn't CARE anymore, the word would have no meaning... no weight.

I don't care if somneone calls me an asshole, or a honkey, or a fucktard. I don't care WHAT people call me, even if it's surely meant as an insult. Why is that? Because I just don't care. Why does anyone? If I dislike you enough to insult you, why does that hurt you? Especially if you don't even know me?!

I have a hard time understanding words with sexual conotations as well. Who cares if a 10 y/o boy calls them boobs, or tits. I mean... really. They are what they are. Are you more upset that he's noticed they exist or that he used one word versus another. Breasts? Ta-tas? Dirty pillows? Who cares? I don't care if you call my penis a dick... a prick... a schlong... Why do you care what I call your milk pups?

Which dives further into children. Kids are sponges... they'll say what they hear. Well, sort of. Frankly, I'm a firm believer in "do what I say, not what I do". Kids are kids and adults are adults. Of course! Wow, some people forget that. If your kid says something nasty, you tell them it's not the right thing to do. Ground them... spank their toosh. Every parent reacts differently. But don't tell me you've never said something nasty about someone else. It happens. It's human nature. So what is a sixth grader yells at another sixth grader. Kids are kids. Why can't adults let kids be kids anymore? No wonder they go around shooting places up.

Okay, that got off topic, let's move back.

Cuss words, swear words, sailor talk. Watever you want to call it. Fuck shit damn cunt whorebag hell ass... Who are we protecting from these words? The FCC would have you presume we are protecting innocent children whose virgin ears could not possibly tolerate such vulgarities. But seriously? Show me a child over 3 that has never had a cussword, and I'll show you a liar. (that would be you) Even moreso with their attempts to censor cable/sat which we PAY for. Why do these conservative asshats think they have a right to tell me what's okay for me to listen to. Or for MY child to listen to. If i want my son to be planted in front of XXX XXX XXX rated TV for his whole pre-teen life, so be it. Sure, I would never do that... but it's not someone else's place to tell me not to.

And why do cuss words offend anyhow? If someone calls me Sir, Mister or Hey! Asshole! it's all the same to me. I'll either respond to them or not. Frankly, I'm no more or less inclined to respond to complete strangers regardless of the three samples used. I guess this goes full circle. Why do words hurt? it makes no sense to me. There's no logic behind it. A word can only hurt you as much as you let it.