[Artemisia] political correctness - response - read only if you care

[rayzentz at aim.com]

Ahh, gracious and noble Yumitori, it is the basic definition of "political correctness" that leads to the entire problem.   With all respect, I must disagree with your assertion.



Political correctness has nothing to to with being polite or courteous to one another.

Political correctness has everything to do with not offending anyone.

Those are two very different things.



I operate (and have always done so, and always will do so) under the premise that you cannot offend me.   I can only TAKE offense if I CHOOSEto do so.   I also operate on the corrollary of that premise... namely, that I cannot offend you, you can only CHOOSE to take offense.

Thus, trying to not offend someone is a useless exercise, because you cannot offend them in the first place.   They can choose to be offended by you, if they so desire, and your use of language ultimately has very little to do with it.   If someone wants to find offense with me, they can.   I frankly do not care.

Now, the initial issue that prompted this little debate dealt with words now considered "bad"..., specifically, "Boffer", or "Boffer Sword", or "Boffer Marshal".   I was informed (as were others in attendance, at a class taught by The Kingdom Youth Combat Marshal, Don Azir) that the reason for this change was that there were individuals in other countries that might be offended by the word boffer.   My response was, and still is, " Fine, then they are free to call them something else, and when I visit their country, I will be courteous, and do the same.   Here, however, I will still call them "boffers."   After all, according to Webster's Third New International Dictionary-unabridged (page 246), we find that definitions 3 and 4, under "boff", mean to hit, or punch, respectively.   Definitions 1 and 2 refer to belly laughs.   A boffer, then, would be what one hits or punches with.   Why should I change my use of language because someone who lives *I don't have any idea how far away* might take offense at my language or behavior here.

It is possible I misunderstood What Don Azir said.

However, if you choose to take offense at the term boffer, you are of course free to do so.   I simply don't care.   And I will not be offended if you call them "weapons", or "youth combat swords", or "softly padded-foam-and-duct-taped-rods-of-fiberglass-or pvc-pipe-for-the-purpose-of-not-harming-the-children-who-play-with-them-items"  

In an earlier post the gracious lady Belladonna mentioned that she did not miss certain words, and that she felt there was nothing wrong with frowning upon "racist, sexist, heterosexist, or ageist language".   While I am not exactly sure what she means, or how it relates to "boffer", I don't necessarily disagree with her, when such language is deliberately insulting, inflammatory, or otherwise personally attacking an individual or group.   However, I do not base my use of language on what someone else may think...

Example:   I occasionally use the word "gay."   However, I use it in it's correct and traditional useage, , not as a slang term currently in vogue refering to a group of individuals who choose to indulge in certain bahaviors, or lifestyle choices. When referring to that group, I use the word "homosexual."   It is accurate, concise, and there is no confusion over what I mean.   

Example 2:   I use the word "black" when referring to one of the negro race (I can remember when Negro was used instead).   For instance, my uncle is "black".   I do not use the term African-American, because it is not necessarily accurate.   An individual may be of negro descent, but not from Africa.   And when I refer to the "black" guy in the center of the choir", every one who has seen the choir in question knows exactly to whom I am referring.

Belladonna further said "while I am not particularly judgmental in most matters, in this one, I may rapidly conclude that speaking with you is not worth my time."   She may be right.   She is free, as is anyone, to TAKE offense at anything I say, at any time, and never speak to me again.

I am free simply not to care.

Oh, and if someone, anyone, begins to tell me that I cannot use a perfectly good word, because some nameless entity MIGHT be offended, I find my tongue slipping out between my lips and this strange noise, due to the vibration caused by the rapid exhalation of air through and between my lips and tongue, occuring.   A non-politically correct person might call it a "raspberry"

Oh, and if my continuing usage of the word boffer means I can't be a "Youth Combat Marshal", well gosh, golly, gee... so be it.

Padruig McTavish
The politically INCORRECT Bard of Arrows' Flight




-----Original Message-----
From: yumitori <yumitori at gmail.com>
To: Kingdom of Artemisia mailing list <artemisia at lists.gallowglass.org>
Sent: Wed, 20 Jun 2007 7:26 am
Subject: Re: [Artemisia] political correctness




'Political correctness', at its core, is about being polite and
ourteous to one another.
I am at a loss as to why anyone would object to behaving and speaking
n a respectful manner to others, save if the individual had already
earned' disrespectful treatment.
I am especially confused by statements made by individuals belonging
o an organization that prides itself upon the honor and courtesy of
ts members that such behavior is wrong or even 'evil'.
Please, someone enlighten me.
-- 
umitori
Not all who wander are lost,
ttp://www.geocaching.com/
Loyal worshiper of Ashtara (Cha Cha Cha!)
ttp://www.girlgeniusonline.com/index.php
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