This statement is becoming synonymous with SON and I for one find it more and more annoying with each occurance. Racism, Bigotry, Hatred- they all exist in this world. Yes, they are all ugly, but all are a reality of life in the U.S. IMO. It seems as if an undercurrent is brewing in this country, something that was disappearing in the 90s but gained strength in the new milennium. And the only thing that's going to stop that undercurrent from hitting a boiling point is open discussion, where people can honestly say whatever is on their minds, however heinous the(ir) truth sometimes is. I think it's good that things in the media are coming to the forefront, bringing this to people's attention and getting us talking about it.

I just don't understand why, when things get a little touchy (but interesting), someone always seems to come around and shut down the open conversation that is so needed right now. Not just here, it seems, but anywhere- be it a message board, the work place, out with friends, etc.....

And FYI- I saw nothing wrong with the discussions being had about Isaah Washington, racism, et all. NONE crossed a line IMO.

Wanna know why that thread was closed?

How different is this from when Jerry Seinfeld defended Michael Richards on Letterman? All IW said was faggot. I have seen some gays who refer to themselves as fags as do black people who call eachother nigga. Myself, as a black man doesn't see why people want IW to be hung(non-literally). So what, he used the word. Now some would say the same about MR, but with him, it was different, he was obviously spewing hatred when he made the pitchfork up the ass comment. Being a homophobe isn't even on the same level as being a racist. Let it go. Michael Richards is a racist, IW is a homophobe, so what? What can we do execpt hope these men get help. Dont come off on Terry and Tischina because they are defending their friend. Seinfeld did it and no one was [!@#$%^&*]ing at him like this, or not that I know of.

Offensive, even if it wasn't intended to be.

An honest question? Does saying faggot really show hate? Some dont get it. With Michael Richards, the thing that showed his hate was him making the reference to slavery, not the use of the word, Anyone can say the word and they dont have to be racist, black people do it all the time. Hell, I know it is wrong, but I said it in college. Calling someone a faggot doesnt mean that they hate a group, It is just using the word.

Offensive, even if it wasn't intended to be

Im sorry that people have said that to you but like I said before, There are gays who use the word amongst themselves. Just like black people, when you use the word to yourselves, others are going to use it too. Like I said, Im sorry bigots have said things like that to you, but these people just didn't pull it out of their asses, they heard it from other gays who use it amongst themselves. The same can be said about African Americans who say nigga, in any context. You cannot get mad when people use it, when you use it yourselves. Now Shawn, I am not saying you, personally use it, but other gays have, so the circumstances should be re-evaluated before you go taking it personally.

Offensive, even if it wasn't intended to be

I agree Kenny, but once again I must reiterate that african americans use nigga as a way of saying friend. Not necessarily a way of showing distaste. Thats why I see some gays on the streets who would say to a complete flamer, like " you are so gay", as a joke.

Offensive, even if it wasn't intended to be.

The words he used should not have continued to be used. Whether or not he used the "offensive" term or the "accepted by some" term is not the point. The word shouldn't be said period. When you receieve 9 different PMs regarding those comments, action will be taken.

But people can be just as vicious when discussing fictional characters just as much as they do discussing issues pertaining to the real world such as politics and religion. I just don't see why one is more acceptable than the other.

And if those threads are brought to our attention, they will be deleted or closed just like the ones pertaining to the real world.

Well, I'm only going to post in this topic once... I for one have gotten to the point where I just begin to tune out folks that always want to bring race into the mix; or those who make little backhanded comments about race..Why? Because I know who I am...I am African American; but that doesn't define who I am..I don't let it hiinder me..I don't hind in shame for liking someone that is different than me, and I don't get upset (depending on how it's worded or tone in which it was said) when someone runs off at the mouth about anything regarding race.

I try to live my life by respecting others; regardless of their ethnicity, their sexual orientation or their beliefs...Hmm...Maybe I am in the minority for being that way, but that's who I am. The only thing that really bothers me is when I have others always feeling the need to change me by how I am.

I read a lot of these comments, and point blank, not one single one really offends me...Everyone is intitled to their opinion and their views...I don't agree with a lot of what was said, but that's just me. I like mostly everyone that posts on here, regardless. It's just a shame that some times folks want to hate on others for what they believe, or deem them 'beneath' them for even having a different view as they do.

Hands down, one of the best posts in this thread...

I know that I am a human of mix ethnicity and I am a gay man, but those two things are FAR from the only thing that defines me.

I totally see the original point of this thread too, we are not going to get anywhere if we don't talk about these things and get them out in the open. Bottling them all up is only asking for problems.....

Hopefully people that come here to post can finally start to realize that we CAN have intelligent conversations/debates without resorting to out right predjudice...

Peace!

M.

Yea Ryan, like.....What the hell? You took your Mod liberty and closed that thread so you have no reason to bring any post back, mine or anyone elses. You can be a Mod all you want but that was fucked up. I feel the way I feel and no one can take that from me. Others feel the way they do. For you to take my post and repeat the same thing in a new thread is jacked up. Get off your high horse. You also mentioned the 9 pms. Let those members PM me and we can work it out privately, not in the face of the whole [!@#$%^&*] board.

Edited January 25, 200718 yr by JayV

First off Jay, it's not like the thread was hidden. It was on the freakin second page of this section. I have the right to bring any post back, moderator or not (provided that it's available). What I did wasn't fucked up. Someone wanted to know why it was closed and I gave it to them. Anyone could have said that, but they didn't.

I am not trying to change the way you feel or take anything away from you.

I'm not on my high horse, I was making a point. A point that anyone else could have made. Had you freakin thought because you said what you said, maybe the damn thread would still be open.

I could have warned you (and I should have based on the complaints) but I didn't. Instead, I closed the thread.

Oh, screw it, I'm not holding it in any longer.

God forbid there might actually be some impassioned, heated debates, especially about important issues that should be dealt with. But I suppose it's better just to whitewash (no pun intended) over them all together.

This is a message board. I could care less about being called a name.

Last time I checked, I don't have to justify who I am sexually attracted to. Why, then may I ask, are you attracted to who you are attracted to?

That question is ridiculous. No one can help who they are attracted to. And if you even hint that I am a racist because I don't want to sleep with a man of color, you are way out of line.

And as for your Latino comment, I could care less. I happen to be into Latino/Spanish/Puerto Rican men. I don't need a reason why. I just am. Case closed.

Shawn, I got your back on this one. In no way should someones' taste be considered hateful or racist. Just because one person is attracted to another kind of person doesn't mean that 'all of a sudden' they hate anyone else.

I'm of mixed heritage, Latino/European, and I happen to find myself attracted to caucasion men more so than other men. That doesn't mean I would never date a person based on their race, just means that's what I'm attracted to.

Edited January 25, 200718 yr by mateo22

Shawn, I got your back on this one. In no way should someones' taste be considered hateful or racist. Just because one person is attracted to another kind of person doesn't mean that 'all of a sudden' they hate anyone else.

I'm of mixed heritage, Latino/European, and I happen to find myself attracted to caucasion men more so than other men. That doesn't mean I would never date a person based on their race, just means that's what I'm attracted to.

THANK YOU! You can't help how you feel, and who you are attracted to doesn't make you a hater of all other types out there!

I support you too Shawn. That question should have never been asked and it's nobody's business.

Ryan let me ask you something. When have you or any other Mod explained yourself. That was a part of the problem before. You closed and didn't explain. What I am saying is I dont know why the hell you chose to all of a sudden start "explaining", Maybe you realized that we are entitled to it, Whatever the case may be. You said the thread was public, Let those members Go and see it, For you, A Moderator to bring it back is only going to cause more uproar. You are supposed to be the problem solver.

THANK YOU! You can't help how you feel, and who you are attracted to doesn't make you a hater of all other types out there!

I'm the exact same way too. I'm bi, and the only type of men I prefer are white. Does that make me a racist? Hell no it doesn't! But then again, my sexual preferences are no one's business but my own, so no one better dare judge me for them.

I support you too Shawn. That question should have never been asked and it's nobody's business.

Thanks Bree, I really appreciate it.

Ryan let me ask you something. When have you or any other Mod explained yourself. That was a part of the problem before. You closed and didn't explain. What I am saying is I dont know why the hell you chose to all of a sudden start "explaining", Maybe you realized that we are entitled to it, Whatever the case may be. You said the thread was public, Let those members Go and see it, For you, A Moderator to bring it back is only going to cause more uproar. You are supposed to be the problem solver.

Awww.....I'm sorry that you didn't know that the words you were using (no matter in what way you were trying to say it) weren't allowed. Did someone have to tell you that those words aren't allowed here? You should know by now.

I don't have to ever explain why I do the things that I do. For the record, I usually do give an explanation as to why threads that I close are in fact closed. In this case, it wasn't necessary because everyone should have been able to see why.

I chose to explain myself in the past because I felt (and still do) that people should know why their threads are being closed.

I am explaining myself now because a member (who I consider to be my friend) asked a question. I presented him the evidence why. Just because you disliked having the things that you said be used to prove a point is so not my problem.

Hands down, one of the best posts in this thread...

I know that I am a human of mix ethnicity and I am a gay man, but those two things are FAR from the only thing that defines me.

I totally see the original point of this thread too, we are not going to get anywhere if we don't talk about these things and get them out in the open. Bottling them all up is only asking for problems.....

Hopefully people that come here to post can finally start to realize that we CAN have intelligent conversations/debates without resorting to out right predjudice...

Peace!

M.

Awwww....Great post.

Edited January 25, 200718 yr by DruRocks

This is a message board. I could care less about being called a name.

I beg to differ. That's all I'm gonna say.