Sticks and Stones…
Is it worse for a heterosexual person to call a gay guy a “faggot,” or for a white person to call a black man a “nigger?” This was inspired by a lengthy conversation I had this morning on the issue. I think they are both horrible words, but I stated that I thought that the word “nigger” was worse because of the long history of the word, the 400-year struggle of the black race in America and yadda yadda, but my point of view could possibly be skewed by the fact that I am prejudiced a black, heterosexual male.
The person that I debated this issue with had some good points, including that “niggers” can get married, but for the most part, gays can’t, therefore being called a “faggot” is worse. As if!!! Please discuss…
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I’m with you. Your point of view is not skewed. And add to your list that I don’t have a choice but to accept the long history of the word, the 400 year struggle, AND my skin color — all of which are a part of reason that word exists. I can’t change it. So, until a “faggot” can bear the exact same burden through no fault of his own, the word “nigger” is worse.
I have to disagree with you on this one cuz. Homosexuality is not something that a person chooses anymore than heterosexuality is (in spite of the fact that some people choose to engage in homosexual activities…keep in mind that there are those that “act black” but that doesn’t mean that they are). Homosexuals also have a long history of struggle and discrimination, though not on the same level of magnitude as the black struggle. That fact doesn’t make “faggot” any more or any less damaging and insulting if used in a derogatory manner. An insult is an insult.
I think epithets are equal, as the intent is to offend. Also, who am I to tell someone how much he should be offended by a word? That’s not my call.
@ Cuz Mel: Are you saying that all homosexuals were born that way?
Hi LH…yes that is correct.
Wow.
Okay.
@ Cuz Mel. From a religious standpoint, I struggle with that. I mean, I can certainly see how some would believe that. But it’s hard for me to believe that God created someone with an affliction that is clearly a sin. From what I’ve heard from other people, they believe they were born that way and can’t change it. So, they believe that God created someone who is sinful and who cannot be changed or forgiven? God created someone with no choice but to go to hell? That is against what God is. That’s like God saying “Being Black is a sin”, then he makes half the world Black with no choice but to be Black; therefore no choice but to be condemned to hell. That is not a work of God. I can’t reconcile.
One more thing. IMO being called a “nigger” is not just an old regular insult that’s used when you’re trying to piss somebody off or hurt their feelings. I live in Mississippi where I’ve heard the word used by white people quite often. They refer to Black people as “niggers.” I mean, instead of saying I’m going to a Black church, they say “I’m going to the nigger church.” Believe it or not, they aren’t trying to be offensive, it’s what they CALL.BLACK.PEOPLE. Just like “colored.” It’s what they’ve been brought up to think. Black people are colored people are African American people are niggers. In rap music, it’s not intended to be an insult, it’s intended to be a slang word to refer to another Black person. The word was created to be a label. We find it to be an insult, they find it to be a label.
We haven’t labeled homosexuals as “faggots” except when trying to take a cheap shot. Those two words aren’t even in the same category.
@ pserendipity: I understand your perspective, however it doesn’t make sense to me (no disrespect intended). For example, everyday people are born with congenital birth defects (and I am sure that we agree that God created these people). These people are an abberation from the norm, but this doesn’t make their condition a sin. I am not suggesting that homosexuality is any kind of genetic anomaly, just that it is a deviation from the norm (the norm being heterosexuality). I am bothered by the way that people use religion and God as a means of making what they find unacceptable or disturbing a sin. It is fascinating that gays and “butch” lesbians are chastised for being homosexual, yet attractive women having sex with one another is supposedly the fantasy of so many men. It doesn’t reconcile.
I think that’s what I mean. Being born with a congenital birth defect is not being born with a SINFUL condition. People born with Down Syndrome or even AIDS don’t need to be forgiven for their conditions, or any behavior that is intrinsic in them. They can still live lives free of sin on their own volition. In God’s eyes, those people are still his perfect creations. Being born a homosexual would mean that God has given you a condition that makes you participate in activity that is sinful. If God intended for people to be gay, he intended for those gay people to go to hell because homosexual activity (in my opinion) is a sin.
I guess it’s clear that I think that all homosexual activity is sinful. I always have, think I always will — because God created Adam and Eve with the intent that they go forth and fill the earth. Though sinful, they were still created in his own image, just as we all are. We participate in sinful behavior by choice. I think that gay people who use the excuse that they were born that way use it as a way to say “I can’t help it, God made me like this.” God would NOT make a person and not give them any choice. He makes people who CHOOSE to participate in sin and can be forgiven for it. So if people are born gay and that’s how God wanted them, do they get a pass on judgment day?
I guess we agree to disagree….