Quote: Originally Posted by
Heather Hicks /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Anyway, I used to think the exact opposite of how I think now. I used to be ultra PC. I still believe in respecting others, but at the same time I think you have to balance it with people not being overly sensitive. Words take a certain course through time. Personally, even though I was an English major and I love to write, the first time I ever heard jipped (sp?) being linked to Gypsies was on here. I wonder if it became ok to say as there is not a substantial Gypsie population in America (I don't know about Europe). Yes, I found out they still exist when I heard about a reality show on Gypsies. But, I'm guessing they didn't have enough strength in numbers to bring awareness to the word. Now think of the word in Huckleberry Finn (or is it Tom Sawyer?) which you can't even say when reading the book in the classroom. I actually remember being asked to read a passage out loud in school and I froze at the word. I don't recall if I decided to say N-word or just skip it entirely, but it was very uncomfortable. We have a much higher number of African Americans in this country and they fought (rightfully so) long and hard to get any rights. To get those rights they had to change public perceptions, which included effectively banning that word from being said by anyone who is not African American. The word has power in a way that 'jipped' does not. Jipped could be just as hurtful to a Gypsie, I suppose, but the country as a whole doesn't realize this.
We don't have enough Gypsies (Kyuu: I think you mean Romani people?) to call attention to the word.
For these reasons, I would never want to say the banned African American word. I am aware of it. Everyone is aware of it. No white person who isn't a racist wants to say it. But, I simply look at jipped differently. Now, if an actual Gypsie asked me not to say it, I would refrain, but I am not going to remove it from my lexicon in general. Nor would I be likely to refrain from saying it in front of someone who has no Gypsie ties. That's just the way I think about it. Not that I am likely to use the word on here again. I'd probably be more likely to say 'cheated' anyway. But if it slips out, I won't feel ashamed of myself for using something that is accepted as a good word by probably 99.9% of the American population.
If the Gypsies raise awareness of the word, however, I would be willing to change both my opinion and my behavior. They could ban the word, but they are the only ones who I believe have the right to do so.
Hi Heather! Wow, what a long post. Er there's no way I can respond to all of this, so I'll just try to as much as I can!
First, I think this is a very humanist response, and I agree with you on many levels. Frequently there's an overreaction on the part of all the parties involved, which is why being "PC" is overrated. On some level, being "PC" shames people who have a lack of education of experience about certain topics.
I think that's something anyone in such a position can ask for, compassion. You don't have to feel bad if you mess up, but I think it's frustrating when an issue is brought up and then people brush it aside immediately. There's a phrase I try to avoid using when I get very angry (because I like it XDD!) which is, "~Is my oppression inconveniencing you?~" -- which, I mostly think is funny, but self-victimisation is no a good thing
don't do it. But the idea behind the sentiment is that it's always easier not to think about someone else's problems, or how they are struggling rather than take the high road.
This isn't a call for pity since pity does no one any good -- even self-pity. Compassion isn't about pity, but rather acknowledging: There is a problem here, and there's not much I can do to help. But what I can do, I will because I want to be part of the solution and not part of the
precipitate problem... because I would want someone to do the same for me.
Anyway, the bolded parts present an interesting intellectual exercise. You say there's not enough Romani people to raise awareness for the offensiveness of the term, yet, if they happen to raise awareness, you'd be willing to reconsider? Hm, I'd just like to hear your thoughts on what you propose, to solve that issue.
As for things being offensive/not offensive, you make a good point that no one should speak for a specific group. I remember this one blogger I followed posted some art depicting Native American culture (and like -- not bad art. Nicely done, thoughtful art), and a commenter asked her to not do it since it was cultural reappropriation, and the blogger responded that she
was Native American and she thought it was fantastic, especially when it was done in a respectful way, that there were individuals willing to do it because she personally thought there weren't enough NA artists or people left to preserve the culture. No harm, no foul because the commenter didn't know she was Native American, but it got really dicey when they replied, "Some of your people get very upset about reappropration" and the blogger responded -- Some of my people? I am my people! So the lesson learned is people should stop being presumptuous about what other people might offensive if it doesn't affect them.
On the actual term Gypsy, here's a blogger I found through a quick Google search who is of Romani heritage and some of her comments:
http://gypsyappropriations.blogspot.com/
