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Can Of Worms: Is it offensive to call someone a Bogan / Redneck?
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Post by
Squishalot
Hi guys!
This poll series is inspired by a new TV series being aired in Australia called "Can Of Worms". In fact, it's not just inspired by, it's blatantly ripping it off, to some extent.
The premise of the show is that it's a comedy panel that discusses ethical issues (i.e. opening up a can of worms, figuratively). Each week, it brings up two 'big worms' for discussion. There's only one rule - no fence sitting!
This is question 2 in the series - is it offensive to call someone a
Bogan
? (Redneck, for you folks in the US, I suppose)
Post by
Tartonga
Why is it any different from any other insult?
Post by
Monday
TBH, I'm going to say no.
Post by
Squishalot
Why is it any different from any other insult?
If it's an insult, by definition, it's offensive.
If it's an objective description, it may not be offensive.
If a stereotyping term is used in a positive way, is it still offensive? (I believe the example used on the show was that black men have bigger <....>'s)(##RESPBREAK##)8##DELIM##Squishalot##DELIM##
Post by
Laihendi
Laihendi isn't offended when she calls people rednecks. So, to answer your question, no.
Post by
gnomerdon
There's only one race in the world that takes things personal. It's the N word. Even though redneck is equivalent to the N word, rednecks are smart enough to not take it personal as black people does to n*gger.
Redneck, chink, gook, beaner is not offensive... but some reason that N word is... -__- and we can be thrown in jail for saying it....
Post by
Laihendi
Controversial post ^
Post by
Jubilee
There are three things to look at when looking at things like offensive words: the disposition of the speaker (the person using the term), the disposition of the subject (the person about whom the term is being used), and the disposition of the audience (those who witness the term being used - see it, read it, etc.). If any of those dispositions are such to bring about some sort of negativity, then I would call that particular usage of the term offensive to one degree or another.
So if the question is "can it be offensive", then my answer is yes. Otherwise I can't really answer an generalized question and would have to judge a particular context.
Post by
138638
This post was from a user who has deleted their account.
Post by
Tartonga
My guildies call me "mexican or illegal immigrant". xD
Why is it any different from any other insult?
If it's an insult, by definition, it's offensive.
If it's an objective description, it may not be offensive.
If a stereotyping term is used in a positive way, is it still offensive? (I believe the example used on the show was that black men have bigger <....>'s)
How do you call someone with down syndrome?
Post by
238331
This post was from a user who has deleted their account.
Post by
Squishalot
How do you call someone with down syndrome?
There's apparently a thing against calling people 'autistic', in the psych world. People aren't autistic, they have symptoms of autism.
Redneck is a type of style moreso than anything else.
Bogan, in Australia, is the same thing. You can have white bogans, you can have Middle Eastern bogans, you can have Asian bogans. Having said that, is a racial slur much different from a cultural slur?(##RESPBREAK##)8##DELIM##Squishalot##DELIM##
Post by
238331
This post was from a user who has deleted their account.
Post by
124027
This post was from a user who has deleted their account.
Post by
Squishalot
Yes, it is completely different. Again, the main point being you can CHOOSE to be a redneck. You cannot choose to be white / black / asian / mixed / whatever.
I get that. But why do you think a person's ability to choose mean anything in relation to a slur?(##RESPBREAK##)8##DELIM##Squishalot##DELIM##
Post by
Skreeran
Just like with any stereotype, some people will be offended by it and some people won't. It all depends on how you define "offensive."
If you mean "Capable of offending people," then yes I would call it offensive. If you mean "Capable of offending
most
people," I would say that, given that I have little statistical data on how many people who have been called "redneck" have been offended by it, I cannot give an extremely accurate answer. Based on personal experience, however, I would say no, most people I know that exhibit "redneck" characteristics are not especially offended by it (of course, most of those people are my kinfolk, so I don't have data on how they may have responded to being called a redneck by a stranger).
Post by
Tartonga
There's apparently a thing against calling people 'autistic', in the psych world. People aren't autistic, they have symptoms of autism.
Or either there is something I don't understand or you got the wrong syndrome, maybe xD?
Post by
238331
This post was from a user who has deleted their account.
Post by
Squishalot
There's apparently a thing against calling people 'autistic', in the psych world. People aren't autistic, they have symptoms of autism.
Or either there is something I don't understand or you got the wrong syndrome, maybe xD?
It was a side comment, relating to what you said (to highlight sensitivities even in the psychology world), but not directly in response to what you said. Personally, I'd call someone with down syndrome a person who suffers from down syndrome.
Well, depends on how it's being used too. The word, in itself, is not a slur at all. If used directly with the intention of being an insult, then it's not much different than any other insulting word.
Racial slurs are only meant with the intent of insult. That's the entire reason they exist.
That only applies when you're using a word such as n.gger, for example, which is derived specifically as an insult. So if you're defining "racial slur" as "racial insult", then obviously, a racial slur will always be an insult. Calling someone a Pom, Yank, Curry or Kiwi isn't quite in the same boat, however. Or even calling someone white, black, yellow, for example.(##RESPBREAK##)8##DELIM##Squishalot##DELIM##
Post by
pezz
Redneck is a type of style moreso than anything else.
Bogan, in Australia, is the same thing. You can have white bogans, you can have Middle Eastern bogans, you can have Asian bogans. Having said that, is a racial slur much different from a cultural slur?
Yes, it is completely different. Again, the main point being you can CHOOSE to be a redneck. You cannot choose to be white / black / asian / mixed / whatever.
People will be offended over anything and everything, though.
That's very American. In England (possibly Oz as well, I just know England better) you don't get to choose that sort of thing. You don't get to pick your class. So if a slur is class-based, it sticks.
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