The "R-Word"

[shrink]

I would like to see RealGM create a policy where moderators make a mild comment discouraging posters from using the word "(Please Use More Appropriate Word)" when they see it posted.

The word is offensive and hurtful to many people.

http://www.r-word.org/

[Howard Mass]

shrink,

I will definitely take it under advisement. We do consider words like that personal attacks though.

Thanks for the suggestion.

[shrink]

I'm not trying to suggest that the word specifically become a warnable offense, unless it is used in a way that currently fits your TOS, like a personal attack.

However, the word is often used as an adjective when describing a player "LeBron looked (Please Use More Appropriate Word) on that play!," a GM "David Kahn is (Please Use More Appropriate Word)!" or an idea someone presents in a post, "your idea of Dwight accepting a trade to Washington right now is (Please Use More Appropriate Word)!"

<well, that was distasteful >

Anyway, I think that while this word (and words like "rape") are starting to become common among a certain faction of our posters, they offend a lot of people. When they are used in a manner that is not construed as an attack or baiting, I think a little tap on the shoulder (not necessarily a warning) would be a positive contribution, for both the forum and more.

Maybe something like,

"Poster X, I appreciate your post, but terms like "(Please Use More Appropriate Word)" can be highly offensive. Perhaps you could come up with a better choice of words to express your opinion?"

[Howard Mass]

Shrink,

Understood.

I'll definitely look into that. I do not like that word at all myself.

Thank you again for the suggestion.

[tsherkin]

I would like to voice opposition to this idea.

Naturally, if the word is used in an inappropriate manner, that's one thing; "(Please Use More Appropriate Word)" does, however, have a rather specific and valid meaning. Limiting our language because some people are profane and inappropriate does not make sense. Moderating intentionally offensive behavior, harrassment and discrimination are more specific, goal-oriented roles.

[shrink]

I would like to voice opposition to this idea.

Naturally, if the word is used in an inappropriate manner, that's one thing; "(Please Use More Appropriate Word)" does, however, have a rather specific and valid meaning. Limiting our language because some people are profane and inappropriate does not make sense. Moderating intentionally offensive behavior, harrassment and discrimination are more specific, goal-oriented roles.

I am certainly no fan of restricting free speech, and if the word was used appropriately, that would be a different matter.

But me ask you this:

In RealGM, can you think of any possible time that using the word would be appropriate, following it's "rather specific and valid meaning?"

[The Sebastian Express]

I must agree with shrink. Limiting language is not the goal here, but rather limiting hateful, insulting, and dehumanizing language.

Using the 'r' word (or rape, I cannot tell you how exhausting seeing this come up is as a woman) as an insult or to describe something adds no value. There are any other number of words that could be substituted.

[J~Rush]

I would like to voice opposition to this idea.

Naturally, if the word is used in an inappropriate manner, that's one thing; "(Please Use More Appropriate Word)" does, however, have a rather specific and valid meaning. Limiting our language because some people are profane and inappropriate does not make sense. Moderating intentionally offensive behavior, harrassment and discrimination are more specific, goal-oriented roles.

I am certainly no fan of restricting free speech, and if the word was used appropriately, that would be a different matter.

But me ask you this:

In RealGM, can you think of any possible time that using the word would be appropriate, following it's "rather specific and valid meaning?"

The offense was (Please Use More Appropriate Word) due to Felton's lack of shooting ability.

[RIPskaterdude]

Whew! I was afraid that RealGM was about to give up on the word "Righteous". I know it hasn't been popular in about 20 years, but let's not give up on the word now guys. It's just about to make it's come back to being cool again!

[DelaneyRudd]

(Please Use More Appropriate Word) and (Please Use More Appropriate Word) (noun) are different words. I don't believe in too much word policing but people should not post in a way that describes people poorly by comparing them to a group that you defame.

[Dry_Fish]

I would like to voice opposition to this idea.

Naturally, if the word is used in an inappropriate manner, that's one thing; "(Please Use More Appropriate Word)" does, however, have a rather specific and valid meaning. Limiting our language because some people are profane and inappropriate does not make sense. Moderating intentionally offensive behavior, harrassment and discrimination are more specific, goal-oriented roles.

exactly - next people who "suck" down their food will object to suck.

edit - people will say hateful things even within the TOS, you can't regulate that or should

[Howard Mass]

When I get a chance, I am going to look into all of the suggestions on this thread.

[DelaneyRudd]

It seems like we have come full circle where people who used words like Oriental or Midget get brow beat for no good reason to people actively using slurs to assert their right to be a dick. Its hard to hold conversations when either of these attitudes rule.

[MeestR]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zFKFshINuw[/youtube]
just for some perspective....

[HartfordWhalers]

I must agree with shrink. Limiting language is not the goal here, but rather limiting hateful, insulting, and dehumanizing language.

Using the 'r' word (or rape, I cannot tell you how exhausting seeing this come up is as a woman) as an insult or to describe something adds no value. There are any other number of words that could be substituted.

It certainly wouldn't hurt the trade board to not have lopsided trades described as rape. (Please Use More Appropriate Word) comes up less often, and in comments like "David Kahn is (Please Use More Appropriate Word)!" can often fall under baiting and get moderated that way. But there typically isn't that for stuff like "Atlanta gets bent over and raped hard here".

I think it is definitely a tricky slope to navigate as an official policy, but in terms of both it would be a nice shift to see in posters.

[YogiStewart]

I would like to voice opposition to this idea.

Naturally, if the word is used in an inappropriate manner, that's one thing; "(Please Use More Appropriate Word)" does, however, have a rather specific and valid meaning. Limiting our language because some people are profane and inappropriate does not make sense. Moderating intentionally offensive behavior, harrassment and discrimination are more specific, goal-oriented roles.

sorry, but you're wrong.

its like using "gypped" or "calling a spade a spade". its not right to say. just because its part of your everyday use doesn't mean that its right.

i use "(Please Use More Appropriate Word)" when I speak and I know its incorrect. hard habit to break, but it has to be broken.

We have a Raptors' board poster who has a mentally (Please Use More Appropriate Word) sibling and he's PMed me in the past about him finding the term offensive when its used to insult players/posters/etc. he's 100% correct.

we've stopped posters from using "gay" as an insult, so using "(Please Use More Appropriate Word)" or "(Please Use More Appropriate Word)" should be stopped as well.

[Marvin!]

lets throw cancer into the mix as well then. personally i does bother me a bit, since my brother died of cancer...

[YogiStewart]

lets throw cancer into the mix as well then. personally i does bother me a bit, since my brother died of cancer...

can·cer
   [kan-ser]
noun
1.
Pathology.
a.
a malignant and invasive growth or tumor, especially one originating in epithelium, tending to recur after excision and to metastasize to other sites.
b.
any disease characterized by such growths.
2.
any evil condition or thing that spreads destructively; blight.

(Please Use More Appropriate Word)

noun
3.
a slowing down, diminution, or hindrance, as in a machine.
4.
Slang: Disparaging.
a.
a mentally (Please Use More Appropriate Word) person.
b.
a person who is stupid, obtuse, or ineffective in some way: a hopeless social (Please Use More Appropriate Word).

nice try, though.

[RIPskaterdude]

RealGM should not be responsible for stopping people for using legal words (ones that are usually allowed) that could appear to be inappropriate to some posters. If you are using a word like (Please Use More Appropriate Word) to attack a poster or player, then that shouldn't be allowed. But to stop someone for simply saying something like "Dang, was that the play that was drawn up? That was (Please Use More Appropriate Word)" is completely different. I understand that it shouldn't be overused, but no one should be warned for simply using the word in general.

[YogiStewart]

RealGM should not be responsible for stopping people for using legal words (ones that are usually allowed) that could appear to be inappropriate to some posters. If you are using a word like (Please Use More Appropriate Word) to attack a poster or player, then that shouldn't be allowed. But to stop someone for simply saying something like "Dang, was that the play that was drawn up? That was (Please Use More Appropriate Word)" is completely different. I understand that it shouldn't be overused, but no one should be warned for simply using the word in general.

how about "wow. that play was gay."?

i wouldn't warn a poster, but i'd send them a PM.

calling something "gay" is something I'm guilty of doing when I speak, but I'm trying to fix it (decades of doing it). same as "(Please Use More Appropriate Word)".

mods aren't banning people for occasional name calling. its repeated offenses or very offensive posts that result in warnings/bans.

p.s. public warning for using the r-word in your post.