Paralympics ad on TV

[wahwahwah]

...err 'I am a freak of nature'.

Um, the word 'freak' - I thought I midheard until it was on again last night. Am I being a bit 'PC' on this or is it really offensive?

.. DS is fascinated my amputees running on their blades. 'Mummy, can I do that when I am bigger?'

DH said the same thing.
I think it may be related to the fact they are superhuman very good at what they do, despite everything, but most people will probably just see the 'disability'

HAven't seen the ad, but isn't it supposed to imply "freak of nature" as in ridiculously fast/strong IYSWIM. As in Usain Bolt could be described as a freak of nature due to his incredible, unbelievable speed.

I would have thought 'a force of nature' would be better.

I can now imagine little oiks yelling 'freak!' at anyone with a disability. Of course, my friend would insert one of her walking sticks in an oraface if they did.

I tend to assume all world class athletes are 'freaks of nature'

I hate the word freak.

How can you call someone it in a 'positive way'. 'You're a freak - I mean that in the most positive way'.

Maybe they thought because it is said by one of the athletes it's ok. It still rubs me up the wrong way. It's like when some friends of mine from Jamaica call each other the hideous-n-word then roar with laughter. I dive for cover as it is so horrible to hear from anyones mouth.

And god help anyone 'not of colouring' who calls me Ginger (or non-scot calling me 'Jock' for that matter).

From Wikipedia: "In contemporary usage, the word "freak" is commonly used to refer to a person with something unusual about their appearance or behaviour."

So if I yelled out 'Freak!' after Zandra Rhodes she wouldn't punch my lights out?

I knew it!

It's a pity because I don't want DS to pick up that this is acceptable (so I try to divert him if the ad is on and the 'f' word comes up) - and he is fascinated by the leg amputees and their blades.

The young people I work with often call me a freak. I choose to take it as a compliment meaning that I am interesting and unique .

In all seriousness I think the advert is trying to make a point and turn around the word freak into a positive thing.

It diverts from the real message. Ah these artsy marketing bods....

Urgh, I hate the word freak.

I've been called a freak a lot, and tbh, even if I loathe someone, I will call them every name under the sun before I call them a freak.

they always do adverts like this. They try to shock the public. The ad campaign advisers often release adverts like this out, but I think they backfire.

It had the desired effect - we are discussing it and, frankly, what the athletes so depicted want to call themselves is none of our business.

Stop seeking to be offended and feeling the need to tell the whole fricking world about it, please.

We did a double take when we saw/heard it (me and OH).

Its designed to make the viewer sit up and take notice. The words are used by disabled athletes themselves.

If Usain (sp) Bolt said 'I am a freak of nature' would anyone be offended? He is in a way because he is so bloody fast.

This advert is sort of subverting all that stuff about Freaks being deformed/disabled/other in a bad way.

In this ad Freak is something else - freakishly fast/skillful/strong etc.

yanbu
I wouldn't want anyone calling dd a freak...

BarmyArmy shut up

your DD is right. The athletes are told to say it by the trendy advertising execs. This is similar to the racism and sexism and anti-homophobic ads, where progressive trendies use shock words to influence the public. They think they are being clever, but in fact they are just perpetuating the stereotypes.

Intent is everything. The phrase, "Thank you," can become the most venemous utterance in all the world if said the right way. There are certain words I will choose not to use because I don't think they sound right coming from my mouth, e.g. dyke. But I am not bothered when my lesbian cousin and her fiance and friends use it. Nor when other straight friends use it - it's not meant to be insulting. And it's not just 'insulting' words that I treat this way - I cannot use the word 'willy' without squirming a little [even writing it irks me]. But it sounds fine coming from other people's mouths.

Insults only work anyway if the person who's receiving them allows themselves to be insulted. If you just shrugged it off and went, "Mmm, okay," people would give up on bothering to try to insult you pretty quickly.

Dunno, I just come from one of those families who cheerfully call each other every name under the sun and it's really just a veiled form of affection. You know I love you if I call you a complete bastard, sort of thing. It's the people I don't care about I'm polite to.

but Glitterandglue, the insults are not having an impact on you, because you are not vulnerable. If you were vulnerable and different, then they would hurt you.