to think that people are using being offended to try and negate others

[Ohbehave1]

What is it about people being offended these days. Another thread on here says that someone was offended because someone else called their parents idiots. Someone is offended because of a jumper that says OCD -Obsessive Christmas Disorder and wants it banned. Christians are offended at this and Muslims at that so they should be banned.

Whatever happened to being allowed an opinion. Or being funny. It seems that the "I'm offended" brigade only exist because there are idiots out there that will listen to them and pander to their needs.

I am not saying that people should be allowed to be abusive or incite harts but there needs to be some common sense applied.

AIBU to think whatever happened to the phrase "sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me?"

[Senpai]

But I do think that equally a black person shouldn't use it - if a term is offensive it is offensive.

When black people use it, it's more like giving your friends shit. It's used among young men for the same reason girls call their girlfriends bitches playfully. You don't use loaded words like that in seriousness, and you don't use them in professional or serious settings. It's why calling my friend I know a bitch playfully is ok, but calling someone in the store I don't know one is not.

So, even as a black person, you can't just randomly go up and call fellow black people N-'s, just like I can't randomly go up to other women and call them bitches. They know it's offensive, that's the whole point of bantering. But it's not the same even if they were white, purely because of the context it's being used in.

I would never an offensive word on someone unless I knew their sense of humor. Some white people drop it with good friends. I have a black friend who thinks it's funny and it is when he says it in his goofy gangsta voice to call random objects "niggas" followed by a stream of colorful obscenities when they upset him.

I think context is far more important than the actual word. I think condoning police killings is far more offensive and damaging than two black guys walking up to each other going "Suuup my nigga!!" and hugging.

[Ohbehave1]

Fairenuff

See my reply to Ego.

I certainly do know the difference between what is offensive and what isn't. There are things I wouldn't say to my Brother or his husband (because I don't believe them, but if I did) like all gays are going to hell. It's obviously unacceptable. But there are things that I say that he would cry with laughter at that some would have me hung drawn and quartered for. He knows what I mean.

[BertrandRussell]

When people say that PC has gone mad, or you can't say anything nowadays, what they mean is that they want to say something racist, sexist or homophobic and they can't.

[feelingcrossagain]

If people are offended by someone else's opinion and articulate why ( rather than just saying xxxphobe) fine.
But demanding that the other person is silenced ( assuming they have not actually broken any hate speech laws),that is not fine.
I am tired of the, 'oh I am in favour of free speech,but you you shouldn't hurt someone else's feelings ' argument. Well, we are all allowed our opinions. A difference of opinion should be okay and I am troubled that some people, like Germaine Greer, are subject to campaigns to silence them due to their opinions.

[BertrandRussell]

"Just don't use the word "niggardly". The professionally offended will be over you like a rash."
Bollocks.

Ohbehave1- you didn't just say your brother was gay, did you?

Talk to me about Winterval. I bet that makes you cross, doesn't?

[Fairenuff]

I certainly do know the difference between what is offensive and what isn't.

Then why are you asking and nit picking over every scenario?

[Owllady]

I must admit, i laughed when my daughter told someone to fuck off in lidl as this woman kept staring at her, saying have you seen her? I've not seen one of those for ages

one of those!
And this woman did a good line in offended, i can tell you

[Owllady]

When people say that PC has gone mad, or you can't sayanythingnowadays, what they mean is that they want to say something racist, sexist or homophobic and they can't.
aint that the truth!

[Laquila]

When people say that PC has gone mad, or you can't say anything nowadays, what they mean is that they want to say something racist, sexist or homophobic and they can't.

I don't always agree with you, Bertrand, but this hits the nail very much on the head.