I was skimming some articles, reading some posts and comments: when I came across an interesting one. The post was about some difficulties in Afghanistan, and the comment was: "They will make good slaves for the chimps pipeline deal." That was it. It did not really relate to much directly in the argument, other than that the individual who wrote it obviously had a rather dim view of Taliban-sympathizers; the apparent thrust of the point was that those men and women were best conquered and put to use in producing oil for Western consumption. He apparently didn't have much respect for those who would be exploited (enslaved... yes, he does use the word); the comment specifically refers to them as sub-human.
This is not the kind of thing I enjoy reading on gather. Usually it's either not there or I guess I skip over it. I know it exists, and it has been directed at me. But it is the kind of "discussion" (and I use the term loosely) that does not add to our community here on the Internet.
"Just a joke." "A misunderstanding." "It's really quite minor." "Get a life."
I can hear the words justifying the comment even as I write. Sounds too much like those politicians we despise so much. And if others are willing to let it go with that, so be it. But I've known very few jokes that did not have a root (and a strong root) in real feelings and hurts and emotions. To me, that is one of the points of humour: being able to express feelings that are valid but not totally acceptable, in ways that are less sharp. I draw the line at a comment like this one. This is not a valid emotion. This is hatred. (And I can hear/see the comments now: is not hatred a valid emotion? Answer that yourself.)
Now I understand all the anger against political correctness. I've been rebuked a time or two myself for saying things that were not appropriate (particularly after my accident when words came out of my mouth before being processed by my brain). But words are strong, powerful weapons in our world today. Often we don't realize how powerful they are, and how much hurt they can inflict. We live in a world where multi-culturalism is the rule, and where a word in different contexts can go from insulting to complementary in a flash. Using a word in the wrong context says enormous amounts about a person. If I'm trying to complement someone (or insult them), I want that to be clear. And if I'm not trying to do either, I want that to be clear as well.
Some say that we're going too far in regards to political correctness. If it weren't for this kind of comment, I might even agree. But the point of being politically correct is not to cover your feelings or ideas, it is to express them in ways that are culturally sensitive, so that the words will reach more ears. Being politically correct is not an attempt to reduce the number of thoughts and ideas expressed by a speaker; it is an attempt to increase the number of thoughts and ideas received by an audience. As speaker (or writer) I think that is our responsibility.
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Comments: 42
Somehow if it's posted "online" there are those that think their "hurtful" and "disturbing" words will not matter.
Seems there is but an UGLY trend starting.
I agree with Larry M...says a lot about the "poster".
More people should take similar moments, whether online or in person.
Some people don't care what they write or who they hurt.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMuyQ7JVzeQ
However, Islam by its very definition makes subhumans of all of us if we are not Muslims? You do understand this, right?
So, the vexing conclusion is that how do we relate to a culture that cannot live tolerantly with any other culture unless they are dominant in their own lands or trying to take over lands where they are not dominant. What else can be done with this kind of person?
If you listen to the sermons of radical Islamic clerics they routinely talk about infidels being less than human. In Iran there is not crime if a non-Muslims is murdered. There are multiples of videos on You-Tube in which reform minded Muslims talk about what Islam really is.
While it is true that many Muslims live peacefully within Muslim countries alongside non-Muslims, it is also true that stricter interpretations of the Koran and being spread around by the Wahabis. Not to mention that there are many human rights abuses around this issue.
Do you think is it fine for Muslims to have "Muslim" countries, where Muslim Sharia law rules the lives of Muslims and non-Muslims alike?
I believe that I'm familiar with the article that your wrote and my understanding was that the comment was made in sarcasm, not hatred. In other words, I believe that the commenter was insinuating that enslavement was somebody else's perverted ulterior motive.
Joking about enslaving people is not funny.
The majority of the wars we still fight stem from feelings leftover from attempts to enslave people.
It's not funny and never will be.
Good Post !!
At this point to back down Islam from its confrontative trajectory can only be done by massive use of force. The problem is applying that force in the right places to the right people. Because of the socialization of Muslims, and control over their media, there is no alternative to them hating us, or calling the West the great Satan, they have convinced there people that Israel is trying to take over all of Muslim lands with the help of the US.
Just curious if anyone believes that?
The "Keyword" to most of this conversation hinges on "Radical".
Just an observation to the conversation.
So, since this is low level for me and I can put it in perspective, I don't hate Mexicans, or feel racist about them, but I am aware there is a difference there is something. Another person might not be able to put this in perspective and may have different experiences than I do.
Does it make it wrong to bring up and talk about?? I suppose it does in that there is a high-probability that any conversation about this subject ends up as unproductive, and aggravating, but do they all necessarily have to be that way? What makes the difference?
I think that respect for one another is paramount, Stephen. It's amazing to me how many people fail to do that.
I heard an honest, inspirational speech by a young woman who had been born and grew up in Afghanistan. What she and her countrymen suffered was unspeakable. To think that this comment would apply to this lady or anyone else, is disgusting.
The question, is it only American that does not show even a modest amount of respect for others, or is it the Islamic world? Looked at quite objectively, we allow Saudis to move to the West without conditions if they so want ... but I could not move to Saudi Arabia unless I converted to Islam. Even if I did I could still probably never be a full citizen. Then if I wanted to leave Islam, Sharia law demands the death penalty for me. Why mix all of this up with the native Americans to try to could the issue?
Even during WW II there were those that stood up against the atrosities that were happening. They knew the odds were not in their favor...but they stood and did what they believed in.
Don't get me wrong...I still wonder as it seems you do..How could so very many "just go with the flow"?
That is the most disturbing of all.
But I still feel that NOT every Muslim, Arab or like believes in the same fundamentals.
Watched an interesting documentary that helped illustrate just how different everyones readings of the Karan (sp?) really were.
Hope this came out right?
:)
i jsut heard something on the news that I took offence to.
A reporter on KABC here said to Bush "So, the Taliban did not exist in Iraq until you invaded." Bush replied "yes". Then, when asked what he thought of that he merely said "So?"!!!
So, all those lives lost, so, all the money spent! I say bring the bastard up on War Crimes!
But, when you get into hate speech, that's a different story.
Saying anything about someone being a slave, is just in poor taste, and should be kept to yourself.
Just like, you shouldn't shout fire in a crowded theater, you should never, ever, be downright hateful or rude, if you can help it.
No one deserves to be enslaved, or put down, or treated rather unfairly.
We should always watch what we say. Words sometimes wound more than anything, and leave long lasting scars.
I would know a thing or two about that.