Some further ramblings on the subject of offensive language. If I knew, personally, a radical Muslim who called me, for example, 'a piece of white filth' I might, momentarily, be somewhat irritated but on consideration I would be glad because at least I would know for sure where we both stand in relation to each other. I would find that infinitely preferable compared to knowing such a person but never being absolutely sure what he thinks inwardly. Outright, even brutal, honesty is preferable to a Claudius-like ability to "smile and smile and be a villain". Also, I want the liberty to be offensive, too - what do you mean, you noticed?!
Needless to say, like all aspects of human behaviour in a civic society, such liberty must be constrained somewhat but in this case only by the laws of slander and the injunction against not inciting violence on the part of your supporters. I stress that last phrase because if what you say leads to you receiving a punch in the nose, or a general brawl, then so be it and all parties to the dispute can explain their conduct to the judge on the basis of common disturbance of the peace laws. However, if you incite your supporters to do violence then that moves the whole thing up into a much more serious level of illegal activity.
Also, I would like to dwell for a moment on the problem of differentiating between general dislike and particular dislike. To give an example that arises from my previous post, I don't know John Terry personally, only through the sometimes distorting lens of the MSM but what I do 'know' from that I do not like. So if I was to paraphrase his now infamous remark to a coloured opponent by telling him that, in my opinion, he was 'a footballing cunt', could that be construed as an admission on my part that I believe all footballers were despicable and detestable? Would it indicate that I was, so to speak, 'football-ist' (which some of my rugby loving friends are!) Well of course it wouldn't because I 'know' David Beckham in much the same way that I know John Terry, via the MSM, and what I know, faults and all, I like and admire.
When it comes to nations or ethnicities the problem of 'general' versus 'particular' likes or dislikes becomes more sensitive because of the political and/or the social history involved. For example, many people I know, and even more I don't know, detest America and often express it by saying that they hate Americans. Of course, they don't really hate each and every American, they are simply expressing a dislike for the political/social entity that is America. In reverse, I like America which is definitely not the same as saying that I like all Americans! Even so, there are some people who hate America and Americans and would like to see it and them obliterated and their language, being specific and 'particular', shows the difference between them and those with just a 'generalised' dislike. Again, it is better for all concerned for them to say what they think and allow us to draw the appropriate conclusions. In all of the above, of course, you may replace the words 'America' and 'Americans' with 'Blacks', 'Muslims', 'Russians', 'Jews', 'Icelanders', 'Jocks' or 'Martians' or whoever. The main point is that it is better to hear what people 'think' rather than use the laws of the land to bottle up their thoughts so that none of us are aware of the malignancy growing in secret.
"many people I know, and even more I don't know, detest America and often express it by saying that they hate Americans."
Weird isn't it? Nobody can meaningfully hate people they don't know, so it is clearly learned behaviour which says more about the UK than the USA. Not to our credit either.
Posted by: A K Haart | Sunday, 06 November 2011 at 17:44
I suspect that it is a world-wide phenomenom, AK, you just have to change the place names and the people concerned.
Posted by: David Duff | Sunday, 06 November 2011 at 19:56
Interesting point about general and particular dislikes; and, by extension, about how some general descriptors have now become unusable.
How does the average pub team football player refer to that dangerous striker on the opposing team? "Mark that lanky bastard over there!"......."Get someone on that ginger fucker!"...."Fix that fat scouse twat!". All well and good. But what happens if he happens to be black? "Watch that black bastard!". Hmmmmm..... Only ever intended to be a descriptor, an identifying characteristic. But it could get you into a lot of trouble.
Posted by: Whyaxye | Sunday, 06 November 2011 at 22:06