The Official Complaint Thread!

[maplesyrup]

Okay, so calling an albino person  "powder" is a better example? Fine. I'm not seeing how calling an albino that or a red-head "ginger" is any less classless or distasteful than calling an African American or Canadian a "N" word. - People of the world - STOP DOING IT!!!   

 

[Kin]

Okay, so calling an albino person  "powder" is a better example? Fine. I'm not seeing how calling an albino that is any less classless or distasteful than calling an African American or Canadian a "N" word. - People of the world - STOP DOING IT!!! 

Better example of what? I've never even heard of calling an Albino person "powder". Either way, unless I've missed stuff, it's not like there's a long and sad history of the subjugation of Albinos.

Of course, saying that, I don't even know if Albino is the term in use these days.

 

[bustaheims]

Okay, so calling an albino person  "powder" is a better example? Fine. I'm not seeing how calling an albino that is any less classless or distasteful than calling an African American or Canadian a "N" word. - People of the world - STOP DOING IT!!! 

I'd call comparing redheads to those suffering achromatism a bit of a reach as well.

 

[TML fan]

Okay, so calling an albino person  "powder" is a better example? Fine. I'm not seeing how calling an albino that or a red-head "ginger" is any less classless or distasteful than calling an African American or Canadian a "N" word. - People of the world - STOP DOING IT!!! 

It's probably easier of the people getting offended by it just stopped getting offended by it. The words will only disappear if there is no longer any significance behind them.

 

[Corn Flake]

Also: from now on I do not wish to be referred to as a Carnie anymore.  It offends me.

 

[bustaheims]

Better example of what? I've never even heard of calling an Albino person "powder".

Not outside of the movie, at least. I've certainly never heard of it being used in a purely derogatory sense. Then again, I can't say I've spent a lot of time around people with achromatism.

 

[maplesyrup]

Better example of what?

Putting hurtful handles on people's genetic abnormalities.

 

[bustaheims]

Putting hurtful handles on people's genetic abnormalities.

Achromatism isn't a genetic abnormality. It's a congenital defect. There's a pretty significant difference there.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Sorry to disregard your feelings, but I think you're blowing it out of proportion and I actually find your comparison to racists overblown, unfair, and ignorant.  I'm sorry you were teased as a child, but that doesn't mean everyone who uses the term is using it in a derogatory manner.

Most people I know that use the term ginger use it as a replacement for redhead. It's not meant in anyway to suggest redheads are inferior or in any way different as people other than red hair, pale skin, and freckles, which I happen to find attractive on women.

Well, sorry but I find your view ignorant. "Ginger" is a derogatory word when speaking about and to red-heads.  - Period. As far as the other people you know are concerned, well, I think they should be advised to just say "red-head" and be careful with replacement words.

It's not a slur in Scotland or Ireland. Must be a Canadian thing or an all in your head thing.

 

[maplesyrup]

Can we just use the term "red-head" please?

 

[Kin]

Putting hurtful handles on people's genetic abnormalities.

Well, it's certainly a better example than "Yellow" or the N-bomb because those aren't genetic abnormalities.

But, sure, using "powder" as a derogatory term is, I guess, along the lines of Ginger.

 

[Corn Flake]

Can we just use the term "red-head" please?

Fine but I'm still going to refer to chicks as broads.  As long as we are cool there, I'm all good.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Oh and as a Ginger of sorts with an Oriental wife, this whole thing is very upsetting to me. 

 

[Corn Flake]

What about "Fugly"?  Where do we stand there?

 

[Kin]

It's not a slur in Scotland or Ireland. Must be a Canadian thing or an all in your head thing.

Yeah, I was going to say, I don't think it is universally acknowledged as a derogatory term. I think I first came across it while reading "Trainspotting" and it was used fairly nonchalantly.

 

[Bullfrog]

Sorry to disregard your feelings, but I think you're blowing it out of proportion and I actually find your comparison to racists overblown, unfair, and ignorant.  I'm sorry you were teased as a child, but that doesn't mean everyone who uses the term is using it in a derogatory manner.

Most people I know that use the term ginger use it as a replacement for redhead. It's not meant in anyway to suggest redheads are inferior or in any way different as people other than red hair, pale skin, and freckles, which I happen to find attractive on women.

Well, sorry but I find your view ignorant. "Ginger" is a derogatory word when speaking about and to red-heads.  - Period. As far as the other people you know are concerned, well, I think they should be advised to just say "red-head" and be careful with replacement words.

Ignorant of your perceptions, perhaps. But my friend, who happens to be redheaded, pale-skinned, and freckled, with whom I just returned from an hour long walk while discussing this issue, completely disagrees with you.

It's possible that your views don't represent those of all people with reddish coloured hair.

Considering the discussion here and on many websites on the internet, it's clear that ginger being a derogatory term is greatly debated. So while you obviously have a strong opinion on the matter, it's not so clear cut. Ginger is probably moving towards becoming offensive, but right now it's up in the air. I think it really depends on how you use it.

My friend Jenn is a ginger.  <----- not particularly offensive. Just stating she's a red head really.
Gingers have fiery tempers.  <----- discriminatory.

 

[maplesyrup]

It's not a slur in Scotland or Ireland. Must be a Canadian thing or an all in your head thing.

Yeah, I was going to say, I don't think it is universally acknowledged as a derogatory term. I think I first came across it while reading "Trainspotting" and it was used fairly nonchalantly.

Sure... Just like the "C" word is I suppose.

 

[maplesyrup]

My friend Jenn is a ginger.  <----- not particularly offensive. Just stating she's a red head really.

Again, I don't agree with that.

 

[Kin]

My friend Jenn is a ginger.  <----- not particularly offensive. Just stating she's a red head really.
Gingers have fiery tempers.  <----- discriminatory.

Not that it matters and while that's somewhat technically correct I think it's probably better to use the second as an example of a stereotyping or prejudice. I think discriminatory or discrimination is a word probably better left to actions reflecting prejudice.

 

[Kin]

Sure... Just like the "C" word is I suppose.

Not really. While they use that word more casually than we do over here I don't think anyone doesn't think of it as a swear word. Similar to the way, for instance that while we all acknowledge that the F word is one not to be used in polite society, we're fine with dropping it into casual conversation with pals.