48 replies to this topic

[Darius]

So I suddenly got this message while i was chilling with my guildies. Now, I know why I got banned. I use the N word a lot in a friendly way. Such as "Yo *insert name* , you my N" and so on.
Now I am not complaining , I just want to hear you guys on this situation.
As a black man I think that the damn thing is taken out of proportion.
When did black people started labeling the N word as Racist? I find it normal to say just like the word "buddy" or "pal" etc. o.O
I also don't find it odd that someone of different color says it to me. Dunno.

Now, I will stop using it from now on since apparently it gets so much up inside anet's...

So what do you guys think?

Should someone be banned for using the N word in a friendly way with his guildies?

PS: if you don't have anything constructive to say then just keep it to yourself instead of replying to start a flame war aight? <3

Edited by Darius, 25 December 2012 - 08:25 PM.

[Lycrus]

yes, for some people it is offending. a ban..i find it a harsh way..but this way people atleast learn..

[Darius]

Lycrus, on 25 December 2012 - 07:06 PM, said:

yes, for some people it is offending. a ban..i find it a harsh way..but this way people atleast learn..

No one actually indicated it to me as being offensive. No one ever told me that they felt offended by me talking like that. Furthermore, they also got into it  o.O and said the word too lol.

dunno

[HederaHelix]

It's a derrogatory term in its meaning, no matter its context.  So I suppose that is why it is so harshly looked down upon.  Its not just in games either. =/  Sorry you got banned for something you thought was innocent banter, but I certainly wouldn't like to read that in my guild chat.

[SpelignErrir]

Report-happy wannabe do-gooders.

They lurk in every corner, reporting every statement that is more offensive than absolutely bland. If its a mild statement, they'll get you.

[Gilles VI]

Don't if know if you're aware but the n-word was is considered very racist in alot of countries..
And there is no way Anet can tell the difference between friendly chat or serious insulting.

But I feel you though, should they ever start to ban people because of using the word noob, I'll be one of the first to get the ban, even though I only use it in a friendly way with friends..

[Dosearius]

Darius, on 25 December 2012 - 07:04 PM, said:

When did black people started labeling the N word as Racist?

Really?  Your great-great grand parents could probably teach you a thing or two about the amount of hate and venom that is associated with that word.  I 'get' that you may not have meant it in any offensive way, but to not understand the stigma attached to that word, as a black man, in staggering to me.

Would it be ok for me, as a white man, to say it to you or one of your friends, even if used in a 'friendly' way?

[Darius]

Dosearius, on 25 December 2012 - 07:17 PM, said:

ld it be ok for me, as a white man, to say it to you or one of your friends, even if used in a 'friendly' way?

I don't care really. None of my friends really give a damn either. I don't hang out with people that have their heads stuck in the "old days".
I am pretty down to earth and I am too old (mental-wise) to get offended by meaningless words. That word could have offended people back in the day but personally, these days, I couldn't care less.
People made it a bad word, I think it's a casual thing to say. Simple as that.

Not sure if I can explain it but. Let's take the word "Gay" for example. Today it is used so much that it loses the impact.

Example: "Dude , your scarf is so gay lolz" "Wow that's so gay" etc.

hmmm. I don't know how to explain it.

I just don't give a damn about the N word personally really :/
I think people who get offended by it are just following the "other people" perspective of it.

Gilles VI, on 25 December 2012 - 07:16 PM, said:

should they ever start to ban people because of using the word noob, I'll be one of the first to get the ban, even though I only use it in a friendly way with friends..

precisely my point. you don't intend to do harm to no one. people just could label your word as being offensive xD

Humans get used to things. Things come, things go. No matter how big of an impact a thing has on us, it will pass with time.

[Dosearius]

hey man, I totally get where you are coming from, irl I swear like a sailor, so to speak, and it amuses me sometimes how hung up some people get over a few letters.  But in game I do have to consider the fact that others may not feel the same about it.  That's ok with me, though, as I'm fully capable of having a conversation that gets my points across without using the so called 'offensive' words.

Think it sucks that it got you banned, but at the same time, I do understand the position that Anet takes on these issues.

[Darius]

Dosearius, on 25 December 2012 - 07:30 PM, said:

hey man, I totally get where you are coming from, irl I swear like a sailor, so to speak, and it amuses me sometimes how hung up some people get over a few letters.  But in game I do have to consider the fact that others may not feel the same about it.  That's ok with me, though, as I'm fully capable of having a conversation that gets my points across without using the so called 'offensive' words.

Think it sucks that it got you banned, but at the same time, I do understand the position that Anet takes on these issues.

I don't judge them really, I just want to hear the perspective of others on this matter

Might as well use the time away from GW2 constructively XD

[Illein]

Apparently one or more people reported you from your own guild - so at least one of them finds it offending in a way, should probably take it up to your guys?

I get why they ban for it - but it's kinda obvious not to report people on it, if they use it among themselves in a collegial manner *shrug* If I were to do PUG fractals and two guys exchange it between themselves, I'd definitely not report it.

However if some guy lost his cool and rages around with some racial slur just because he's a *cheese - yeah, I'd definitely report it.

Edited by Illein, 25 December 2012 - 07:45 PM.

[iLag]

Gilles VI, on 25 December 2012 - 07:16 PM, said:

Don't if know if you're aware but the n-word was is considered very racist in alot of countries..
And there is no way Anet can tell the difference between friendly chat or serious insulting.

But I feel you though, should they ever start to ban people because of using the word noob, I'll be one of the first to get the ban, even though I only use it in a friendly way with friends..

I know right calling other people black slaves ain't racist at all

[TGIFrisbie]

Being an older gamer that grew up in the 70s, even though I am caucasian, I take offense to the term being used even as some casual slang by today's youth and young adults.  I shudder whenever I hear or see it.  It has no place in society.  We can not progress as long as such crap is allowed to continue to exist in any form.

If this is truely why you were banned, I applaud anet.  However, I do think given the rather widespread use by today's youth it should not result in a ban, first offense should be a warning or a 4 hour time out (very small ban).  That should have been enough to make a point.

I have a feeling it was used in a more strong way and that is why the ban was 3 days.

On a side note it bothers me even more when European youth use it....very troubling.

[TenderFoot]

Darius, on 25 December 2012 - 07:04 PM, said:

When did black people started labeling the N word as Racist? I find it normal to say just like the word "buddy" or "pal" etc. o.O
I also don't find it odd that someone of different color says it to me. Dunno.

Come on now, It's always been ok for black people to use the N word like you are claiming withing the black community, If a white person say N word no matter how it's used black people will be offended. I've seen it many many times and I recall on  one morning TV show where one of the host is black and the rest of the host are white and they where talking about the N word being used in music etc. The black host said the N word and everything was fine untill the one of the white host said it in a non offending way and the black host got their feelings all hurt by it. Becuase a white person said it and that if a white person says it's automactily racist and reffering back to days of slavery etc.

Edited by unraveled, 25 December 2012 - 11:26 PM.
The default font size is just fine, thanks.

[Darius]

TenderFoot, on 25 December 2012 - 08:09 PM, said:

Come on now, It's always been ok for black people to use the N word like you are claiming withing the black community, If a white person say N word no matter how it's used black people will be offended. I've seen it many many times and I recall on  one morning TV show where one of the host is black and the rest of the host are white and they where talking about the N word being used in music etc. The black host said the N word and everything was fine untill the one of the white host said it in a non offending way and the black host got their feelings all hurt by it. Becuase a white person said it and that if a white person says it's automactily racist and reffering back to days of slavery etc.

No, I don't get offended. I don't know why you think that black people are genetically predisposed to be offended by that word.

TGIFrisbie, on 25 December 2012 - 08:02 PM, said:

Being an older gamer that grew up in the 70s, even though I am caucasian, I take offense to the term being used even as some casual slang by today's youth and young adults.  I shudder whenever I hear or see it.  It has no place in society.  We can not progress as long as such crap is allowed to continue to exist in any form.

If this is truely why you were banned, I applaud anet.  However, I do think given the rather widespread use by today's youth it should not result in a ban, first offense should be a warning or a 4 hour time out (very small ban).  That should have been enough to make a point.

I have a feeling it was used in a more strong way and that is why the ban was 3 days.

On a side note it bothers me even more when European youth use it....very troubling.

I agree with you on certain parts. I don't blame anet. I too am surprised at the 3 day ban though. I was never banned before so it kind of came with a shock XD and this topic.

Edited by unraveled, 25 December 2012 - 11:27 PM.
Fixed teeny text in quote.

[BuddhaKeks]

Well I honestly can't say much about how the N word is used in black culture, since black people over here are actually from africa and have a different sub-culture than afro-americans (and I honestly never recall anyone of them calling each other that), but since I don't know if they could be sensitive about it or not, I would not use that word towards them (and honestly I have no intention either).

Same with Anet here, they just can't know if your friends are offended by it or not, less can they know you used it as a replacement for buddy. If you explain the situation to the support you might get lucky. Nevertheless, you should maybe try to avoid the word in chat from now on. That's just how the world works, if someone complains loud enough everyone has to live by vocal minorites rules.

And if you and your friends really don't care about the word, then you can find another term to address them with. For example I call my friends bros, as a parody of the "bro-culture".

Edited by BuddhaKeks, 25 December 2012 - 09:01 PM.

[FoxBat]

TenderFoot, on 25 December 2012 - 08:09 PM, said:

Come on now, It's always been ok for black people to use the N word like you are claiming withing the black community, If a white person say N word no matter how it's used black people will be offended. I've seen it many many times and I recall on  one morning TV show where one of the host is black and the rest of the host are white and they where talking about the N word being used in music etc. The black host said the N word and everything was fine untill the one of the white host said it in a non offending way and the black host got their feelings all hurt by it. Becuase a white person said it and that if a white person says it's automactily racist and reffering back to days of slavery etc.

This is a big part of how the word came into recent use. It's subversive in the sense that it's claiming language that whites cannot use, and just another way of reciprocating the boundaries set up against blacks.

Of course enough generations pass and that intent is lost. But there's still too many of the older generation around for that to fly in public spaces.

Edited by unraveled, 25 December 2012 - 11:27 PM.
Fixed teeny text in quote.

[Lordkrall]

So, using a name that is originally used for SLAVES is in no way offending in your eyes? Seriously?

What is todays youth coming to?

[NuclearDonut]

You should probably just say "buddy" or "friend" or whatever from now on. I totally agree with you, that the N word shouldn't really be taken seriously anymore, but I also think that the word should be erased altogether. The word itself is very useless and only brings controversy and hate wherever it goes (most of the time.)

[Faowri]

Oppressed groups commonly take words designed to be offensive to themselves and adopt them into their own usage with a positive spin. It's generally known as language reclamation/reappropriation. I'm sure not all black people use it or are happy to use it, but as the OP suggests, it has been reclaimed by some of the black community who are happy to use it.

That said, Anet has no insight into the race of the person behind the monitor, and can't be expected to know the nature of your relationships with people against whom you're using the word - and that's if you only use it in private chat. In public chat, you're accepting the risk that you're using a potentially offensive word. So yes, I think it's perfectly acceptable to ban for usage of the word. It's hardly my place to say "you shouldn't use that word", but I would say that it's best to keep its usage to your private chat with people you know will not be offended by it. Even excluding terms like the N word, there's plenty I'll say in a party chat full of guildies that I wouldn't say on the public channel. It's just a case of knowing your audience and being appropriate for it.

[Jason Seven]

Darius, on 25 December 2012 - 07:04 PM, said:

So what do you guys think?

Should someone be banned for using the N word in a friendly way with his guildies?

Not at all. The concept of cursing in itself is silly. All these words only mean something because humans gave them meaning. Yet, those same humans are afraid of using them due to their meaning. They give them power, those words by themselves have no power. That being said, anyone who gets even slightly offended by any kind of "curse" word should truly rethink their way of living life. Getting affected by mere words only proves your strong lack of comprehension, knowledge and tolerance. In short, it makes you appear like a hillbilly. Now, cursing with others is absolutely fine as it only means that you feel extremely comfortable with them.

A piece of advice coming from a fellow person with african anscestry: Change not your ways but those offended by your ways as those hinder you from being who you are.

Quite disappointing to know that we are still living in a world where simple words are allowed to be given power as tools of hate in communication. I wonder when man will finally abandon this outdated way of thinking. Even more disappointing it is, though, that there's still those who get offended by words they themselves give that power.

Edited by Jason Seven, 25 December 2012 - 09:30 PM.

[Lordkrall]

Jason Seven, on 25 December 2012 - 09:30 PM, said:

Not at all. The concept of cursing in itself is silly. All these words only mean something because humans gave them meaning. Yet, those same humans are afraid of using them due to their meaning. They give them power, those words by themselves have no power. That being said, anyone who gets even slightly offended by any kind of "curse" word should truly rethink their way of living life. Getting affected by mere words only proves your strong lack of comprehension, knowledge and tolerance. In short, it makes you appear like a hillbilly. Now, cursing with others is absolutely fine as it only means that you feel extremely comfortable with them.

A piece of advice coming from a fellow person with african anscestry: Change not your ways but those offended by your ways as those hinder you from being who you are.

Quite disappointing to know that we are still living in a world where simple words are allowed to be given power as tools of hate in communication. I wonder when man will finally abandon this outdated way of thinking. Even more disappointing it is, though, that there's still those who get offended by words they themselves give that power.

Oh, so I am fully allowed to call you and all of your family any manner of words I feel like? Without you having any right whatsoever to do anything at all about it?

[Jason Seven]

Lordkrall, on 25 December 2012 - 09:35 PM, said:

Oh, so I am fully allowed to call you and all of your family any manner of words I feel like? Without you having any right whatsoever to do anything at all about it?

If that makes you happy, go for it. It's just words.

[Darkobra]

Jason Seven, on 25 December 2012 - 09:37 PM, said:

If that makes you happy, go for it. It's just words.

And then "They're just actions!" And then whatever else rationalisations people make to excuse their actions. "So what if I stole from you? It's just money!"

Honestly, it's always the privileged ones that use rationalisations like that. The people who have such a comfortable life that they've never been under any form of oppression. And the people that haven't really educated themselves either, forever remaining simple. It honestly makes me feel sorry for you. People say ignorance is bliss with such a sarcastic tone, but looking at you? You seem perfectly happy for being so simple-minded and knowing so little.

[Jason Seven]

Darkobra, on 25 December 2012 - 10:12 PM, said:

And then "They're just actions!" And then whatever else rationalisations people make to excuse their actions. "So what if I stole from you? It's just money!"

Honestly, it's always the privileged ones that use rationalisations like that. The people who have such a comfortable life that they've never been under any form of oppression. And the people that haven't really educated themselves either, forever remaining simple. It honestly makes me feel sorry for you. People say ignorance is bliss with such a sarcastic tone, but looking at you? You seem perfectly happy for being so simple-minded and knowing so little.

Words cannot steal, words aren't actions. You're mixing up two things here.

[ssringo]

Darius, on 25 December 2012 - 07:04 PM, said:

When did black people started labeling the N word as Racist? I find it normal to say just like the word "buddy" or "pal" etc. o.O

Where do you live and how old are you to not know this? Seriously, I want to live where you live.

Darius, on 25 December 2012 - 07:04 PM, said:

Should someone be banned for using the N word in a friendly way with his guildies?

If someone is offended then yeah. The person offended should come to you about it first, but not everyone is comfortable contronting someone else. Especially considering how quickly people are willing to ridicule others over the internet. Alternatively, they could just be reporting for the sake of reporting.

Best bet is to just remove cursing and whatnot from your vocabulary while playing GW2. I swear all the time and let highly offensive comments fly without second thought but I turn that stuff off when I'm in the workplace or around my parents (and online gaming) and have been doing so for years. So it comes naturally to me to not let anything fly in GW2. Keeps you safe from bans so it's a good practice.

Edited by Kattar, 26 December 2012 - 12:29 AM.
If you link explicit things like this, you'll be banned.

[Minu]

Darius, on 25 December 2012 - 07:08 PM, said:

No one actually indicated it to me as being offensive. No one ever told me that they felt offended by me talking like that. Furthermore, they also got into it  o.O and said the word too lol.

dunno

That does not matter, it's part of growing up.

[Darkobra]

Jason Seven, on 25 December 2012 - 10:21 PM, said:

Words cannot steal, words aren't actions. You're mixing up two things here.

People can. And people that make excuses for wrong-doings very quickly escalate. I'm mixing nothing up. You just lack any knowledge on the subject. Get out more, see the world and learn how to deal with people.

[Jason Seven]

Darkobra, on 25 December 2012 - 10:39 PM, said:

People can. And people that make excuses for wrong-doings very quickly escalate. I'm mixing nothing up. You just lack any knowledge on the subject. Get out more, see the world and learn how to deal with people.

And words aren't people. Someone who stole did something wrong, someone who said a word which in itself holds no power and does no harm did not do anything wrong. It's funny how you tell me that I'm the one who lacks knowledge while obviously you did not even read my post or simply cannot comprehend anything of what I said. Then again, you also seem like a person who gets offended by even the slightest bit of cursing and dealt with very conservative people throughout their life making them one of that same kind. A real shame that society made you this way.

[MesmersFromHouseElara]

I think we should all take a sociology class and see how crappy this thread is.  The word itself is stupid, I don't care why you say it, whatever.  But when you're referring to a friend like you said then you'd be better left to saying it in a pm since there is/was a terrible meaning attached to it.