Post #1569140

2026-04-18 22:34 UTC

(note: this post is talking about *all* words and slurs are but an example) For instance, referring to Japanese (the language or the people) as JP is totally ok, but throw an a in the middle and you've suddenly tacked on dehumanisation, the US rounding up its own citizens into concentration camps (and stripping them of land and property), and justification for mass slaughter of Japanese civilians :cat_facepalm: Another that I learned only in the last 6 or 7 years was "boy"... at first, just a childish word someone might use on someone else to discredit or infantilise them, but a white man saying it to a black man? It's one of those "just use the slur you basically used instead of this bullshit" situations with all of the baggage of centuries of racism and slavery along for the ride :bear_shrug:

Replies (2)

@OctaviaConAmore@cutie.city 2026-04-20 01:57

Another example is compliments and encouraging words. It could literally be the simplest sentence, yet lift someone's spirit for the whole day. Showing compassion and empathy can literally ease burdens. You could reinvigorate someone's spirit and will. A sentence in someone's defence can make them not just feel safer, but also feel seen and heard :shiba_love: Basically, what I'm saying is you're all mages and the first rule to being a mage is to be ultimately responsible for the spells you cast lest you bring harm to others :bugcat_nod:

Open ##1569141
@yon@sakurajima.moe 2026-04-19 02:04

@OctaviaConAmore It also goes beyond slurs, which people I think are more aware of (no matter if used in anger or intentionally not using because, slurs). There’s a lot of words and phrases that carry more with them, because of their history/intent. Some modern slang has a really shitty origin story for instance, and there’s a lot of old techniques being reused. The classical one is terrorist vs freedom fighter. Using different words for the same thing on purpose. One to make it sounds worse, another to make it sound nobel. Volk in old Nazi speak is another. The people’s this and that. Same as family for the Christian right. Meant to always sound “good”, but we all know what family values actually mean when they say it… One I personally hate and refuse to use is the neofascist fake news (old version Lügenpresse). It’s a mind virus meant to discount all sources (all being the keyword) other than the one true source. All cults use this, all who use this are cults. So I agree, words have not just meaning, but history and intent. It shapes us. Just look at how effective corporate propaganda (ads) is:( But as much as I think we should stop using shitty words and phrases, I equally think we need to create new ones. Ones not intended to be “our” version, but everyone’s. Imho. Sorry for wall of text.

Open ##1569152