[ ARC forum 2 ]
Written by Ralesk at 27 Dec 2002 00:24:17: Re: Dr. mel's credibility & faggots
As an answer to: Dr. mel's credibility & faggots written by Ivan at 26 Dec 2002 19:06:18:
>Your use of the term faggot: it originally meant a piece of kindling, hence it's use to describe a cigarette and homosexuals (i.e., they used to be burned, just like witches). I am fairly sure you are aware of these, whether English is your first language or not. In the States, faggot is an offensive term generally only used by those who openly dislike homosexuals or for rhetorical impact. Just as some blacks will use the term 'nigger', some homosexuals here will use the term 'faggot' here so as to rob it of its pejorative impact. Is that what you are doing, or in your view is it simply not a pejorative term (I will assume you are not a 70-year-old woman). As for terminology, I rather like the German word "poofter" (sp?) for its humorous implications and imagery. In English the term 'queer' never seemed so bad, in that it just implied that this was a group not like the rest of society. To me, not being like the rest of society is usually a positive statement. I don't like the term 'gay' because it was a fine word that does not have an adequate alternative.
Wow, nice summary :) Well, you might be right: just as black people use the term 'nigger' (even more often as 'nigga' whether or not the person is a good speller etc.), homosexuals also tend to use the term 'faggot'; if even not as often as blacks use the other word. I could have sticked to some other terms: 'homosexual' is so dry, scientific etc., 'gay' has lost its original meaning, which is a sad thing and I don't really approve of that, mmm other I don't remember right now. Oh well, I'm sure I meant no harm to anyone, heh :}
PS: néger in Hungarian is a perfectly non-offensive word for blacks, unlike nigger, for which you can easily get linched if you're not black, even if you are saying it to your best black friend. If not, you might have the chance to explain and save your rear and later use it freely with the person :D