South Park episode sparks F-Word debate at GaySocialites.com
WHAT YOU GUYS ARE SAYING...
Now that we're accepting comments again at GaySocialites.com, we're happy to bring back one of our favorite editorial pieces about what you guys are saying.
Last week, I reported that GLAAD is upset with the creators of "South Park" for doing an episode titled, the F-Word in which the characters overused the word "fag". I asked if you think we, as the gay community, should be able to use the word freely. In addition to the random gay bashing, here's what you guys are saying:
Gabe commented: "word are just words. nuff said"
To which Quinton replied: "Words are NOT just words,when they are meant do degrade and demean an indvidual or an entire group of people.Especially when that group is a historically oppressed group.People need to get educated and understand the social concept of RESPECT,ACCEPTANCE,and TOLERANCE.Using such words to demean a group shows lack of all of all 3 elements and lack of intellect.Americans really need to learn and start using more intellect.Its even sadder when gay people actually defend such tyranny.Because in the end,you are part of the problem.Its not just the homophobic bigots,its you TOO!!!" [sic]
To which Rebby replied: "Actually words ARE just words, you self righteous hypocrite.
"People need to get educated and understand the social concept of RESPECT,ACCEPTANCE,and TOLERANCE" Yes, you do. Since the word has changed so much what right do you have to tell when and how they can use it. Don't be such a fag." [sic]
It is also interesting to see how some straight men have struggled with the use of the word when they actually aren't even gay at all.
Ballroom dancer writers: "Omg you guys r such faggots. I have no disrespects for homosexuals any where. Im straight and ive been called faggot for years. it means douchebag. As much hurt as it has caused to just be called a faggot in the end IT HAS MADE ME STRONGER. and if you cant get over the word and build some proper social eddicates then your still being a faggot. No one caresif your homosexual. Im sick of GSA people crying over my school at the word. The word is a word that has ALWAYS CHANGED MEANINGS."
Mr. E added: "I got called fag for being a punk rocker, a skateboarder, a musician, for drawing, for being sensitive, for appreciating women and not just wanting to fuck them, for not playing team sports, for not wanting to shower with other men, for reading books, for being a liberal, for being a political activist, for just about anything any meat head didn't understand or whatever didn't make the herd oriented type comfortable. Anne Coulter called John Edwards a faggot cause he's a wishy washy opportunistic douchebag. I'd call her a fag, but douchebag and cunt seem more applicable. I call yuppies and other cookie cutter herd turds fags. The word has definitely changed it's meaning. Everyone needs to evolve past this oversensitivy and have enough confidence to be themselves and not give a damn what anyone else has to say about it... Trey and Matt have been using satire for 13 seasons in the same spirit as Lenny Bruce, George Carlin, Doug Stanhope, the writers of All In the Family and countless others who use comedy as a vehicle for social comment. Grow up fags."
There is also a massive comparison between the F-word and N-Word going on in that comment string. You can check it out here.
Comments
I am a young gay man living in New York and I think its wrong for a gay or straight person to call anyone the f-word. Its just plain out stupid. Think about every single hate crime involving a gay person. What is the one thing that they call that gay person?? Just the same with black people when its them involved.
You do not hear people going around calling everyone the n-word. So why is it okay to go around and call everyone the f-word no matter what their orientation is??
It is because being gay is being classified as pushovers and second class citizens. We still do not have marriage not to mention several other rights we deserve. A gay person calling themself or others the f-word is basically saying it is okay for others to do the same. It has got to stop!!
Just like what someone else said because of the way he dressed and acted he was called the f-word. People are constantly being stereotyped and bullied for however they decide to act/live. If you act girly, wear tight clothes, read, try to act sophisticated, respect people and so on... it must mean you're a faggot. Seriously? Its pathetic and the word needs to stop being thrown around.
Posted by: Jesse | November 8, 2009 11:05 PM
@ Jesse
Finally someone on this blog with a brain.You actually understand the amount of bigotry gays have to go through.Not to mention,the fact that the word no matter if its used as "fag" or "faggot" is a word used to DEGRADE gay men.Homphobes are just as transparent as racists,they rationalize their bigotry by saying "words are just words".Umm NOT when they are used to express bigotry toward an individual of a hisotrically oppressed group.Intelligence is POWER,shame most people dont have it.
Posted by: Quinton | November 9, 2009 09:18 AM
Umm NOT when they are used to express bigotry toward an individual of a "hisotrically" oppressed group. *HISTORICALLY*
Posted by: Quinton | November 9, 2009 09:20 AM
And you dont have to necessarily be gay to be called a "faggot".But it just goes to show the lack of respect people have toward others when they use that stupid word.Faggot does not mean douche-bag (as one ignorant str8 guy put it) Its what you call a person who is different from you,possibly a person who is BETTER than you.I dont give a shit if it changed its meaning,its still used to degrade a person who is different.REGARDLESS of how the ignorant rationalize it.Ignorance is Ignorance,so dont try to cover your ass with that "words are just words" bullshit.Cuz thats just what it is BULLSHIT!
Posted by: Quinton | November 9, 2009 09:25 AM
i hate people who care more about what other people say rather then having your own self-esteem
if you want to let this word have power over you then i guess you can keep it because it seems like you want it to remain the same
if you want something to complain about try living in a 3rd world country
Posted by: bob | November 9, 2009 04:57 PM
Words don't cause homophobia. If "fag" were outlawed, haters would use another word...like queer. Or anything else. I guess you could just outlaw all language and then you'd prevent slurs, but just as slurs change, a new one will take the old one's place. It's a dynamic universe, and FRANKLY, I think Harley riders are much faggier than any of my alternative lifetsyle friends.
Posted by: gmone | November 9, 2009 11:53 PM
@ Quinton
Its nice to know someone actually has a brain and has the same morals and beliefs as I do :]
And... its not about self-esteem! We have to show people that we won't let them use the word anymore and that it is wrong and hateful for them to do so. That shows them that we have the power just how they think they have the power and right to call us that and other hateful/homophobic words.
And to gnome I don't even know where to start about your post. "Alternate lifestyle" are you serious? You're probably one of the people who think it is a choice to be gay. Being gay is not a lifestyle. Its who you are. The fact that you even have gay friends is hard to believe.
Posted by: Jesse | November 10, 2009 04:49 AM
I love gay cawk.
Posted by: Fag Lover | November 10, 2009 06:10 AM
Ok everyone looking at this blog, youtube harley davidson look at any video and read the comments. This will show you how words can change.
Posted by: jon | November 10, 2009 06:07 PM
Straight guy here...So, I haven't read everyone's comments and I may be repeating this, but I think that the whole argument that the word has changed meanings several times and so it can be used however you want and thus gay people should "get over it" overlooks two big things: power and hegemony. It is easy for straight, individualistic, pluralists (words, I think, that describe the Libertarian ideals of the South Park creators) to be like "Get over it, the word changes meanings all the time, you're just sensitive" when in fact they probably don't know what it's like to be part of a marginalized group. If they are familiar (I think in "Bowling for Columbine," one of them said they got bullied a lot in school), then they don't know about stratification of power and how that influences culture and how that influences the consciousness of even those who are marginalized (which is why you see some gay people saying "no homo," women (unwittingly) supporting patriarchal social structures, and what Malcolm X referred to the house Negro as opposed to the field Negro). So they, like me, don't know what it's like to be gay in a country that -- as their episode proved -- doesn't even protect gay people from discrimination in work places and see them worthy enough to be recognized to get married and get all of the benefits that go along with that. So, you know what I say? I'm just not gonna use that word, because it can hurt those who care about it and those who don't get hurt won't care if I don't use it. And if anyone wants to come around and be like "you're gonna let those Nazi, fascist gays tell you what to believe!" then I'll repeat to them what I just wrote.
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