tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9728880.post4545440165750043173..comments2024-03-27T12:30:52.619-04:00Comments on Lost in the Bozone: Bruised feelingsMRMacrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01414173517957120477noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9728880.post-7191302405407004342008-07-29T17:44:00.000-04:002008-07-29T17:44:00.000-04:00I really think that person overreacted, but I'm gl...I really think that person overreacted, but I'm glad to see the situation leading to dialog and better communication and understanding between all parties involved. The best possible outcome, I'd say. Bravo.Apertomehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00148516503920019073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9728880.post-43426027940794970812008-07-28T13:48:00.000-04:002008-07-28T13:48:00.000-04:00Well while living in Canada I was referred to by m...Well while living in Canada I was referred to by my canadian friens as the Dumb American, but I took it as being humorious, and did not take offense. I think the use of some words can hurt, but only if the individual lacks the ability to laugh at themselves, and I would also add, in today's modern world I do believe "they" have taken "Political correctness" to extremes---<BR/><BR/>Gary (aka old dude)<BR/>http://threescoreplusten.blogspot.com/Gary ("Old Dude")https://www.blogger.com/profile/00840287762340872772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9728880.post-16047205590085830042008-07-28T13:39:00.000-04:002008-07-28T13:39:00.000-04:00It's all good Dawn. We have already decided I thi...It's all good Dawn. We have already decided I think, that each of us mean well in everything we do or say. I certainly get that feeling about you. And from your comments, I guess you feel the same way.<BR/><BR/>As missy points up, blogging has certainly proven to be a wonderful source of communication between people. Especially between people as diverse as we are. I have enjoyed my efforts to read what others have to say and seriously consider them. Even when I disagree, I do make an attempt to understand. And that's a damn sight better than not even considering there are a million personal slants out there. It makes me realize that there is no clear path through this mess. We all find our own way.<BR/><BR/>I spent a good portion of my youth here in Maine. I know how the French Candians were treated. But honestly in the Sanford area, it was another nickname that was favored, not Canuck. I will never use the other word unless talking with one of my French buddies. <BR/><BR/>I just had to share the odd feelings I had after the comment. It was just a jumping off point about my confusion as a member of no particular group, oppressed or otherwise, over what I think is beating a dead horse.<BR/><BR/>I feel that by seizing ownership of the terms by the various groups, they do nothing to further their cause. It is reverse discrimination in my book. It wasn't right the first time or now and it isn't right when being worn on another foot either.MRMacrumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01414173517957120477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9728880.post-60145712603038831072008-07-28T09:04:00.000-04:002008-07-28T09:04:00.000-04:00I've read your post (obviously) and all of the com...I've read your post (obviously) and all of the comments left. <BR/><BR/>It amazes me the dialogue opened about one comment. I think blogging is great ... it opens the lines of communication.<BR/><BR/>Glad you were able to share your thoughts on this and so was Dawn.Missy Glavehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10666817375236456000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9728880.post-68984540636187141502008-07-28T07:49:00.000-04:002008-07-28T07:49:00.000-04:00Wow. I didn't mean to cause such a fuss. I know th...Wow. I didn't mean to cause such a fuss. I know that you did not mean any offense - it does not seem to be a part of your nature. I just wanted to let you know that the term Canuck is hurtful to some people. Including me.<BR/>In my experience, growing up in central Maine and living there for many years as an adult, I heard daily the "dumb Frenchman" jokes and the "stupid Canuck" jokes. As I understand it, Canuck is not so much a general term for Canadian, but a specific and often derogatory term for French-speaking Candadians.<BR/>While a Franco heritage might not classify specifically as racist, it certainly qualifies as a cultural identity. And any old-timer in the Franco communities of Augusta or Waterville can tell you stories of historical oppression. So, when someone says Canuck, it smacks very much of "dumb Mick" the out-of-fashion-now historical put-down for the other half of my genetic make-up. I have heard my elders speak of "No Irish need apply" signs in the early 1900s, and of recent immigrants (of both cultural backgrounds) being herded into ghettos that were unfit for habitation. That is oppression, and Canuck and Mick were the words used by the oppressors. <BR/>Are things like that now? Not by a long shot. But so long as there are people who still think it is acceptable and humorous to tell dumb Frenchman jokes, such terms will still be considered hateful.<BR/>It is unacceptable for a white person to use the n-word, but Eddie Murphy and Richard Pryor seem to get away with it ok. I know my Italian goddather could use terms like "dago" and "wop" without recourse, but then he looked like a mob boss. I can use the word queer, but you'd better not. No, it does not make sense sometimes. I guess the test for me comes here: if I am not a member of a particular group, particularly a group that has been historically oppressed or mistreated in some way, I refrain from using any slang terms for that group. If it sounds like something a shithead would shout out the window of a passing pickup truck, it's off the list of words I get to use. <BR/>There is a movement among many historically oppressed groups to reclaim the language that was used to oppress them, hence my use of queer, and Eddie Murphy's use of nigger. It is confusing to those who are not a part of that culture. "If he calls himself a nigger, or she calls herself a dyke, then why the hell can't everyone else?" I wish I had an answer for that. <BR/>I think the best I can offer is that by doing this we are attempting to take the weapon away from the oppressor and use it ourselves. It is like war paint or a brand of pride and defiance that we emblazon upon ourselves. Like the movement by ACT-UP in the 80s to reclaim the pink triangle. It had been a badge of oppression used by Hitler to brand gay men, but activists in the late 21st century turned it around ("it has pointed down for long enough") and made it a battle flag around which thousands could rally.<BR/>It doesn't make sense sometimes, but there it is. It is an evolving part of our language and our culture. Some support it, some oppose it, some can't tell what the hell is going on.<BR/>I know you would not do anything on purpose to be hurtful, and I appreciate greatly the angst that this conflict has caused. Thank you for working so hard to understand something that really might be incomprehensible. It speaks volumes of your character.Dawn Fortunehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14722591049949538021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9728880.post-55536962379881777192008-07-27T21:17:00.000-04:002008-07-27T21:17:00.000-04:00Don't sweat the small stuff. I would leave it in p...Don't sweat the small stuff. I would leave it in place and maybe recomment with the word Canadian if they were that offended by it. I'm from Canada so you call me a Canuck. I do not find Canuck offensive.<BR/><BR/>Just don't call me a hoser. ;-)Rose DesRochershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15758803804821592690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9728880.post-2265729888060596912008-07-27T21:05:00.000-04:002008-07-27T21:05:00.000-04:00Well. I am 41 years old, Canadian, living in a se...Well. I am 41 years old, Canadian, living in a secret location on the east coast. I have lived in Canada all my life. I have heard the word Canuck used by Canadians and Americans alike. And never, until reading this post, did I have any idea at all that it could be a derogatory term. My aunt in California has a variation of the word Canuck on her licence plate, for goodness sake. And what of Canada's star downhill ski racers of the 70's: the Crazy Canucks?<BR/><BR/>Sheesh. I'm dreadfully sorry if anyone disagrees with me, but I find the taking of offense at the word 'Canuck' when uttered by an American to be downright silly. And to suggest that it's racist, of all things? Pleeeeeeasse.<BR/><BR/><I>In my opinion, Canadians are not a race nor is any ethnic group with European roots who lives there one.</I><BR/><BR/>No, Canadians aren't a race, they're a nationality. But as a Canadian with European ancestry, I do have a race - it's called "white". And the word 'white' has nothing to do with the word 'Canuck'.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, Macrum, you're a better man than I, because I think my response would have been "get over yourself."El Cerdo Ignatiushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00646154540141962389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9728880.post-86524509998065548162008-07-27T20:49:00.000-04:002008-07-27T20:49:00.000-04:00j- One of my objections to the use of taboo words ...j- One of my objections to the use of taboo words is that the group who dislike hearing it from the mouths of another group somehow tolerate it when used by one of their own. If it is taboo, no one should use it. Simple as that in my mind.<BR/><BR/>As to whether I would be offended to have a team named white trash or bigot or cracker. No I would not. I learned early in Life that words from strangers can only hurt you if you let them. And the ones that do hurt and matter the most come in other ways from those you care about.MRMacrumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01414173517957120477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9728880.post-44648490192436234282008-07-27T20:31:00.000-04:002008-07-27T20:31:00.000-04:00I remember trying to explain to my grandparents an...I remember trying to explain to my grandparents and aunt why calling a team the 'red skins' might be hurtful. I said, what would you think if someone had a team called the 'crackers' or the 'white trash', or the 'bigots', but they just laughed. When you don't have a history of being held down because of your race, it's hard to understand why people get so bent out of shape about it.<BR/><BR/>Of course, to my knowledge, no (white) Canadians have been held down due to their race, so it's a different (though similar) issue. To me, calling someone a Canuk would be kind of like calling someone a Yank. But knowing that it can cause offense, I won't use it.Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00653383372182667361noreply@blogger.com