Posts: 18232
From: Saturn next to Charmainec
Registered: Apr 2009

posted May 12, 2012 03:20 PM            

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I do not want Lindaland to get a reputation for cultutal insensitivity. We do have a wide latitude here, but anything racist or culturally biased crosses that line. I do understand that there has been some confusion about what constitutes this here, so let me just say that it is a learning process that will evolve over time. For example, the word negro used to be acceptable. The NAACP still has the word in their name due to historical reasons; it's not an easy task to change a long-standing organization's name. The same applies for Oriental Trading Company. That doesn't mean that society hasn't changed their views of these words over time. There may be others as time advances on, but once we learn of them we have an obligation and responsibility on an international site such as this to be mindful and respectful. Not any kind of an admonishment to anyone--just a reminder to be open to these cultural differences once made aware of them.

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"Never mentally imagine for another that which you would not want to experience for yourself, since the mental image you send out inevitably comes back to you." Rebecca Clark

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Posts: 3998
From: Blue Star Kachina
Registered: Apr 2009

posted May 12, 2012 03:36 PM            

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No one was deliberately being disrespectful! I hope you are not implying as much

Words and connotations morph over time and not every one is updated on their current PC use. There will be incidents as this over time due to the lack of knowledge.
I clearly stated I did not know and was surprised because there is a very public company carrying the name. They were showcased on Undercover Boss and I never heard a peep of their name being a disrespectful one.

... and absolutely, "I do not want Lindaland to get a reputation for cultutal insensitivity".

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Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it. ~Rumi~

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Posts: 18232
From: Saturn next to Charmainec
Registered: Apr 2009

posted May 12, 2012 03:54 PM            

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Nope, not implying that at all. I know it wasn't deliberate on anyone's part. No admonishment was implied either. But there was no reason to debate it (for those who did). If it's offensive, it's offensive. I was aware of the negativity of that word here in the deep south (we have both Chinese and Japanese communities here), and although I understand that not all parts of the country may be as aware of it, once made aware there should really be no debate or questioning...just like there should be no questioning of the usage of negro. In wrestling, the term midget has an historical significance as it relates to the showmanship of its carny roots, but outside of that field, the term is very offensive. Life is an ever-advancing journey of trial and error, and all we can do is learn and grow and hope for the best.

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"Never mentally imagine for another that which you would not want to experience for yourself, since the mental image you send out inevitably comes back to you." Rebecca Clark

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Posts: 8031
From:
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posted May 12, 2012 05:24 PM            

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i cannot resist, so please don't take this completely seriously, it is not meant to offend anyone!

but the "N-word" in NAACP is national...

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Posts: 18232
From: Saturn next to Charmainec
Registered: Apr 2009

posted May 12, 2012 05:42 PM            

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My bad. I was thinking about the Negro College Fund when I typed that. But an equally inappropriate term is in the NAACP: Colored People. Both are outdated but kept for historical and other reasons.

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Posts: 1854
From: 1,981 mi East of Truth or Consequences NM
Registered: Apr 2009

posted May 12, 2012 06:30 PM            

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OK, I'll bite
what is:

quote:

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cultutal insensitivity

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and this sudden attack of high mindedness toward insensitivity is quite obviously a wide boulevard that goes

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Posts: 18232
From: Saturn next to Charmainec
Registered: Apr 2009

posted May 12, 2012 06:39 PM            

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This is not sudden at all. Racism is and always has been a sure way to get banned here. While this leans more to cultural awareness, it has remained unsaid up till now, because (I thought) we all knew not to cross those lines. And by practice, no one did (to my knowledge). The common standard for cultural sensitivity goes for everyone here, but only the left is objecting to it.

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"Never mentally imagine for another that which you would not want to experience for yourself, since the mental image you send out inevitably comes back to you." Rebecca Clark

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Posts: 1854
From: 1,981 mi East of Truth or Consequences NM
Registered: Apr 2009

posted May 12, 2012 06:45 PM            

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You missed it again.

That's ok

you also missed your own bias again, no surprise there.

thanks for the definition of c u l t u t a l
as per GU

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Posts: 18232
From: Saturn next to Charmainec
Registered: Apr 2009

posted May 12, 2012 06:58 PM            

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What bias might that be? Shouldn't we all strive to have a highmindedness toward cultural sensitivity? Why is it even up for discussion? What possible objection could you have for respecting the race/religion/culture of others?

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"Never mentally imagine for another that which you would not want to experience for yourself, since the mental image you send out inevitably comes back to you." Rebecca Clark

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Posts: 18232
From: Saturn next to Charmainec
Registered: Apr 2009

posted May 12, 2012 07:04 PM            

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Here is a string on cultural awareness:
http://www.linda-goodman.com/ubb/Forum30/HTML/000060.html

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"Never mentally imagine for another that which you would not want to experience for yourself, since the mental image you send out inevitably comes back to you." Rebecca Clark

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Posts: 32099
From: Pluto/house next to NickiG
Registered: Sep 2010

posted May 12, 2012 08:51 PM            

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Randall seems like he is the most fair and sensitive person there is. If someone has a problem with it, it must be that person imho.

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Passion, Lust, Desire. Check out my journal

http://www.mychristianpsychic.com/

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Posts: 18232
From: Saturn next to Charmainec
Registered: Apr 2009

posted May 12, 2012 09:54 PM            

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Things get heated enough around here with the political discussion--without throwing cultural differences into the mix. It wasn't intentional, and we have learned from it. Onward and upward!

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Posts: 352
From:
Registered: Jun 2009

posted May 12, 2012 10:10 PM            

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I must stand up for Randall here. Over the course of nearly 10 years, I've witnessed him reprimand and even banish members from both sides of the political fence for what is most gently termed "cultural insensitivity."

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Posts: 18232
From: Saturn next to Charmainec
Registered: Apr 2009

posted May 12, 2012 10:20 PM            

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Thank you, Shura. I still grimace at the thought of my having to ban a great Astrologer a while back for comments against Native Americans. But that's just something I will not tolerate in any form. I did give a warning first, though.

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"Never mentally imagine for another that which you would not want to experience for yourself, since the mental image you send out inevitably comes back to you." Rebecca Clark

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Posts: 352
From:
Registered: Jun 2009

posted May 12, 2012 10:26 PM            

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yeah, I remember that. Was a true shame.

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Posts: 409
From: CA
Registered: Oct 2010

posted May 13, 2012 04:38 AM            

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I didn't know about "midget" either, though looking it up I see that it can be. Is that also just a USA thing? Because if not someone should really let Lady Sovereign know.

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Posts: 5838
From:
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posted May 13, 2012 04:56 AM            

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Node ... there you go again.

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Posts: 5838
From:
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posted May 13, 2012 05:05 AM            

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& i can't even believe my eyes right now. How things and people change....

*barf*

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Posts: 18232
From: Saturn next to Charmainec
Registered: Apr 2009

posted May 13, 2012 09:38 AM            

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Not sure, but in the US they want to be known as little people.

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"Never mentally imagine for another that which you would not want to experience for yourself, since the mental image you send out inevitably comes back to you." Rebecca Clark

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Posts: 1212
From: Toronto, Canada
Registered: Mar 2012

posted May 13, 2012 09:51 AM            

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Randall, I gotta say as a northerner I find it really refreshing to come here and see, for lack of better descriptive terminology, a southern white man who makes an effort to be fair and sensitive towards everyone. It is a little bit surprising, to be honest. Like Matt for instance told me to "loosen up my weave" - this was more in line with the type of behaviour I would expect from someone from that region where the culture is racism, illiteracy and relations with one's cousins and siblings. So to come here and see a white Southern guy who can not only spell the language he purports to speak with accuracy, but is not racist is like, WOW, at times, you know?

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Posts: 18232
From: Saturn next to Charmainec
Registered: Apr 2009

posted May 13, 2012 09:52 AM            

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The Jerry Springer Show is not an accurate depiction of the Southern states.

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"Never mentally imagine for another that which you would not want to experience for yourself, since the mental image you send out inevitably comes back to you." Rebecca Clark

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Posts: 5138
From: Madeira Beach, FL USA
Registered: Apr 2009

posted May 13, 2012 09:53 AM            

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I agree with you and Shura Randall.

Issues of race, ethnicity, culture, religion, nationality, appearance, age etc, should not be discussed here in a disparaging manner. These are all issues beyond the control of individuals here.

Admittedly, I have engaged in some disparaging remarks about nations some members have come from...or where they are now. But, only when these members are dumping on the United States or Americans...and they brought it up first.

When someone does that, it becomes a 2 way street and they should buckle their chin strap.

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Posts: 1212
From: Toronto, Canada
Registered: Mar 2012

posted May 13, 2012 09:57 AM            

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As far as I know, nationality/region is not beyond one's control. I know this because my family largely consists of immigrants to Canada.

Thought it might be helpful to distinguish that which one CAN control and those things which one CAN'T, for those who have difficulty discerning the difference.

Religious beliefs are another thing that is entirely within one's control. If I want to start worshipping cows tomorrow, I could do that.

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Posts: 1212
From: Toronto, Canada
Registered: Mar 2012

posted May 13, 2012 10:01 AM            

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Examples of things that actually ARE beyond one's control are ethnicity, gender and age.

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Posts: 32099
From: Pluto/house next to NickiG
Registered: Sep 2010

posted May 13, 2012 10:14 AM            

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This is how I feel and I am a minority. I can tell if someone has a real question or is just trying to diss me. With the former, I don't care if they use the wrong terms etc.
I want to educate people who have a genuine desire to know about my ethnicity.

However,I think that one needs to differentiate between the two as the former has no intent to hurt, but is born of ignorance. In these cases, one can teach the person about oneself, as it is a teachable moment.

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Passion, Lust, Desire. Check out my journal

http://www.mychristianpsychic.com/

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