Even I get sick of repeating myself, and there is not a lot new to say since the last individual was punished for saying the word nigger in order to discuss the ethical problem with the word nigger. Still, this episode deserves special attention, because the utterer herself, Galileo-style, capitulated to this lunacy,
Mary Beth Maxwell, the head of the Human Rights Campaign’s educational arm, has resigned after a colleague revealed that she spoke the word nigger twice, in both cases not to refer to an African-American, but to describe a situation in which the denigrating term was used by others. And yet she resigned anyway. Read the story here, but to summarize from an ethics perspective:
- Maxwell is an idiot and a coward to allow herself to be forced out like this. She has had her brain washed to believe that there are such things as magic taboo words that do tangible and real harm no matter how or where they are used.
- Apparently this is one more growing malady in Crazy Left World. It needs to be eradicated by the concerted efforts of all free speech embracing citizens regardless of party or belief.
- HRC President Chad Griffin’s official statement said in part,
“As an organization devoted to achieving equality and stamping out bigotry, we are confronted with hate speech on a daily basis,” Griffin wrote in the memo. “But it’s our job to respond to these incidents in ways that are appropriate and don’t compound the harms done. This situation has crystallized the need for a formal policy on our expectations and requirements of staff in responding to or discussing hate speech.”
What to do? How does one discuss “hate speech” without using “hate speech”? It’s the Jehovah Paradox!!!
The Jehovah Paradox:When one must clearly or graphically reference something offensive in order to explain why it is offensive (or not), thereby risking being accused of the same offense that one is trying to analyze.
Gee, I wonder if the new policy will allow using the word “hate” to discuss hate speech? Griffin is also an idiot. That is not an ad hominem attack, but a fair diagnosis based on his words and conduct. I wonder how he got this way? Whose anti-speech, thought-control propaganda rotted his brains?
WHAT “harms,” you censorious cretin? The individuals who heard Maxwell use the taboo word understood the context of her comments. There was no “hate,” no intent to harm, and that deadly word—ARGGHHH! A WORD!!! RUUUUUUUUN!!!—- could not possibly have inflicted any “harms” except imaginary, politically contrived “harms,” Like the “harms” suffered by Native Americans in Washington State who know that there is an NFL team in Washington, D.C. called “The Redskins.” Knowing that you do not control the words and thoughts of others is not a “harm.” Trying to control the words and thoughts of others, however, does do tangible harm.
- Worst of all is the Soviet-like vicious colleague who reported Maxwell. That awful person now works at the Human Rights Campaign, while Maxwell was deemed unworthy. This is signature significance for an organization with warped values and priorities.
Ethics Alarms 
But how did the women report the use of the word without using the word in her report 😡
Oh, you know, N-word. Baby-talk. Stupid speech is always more politically correct than descriptive speech.
“I’ve heard reference of this N-word of which you speak, but I don’t know what it is because no one told me which word under the “N” catalog it is….oh, you say it’s not in there because it was struck from existence? So what word did she say? You can’t tell me because then you’ll have used it and I’ll have to take action against you? Tell me, how did you become aware that the word spoken was the word-that-shall-not-be-named? Do you keep company with the sordid folks that use such vile words?”
-HR Manager of 2035
I believe this word is the word that used to be between niggardly and niggle in very old dictionaries and is similar to the country between Mail and Chad in the atlas but with the middle letter doubled. So I am told by someone living destitute on the street who once uttered this word.
Well said. Truly crazy. But nothing to do with ‘left’ as I understand. We need some new words. How about going three dimensional? ‘Left’ is collectivist. ‘Right’ is individual. ‘Up’ is rational. ‘Down’ is crazy.
This is just way way ‘down’.
3 Dimensional would have 6 points – but you’re on the right start.
The plane:
Far Left: Collectivist – product of work benefits society
Far Right: Capitalist – product of work benefits the individual
Far Up: Authoritarian – Many Government Rules, Regs, & Depts keep the machine properly oiled and focused on the larger goals of government.
Far Down: Libertarian – Few (Essential) Government Rules, Regs, & Depts keep the machine properly oiled and chaotically addressing individualistic needs.
Above the plane: Totalitarian – all government all the time. There is no individual action, everything is at the direction of the government hierarchy.
Below the plane: Anarchy – no government, anywhere, at all. No authority at all. No accountability.
Thoughts?
I’d love some better terms.
The fuzzy caterpillars are shopping for dresses, and are too full of carmel to watch the circus: this is killing butterflies.
Code:
fuzzy caterpillars = progressives
shopping for dresses = eating their own
full of carmel = stupid
watch the circus = realize
killing butterflies = self defeating
Words are fungible.
When sports mascots are considered insulting, and seeing a statue is considered harmful, the idea that even speaking a word is an unforgivable sin is the next logical, or illogical step. Presumably all who are enlightened know which words are considered taboo, and, even when discussing them, know appropriate alternatives. If you know them, you need to use them, or risk being labeled someone who is unenlightened. “Nigger” is simply a word that’s not permitted under any circumstances.
The ancient Greeks referred to the mythical god of the dead as Plouton (the rich one) or Clymenus (the notorious one) because they feared that if they actually spoke his given name of Hades they might attract his attention and he might send for them. In one city the fire department’s engine companies are odd numbered by battalion, so in the Second Battalion you have Engine 21, 23, etc. up to 27, but in the First it goes Engine 11, Engine 15, etc., because 13 is considered bad luck. Growing up I bet many of us begged off the dare to light a candle before a mirror and say “Bloody Mary” three times, because the thought of the consequences was just too awful.
Come on here. Objectively almost nobody believes in the Greek gods anymore, the idea that a fire engine would be in greater danger simply because of the number it bore is pretty silly, and no evil ghost is going to leap out of a mirror no matter what we do. Yet we have to actually think about this, because we learned these superstitions as kids. We got brainwashed, and now its hard to get it out of our systems.
I was at the PA Renaissance Fair this past weekend, which I know has been mentioned here. As part of the finale of the day’s story the kings of France and England and their knights joust. If you were seated on the English side you were supposed to participate in a “call and response” cheer where the king’s servants would yell “We are…” followed by all yelling “England!” and also salute by raising your hand in the “sign of the king” (index and little fingers extended, presumably to look like a crown).
Of course it was all good clean fun, but I couldn’t help but think “is someone going to find this offensive?” Has someone from an Irish family been taught to hate the English? Has someone from a Jewish family been fed a little too much on the bread of the Holocaust to where this cheering and gesturing is going to freak them out? I bet you’re agreeing that this thinking is nonsense, but I’ve heard so much damn political correctness that I couldn’t help thinking of it.
Now someone’s lost their job because she dared utter a taboo word, presumably the thinking being that if even one person is offended by this forbidden word it merits the employment death penalty. This is worse than superstition changing a number on a truck or putting a dumb fear into kids. This is making mythology reality and attaching real consequences to it. The ironic thing is, as you pointed out in the post about the Pope, the left is usually the party against religion or any kind of supernatural belief, however, they are happy to use this secular mythology to get and keep control of yet another aspect of everyone’s lives.
Comment of the Day, S-O.
Thanks.
Wait until you say nothing but they determine you were thinking the taboo word.
Not as far fetched as it might seem if we have arrived at this point.
Not far fetched in the least. Maybe it is bias, but I find this especially true from the left. They just love to assume what you meant to say regardless of what you actually said.
Thanks for the video clip. It has been far too long since I have watched the life of Brian. I know this is entirely the point, but I find it amusing how prescient that was considering our current virtue signaling world. It is like when an onion article comes true 5 years later.
Jack,
I disagree HRC President Chad Griffin and Ms. Maxwell are not idiots.
As for Chad, he is a committed ideologue who has embraced totalitarian cant. Upon receiving preliminary findings on Monday night, Griffin said he suspended Maxwell without pay. On Wednesday, after receiving the full findings, he accepted her resignation.
According to the linked article, he said the following”
“As an organization devoted to achieving equality and stamping out bigotry, we are confronted with hate speech on a daily basis,” Griffin wrote in the memo. “But it’s our job to respond to these incidents in ways that are appropriate and don’t compound the harms done. This situation has crystallized the need for a formal policy on our expectations and requirements of staff in responding to or discussing hate speech.”
Griffin said he has called for that new policy to be instituted within two weeks, and for the policy to be included and reinforced in mandatory staff trainings.
Erm . . . Pres. Chad? What new policy? How, in the name of Mike, can you implement a new policy if no one knows what the new policy is?
Later in the article, Ms. Maxwell said this:
“While in each instance I was conveying something that really happened — in the first I was emotional and scared that it had been said and in the second feeling urgency about addressing a deeply racist and homophobic encounter that a colleague recounted — I should never have said that word out loud. Period.
“I believe in taking responsibility for my mistakes and how my words and actions impact others. I am so proud of the work so many people at HRC are doing and am deeply sorry to damage that or to hurt or disappoint any of you in any way,” she added.
A longtime HRC observer told Politico that HRC did the right thing.
“HRC has become an effective leader in the alliance of organizations fighting for racial justice. This was the right outcome,” the unnamed source said. “An organization has to live the values it espouses.”
HRC has declined to comment on the internal memo, but confirmed the authenticity of the memos to Politico.
They have been hoisted on their own petards.
jvb
No, he’s an idiot. Aspiring totalitarians hide their cards better.
Touché.
jvb
I’m on of those people that’s had the “luck” of getting called for jury duty multiple times and getting picked most of them.
The major misfortune is that they’ve all been rape and molestation cases. But I can say one refreshing aspect is any ambiguous euphemisms were not permitted by the judge. Clear, precise language was insisted on.
This is my peat peeve. Adults shouldn’t need baby talk to tiptoe around issues where most everyone knows exactly what you’re saying. It’s not a advocation for crass crudeness in polite company but if you are going to discuss the topic do so with maturity.
I wonder if the new policy will allow using the word “hate” to discuss hate speech?