"That's so gay" - enough to get twelve-year-olds suspended

[Jules]

Originally posted by korn469
the real problem here isn't intolerance of gays, it is

NO TOLERANCE POLICIES RUN AMOK!!!!!

the kid complained, and the same bureaucrats that suspend kids who bring nail clippers to school because they are armed and dangerous, suspended this kid
this is an overreaction on the part of the school, it ignores normal child development in the pursuit of a PC/clintonesq utopia, and it doesn't teach anyone a lesson, except for the mother, and it teachers her that the school gives a **** about her kid

I agree with you 100%, korn.

I made a similar argument on page 3 of the thread, but my post seems to have been overlooked.

[korn469]

I made a similar argument on page 3 of the thread, but my post seems to have been overlooked.

don't you hate when that happens?

god that's so MING!

[mindseye]

freedom of speech far outweighs people's feelings getting hurt

I doubt anyone here would disagree. The issue, however, is whether or not language insulting to a social group should be discouraged in a public venue such as a school.

but my post seems to have been overlooked.

No offense, it was probably because we all agree on this point. The disagreement was on whether or not "gay" used in this manner was offensive to gays.

I have to go to work now. Bye!

[korn469]

I doubt anyone here would disagree. The issue, however, is whether or not language insulting to a social group should be discouraged in a public venue such as a school

so then we are back to second guessing the school board...

ok if i had of been that teacher here is what i would have done

i would have gathered all of the students together, then describe to the ones not playing the game what had happened. i would have then asked the boy why he said what he did, and let him explain himself. after his explanation I would then asked the class if they agreed with what he said. then i would have told the class why what he said was wrong, and told how it is offensive to people, and just not something polite people do. then have a quick question and answer session, and then send them on their way.

as it is, this kid is now probably going to be labeled a problem child and this suspension will certainly impact him in a negative way

[curtsibling]

Reading the link, it does seem like a slight over-reaction...

[Az]

Oh, I think I haven't mentioned it, but I support this.

[TheStinger]

The kid shouldn't have been suspended.

However I agree with Boris and Asher, the term is used to imply that being Gay is less worthy than being straight.

It should be discouraged.

A kid in my scholl was Jewish and we used to make all the jokes aboout Jews being miserly he never complained. We just thought it was a laugh. years later he said he always got really upset by it. Just because people don't mean to offend doesn't alter the fact that

[curtsibling]

Pah!

I don't approve of discrimination either.

But if any of you cast your minds back to school,
(or half of you probably still attend)
You will recall that this kind of macho crap is all part and parcel of young lads and thier growing up...

You get wise once you leave school...

[Ted Striker]

your so gay curtsibling

[curtsibling]

Cheers, fancy a date?

[curtsibling]

Only kidding.

"Awww....Mungo Straight!"

[Ted Striker]

[korn469]

Originally posted by curtsibling
But if any of you cast your minds back to school,
(or half of you probably still attend)
You will recall that this kind of macho crap is all part and parcel of young lads and thier growing up...

exactly, and you need to teach a 12 year old about tolerance instead of simply punishing them for not showing any tolerance

btw, the school says bullying is the worst evil know to man, but to me they are using the exact same bullying tactics that they condemn, i despise zero tolerance policies, they always use a sledge hammer to swat a fly, and i don't think it teaches the kids anything

most likely that kid went home, and his mother totally downplayed the significance of what the kid said, simply because the resulting punishment was completely unfair

[Arrian]

This is pretty straightforward for me:

"gay" as used in "xyz is so gay" has a negative connotation. Not necessarily a nasty, evil, hateful one, but a negative one nonetheless. Additionally, gay people are offended by that useage.

Therefore, I try not to use "that is so gay" anymore. I never meant it as a slur vs. gay people, but indirectly, that's what it is. So I've been trying to break myself of it.

The suspension was harsh, though. Unless, of course, the kid had already been talked to about it by a teacher/guidance counselor.

-Arrian

[Boris Godunov]

Originally posted by Drake Tungsten

Yet you seem to not have a problem dishing it out when it is convenient for you, like when telling gays when they can and can't be offended.

I did no such thing.

When you tell gay people they shouldn't be offended by something because you just don't find it offensive, it is indeed being a condescending ass to gay people.

This has been a pretty pathetic display on your part, Boris. You didn't even reach the admittedly low standards I have for you...

Comments about "pathetic" and "low standards" seem pretty meaningles to me when they come from someone who freely admits to using derogatory slurs as part of his everyday speech.