GD poster screams political correctness, doubles down.

[NuclearDem]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=3863116

This had to be one of the most infuriating conversations I've had recently. For context, the poster responded to another who had explained why "balls" in the context of courage and fortitude is offensive. When several of us called the former on their nonsense, they doubled down.

The fact they considered such terminology and attempts to explain its offensive nature ridiculous political correctness is just maddening.

[BainsBane]

1. He's learned the major lesson

That sexist language is allowed, whereas other forms of bigotry are not. Any reference to retard is hidden, often 0-6. Refer to a woman as a bitch, a whore, or a slut, it stands.

[NuclearDem]

2. I mean, it didn't even have to go that way.

All he had to was just listen to why someone found it offensive and leave it at that. But instead he chose to be proud in his tolerance of sexist language for what seems to amount to "feminists are buzzkills."

[BainsBane]

3. Listening requires caring

He, like many, simply doesn't.

[MuseRider]

4. Exactly

and that poster does not care.

They are such thin skinned little snowflakes, do NOT attempt to take away their manly manly things.

EDIT I originally said showflakes, it would work but not what I was going for anyway

[MadrasT]

5. OK, I know how infuriating that can be.

But thank you for patiently explaining it and not abandoning the thread.

Heaven knows, I don't have the patience to get into that kind of back-and-forth much anymore online.

Reading repeated explanations like that (on DU and other places) is what eventually turned me around on sexist language and other feminist issues.

I remember going around with someone on Facebook about "privilege" during the dawn of Occupy and I had to hear that a few times before it took.

I was "too cool to care" for a long time.

You might be frustrated by that interaction, but even if you didn't make any headway with the person you were "talking with", it may help other people who read it and never participate in that particular thread.

[NuclearDem]

7. All I really can do is hope someone reading it changes their mind.

I usually don't put some people as beyond reaching, but that was going nowhere quickly.

But yeah, you're absolutely right. Being silent about it does no one any good at all.

[ismnotwasm]

6. Psychologically

Ir seems as though The idea of 'balls", being brave, manly or what have you may have its roots in the organs' vulnerability. Similarly the notice of size, given the larger the testicles the easier it is to injure them.

Historically, it appears to go back to that manliest of manly and greatest celebration of war epic, The Iliad. So in a way, it's a heteronormative way of celebrating the battlefield.

Which makes common its usage even more ironic.