Official State of the Game Podcast Thread - Page 2099

On March 12 2012 07:53 Gamegene wrote:
i think the only reason why orb is being asked to come on is so that he gets a chance to explain himself in person and on stream, the way we are used to hearing community figure's opinions.

On March 12 2012 20:48 Defacer wrote:


I've posted enough about this in other threads. But in short:

In Orb's case, offense was absolutely intended.

The use of the word nigger, in Orb's situation, is derogatory, even if it's not directed at a Black person, because it perpetuates the stereotype that Black people are inferior.

Arguing how people perceive words differently is not the actually the issue. The issue is whether or not being offensive warrants losing your job. You can piss and moan about how the people are too sensitive, but doesn't change the fact he offended people.

And of course the killing blow to this IDIOTIC, JUVENILE argument:

People have the right to say what they want, true, and have no control over other people's interpretation. On the same token, PEOPLE ALSO HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE OFFENDED, and chose whether not to support you and your behaviour. To be so naive, arrogant, and self-centered to try to argue otherwise -- that people shouldn't be offended, and if they are, there should be no social consequence because 'it was their choice' -- is a ridiculous waste of time.

For Orb or Destiny or anyone to try to rationalize their knowingly offensive behavior -- and yes, Orb knows the word is grossly offensive, or else the word would have no value or appeal for Orb to use (he could have easily called the guy a motherfucker) -- and then try to rationalize it to dodge the social consequences of their behaviour isn't just intellectually bankrupt. It's cowardly.

The reason why Orb or Destiny and so many people try to justify the casual use of nigger isn't because they're poet-philosophers trying to elevate the English language to weird and exciting places. It's because saying it and trying to get away with it makes them shit-and-giggle in their pants like little school girls.

If the word wasn't inherently offensive, they wouldn't bother using it. Which makes the argument that people chose to be offended by your choice of words, when the intent to offend is implicit, empty and fraudulent.

EDIT: BTW, in all fairness, I don't think I've ever heard Destiny use the word nigger in a manner that I would consider derogatory. I can imagine him saying, "Yeeeeeahhhh nigga!" or "Wassup nigga?", but never with the intent to insult people.

Orb's situation is specific, and even if Destiny where to trot out the argument that words have different meanings depending on their context, he would have to acknowledge in this context, Orb was trying to be a massive dick.