I've made it clear that I do not support censorship under any circumstances.
I don't like the idea of booting anyone off the site simply for posting something that may run counter to the general attitudes of most of the site's membership. I'm usually the first one to suggest that when I see something I don't like, I just "keep on scrolling".
HOWEVER, I'm wondering just how much racism we're supposed to tolerate in the name of Free Speech?
Or straight-up sexist bullshit?
Do we report things posted in "jest" that are blatantly racist or misogynistic? Do we call them out, publicly?
Or do we avoid taking responsibility altogether and keep scrolling?
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14 comments
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.i haven't come across any isms on this site yet, but i'd certainly respond in a criticizing way to sexist, racist or any other discriminating remarks. i will rather report the person than block them. i will not tolerate personal attacks either, but block the abuser, as they solve nothing, just spreading bad vibes. i don't care if this falls under "censorship" or what or not; just clearing the energy of toxic influence.
walklightly
Level 8
July 2, 2018
2
I don't have a racist bone in my body but I do make misogynistic jokes every once in awhile. If I offend someone I am sorry. I am trying to do better.
JeffMesser
Level 8
July 2, 2018
2
If I see what I consider racist or sexist 'humorous' posts, I either pass 'em by with no likes, or, if over my particular line, I will call them out. This is usually in "Memes..." where taste is supposed to be suspect. On 'serious' posts I will most likely confront the individual, & try to get them to explain their stance. I probably won't report, as I know there are many others that will do so far before I would consider the matter to have reached that point. I will, however, report someone immediately for spamming. & I can totally see an individual reporting for stalking or abuse. Unfortunately, I still haven't found the woman yet that will stalk & abuse me!!! Ladies?????
phxbillcee
Level 10
July 1, 2018
2
I've been on this site for some time, tho not by any means the first. & I have posted & commented on a lot of things, as you can tell by my Level. Tho I have a number that have blocked me, & with at least a few of them I KNOW it was just because I called them out on being unfair to someone else, I have blocked no one! As an actively visible atheist it behooves one to have a thick skin! I really don't like the idea of censorship in almost, note I said almost, all cases. It is a very slippery slope & stifles the exchange of ideas & viewpoints!
I agree. There's too much of it.
There should be a report function for people who are being offensive assholes. When someone has reached ten reports they should be sent a warning by admin. If they continue, they should be banned.
Ellatynemouth
Level 8
July 1, 2018
1
"Offensive assholes", according to who? You? So now you determine who is worthy to post information. A "Block User" button would be better, if someone is an offensive asshole in your opinion you should be able to block them so you don't need to see their posts.
What you are ignoring is the psychology of the troll, whose sole purpose is to emotionally manipulate and get a rise out of people.
I don't like blocking people, because I like to give people the benefit of the doubt.
It takes time to discover if someone is a troll or not and it takes time to find out if someone exhibits the 'dark triad' personality.
It wastes everyone's time.
I too dislike censorship and I haven't personally felt the need to report anyone (yet).
I did block someone a few months ago but have since unblocked him.
Funny thing about censorship though, what some may find offensive, others may not.
Aye, there's the rub.
Paul628
Level 8
July 1, 2018
4
That's just it, isn't it?
I generally don't get offended by much. I have no one blocked.
At one point, I had two members blocked. One left, the other is still
here, and is no longer blocked. We still interact occasionally.
If someone is attacking me personally, I can take it. I understand that
I'm quite opinionated, and not everyone is going to agree with me.
I know that a number of people have blocked me because they didn't
like what I had to say, and took offense. As is their right.
That said, I'm not going to look the other way when someone is being deliberately racist (or sexist, or bigoted). I don't care if they think they're being funny or not.
I'm going to report them.
I've tried talking to people about this stuff, instead of reporting them,
but there are just some folks that aren't receptive and they won't
even have the conversation. (And yes, I was nice, and did not swear
at anyone.)
Anyone can come at me sideways all day long, if that's what they
want to do, but I'm not going to be tolerant of hateful bullshit.
@KKGator You? Opinionated, I find that amusing. I think you speak your mind very well.
When people make a stand on a particular issue they think they have arguments while keeping things civil then it should be fair game. Trolling or personal attacks it is not ok. Those should be dealt with...how? ... That's debatable and it would be nice to keep talking about towards developing/establishing/enforcing ground rules
IamNobody
Level 8
July 1, 2018
4
I've made my stance on this issue pretty clear. If someone is being abusive or clearly attempting to demean another member of the group, then they need to be brought out in to the public square by the other members and shown just how few friends they have and how little the shit they're spewing matters.
Censorship gives the person who is being censored power. It makes them start to believe that they are having an effect and it encourages them to continue their idiotic behavior elsewhere.
webbew1
Level 7
July 1, 2018
4
I agree! I don't want to give people like that ANY power at all.
Unfortunately, many times, they believe they're just "being funny", mean no harm, and don't understand what the "big deal" is, and they keep repeating the same behavior.
I am the last person to encourage political correctness.
However, I'm tired of the blatant racism and sexism (which goes both ways) being demonstrated.
I have a highly developed sense of humor, and that shit ain't funny.
The trouble is... Some people only come onto sites like this to rile people. They are the same with everyone. They don't deserve respect when they exist to troll.
If it's racist in a hateful way I call it out. There is using the word fuck when I drop something (like my favorite mug and it breaks).
Then there's what I will NEVER do (or shout) - FUCK YOU to someone calling me names. Sticks and stones will never hurt me. BUT Someone bullying deserves a FU. Like the FU trump.
Sort of holds for misogyny also.
The problem with type written comments we do not always have the sarcastic inflection to cue off of.
On some level NOT calling it all out is what got us the horrible gop Congress and Senate and ultimately trump. IMO
silverotter11
Level 9
July 1, 2018
4
There is censorship and then there is common sense and there appear to be some who lack the latter.
Marine
Level 8
July 1, 2018
5
I agree. The dumb ass who asked me what makes me orgasm—without ever having had any previous conversations that would lead him to believe that was a respectable and mannerly thing to ask a complete stranger on the fucking Internet — Yeah, not the kind of no-common-sense moron I have any desire to ever have a conversation with.
@BlueWave It would be one thing to make a (tasteless) poll or question as a post & ask that generally. It is totally another to presume to ask such a question to a woman one does not know well, if at all, let alone in a public forum.
Unfortunately, many theists that troll this site, & even more, unfortunately, many clueless atheists, believe that if one is an atheist one has no morals, respect for oneself or other & therefore must be "loose"!!! Some women, & many, many men are idiots!
@phxbillcee Precisely! I wholeheartedly agree.
@phxbillcee i would disagree with you regarding the point that a few rotten men ruin the image for all men. I would hope that most men would come to your defense should they see you in trouble. I know the gentlemen iknow with 2 exceptions would do so.
I personally don’t tolerate it for even one comment. I block for non-existent manners, incessant hyper-sexualized comments, intentionally trying to hurt somebody’s feelings or put them down, etc. When I see racism, homophobia, and misogyny, they get blocked and reported. I’m not running this site, but if I were, as somebody else said, the person would get one warning and then they would be gone.
Calmly and thoughtfully expressing one’s views, without putting other people down is one thig. However, if the thoughtful expression of views shows me that the person is a hateful bigot of any stripe, I don’t want to be around them for any reason or for any length of time.
BlueWave
Level 8
July 1, 2018
6
I don't have a problem with censoring items that are in poor taste. I believe in free speech but if it promotes racism or vulgar sex then, in my opinion, this isn't the correct site for that kind of thing.
Grecio
Level 7
July 1, 2018
6
& who, then, are the 'taste' police? Abuse or bigotry is one thing, but I grew up on Zappa & National Lampoon, what you find in 'poor taste' I may find mildly amusing. Unfortunately, we also have many prudes on this site that would have a purge of any that don't strictly agree with their viewpoint. We may all be atheists or agnostics, but we are not all cut from the same cloth. So, again, who decides, & how far down the slippery slope of censorship are you willing to travel?
I too dislike censorship. However, we are a community which welcomes all people of all races and therefore I think it's perfectly reasonable that anyone who posts a racist message or reply receives a warning informing them that racism is not acceptable in our community - and if they do it again, boot 'em out; there are plenty of sites where they can go and post all the racist bullshit they want. Same goes for misogyny: this is an unusually friendly site for women and I'm yet to see any woman who has expressed an opinion here receive the sort of response that has caused so many women to leave Twitter - and that's one of the things that makes this site so valuable and different, so we need to actively protect that.
Jnei
Level 8
July 1, 2018
7
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