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Post by Stardrifter on Nov 6, 2012 21:22:32 GMT -5
So there's no discussion topic for Blood Syndicate yet, but I feel like we should discuss the use of a racial slur in #0.
I personally am not comfortable with it. I don't care if its how people talk or not, I don't feel like it's something we want on this site. Sure we allow cursing, but I think we can all agree that curse words and racial slurs are on different levels.
Anyway, that's my feelings on it. I felt it important to at least broach the discussion.
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Post by unchartedfan1 on Nov 6, 2012 21:32:26 GMT -5
I think that they can work as long as they aren't used to the degree of a Mark Twain novel. I haven't read Blood Syndicate #0 yet, but as long as they aren't used pointlessly and overused, I think it should be fine.
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Post by jackalope on Nov 6, 2012 22:54:01 GMT -5
Just read it. It's a hard one. If you watch the Wire or any other show set around African-American gangs then this kind of dialogue is pretty common place. Sure in some ways you can criticize it as a way to try to be edgy, or whatever, but it can be realistic. I hate racism too, but I mean we've had stories with attempted rape in them. There is the choice not to read them. I suppose an issue will be whether the characters are racist- rather than the author (in no way do I think TKJ is). I'm personally more worried about whether about whether the story is well written, I good story that includes racial slurs would likely highlight the issue, whereas a badly written one just seems racist. I'm waiting for more before I form an opinion.
Would censoring the racial slurs help?
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Post by The Wonderful Wachter on Nov 7, 2012 6:45:15 GMT -5
This is by no means an admin decision but it is an admin ruling.
Star, as much as you dislike racial slurs, this was not something you should have done a call to arms for. Yes, he doesn't have a discussion. Yes, racial slurs are incredibly offensive to people and offensive to others outside of the slurs range to varying degrees. Yet you could have PMed him and asked him to censor it for now and then PMed an admin so that we could discuss it and how best to bridge it to the board. It's a powder keg of a issue that serves to put people against different sides of an issue.
And no, cursing is not any different. In fact, it's worse since it doesn't neglect offending anyone since it's directed at EVERYONE. Only thing that makes it "different" is that cursing has become culturally acceptable while people tend to walk on tiptoes about slurs. Personally, I find bitch and (mother)fucker incredibly offensive and foul to use but I accept the fact they have a right to be used and even use them myself since that's how the world is. These people aren't me.
In conclusion. This matter could have and should have been handled differently. The Admins are discussing the matter. We'll let you know when a verdict is reached.
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Post by Stardrifter on Nov 7, 2012 9:36:02 GMT -5
I brought it to the community, which I thought we were, for opinions. Since I would assume that something like this should have a community consensus. And as we see from the other responses, opinions vary.
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Post by tjkernan on Nov 7, 2012 11:23:27 GMT -5
Yeah, this is why I picked this title. Good discussion!
One of the big problems I have with mainstream comics today is they portray heroes, and people in general, in a very romanticized, unrealistic, idealized fashion. DC's failing Teen Line is a great example of this. 50 year old white writers are writing teens like they WANT them to be, not in they way they would actually be. It smacks of insincerity. Teens experiment with drinking and drugs, they are more interested in the opposite sex and in discovering their place in the world. They make a lot of mistakes and foolish decisions. (Morning Glories, for example, does a great job of teen portrayal)
This title is hard, and it is suppose to be, because it is grounded in realism, which is one of the things that lured me to Milestone, and the Blood Syndicate title, in the first place.
These are people grounded in tough situations. They come from a place with a lot of anger in their situations-they are poor, alienated, and hated, stuck in a dead-end world of junkies, whores, violence and poverty.
The Racism is intentional and very much an intentional component of the series. Very soon these harsh characters are going to have to rely on each other-and ONLY each other-to survive some very tough times. their preconceived notions about each other are going to be challenged, punched in the face, and worked through, or they are never going to make it as a team.
This is a very adult-oriented series, grounded in tough realities. There will be a lot of violence. There will be (just like the original series) drug use. There will be sex (though nothing graphic). I will gladly throw a disclaimer atop issues if everyone would like, but this isn't a 60's romanticized ideal of what a comic book is suppose to be, this comic is grounded in harsh realities and tough issues...
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Post by C_Miller on Nov 14, 2012 2:52:12 GMT -5
Okay. I talked to TJKernan and I think the ruling is that we're going to try and limit racial slurs. As a community, if it makes a few people uncomfortable, that becomes a major issue in the existence of the board. Especially with it being such a small community. I hate to censor things and I hate to play the PC police, but I sometimes have to go against my gut for what I think is best for the board.
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