this post was submitted on 06 Jul 2024
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[โ€“] pmk@lemmy.sdf.org 14 points 4 months ago (1 children)

The "x just means y" argument has its merits, but there are many words that "just mean" something, but after being used in a bad way now are considered offensive. "Retarded" just means "slowed down", and "negro" just means "black". So then the question becomes, who gets to decide if a word is offensive? People with dictionaries, or people who feel offended? Either way, I think society should be consistent.

The thing that's most alarming to me every time I hear someone say "cis isn't offensive" is the complete lack of self-awareness, from groups that should really know better. But humans are humans so it just is what it is.