Well yes because there's no date on the first or second article, it could have been written a week ago and I have not at any point said that the word wasn't being used offensively a week ago, nor a year ago, nor five. I said that at one point, over a decade ago (yes I'm being very approximate with time), it was the proper term used by experts to characterize someone.

The link from NPR shows in 2012 it was offensive but still being compared to "Idiot" or "Moron" which I'd wager is where it was at the start of being used as an insult.

All of them ignore my point that it was once the proper and even 'polite' usage to call someone "Mentally retarded" and it evolved into a slur against the intellectually disabled and that cycle of turning words into slurs is exhausting. I personally think using hateful words in non-hateful context is how you reverse this loop which is why you'll find me using it in every way except to talk poorly about people who have an actual disability.

[–] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world -5 points 9 months ago (2 children)

The link from NPR shows in 2012 it was offensive but still being compared to “Idiot” or “Moron” which I’d wager is where it was at the start of being used as an insult.

My god, you didn't even read them. Bailey literally says in the NPR article:

She said that it's not offensive and that it's the same as saying cretin or moron, and it's definitely not.

"She" being Ann Coulter, who used the slur to begin with. So sure, it's comparable to 'moron'... if you're Ann Coulter, which I hope you are not.

Again- It is offensive, I do not like to see it here, and I will delete it sometimes.

That is my final word on it as a mod and I advise you not to try to argue with me further on this.

[–] aidan@lemmy.world 9 points 9 months ago (1 children)

That is my final word on it as a mod and I advise you not to try to argue with me further on this.

That's ridiculous to say. You're of course free to have a different opinion, and free to not respond, but a veiled threat to someone following the rules in expressing a disagreement with you is absolutely ridiculous.

[–] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world -2 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Do you think this path you're going down right now is a wise one?

[–] aidan@lemmy.world 1 points 9 months ago (1 children)

What does that mean?

[–] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world -1 points 9 months ago (1 children)

I mean I wouldn't argue about you doing your job in politics. If you have an issue with me as a moderator, airing it out in public is not the way to do it. It's not good for either community.

I do not feel that I need a long argument to justify why I sometimes delete a comment using a word that the people who it is used against find offensive. Especially when I didn't do that this time. If you want people to argue endlessly with you about your reasoning for doing something as a mod in your communities, that is your right.

And when someone not just ignores what I have to say about it, but claims what I have posted says the literal opposite of what it says, then yes, I am going to shut that conversation down. I think I gave them plenty of time to air out their complaint that me occasionally deleting "retard" was completely uncalled for because it's not offensive. They certainly didn't do me the same courtesy.

[–] aidan@lemmy.world 1 points 9 months ago

I mean I wouldn't argue about you doing your job in politics.

You should if you have a problem with it.

If you have an issue with me as a moderator, airing it out in public is not the way to do it.

That's fair, I just didn't see it as appropriate to DM you, and I don't know any other way to contact you.

It's not good for either community.

I'm not speaking on behalf of politics, it has nothing to do with this. I'm just an individual person.

I do not feel that I need a long argument to justify why I sometimes delete a comment using a word that the people who it is used against find offensive.

I agree, it would depend on the context, but we would probably delete it in politics too.

And when someone not just ignores what I have to say about it, but claims what I have posted says the literal opposite of what it says, then yes, I am going to shut that conversation down.

I agree if someone does that it's deceptive. But at that point just don't respond, or say you're not going to respond because of that. I don't respond all the time, sometimes I have nothing to add I haven't already said, sometimes I don't have time, sometimes I just don't want to. I just don't like the idea of telling someone to drop a topic under threat

[–] RealFknNito@lemmy.world 2 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

I didn't know we were having an argument on it. I agree with you for the most part and appreciate you not reactively deleting my original comment.

Have a good weekend.

[–] aidan@lemmy.world 7 points 9 months ago

you not reactively deleting my original comment.

Instead just threatening to if you continue to disagree.