I find both the simplification and hyperbole that you've employed here as a failed criticism of my arguments to be a great illustration of how weak your position truly is.
Is that so?
Can you think of any phrases that would greatly impact one's life if spoken publicly, regardless of the context? I can think of a few.
If you had a strong position, then you would not feel the need to reduce Deen's behavior to merely "the utterance of one phrase" while purposely ignoring all of the other things she has said and is accused of saying and doing.
Well, I wasn't specifically taking about her case, in fact in my initial post I was responding to the OP's criticism of Alec Baldwin. Regardless, from the Paula Deen case I understand she was asked in court if she ever used the N word and she said she did, back when the word was socially acceptable. She's also being accused by a former employee of other things, but the validity of those claims have yet to be determined. So as far as I see, the only thing that is known in the case is that she uttered a phrase and that's enough to stir controversy.
If you had a strong position, then you wouldn't describe a wealthy person being fired and losing endorsements with the laughably hyperbolic phrase "illegible to participate in the economy," particularly when that person owns her own restaurant (I'm assuming, by the way that you meant "ineligible".)
Thanks for pointing out the typo.
When I say "ineligible to participate in the economy," I'm referring to the notion that no one should give them business, which I understand was your point. I apologize if I misunderstood you.
For someone who seems so apt to point out the obvious, it's surprising that you missed it in this case so I'll point it out for you. "Hypersensitivity" is subjective.
Yes, and I'm saying people need to adjust their perceptions. They care about long time ago comments too much and too often it stirs controversy.
Using some sense of subjectivity is just lazy arguing. I could respond to your long paragraphs with "well that's just subjective" too, but then there would be no more point in debating. I'm aware people's perceptions are different, there's no need to pull it out as though it changes anything.
What you perceive as hypersensitive may be perceived as just the right amount of sensitivity or even not enough sensitivity by others. For those people, your opinion on whether or not they are "hypersensitive" is irrelevant and holds no power for anyone but you and those who agree with the sentiment. Therefore, your "expectation" that people not behave in the way you want them to is irrational unless you intend to convince them to adopt your perspective.
I'd be happy to try to convince them of my position if I had even the smallest inkling that they would listen. I've concluded however, that people like being offended too much to consider the issue fairly.
I will also say, just as a personal observation, that I find the juxtaposition of how you dismiss concerns about Deen as "hypersensitive" while expressing your own concern about how others have treated her extremely funny (I'm smiling as I type this).
You have a weird sense of humor but okay.
It's amusing - and yet not all surprising - that you would dismiss the concerns people have about how middle to lower class black people are treated in their workplace as "hypersensitive", but that you would find the concerns that people have about an upper class white woman who is accused of creating a hostile environment for black workers as legitimate.
I'm addressing the known issues. You're jumping to conclusions and assuming that the hostile work environment occurred. The only evidence for this hostile work environment is disgruntled employee who could just be trying to cash out. Perhaps you should wait for the facts to come in before concluding that someone is an evil racist. I don't give a crap how much money they have; I don't know why you keep feeling the need to point it out.
It is - of course - the people who are tired of seeing racism in their society who are "hypersensitive". It could not, of course, be those who characterize a wealthy person merely losing endorsements as making her "illegible to participate in the economy" who are the hypersensitive ones. Oh, no. That could never be.
:lol:
Well, it's more the people who want to see racism everywhere they can. You're jumping to conclusions is an example of that.