"Going Columbine" - please stop using this phrase

[mdvlprof]

Going all "John Wilkes Booth"... Too soon?

going all Spartacus?

 

[acpalmer]

For the record, I never said I didn't care about political correctness, nor did I say that this offended me. Not being easily offended myself doesn't mean that I am not empathetic to those who are hurt by words and I do know that phrases like that are emotionally difficult for those they affect. I said this one felt like a gut punch and it did--as other phrases do to others, which I never denied or said I didn't care about. I also don't use the phrase "going postal" (or John Wilkes Booth) in case anyone is wondering.

Doesn't make me like the new podcaster or the podcast itself any less, just wanted to let her know that what she said was hurtful. If, knowing that, she chooses to continue to use that phrase in a public venue such as a podcast, it gives me a little insight.

 

[keri125]

Do I think it should have been said? No. Did it offend me? Well, since it didn't stand out to me when I listened to the Podcast, no it didn't.

But what if she had said "going Postal"? Would that have offended anyone? It's the same concept other than not involving children. Is that the line that shouldn't be crossed? And the term going postal became pretty mainstream for a while, and I still hear it used from time to time. And we still hear about workplace shootings on the news. So what makes one term less offensive than the other?

I don't think one phrase is less offensive than the other. I grew up in Edmond, OK where the postal shooting occured. My post man was killed. His name is on the Memorial. However, the OP was talking about a specific phrase that was used on the podcast. I think it would be a good idea to not use either phrase. Whatever happened to just describing our (or someone else's) feelings or actions? "They got really angry." "They were super stressed out." "They cried and screamed at me."

I'm a non-apologist when it comes to being PC. I believe words have power. Using phrases like "gay" or "retard" to describe something stupid, or using derogatory terms for race and gender do have an affect on society. I remember Julie mentioning one time how hurtful it is when people use words like "retard" when they are talking about something stupid, and encouraging others to think about what words mean when you use them. I for one wouldn't want to live in a society where people said and did things with no thought for how it might affect someone else. And I have never felt like I couldn't express my feelings, or that I suffer from any sort of censorship. I just take two extra seconds to use my brain and come up with a different word that is non-offensive and still describes my feelings.

 

[Pooh2]

Not just you. We've become too thin skinned. We've become afraid to say anything, for fear we may offend some one.

Agreed. Hope the young podcaster is not offended by this thread..

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I was disturbed to hear the term "going Columbine" on someone on this week's podcast. While I am sure it was not intended to be offensive, it is to me and others in the Colorado community. Let's honor the heroes and remember the lost of this tragic violent event, not make them a punchline of a joke.

Thank you for posting this. I actually turned the podcast off at that point because it made me very upset. I am one of the least politically correct people ever, but joking about dead kids isn't funny.

 

[Gracefulskinny]

I don't think one phrase is less offensive than the other. I grew up in Edmond, OK where the postal shooting occured. My post man was killed. His name is on the Memorial. However, the OP was talking about a specific phrase that was used on the podcast. I think it would be a good idea to not use either phrase. Whatever happened to just describing our (or someone else's) feelings or actions? "They got really angry." "They were super stressed out." "They cried and screamed at me."

I'm a non-apologist when it comes to being PC. I believe words have power. Using phrases like "gay" or "retard" to describe something stupid, or using derogatory terms for race and gender do have an affect on society. I remember Julie mentioning one time how hurtful it is when people use words like "retard" when they are talking about something stupid, and encouraging others to think about what words mean when you use them. I for one wouldn't want to live in a society where people said and did things with no thought for how it might affect someone else. And I have never felt like I couldn't express my feelings, or that I suffer from any sort of censorship. I just take two extra seconds to use my brain and come up with a different word that is non-offensive and still describes my feelings.

 

[WaltD4Me]

I am not into the PC of things...and no, not even if I am personally offended do I say anything, because I do believe PC'ism has gone too far. However, I do understand when people do get offended or upset. I am conscious of what I say and I believe Jenni Lynn is too. You could tell she regretted what she said as soon as she said it and it definitely wasn't intentional, I realize to some that doesn't matter, but everyone has a slip of the tongue.

 

[ConnorsMama]

I don't think one phrase is less offensive than the other. I grew up in Edmond, OK where the postal shooting occured. My post man was killed. His name is on the Memorial. However, the OP was talking about a specific phrase that was used on the podcast. I think it would be a good idea to not use either phrase. Whatever happened to just describing our (or someone else's) feelings or actions? "They got really angry." "They were super stressed out." "They cried and screamed at me."

I'm a non-apologist when it comes to being PC. I believe words have power. Using phrases like "gay" or "retard" to describe something stupid, or using derogatory terms for race and gender do have an affect on society. I remember Julie mentioning one time how hurtful it is when people use words like "retard" when they are talking about something stupid, and encouraging others to think about what words mean when you use them. I for one wouldn't want to live in a society where people said and did things with no thought for how it might affect someone else. And I have never felt like I couldn't express my feelings, or that I suffer from any sort of censorship. I just take two extra seconds to use my brain and come up with a different word that is non-offensive and still describes my feelings.

I agree wholeheartedly. Words do have power. The old saying "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" is one of the most incorrect statements there is. Words are dangerous. Words can be used to build up and to break down. We all need to take a second to think about our choice of words before blurting things out.

 

[BandontheRun]

An older term was "Going Postal" because of the waves of postal worker shootings in the 90s. It was even a "secret code" in the Duke Nuke'Em video game.
It's OK to be offended. that helps keep free speech alive. When you restrict "offensive" speech, you restrict speech. Both must be protected.
As some Mayor said, "grow a pair!" If you are offended, just move on. Many things that you say may offend others and you may have no idea why- it doesn't mean that your speech should be restricted.
My 2 cents.

 

[GAN]

It's OK to be offended. that helps keep free speech alive. When you restrict "offensive" speech, you restrict speech. Both must be protected. As some Mayor said, "grow a pair!" If you are offended, just move on. Many things that you say may offend others and you may have no idea why- it doesn't mean that your speech should be restricted. My 2 cents.

I agree. It's also ok to speak out when offended. Hopefully, someone learns from it -generally speaking.

 

[keri125]

An older term was "Going Postal" because of the waves of postal worker shootings in the 90s. It was even a "secret code" in the Duke Nuke'Em video game.
It's OK to be offended. that helps keep free speech alive. When you restrict "offensive" speech, you restrict speech. Both must be protected.
As some Mayor said, "grow a pair!" If you are offended, just move on. Many things that you say may offend others and you may have no idea why- it doesn't mean that your speech should be restricted.
My 2 cents.

Yes, and I am totally against censorship. BUT there is a big difference between telling someone that they cannot express an idea different than yours, and telling someone that they should "grow a pair" if they are offended by what you said. There is a saying that has been going around: "You are free to choose, but you are not free from the consequence of your choice." This is relevant to speech as well. Yes, at least here in America, you can say what you like (to a certain degree). Does not mean that you are free from the consequences of your words. And I don't think anyone was advocating restricting anyone's speech - just putting out a request to please be a little more sensitive to how our words and phrases sound when we talk. It's really not that hard.

 

[DisneyKevin]

On July 9th 2009, my Dad, Richard Klose, died after being hit by a car 100 yards from his house.

If you have known anyone that has died in this way, you are not surprised to find that this is often part of television shows and movies.

It's rare that I turn on the TV and don't see someone hit by a car. I realize that I am more aware of this than most. It's more personal.

And worse, this is often treated with great humor and after being run down, the victim gets up and brushes himself or herself off and carries on.

My Dad didn't get up.

I would guess that there have more fatalities due to automobile accidents than there have been to school, mall or post office shootings, yet
there is no outcry to stop this from being shown on TV and in the movies. There is no post stating that this may be hurtful to a great many people. Nothing. Yet it happens every day, but it's not usually part of a 24 hour news cycle...so you don't have to deal with it. And thank the heavens that you don't.

My point in telling you this is not to look for sympathy.

It's to make you realize that you too, may have laughed or watched something that is truly hurtful and devastating to someone else...without ever knowing it or doing anything about it.

I'm sure there are MANY more examples. You may say or do something without thinking that may hurt someone else. Do you mean it to be hurtful....of course not. It's just a part of life.

“Nobody has the right to not be offended. That right doesn't exist in any declaration I have ever read. If you are offended it is your problem, and frankly lots of things offend lots of people." Salman Rushdie

 

[clombardi]

It doesn't seem like anyone who has posted here felt that JL made this comment to be deliberately hurtful. I am impressed by how kindly each poster has expressed their displeasure with this comment.

Feel very, very sad that Kevin has to live with the pain of his dad's death. I remember keeping Kevin's family in my prayers at that time.

Must respectfully admit that I am disappointed not to hear any sort of apology or acknowledgement of the inappropriate nature of this comment from anyone associated with the podcast.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

Must respectfully admit that I am disappointed not to hear any sort of apology or acknowledgement of the inappropriate nature of this comment from anyone associated with the podcast.

I thought she apologised after she said it and Pete made a comment about it?

 

[clombardi]

I thought she apologised after she said it and Pete made a comment about it?

I guess I would need to go back and listen to the podcast. I can honestly say that I did not hear that, but it is possible I missed it somehow.

 

[clombardi]

I thought she apologised after she said it and Pete made a comment about it?

Just listened again. At 43:25 into the podcast. No apology. Maybe it was edited out after the live show?

 

[Auntie Sherry]

I agree it seemed inappropriate to me. I wonder if she was just nervous being her first show.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Must respectfully admit that I am disappointed not to hear any sort of apology or acknowledgement of the inappropriate nature of this comment from anyone associated with the podcast.

Typically, points about previous comments or segments are made during "Housekeeping" in the following show. It's rare for something like this to be done on the boards as not all of the listening audience posts on the forum.

 

[k5jm]

Typically, points about previous comments or segments are made during "Housekeeping" in the following show. It's rare for something like this to be done on the boards as not all of the listening audience posts on the forum.

...if it is even warranted.

 

[Pooh2]

...if it is even warranted.

The speech police will demand an apology. Not a very warm welcome for the new podcaster.