Reply #205: someone saw something they found offensive and suggested [View All]

it be banned from DU. That's what started this whole episode.

It happens frequently here, with offensiveness offered as the reason to ban.

I don't believe mere offensiveness is a valid justification to remove something. "Offensive" is too vague and too subjective a standard.

Period.

I have never defended the statements on the T-shirts or any other offensive speech. I've done three things in these threads:

1. I've repeatedly and consistently condemned sexism, misogyny and the denigration of women. I've stated over and over again that I deplore the messages on teh T-shirts.

2. I've repeatedly and consistently advocated the discussion, argument against and the hopeful result of changing attitudes that support offensive language and supported and agreed with criticisms of sexist language.

3. I've repeatedly and consistently advocated against removing or proscribing speech--any speech, not just sexist speech--merely on the basis that someone finds it "offensive."

PERIOD.

I've been attacked by a gang who consistently ignore items 1 and 2 and twist item 3 to whatever meaning suits their agenda. I have been accused of hating women, of being stupid, of being a disruptor, of defending misogyny, of defending the messages on the T-shirts and of opposing the decision to ban the ads. Every one of these accusations is demonstrably false.

Finis.