Another diary, earlier today, used an ethnic slur.
I pointed the slur out. People troll-rated me. Several people assumed I was joking, and rebuked me for commenting on the use of the slur. I was not joking; I was pointing out the thoughtless use of an ethnic slur.
So what was I supposed to do?
Was I supposed to let the slur go unremarked? It is already very common, and will only grow more common if left unchallenged.
Was I supposed to find some other way to talk about the slur? Apparently simple, direct statements weren't good enough.
I'm really puzzled by this.
P.S. I explained below:
I have several hobbies. Unfortunately for this, more than one involve studying Late Antiquity. The way people use the slur affects the way people see the history, and that's what really drives me nuts.
And when people say "it's an ethnic slur, but it's to common to drop," or "it's an ethnic slur, but the Vandals are long gone," they're also saying why it's so persistent, and that's why someone has to stand against it.
Okay?
P.P.S. "Slur" doesn't mean "insult," it means "accusation."
Yes, the term "Vandalism" is used to describe certain crimes. As such, the term "Vandalism" is an accusation, a slur. And it refers to an ethnic group. Therefore, it is an ethnic slur.