Ban Racial Slurs: AUP AMENDMENT December 2008

[Crysta]

Ban it. If this was a smaller, tighter-knit community I probably would have said no. Unfortunately there's always some breeding ground for dickweeds in the Keep.

I think intent should be weighed in, though.

[Lord_Romaria]

"Just /ig the person. The function is there for a reason." As many mods have said and as I pointed out earlier. We are told to /ig people for situations much more severe.

 TT speaks the truth.  

It's not an issue to hide from.  It needs to be confronted when it comes to it.  If no one is offended it shouldn't matter to anyone.  If they do have an issue, /ig is the option for the 'victim(s)' of the slurs.  

I say no to the ammendment.  If you ask me searching for racial slurs just slows the mods down from enforcing rules that a bit more important than simple verbal insults.  

[Devin`Asures]

I think we're all missing the point. Granted, I never go to the OOC rooms so I don't participate in a lot of TK discussion, but I really think the existing rules need to be enforced before making any amendments.

They want to add banning racial slurs to the harsh language rule? Fine. But make sure all of it is enforced.

It doesn't happen often, but most recently another user directed what I consider extremely profane language at me in a hostile fashion (I was called a cunt), and I reported it, but nothing was done. I still see that same user logged on TK, so where's the ban for that?
Now I'm sure the mods all get numerous complaints from whiners and people trying to get other people banned, so I can see why this might have been overlooked, but this same user had been trolling another user who had also reported them for repeated harassment. Now when two separate unrelated users who clearly aren't in some 'get someone banned' conspiracy both complain individually, I think something ought to be done.

So really, amend the AUP all you please. I won't care until it starts being actively enforced.

[Kesol]

I think that racial slurring, as long as it's used sparingly and completely IC adds to rp experience in the way that there are actually people like that in the real world.  So long as it's allowed IC, I would say yes to the amendment; however, because of the lack of clarification on that matter, I vote to amend the amendment so that it's a bit more clear whether it's outright and totally banned, or just in OOC situations.


~Kesol

[Scarecrow]

No, I don't think so. If a character is racist that's the character, not necessarily the player. I'm sure the typist could get slammed by a mod if they used racial slurs to harass someone or just in inappropriate behavior, as they could if they abuse just about anything. But I don't think it would help if we all had to walk around on eggshells being extra careful of what we say when we're in a bad mood or just not thinking about others. Or in general. If a mod thinks its inappropriate and used in excess that's fine. But being thrown out of the Keep for saying something like that once or twice since its been 'banned'? Not really. Racial slurs are obnoxious and hurtful, but we've still got freedom of speech, you know?

[Soja]

I think it's pretty easy to tell when someone is being a dumbass anyway. If the rule against profanity needs to be amended to specify racist remarks as profanity, so be it. Just don't carpet bomb everything.

[Moondog]

I'm sure everyone knows this, but.

"Freedom of Speech" as covered in the American Constitution ONLY applies to GOVERNMENT CENSORSHIP. Nothing else. Ever.

[Rook]

I think it's pretty easy to tell when someone is being a dumbass anyway. If the rule against profanity needs to be amended to specify racist remarks as profanity, so be it. Just don't carpet bomb everything.

We used to think it wasn't necessary, that people as a rule would have a degree of common sense, common courtesy sufficient for this amendment not be be needed.

There's always a few people whose judgment is lacking, either by default, or by means of a greater need for attention than your average other chatter, that end up reminding you why McD actually has to put 'Caution : Hot' on their coffee cups.

And so this happens. By and large, it was an issue mostly isolated to a few people regularly. Then people went overboard.

[KitDreamer]

My view is that if people can't use the chat responsibly, then take away their toys.

Yeah sure they'll whine and cry and flail and throw tantrums, but eventually they'll get the picture that in all reality, it's their own faults.

[KitDreamer]

I think that banning them is a very  cowardly way to deal with the problem. Throwing a sheet over the monster in the room doesn't make it go away.

Is that a thinly veiled REFERENCE TO THE KKK!?!?!

>:O

el oh el

[RelentlessRhubarb]

I think racial slurs should be treated as any other form of swearing, it's just that simple. Racist slurs are considered a form of swearing and should be rreated as such. If my character wants to call a Jewish person a "Kite" ICly, that's going to be his perogative, if said person doesn't want to deal with such things, then don't make a character open up to such ridicule, it's that simple. All in all I think people just need to grow the hell up, read the AUP once in a while, and not taunt the mods which I think is the root of this whole discussion... I know this is cliche but Nigger, you fuck with the bull, you're gonna get the horns.

[RelentlessRhubarb]

Quick question, whent he votes are tallied, is it going to be all of the no's/no lets change the ammendment going to go against the yesses, or is it a free for all?

[Jason Baane]

No.

It stunts creativity. And the fact is that some characters are racist, though their players are not. It puts unneeded restrictions on creativity when there is actually no abundance of a problem anyway. I'm in an OOC room half the time, and never see blatant use of racial epithets.

You can role-play a perfectly racist character in The Keep without resorting to real-world racial slurs.

For example my character tends to refer to elves as 'carrot-ears' even after he has learned their name.

[Inquisitor]

"Kite"

Kike

[RelentlessRhubarb]

"Kite"

Kike

I've heard it both ways, around here Kite is more often heard... Gotta love us rednecks.

[Soja]

Bigass list, including the most obscure and remotely offensive ones.

[KitDreamer]

because the mainhall is such a centre of maturity and sensibility isn't it

[Soja]

You know why there is a rule of law? Because people are fucking stupid.

[Clandestine]

I'm pretty sure the rule was meant for OOC wise, not so much character wise. So the stunting creativity excuse isn't going to work in this situation. We're talking about stuff in the Lobby or even the Main Hall. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[Ytts]

To be fair, I specified it as applying to every situation altogether, OOC or not, simply because it wasn't clarified whether it was OOC only or not when the request for the amendment as made.

[Clandestine]

To be fair, I specified it as applying to every situation altogether, OOC or not, simply because it wasn't clarified whether it was OOC only or not when the request for the amendment as made.

Duly noted.

[Ytts]

This poll has now ended, after having been given a two week run.

[Ytts]

With only 43% approval, this amendment is NOT approved and has been voted down.