This commercial is telling society to think before they speak. In the video, three teens are in Pizza Store. They see a figurine that is portrayed as a Italian Chef, and immediately call it Gay. Not knowing any other word to describe the figurine, "gay" is the first thing that pops up in their mind. Now why is it that society finds that it is necessary to depict everything or anyone as gay? I don't believe this figurine has emotional feelings towards men, towards anyone in that case; It's not alive...it has no feelings.
Wonda Sykes(the lady in the commercial) made me reconsider on what I say before I say it. Do you think before you speak? The meaning that the teens really meant of the Italian Chef is dumb or stupid, but they said its gay. They pushed it as far as saying its not gay, but REALY GAY.
I believe that society should change a new word that means dumb or stupid to "16 Year Old Boy With A Cheesy Mustache". :)
The term "that's gay" or anything related to that, is so widely used, that people are often ignorant to the fact of what it truly means. My cousin is gay, and when we go out and some ignorant kid says "ew, you're so gay", they are often shot two very nasty looks from my cousin and I. I am not perfect, and sometimes fnd myself using this exact term, but I think if somebody were to make up a new term for something stupid or dumb, it would eventually become the newest thing to say and "that's gay" would be forgotten. These terms are just that- terms. They will grow old and outdated and people will eventually forget them. But it is our choice whether or not we remove them from our vocabulary.
I agree that some terms and sayings will become outdated eventually but that's just it, eventually. Saying "that's gay" isn't really an old insult replacement (I would believe). Some other saying is going to be used when slang develops and the new generation kick in. That said, the next generation might find something even more offensive. I don't think that these terms are a good thing, but I don't really thing preaching to someone about it will really change much.
This "phrase" was very common during my middle school days and I believe it was because gay marriage was becoming legal in certain places. Adding the word "gay" in a sentence has been deconstructed in a negative way which I believe expresses the non-acceptance of well ... homosexuality. In this video, and in real life, "gay" is used to describe something "stupid" or "ridiculous". When certain people (who are against homosexuality) say this phrase, I believe they are speaking on their behalf of how they don't believe in homosexuality and that it's stupid. Throughout time, this became a negative convocational way to describe something in the English language, and as many people are followers, they just seem to say things without thinking or realizing that homosexuality people have feelings, as well. In my perspective, this encourages homophobia, but I am glad to say that nowadays I don’t hear this phrase anymore.
I agree that we need to stop saying this phrase. We say it out of instinct because it has become such a natural thing to do but we don't realize that this phrase can hurt the feelings of so many people. I feel we need to watch what we say and think before we speak. If the phrase was a term that applied to us we would be hurt and so treat others the way you want to be treated. I think we need to take this phrase out of our vocabulary and say that's so dumb. There is no harm in saying that.
Media has coined so many of these ('seemingly' harmless) cathcy phrases, and whether people realize or not, what these phrases truely refer to, the mass (typically the younger generation) begins using it. I, too, used that phrase often, without even realizing that it was offensive, simply because it was the 'it' thing to say, until my friend pointed out to me that I was being insensitive towards the feelings of those who are homosexuals. I realized that I was referring to things that were weird or stupid when using 'gay'. Since then I have tried to think before I say something (even though it sometimes slips out of my mouth), I am still making a conscious effort to stop my use of these insulting coined phrases. Point being that, if adds as this one are circulated through mass media, some people may actually reconsider their use of language (though I agree with Abdi also, preaching will do no good).
It's funny how with just a change of words like "that's so homo" to "that's so a black guy with a big forehead and geeky glasses" can really change how one reacts to a situation similar to this. I try to stay away from phrases such as that because I know it might be offensive to other people.
I would find using "gay" as in replacement of the word stupid or lame very offensive because that's literally a slap in the face to homosexual people saying that being gay is stupid or lame. I can see how the homosexual community can be so offended. But I've heard many homosexual people even use the the word "gay" as in stupid or lame too. I think it's just a slang thing that doesn't bother most people. Just like how people say "hold your crap" when they just mean "hold your stuff."
Usually, when your with you friend you never think about what you say. You never think about anyone feeling and especially the people around you. You never know who you can hurt with word alone. So i do agree with the video, you got to watch what you say because you can never know who there or who going to get hurt.
I guess it’s because we forget that words have meaning and that they are important. We forget to realize that words hurt more than actions. To be honest I have used “That’s gay” instead of using words like stupid or dumb, but I think its because we use it so much or hear it so much that it lost its meaning. However, I agree that we should think before we speak because our words can hurt anyone and it can hurt more than a punch so we do have to be careful about what we want to say.
I also think that because the society uses this word most of the time instead of saying 'stupid' or 'dumb', the younger generations will be using this word without knowing that without knowing that they are offending the homosexual people.
I think people forget that words hurt and have meaning. By using terms such as "that's gay" we discriminate and exclude minorities which is totally not acceptable in a democratic society. To overcome this obstacle we should educate students from a younger age to accept and tolerate others even if they are different from you, because generally people are afraid of what they don't understand. I think the provincial government of Ontario is making conscience efforts to get children to tolerate minorities such as gays, lesbians, and transsexuals by educating them from an early age about their bodies and their sexuality to create a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. I personally, agree wholeheartedly with the provincial government’s decision and think excellent outcomes will arise from it. Finally, I also think we should be cautious of what we say and understand and know that words have meaning and impact.
I think people forget that words hurt and have meaning. By using terms such as "that's gay" we discriminate and exclude minorities which is totally not acceptable in a democratic society. To overcome this obstacle we should educate students from a younger age to accept and tolerate others even if they are different from you, because generally people are afraid of what they don't understand. I think the provincial government of Ontario is making conscience efforts to get children to tolerate minorities such as gays, lesbians, and transsexuals by educating them from an early age about their bodies and their sexuality to create a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. I personally, agree wholeheartedly with the provincial government’s decision and think excellent outcomes will arise from it. Finally, I also think we should be cautious of what we say and understand and know that words have meaning and impact.
The term "that's gay" or anything related to that, is so widely used, that people are often ignorant to the fact of what it truly means.
ReplyDeleteMy cousin is gay, and when we go out and some ignorant kid says "ew, you're so gay", they are often shot two very nasty looks from my cousin and I.
I am not perfect, and sometimes fnd myself using this exact term, but I think if somebody were to make up a new term for something stupid or dumb, it would eventually become the newest thing to say and "that's gay" would be forgotten.
These terms are just that- terms. They will grow old and outdated and people will eventually forget them. But it is our choice whether or not we remove them from our vocabulary.
I agree that some terms and sayings will become outdated eventually but that's just it, eventually. Saying "that's gay" isn't really an old insult replacement (I would believe). Some other saying is going to be used when slang develops and the new generation kick in. That said, the next generation might find something even more offensive. I don't think that these terms are a good thing, but I don't really thing preaching to someone about it will really change much.
ReplyDeleteP.s - An example of an outdated saying could be like "It's raining cats and dogs" or "What in tarnation!?"
ReplyDeleteThis "phrase" was very common during my middle school days and I believe it was because gay marriage was becoming legal in certain places. Adding the word "gay" in a sentence has been deconstructed in a negative way which I believe expresses the non-acceptance of well ... homosexuality. In this video, and in real life, "gay" is used to describe something "stupid" or "ridiculous". When certain people (who are against homosexuality) say this phrase, I believe they are speaking on their behalf of how they don't believe in homosexuality and that it's stupid. Throughout time, this became a negative convocational way to describe something in the English language, and as many people are followers, they just seem to say things without thinking or realizing that homosexuality people have feelings, as well. In my perspective, this encourages homophobia, but I am glad to say that nowadays I don’t hear this phrase anymore.
ReplyDeleteI agree that we need to stop saying this phrase. We say it out of instinct because it has become such a natural thing to do but we don't realize that this phrase can hurt the feelings of so many people. I feel we need to watch what we say and think before we speak. If the phrase was a term that applied to us we would be hurt and so treat others the way you want to be treated. I think we need to take this phrase out of our vocabulary and say that's so dumb. There is no harm in saying that.
ReplyDeleteMedia has coined so many of these ('seemingly' harmless) cathcy phrases, and whether people realize or not, what these phrases truely refer to, the mass (typically the younger generation) begins using it. I, too, used that phrase often, without even realizing that it was offensive, simply because it was the 'it' thing to say, until my friend pointed out to me that I was being insensitive towards the feelings of those who are homosexuals. I realized that I was referring to things that were weird or stupid when using 'gay'. Since then I have tried to think before I say something (even though it sometimes slips out of my mouth), I am still making a conscious effort to stop my use of these insulting coined phrases. Point being that, if adds as this one are circulated through mass media, some people may actually reconsider their use of language (though I agree with Abdi also, preaching will do no good).
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to add (in case you didn't know) that comedian, Wonda Sykes, is herself an "out" celebrity.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how with just a change of words like "that's so homo" to "that's so a black guy with a big forehead and geeky glasses" can really change how one reacts to a situation similar to this. I try to stay away from phrases such as that because I know it might be offensive to other people.
ReplyDeleteI would find using "gay" as in replacement of the word stupid or lame very offensive because that's literally a slap in the face to homosexual people saying that being gay is stupid or lame. I can see how the homosexual community can be so offended. But I've heard many homosexual people even use the the word "gay" as in stupid or lame too. I think it's just a slang thing that doesn't bother most people. Just like how people say "hold your crap" when they just mean "hold your stuff."
ReplyDeleteUsually, when your with you friend you never think about what you say. You never think about anyone feeling and especially the people around you. You never know who you can hurt with word alone. So i do agree with the video, you got to watch what you say because you can never know who there or who going to get hurt.
ReplyDeleteI guess it’s because we forget that words have meaning and that they are important. We forget to realize that words hurt more than actions. To be honest I have used “That’s gay” instead of using words like stupid or dumb, but I think its because we use it so much or hear it so much that it lost its meaning. However, I agree that we should think before we speak because our words can hurt anyone and it can hurt more than a punch so we do have to be careful about what we want to say.
ReplyDeleteI also think that because the society uses this word most of the time instead of saying 'stupid' or 'dumb', the younger generations will be using this word without knowing that without knowing that they are offending the homosexual people.
DeleteI think people forget that words hurt and have meaning. By using terms such as "that's gay" we discriminate and exclude minorities which is totally not acceptable in a democratic society. To overcome this obstacle we should educate students from a younger age to accept and tolerate others even if they are different from you, because generally people are afraid of what they don't understand. I think the provincial government of Ontario is making conscience efforts to get children to tolerate minorities such as gays, lesbians, and transsexuals by educating them from an early age about their bodies and their sexuality to create a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. I personally, agree wholeheartedly with the provincial government’s decision and think excellent outcomes will arise from it. Finally, I also think we should be cautious of what we say and understand and know that words have meaning and impact.
ReplyDeleteI think people forget that words hurt and have meaning. By using terms such as "that's gay" we discriminate and exclude minorities which is totally not acceptable in a democratic society. To overcome this obstacle we should educate students from a younger age to accept and tolerate others even if they are different from you, because generally people are afraid of what they don't understand. I think the provincial government of Ontario is making conscience efforts to get children to tolerate minorities such as gays, lesbians, and transsexuals by educating them from an early age about their bodies and their sexuality to create a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. I personally, agree wholeheartedly with the provincial government’s decision and think excellent outcomes will arise from it. Finally, I also think we should be cautious of what we say and understand and know that words have meaning and impact.
ReplyDelete