When did the term "negro" become offensive [ETA: in the UK]? Or is it only so in the United States? It's hard to tell nowadays, with one's online social life spread over half the world, and no one in my RL social circles who would use the word at all. It never seemed offensive to me, but when recently I was listening to a recording of an event I was involved in in 1990, I was... I suppose more surprised than shocked to hear the word "negro" used. It's not that I perceive it as offensive even today; I perceive it as taboo.
Sunday, August 4th, 2013
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
lethargic_man dips his toes into the minefield of Israeli politics
Sunday, August 4th, 2013 07:18 pmToday's news: "Israel has agreed to subsidise several Jewish settlements that were regarded as illegal until recently. [...] Israel said the subsidies were needed for security reasons. Palestinian official Hanan Ashrawi said the move would have a "destructive impact" on peace talks, which resumed last week after a three-year hiatus."
Food for thought: "The peace process has become a major enemy of human rights. [...] "While talks are happening Israel gets away with anything. Land grabs, the expansion of settlements, even [Operation] Cast Lead was waged while there were peace talks." (Sorry, can't remember who pointed me at this on Facebook.)
Netanyahu speaks with the voice of Saruman. When I listened to him speaking at the UN the other year, I agreed with almost everything he said, yet came away fuming at him. He speaks of desiring peace, whilst doing his best to ensure it will never happen on his watch, or that if it must, it will be on terms as advantageous to him and as disadvantageous to the Palestinians as he can manage.
I don't often venture into politics here, least of all the minefield of Israeli politics, but I'm sick of reading Facebook posts by friends I'd had no inclination of the politics of until they moved away, spouting right-wing rhetoric to make me sick.
Honestly, I don't understand why people bother doing this. I'm not ever going to be convinced by Z's pro-gun ranting, and nor am I ever going to be convinced by F's hawkish Israeli politics. (I was once, when I lived in Israel and read the Jerusalem Post, and was horrified when I returned by Blighty by how I'd sucked up its perspective; that's why I won't be again: once bitten, twice shy.) In fact, I don't even read such posts on Facebook any more; no point making my blood boil for nothing. And I don't expect anyone to be convinced by anything I say here that doesn't already share my views, hence I won't be making a habit of posting on this subject.
Food for thought: "The peace process has become a major enemy of human rights. [...] "While talks are happening Israel gets away with anything. Land grabs, the expansion of settlements, even [Operation] Cast Lead was waged while there were peace talks." (Sorry, can't remember who pointed me at this on Facebook.)
Netanyahu speaks with the voice of Saruman. When I listened to him speaking at the UN the other year, I agreed with almost everything he said, yet came away fuming at him. He speaks of desiring peace, whilst doing his best to ensure it will never happen on his watch, or that if it must, it will be on terms as advantageous to him and as disadvantageous to the Palestinians as he can manage.
I don't often venture into politics here, least of all the minefield of Israeli politics, but I'm sick of reading Facebook posts by friends I'd had no inclination of the politics of until they moved away, spouting right-wing rhetoric to make me sick.
Honestly, I don't understand why people bother doing this. I'm not ever going to be convinced by Z's pro-gun ranting, and nor am I ever going to be convinced by F's hawkish Israeli politics. (I was once, when I lived in Israel and read the Jerusalem Post, and was horrified when I returned by Blighty by how I'd sucked up its perspective; that's why I won't be again: once bitten, twice shy.) In fact, I don't even read such posts on Facebook any more; no point making my blood boil for nothing. And I don't expect anyone to be convinced by anything I say here that doesn't already share my views, hence I won't be making a habit of posting on this subject.