Use of the word "f*ggot" in sports

[True Dough]

It's come up a couple of times recently in pro sports, several days ago when Toronto Blue Jay Kevin Pillar called a pitcher that name and a few days ago when Ryan Getzlaf of the Anaheim Ducks said it on the ice in frustration with an official.

Pillar was suspended two games by the Blue Jays.

Getzlaf was fined $10,000 by the NHL. However, a Go Fund Me campaign has been launched by a fan to cover that amount but it only stood at $310 raised as of this post.

There is a lot of chatter on sports discussion boards about "snowflakes" getting their noses out of joint because "it's just a word" and "it's always been part of sports."

I'm going to guess that my brothers and sisters here at the DU mostly see it otherwise. IMO, it's no longer acceptable, just like use of the "N" word is no longer acceptable. If an serious effort isn't made to address it, it will persist. There are plenty of ways to express anger and frustration, the lexicon is broad. No need to continue using homophobic slurs.


http://www.montrealgazette.com/sports/getzlaf+gets+gofundme+support+after+fine/13392032/story.html

[dubyadiprecession]

1. In my lifetime, I've heard many homosexuals use derogatory names against their own...

in either humor or anger. It's similar to when some African Americans use the term "My Ni***r".
The trick is to get rid of the double standard.

[True Dough]

3. Let's explore that concept

You point out that there is a sub-segment of these minority groups -- African Americans and gays -- who use these objectionable terms. What does the sub-segment represent, 10%? 25%?

For the sake of argument let's say it's as high as 50% (which I think is way too high). If that were accurate, it still wouldn't justify anyone else using those same terms when it's either offensive or tasteless in the opinion of the remainder of the population.

So, I guess what I'm getting at is even if we discourage that sub-segment from using the term but we fail to eliminate it entirely, it still doesn't justify the rest of us continuing to use pejorative languages just because "those guys do it."

Agreed?

[mythology]

4. As a straight white guy, I can't imagine calling it a double standard

Me not using those words isn't dependent on another group not using them. We can all say things to some individuals that we can't say to the world. For example if my friend calls me an asshole, that can be funny if it's in the context of joking around. If a random person calls me that, it's a different story.

I think most uses of those sorts of words are stupid and reflect poorly on the people who use them, but to use them as an insult while never having experienced their experience is especially petty in my opinion.

[True Dough]

9. Agreed! n/t

[retrowire]

2. How about we just don't use words associated with hate speech?

Why can't athletes get creative and really offend?

"God damnit bro you're such a fart gobbler"

Or...

"You throw like a shitty thrower"

Or...

"Hey after this game I'm going to take a shit in your locker"

Or...

"Learn to play the fucking game you assflabbing pissgoblet"

[caraher]

11. Or set their sights even higher?

Consult the Shakespearan Insulter

[retrowire]

12. Lol this is fun! Nt

[bathroommonkey76]

5. During the 80s and 90s those terms

were used on every basketball court I played- I doubt much has changed.

You gotta remember the NBA, NFL, NHL, and other major sports have to pretend to be part of the world of inclusiveness. Homosexuality is definitely frowned upon by the athletes in these sports.

It doesn't matter if a person makes 200 million, or 20 grand a year- Ignorance will always exist in our society.

But I was happy to see the MLB take a stand against Pillar.

[True Dough]

8. Of course you were glad Pillar was penalized

BECAUSE HE'S NOT ON YOUR FANTASY ROSTER!!!

[bathroommonkey76]

10. He's on a couple of my rosters outside of the DU league. haha

[CanSocDem]

6. Have you forgotten...

...the most infamous homophobic smear in Canadian broadcasting history???

It was the early 70's at a nationally televised hockey game when Bobby Clarke, a meathead from Flin Flon Mb., made famous in Philadelphia for his goonery, screamed at a referee from the penalty box and into millions of homes across Canada, "Pavelich, you fucking queer!!"

We've never fully recovered.


.

[True Dough]

7. Hadn't forgotten

because I never knew about it in the first place. I would have been no more than 6 years old at the time. I do know who Bobby Clarke was, just hadn't heard about that incident. I had heard about his Game 6 slash in the Summit Series several times, however (if that counts).