Goldsmiths University Diversity officer facing sack

[Jon-of-arc]

I've never heard of that before. Where's it from?

I think the word "special" has evolved from being a not so subtle reference to special needs, to meaning all sorts of things from just a bit dim, to having eccentric and out of touch beliefs. I certainly don't think equation girl was knowingly disparaging people with learning difficulties.

 

[Shechemite]

depends......

On?

IME discrimination against people with mental disabilities/differences/health issues are the least likely to be challenged and the most likely to rear their head. Would be remiss not to check.

 

[DotCommunist]

I've never heard of that before. Where's it from?

Speshul. On the bus. A spas.

thats the derivation.

 

[Shechemite]

I think the word "special" has evolved from being a not so subtle reference to special needs, to meaning all sorts of things from just a bit dim, to having eccentric and out of touch beliefs. I certainly don't think equation girl was knowingly disparaging people with learning difficulties.

And neither did I, but was concerned, now less so. What's the drama?

 

[JimW]

Or managing Chelsea.

 

[DotCommunist]

I think the word "special" has evolved from being a not so subtle reference to special needs, to meaning all sorts of things from just a bit dim, to having eccentric and out of touch beliefs. I certainly don't think equation girl was knowingly disparaging people with learning difficulties.

I don't think it ever evolved from that jon, what do you call a man who can change our very understanding of time and space yet can't sort out wearing his socks? Einstein

 

[killer b]

Thanks for the clarification.

A bit unsure though why several others thought it odd for me to ask, esp given the often use of 'special' as an insult of those with LD etc. Also find it a bit odd that my 'newness' is seen as a barrier to asking questions of others. The post was ambiguous, I checked for clarity, I got it. What's the problem?

EQ is known on the boards for requesting posters are careful what terms they use - it just looked a bit sus someone new jumping on her the second she uses a potentially dodgy term herself.

 

[cesare]

Neither did I. Often used in that way. Worth checking no?

Oh you can check, for sure. Whether it's worth it or not depends on the outcome.

 

[equationgirl]

Thanks for the clarification.

A bit unsure though why several others thought it odd for me to ask, esp given the often use of 'special' as an insult of those with LD etc. Also find it a bit odd that my 'newness' is seen as a barrier to asking questions of others. The post was ambiguous, I checked for clarity, I got it. What's the problem?

The problem is that you are new on urban. Whilst each poster has their own style of posting, patterns generally emerge and you could have run a quick search to see if I always use special in the context you assumed. It's not necessarily accepted protocol to hurl loaded questions in such a way.

 

[Shechemite]

And yes, I am annoyed at this.

I'm sorry for the annoyance. No offence intended.

 

[Jon-of-arc]

And neither did I, but was concerned, now less so. What's the drama?

I guess it stems from accusing people who go out of their way to challenge such language when it is used of purposely using it... I'll take it at face value ou didn't mean to cause offence, but from the other side it might not seem that way?

 

[Shechemite]

I guess it stems from accusing people who go out of their way to challenge such language when it is used of purposely using it... I'll take it at face value ou didn't mean to cause offence, but from the other side it might not seem that way?

What accusation?

 

[equationgirl]

I'm sorry for the annoyance. No offence intended.

Then I suggest you search a posting history when you feel the urge to do such a check again. Thank you for the apology, appreciated.

 

[Jon-of-arc]

I don't think it ever evolved from that jon, what do you call a man who can change our very understanding of time and space yet can't sort out wearing his socks? Einstein

Maybe you're right - I hear people using it, and don't really think of them as the sort of people who would use the word "spaz" as an insult, but in the hierarchy of offensiveness, it's not quite the same level. Not worth thinking about too deeply.

 

[cesare]

On?

IME discrimination against people with mental disabilities/differences/health issues are the least likely to be challenged and the most likely to rear their head. Would be remiss not to check.

Why did you pick your username?

 

[equationgirl]

What accusation?

others on the forum have been known to make dubious accusations for the lolz, shall we say.

 

[Jon-of-arc]

What accusation?

Mate, I've only skim-read the thread. Did you "challenge" rather than accuse? Is that a better word? I officially no longer care.

 

[andysays]

The problem is that you are new on urban. Whilst each poster has their own style of posting, patterns generally emerge and you could have run a quick search to see if I always use special in the context you assumed. It's not necessarily accepted protocol to hurl loaded questions in such a way.

TBH, I think your reaction here is a little over the top. You were asked a reasonable question, you gave a reasonable answer; end of issue, thread moves on.

It's rather ironic given your tendency at times to jump all over posters for what you consider (reasonably at times) to be offensive use of language and not to accept their word that it wasn't intended offensively, whereas MiB has accepted your word and hasn't laboured the point.

The fact that you've been here for ten years hasn't somehow earned you (or anyone else) the right never to be questioned on anything that might seem possibly off to another poster.

 

[Shechemite]

Why did you pick your username?

That one kind of answers itself surely.

Sadly spent most of my life dealing with the consequences of choices made about me by my betters. Including being (illegally) sectioned at 14 and forced to take incontincence inducing medication on the basis of a misdiagnosis

 

[Shechemite]

TBF I could have phrased it better.

Again, my apologies to EQ.

 

[Shechemite]

Maybe you're right - I hear people using it, and don't really think of them as the sort of people who would use the word "spaz" as an insult, but in the hierarchy of offensiveness, it's not quite the same level. Not worth thinking about too deeply.

TBH I think the mistreatment of 'special's is thought about not deeply enough. Nowhere near enough.

 

[Shechemite]

others on the forum have been known to make dubious accusations for the lolz, shall we say.

No lols intended. I don't find the casual dismissal of human beings as subhuman funny. Your post made me feel alert, concerned. Just wanted to check

 

[equationgirl]

TBH, I think your reaction here is a little over the top. You were asked a reasonable question, you gave a reasonable answer; end of issue, thread moves on.

It's rather ironic given your tendency at times to jump all over posters for what you consider (reasonably at times) to be offensive use of language and not to accept their word that it wasn't intended offensively, whereas MiB has accepted your word and hasn't laboured the point.

The fact that you've been here for ten years hasn't somehow earned you (or anyone else) the right never to be questioned on anything that might seem possibly off to another poster.

Oh please go away.

 

[equationgirl]

That one kind of answers itself surely.

Sadly spent most of my life dealing with the consequences of choices made about me by my betters. Including being (illegally) sectioned at 14 and forced to take incontincence inducing medication on the basis of a misdiagnosis

sorry to hear this, that sounds really tough to deal with.

 

[toggle]

On?

IME discrimination against people with mental disabilities/differences/health issues are the least likely to be challenged and the most likely to rear their head. Would be remiss not to check.

it would also be remiss not to consider other options. rather than have a pop at someone due to your own assumptions.

 

[cesare]

That one kind of answers itself surely.

Sadly spent most of my life dealing with the consequences of choices made about me by my betters. Including being (illegally) sectioned at 14 and forced to take incontincence inducing medication on the basis of a misdiagnosis

You use it in the sense of psychiatric hospital than confusion/pandemonium then.

 

[Shechemite]

You use it in the sense of psychiatric hospital than confusion/pandemonium then.

There's a difference?

 

[Shechemite]

it would also be remiss not to consider other options. rather than have a pop at someone due to your own assumptions.

Oh whatever I've explained it wasn't a pop/accusation whatever.

 

[andysays]

Oh please go away.

One rule for you, another rule for everyone else, or at least those who you haven't accepted as being here for long enough yet.

Self-appointed special snowflake status

 

[equationgirl]

And andysays how many entitled people similar to those commenting on the vice article did you have to interact with today? Were you harassed in the workplace by one or more of them? If so, then you can tell me I'm overreacting.