Hate Speech ?

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   abwilliamsposted 4 years ago

   In your opinion, is the following sentence hate speech and/or racist?
   
   "He was recovering from the Chinese virus."

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      Kayode Doyakposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      Neither hate speech nor racist...because it is not an accurate description of a virus. A virus can not be a race. But it can originate in a country.
      
      The correct description would be the China virus. ;-)

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   2. 84

      Sharlee01posted 4 years agoin reply to this

      No, this virus was conceived in China and could be referred to as a Chinese virus. The word in no way is being used in a derogatory sentence. In this context, the word is being used to name a virus that relates to China.
      
      Chinese Definition  -- relating to China or its language, culture, or people.

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         abwilliamsposted 4 years agoin reply to this

         That's how I see it too Sharlee, but apparently....we are wrong.

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            Sharlee01posted 4 years agoin reply to this

            It has become overly aggravating to constantly have to think of every word that one speaks. Just over it.

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               abwilliamsposted 4 years agoin reply to this

               I know!  My article has been republished, but I had to remove several comments in order for that to happen.
               I think what bothers me more than anything, whether it's here, on Facebook or at Thanksgiving Dinner, are those who will dish it out all day long, but they can never take it! They don't have the maturity level to accept being on the losing end of the argument, that have no desire to agree to disagree or to just walk away...for them it must end in a big blow up OR with them running to tell on you...to report you....geesh!!! I thought we put that childish stuff behind us, once we left primary school.

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      CHRIS57posted 4 years agoin reply to this

      This kind of discussion would not come up in any other country.
      All over Europe it is either called Covid19 or Corona virus. If you read medical publications, reference is Covid19.
      
      So - why use a different terminology?  I am not sure about hate speech, but the term "China virus" is certainly initiated and used by politics in the US only. It has become a political term - like communist, fascist, racist, liberal, conservative...

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      1. 77

         abwilliamsposted 4 years agoin reply to this

         Just to change it up a bit, from other articles I've written, where COVID-19 had been discussed or mentioned, thought I'd call it something different. The article isn't about China nor the virus. It was just a sentence in an article that offense was taken in and it all went downhill from there

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2. 77

   abwilliamsposted 4 years ago

   How about, "Chinese restaurant" is that hateful or racist? How about "Mexican food" or "Spanish flu" or "Japanese steakhouse" or "Spanish fly" (don't read too much into that one) or "American cuisine? What about "Cuban cigar"......I could go on and on.....

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3. 77

   abwilliamsposted 4 years ago

   I am really tired of people trying to get rid of me because I don't fit some mold. This is STILL America, at least this month it is!

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   abwilliamsposted 4 years ago

   I will not go quietly!!!

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      Sharlee01posted 4 years agoin reply to this

      You are not alone... Let me share. I have a  friend that is very liberal. She said to me," I have never seen you so argumentive, and angry about my ideology. You are always understanding of my views, and I am tired of how you are acting lately."    I told her, I am over placating you, I am just plain over it. Done, your views at this point insult my intelligence, they make me not even want to be around you... Well, she started crying, yelling at me. As I headed out the door I could still her. I am just over it. It's way past due we speak up. I am not willing to take any more admonishment politically for not being politically correct.  I am going to kick my feet, get all incensed right back in their faces.

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         abwilliamsposted 4 years agoin reply to this

         I hear ya, you go girl!
         
         I was telling Shanmarie earlier that I always choose my words so carefully, well aware of the sensitivities of some and for what?!? To be questioned, reprimanded, corrected, UNPUBLISHED, called racist (I am up to ^ with that overused and abused word) So tired of having to be the one to tiptoe around every issue!

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            GA Andersonposted 4 years agoin reply to this

            Well then, stop tip-toeing. Don't be purposely offensive, but don't be cowed by Political Correctness either.
            
            However, relative to your OP. Context is all-important. I don't see your statement as either racist or hate speech—as it stands. But, the context in which it is used could turn it in to either of those descriptions.
            
            As I perceive your question to be related to Pres. Trump's use of the term, I do see it as a pejorative. No matter how innocently it could be spun, he doesn't use it as a descriptor, he uses it as a negative reference to place blame on the Chinese. In my opinion of course. ;-)
            
            GA

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5. 77

   abwilliamsposted 4 years ago

   So, the sentence "he was recovering from the China virus", would be perfectly acceptable?
   
   If it were a virus which originated in, let's say, America, it would need to be worded, the America virus and not the American virus, so as not be hateful or racist. Got it.
   Thanks Kayode!

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6. 77

   abwilliamsposted 4 years ago

   The sentence is mine and the article that it is a part of, has been unpublished.
   It was unpublished, not due to the sentence, it turns out, but because I and others dared to call out a leftist antagonist, for accusing me of "promoting racism" (with the use of the sentence) It got heated in the comments section but it never went too far.
   Having an article that was doing very well unpublished, taken out of circulation, set me off, no doubt about it.
   In hindsight I should have taken the time to cool off, before taking it to the forums, but.....
   
   I realize that I have the option of not approving comments, but I don't write articles for kudos alone. I want to talk it out. I welcome different views, opinions, perspectives, but what I DO have a problem with is someone getting their feelings hurt, and running off to report me, as if this is elementary school.

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