[Callers] Gypsy perception

[Donald Perley via Callers]

I'd say I'm putting it in the context of a bigger picture, in multiple
dimensions.

I would call diving right into which phrase should replace gypsy
before there is any agreement that it should be replaced
passive-aggressive.

Go ahead and discuss.. as someone else posted, a national group in
Britain uses the term in their web address
http://www.gypsy-association.co.uk/ so maybe you can pop in there and
ask whether they find others using the term in a non-derogatory way
offensive.

Personally, I look at the situation with African-Americans.  There
have been many iterations of a term being offensive and deemed
impolite.  A new term comes into use, but if the same people hold the
same ill feelings with the new term, it also becomes derogatory in a
few years.  Rinse and repeat; you haven't fixed anything.
If a term has its roots in disparagement, (say, "nigger" as a
demeaning variation on negro) then it is offensive from the start.  I
don't think that's the case with gypsy.

On Tue, Nov 3, 2015 at 11:22 AM, Ron Blechner <contraron at gmail.com> wrote:
> Donald,
>
> I am reading your comments as an attempt solely at shutting up other people.
> Is this your intent? It also comes off pretty passive aggressive. That is
> *not* appreciated and *not* helpful.
>
> Disagree all you like, but if you don't want to participate in a discussion,
> please don't interfere with others who do.
>
> Respectfully,
> Ron Blechner
>
> On Nov 3, 2015 9:06 AM, "Donald Perley via Callers"
> <callers at lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>>
>> On Mon, Nov 2, 2015 at 10:42 AM, Aahz Maruch via Callers
>>
>> > I have to admit that technically your argument is correct WRT me, but
>> > that's because I haven't been contra dancing at all (except for Queer
>> > Contra Dance Camp).  Instead, I've been focusing my time/energy on
>> > learning to call MWSD, which leaves this as my only outlet for contra
>> > dancing.  ;-)
>>
>> Like I said, more into the crusade than the dance.
>>
>> While we're at it, more offensive terms that may need replacing:
>>
>> Chain - represents slavery
>> Cast(e) - discrimination affecting a billion Indians
>> Swing - derogatory term for swapping sexual partners.
>>
>> I notice that in quotes from the original complainant who spurred this
>> subject, he never claimed to be Roma himself, and it was a little
>> unclear whether he was more offended by just the term gypsy, or the
>> implication that same-gender gypsies would be flirting with each
>> other.
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