Chat Thread: Chopsticks and teacups

[Maze]

What're the views presented on the situation in your class, then? Or do we not want to know? XD;  

[Wrath of Ezekiel]

Maze

What're the views presented on the situation in your class, then? Or do we not want to know? XD;

Oh no, we were discussing the history of Christianity from 500 -1500 CE in the main lectures, and our TA wanted us to question some of the traditions and practices behind certain Christian holidays.

I did spew out the Mithras-Sun God-December 25th connection. I posed it as a question to keep me from talking for a few minutes and potentially blaspheming. xD

Actually, our TA is going for her Master's (or was it PhD?) in Religious Studies and her thesis is on contemporary neopaganism.  

[Fiddlers Green]

Mixed news dears, I may be getting 100% disability from the VA, evidently ?I am to mentally broken to be a good civilian. confused  

[maenad nuri]

How long does it take for a background check to be reviewed state farm? I want my formal job offer!

GUH! Getting this great new job was supposed to be less stressful.  

[Autumnal Light]

I love my Arthurian Legends class. heart We get to read really old and obscure documents from the Middle Ages and learn the history of various peoples of Britain. Our prof is really into Medieval texts and gives us some fascinating stuff to read: Gildas, Historia Brittanum, The Lais of Marie de France... I can't wait until we get to the Mabinogion. whee  

[chaoticpuppet]

Hurray! I are done with the GRE's forever!!

Now, I just have to finish graduate school applications, and then hope that one accepts me.  

[TheDisreputableDog]

chaoticpuppet

Hurray! I are done with the GRE's forever!!

Now, I just have to finish graduate school applications, and then hope that one accepts me.

Good luck! I have to figure out whether I'm going to grad school or not--and if so, for what. And how I would pay for it. xp  

[maenad nuri]

Never think you can't make a difference guys.

Read this article and figure out what I objected to. Notice that both Tea and I have commented on it, both rather politely.

I went a step further and wrote an email to the author:

Quote:

Dear Mr Flick,
I wrote in your comments section online, and filled out a feedback form online, but I feel it is important to address to you more personally as well.

In today's (10/21) you expressed a desire to see the following words used more often:

• Three more great words that no one seems to use anymore:
Gyp. (As in gypped out of something.)
Gads!
Bamboozle.

While the second two are great words, the first is generally considered to be an ethnic slur. It stems from the longer "gypsy", which is the name given to a group of people known collectively as the Roma. The Roma are discriminated against across the globe (in the US, the last "anti-gypsy" laws weren't repealed until just a few years ago.) While most people don't see gypsy as being a slur either, many of the Roma do, as it is a stereotype leveled against them. That they are romantic wanderers, in the positive, but also shiftless, lazy, dishonest and untrustworthy.

It's from the negative stereotype that gyp is often derived. That a Roma is likely to cheat, swindle or steal from you is implied in gyp.

I am fairly certain that offense was not meant, that you merely like the way the word sounds. However, the word still is offensive to a group of people, and a people who are often marginalized as well (think of it: you've heard of gypsies, but have you ever heard of the Roma? That's how marginalized they are. They aren't even known by a non-offensive name). I would like to see some correction of this made, an apology or even just a note. Gads! and Bamboozle may be great words (and actually, they are part of my vocabulary) but the first listed is not, and should not be mentioned as a word to be promoted in the general population.

I look forward to hearing your response in some way,

15 minutes later I got a response!

Quote:

Hi Katie

Thanks for the thoughtful, thorough note.

I shall apologize personally to you.

Otherwise I'll plead the Fifth, frankly not having any idea what the origin of "gyp" is or even thinking about it.

You are right -- I certainly didn't mean to offend.

Furthermore, Katie, after reading your e, I have discovered something else.

Hardly anyone even knows what a gypsy is anymore.

I just asked the folk around me here in the office when's the last time they saw a gypsy and three of them (all younger than 30) looked at me like I was a nut. (I am but that is beside the point). None of them knew what a gypsy is/was. These are all college grads!

So transversely, Katie, by apologizing I will indirectly fuel the flame by making people aware of something they weren't aware of in the first place -- namely, gypsies.

Again, Katie, I am personally sorry.

I also am delighted you write to enlighten me.

Thank you.

Please write again ... and keep reading, too.

I AM THOUGHTFUL AND THOROUGH!

And also awesome. Yeah, his usage still sucks, but awareness is a first step -- particularly from a paper whose editor wakes up and thinks, "Huh, I can either fill my editoral page with insightful comments on the days news, or I can put in another pro-life screed, using the same logic as the average newbie to M&R. Abortion it is!"  

[Calixti]

That's really cool, Nuri. smile

And I'm a Katie too!  

[chaoticpuppet]

TheDisreputableDog

chaoticpuppet

Hurray! I are done with the GRE's forever!!

Now, I just have to finish graduate school applications, and then hope that one accepts me.

Good luck! I have to figure out whether I'm going to grad school or not--and if so, for what. And how I would pay for it. xp

I'm lucky, most of the schools I'm applying to will award full tuition waivers and pay me; since I'll probably end up working in some professor's lab.  

[saint dreya]

Fiddlers Green

Mixed news dears, I may be getting 100% disability from the VA, evidently ?I am to mentally broken to be a good civilian. confused

eh?

best of luck, either way it goes...(((huggles)))  

[Wrath of Ezekiel]

We got this close to discussing the Bible Belt in America. This close...xD  

[queertastrophy]

I've looked forward to playing Fable II for months and months and months.

So Isaac brought it home last night, and I vegged out on it for hours and hours. It's a ******** amazing game thus far...

Except for one thing:

Where do they have you grow up?

A "Gypsy Camp." A storybook, stereotypical "Gypsy Camp." Complete with caravans, dresses, and dancing.

GRAAAA. gonk