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Re: Administrivia : Request For Opinion Regarding Word....
[ intended for posting ]
In article <4i5c3t$ioq@babbage.ece.uc.edu>, SRH Editor <srh@rbhatnagar.csm.uc.edu> writes:
[...]
|> In the past I have seen this term used to denigrate Hindus. However, I
|> would like to get your opinion about the use of the word Hindoo on this
|> forum. We do have one post, where the poster has used this word.
I also note that it was one of the standard early spellings that the
British used, and I believe even an old version (around 100 years ago)
of Encyclopedia Brittanica used a similar spelling. Likewise, Vishnu
was spelled Vishnoo, etc., etc.
|> SRH charter does forbid the posts that denigrate Hindus/Hindu dharma.
|> However, before a decision is made on this issue, I would like to get
|> your opinion.
So what exactly about that particular spelling denigrates Hindus? Notice
that it's the usage of a word, and not the word itself, which often
determines whether something is derogatory or not. For example, the
word "liberal" is now used as an insult and the term has effectively
changed from a fairly academic term used to denote a political standing
to a word used to essentially mean "immoral scum".
So, what about the word "Brahmin"? I've seen it used as an insult quite
a bit, especially by people opposed to Hinduism. Do we outlaw that
word next? How about the word "idol"? After all, a lot of people insult
Hindus as "idol worshippers", and derogatorily refer to the Deities
as "idols". Does that word get banned as well?
-Vivek
