New Slur To Consider

[RuBid1uM 21]

Definition of slur. 1a : an insulting or disparaging remark or innuendo : aspersionb : a shaming or degrading effect : stain, stigma.

Xeno gamers has always strived to be a safe and welcoming environment for all types of people, despite a persons ethnicity, regardless of they are homosexual or heterosexual, ignoring The limitations of age, and treating the sexes as equals. XG however has been ignoring the comfort and security of one group

: people who suffer from Autism Spectrum Disorder.

 

More than 3.5 million Americans have been diagnosed with ASD and the number is believed to be much higher due to individuals who have closeted their disorder. The amount of people who suffer from ASD on Steam is staggering, and it is safe to say that we come in contact with some of these individuals online daily.

 

Autism spectrum disorder more often than not leads to many separate diagnoses such as Anxiety, depression, and Agoraphobia. People who have been bullied due to their atypical behaviour begin to see themselves as lesser, worthless, and with a bleak future. ASD can also lead to dependency issues, which only amplifies these thoughts of self worthlessness, and in some cases these thoughts lead to self harm or even suicide. As a community service worker, I have seen this happen, it is heart breaking and it never gets easier.

 

With all of this being said, why are we allowing people to use this serious disorder to be the butt of every joke? Yes it is a meme that is used often, but so are other slurs we find unacceptable. There will be people on the spectrum ok with these slurs, may even use them themselves as a joke, but this can be said about any slur. I have been receiving messages of people on the spectrum feeling isolated and outcasted to to these jokes and I believe that we must put a stop to it, for their sake and for future xG players.

[Moosty 148]

Yo I just wrote like three paragraphs and deleted it I could go in on this I just need to know if it's a meme.

[RuBid1uM 21]

Say whatever ya think my lad, your opinion is valid regardless~

[Aegean 849]

Honestly if it is an issue we can put a rule to stop it, but I would much rather do what we do with other slurs (at least in the past) where if they aren't using the slurs towards somebody to just tell them to not spam it, and if anyone starts getting offended on the server from the slur to just get the person to stop saying it or start issue warnings appropriately (i.e. mute/gag, kick, ban).

[Hushpuppy 104]

Honestly if it is an issue we can put a rule to stop it, but I would much rather do what we do with other slurs (at least in the past) where if they aren't using the slurs towards somebody to just tell them to not spam it, and if anyone starts getting offended on the server from the slur to just get the person to stop saying it or start issue warnings appropriately (i.e. mute/gag, kick, ban).

I think wait until they get offended is less valid here then for other slurs, as people with autism generally don't feel comfortable speaking up.

[RuBid1uM 21]

I think wait until they get offended is less valid here then for other slurs, as people with autism generally don't feel comfortable speaking up.

This is true, most people aren't willing to disclose their mental issues. Especially if it's one that people tend to laugh about.

[Aegean 849]

The issue is it's a very slippery slope and it's very hard to enforce. Do we just ban the word autistic/autism from the servers? Do we mute people who joke about their friends just because we might offend someone on the server? I'm happy we are having this discussion and to hear your comments on it, but just understand in gaming communities things like this aren't crystal clear on what the right move is.

[RuBid1uM 21]

The issue is it's a very slippery slope and it's very hard to enforce. Do we just ban the word autistic/autism from the servers? Do we mute people who joke about their friends just because we might offend someone on the server? I'm happy we are having this discussion and to hear your comments on it, but just understand in gaming communities things like this aren't crystal clear on what the right move is.

The same can be said about any slur. The N word for instance more often than not offends no one. However xG takes no chances regarding the comfort of its members and I feel we should not exclude people suffering from ASD. I feel the word itself isn't bad, but the context it usually falls under. I suggest if we hear jokes using this disorder in a negative light, that the same procedures be done as with any other slur. Members of xG are always around to keep others in line when other slurs are used, and I'm sure they won't mind ensuring that our team members with ASD are comfortable as well.

[Aegean 849]

Yeah that's fair enough, I guess we can just say that context is important, and if someone is using the word autistic in a way that might offend someone, even if no one says that they are offended that staff or members should just mention that we don't allow that in our servers. I'd like to hear other staff give some input.

[RuBid1uM 21]

Yeah that's fair enough, I guess we can just say that context is important, and if someone is using the word autistic in a way that might offend someone, even if no one says that they are offended that staff or members should just mention that we don't allow that in our servers. I'd like to hear other staff give some input.

Thank you for listening, I greatly appreciate that.

[Vexx 112]

I don't see a problem with laying down some rules around this. I know the CS:GO division is a lot more lenient with the slurs thing, but in the TF2 division it's a lot more frowned upon so I'd see it being more likely to be accepted as a rule there.

[Reptile 149]

I'd have to agree with something like this, not just because I have a very close friend who has a form of autism. There's a number of people who have a form of it here and there and after being around someone with it for multiple years it can be a bit nerve wracking for one of them to speak up about how it bothers them when people sling it around. Speaking of my friend, he sometimes gets called it just because of a voice he can't control and it makes him just not want to speak sometimes along with the fact he can get very emotional; none of which is really his fault or controllable for him.

[shwash 108]

I think instead of making rules getting rid of the use of those words, we should start encourage people more to state that they are annoyed or offended on server.

While some people do get visibly offended, most of the regulars never visibly care (from my experience). Key word: visibly. It would make more sense if people don't hold in the objections to the words being said instead of banning the word all-together.

 

tl;dr

Edit due to hitting send too early:

A problem is solved much cleaner if we know how bad the problem is.

People that speak out about being offended should be a factor if some words need to stop being said for the time being.

Edited August 12, 2016 by Guest (see edit history)

[Hushpuppy 104]

I think instead of making rules getting rid of the use of those words, we should start encourage people more to state that they are annoyed or offended on server.

While some people do get visibly offended, most of the regulars never visibly care (from my experience). Key word: visibly. It would make more sense if people don't hold in the objections to the words being said instead of banning the word all-together.

 

tl;dr

 

A problem is solved much cleaner if we know how bad the problem is.

While I agree with this in every other case, in this specific case, it's a mental issue that effects their ability to be comfortable speaking up. I think this case, and only this case, should be considered unique.

[shwash 108]

While I agree with this in every other case, in this specific case, it's a mental issue that effects their ability to be comfortable speaking up. I think this case, and only this case, should be considered unique.

 

^This is good. I like this.