Mercedes Lackey Ejected From Nebula Conference For Using Racial Slur

[dragoner]

Its like people just heard of SFWA ...

 

[This Effin’ GM]

I get where you're coming from but in this case, POC vs CP, isn't like dropping the N bomb. I've seen people slip up and use some variation of CP instead of POC when they've intended but bobbled the latter. And I think if people hadn't been explicit with the issue, given the severity of the response, we'd have been tempted to expect a more severe infraction.
That said, now that someone has been explicit with the infraction, I think it's easy enough to step back from constantly using it...

Yeah I want it to be clear I’m not saying “everyone here is being racist as hell” I’m saying “we might want to be careful with what we are saying” because it’s easy when it’s not ‘the n word’ to start using it left and right because of a technical semantic protection. That’s it.

 

[Retreater]

I'm in my 40s, and I recall that the word was inappropriate in that context when I was about 18. This is not a new thing.

Maybe 20ish years seems like a new thing when you're 80?
Not saying its right to use that language, but it's certainly common (at least in my part of the USA) amongst that generation.

 

[Mallus]

I'm in my 40s, and I recall that the word was inappropriate in that context when I was about 18. This is not a new thing.

I'd say it's like the word 'oriental'. Out-of-date, mildly-to-moderately offensive, but not really a slur unless deliberately used as invective.

 

[payn]

I'm 43, and I am not consistently perfect in my speech - though I'm continuing to try to do better. When it's terminology you're not used to using, when you haven't practiced the correct contemporary use of language (probably because you don't often engage in political discourse), I can see it being an easy mistake to make. On top of it, it seems the context was one of admiration and respect for the writer of color being referenced.
When we're 80, we'll see how well we do on that. I have a feeling that we'll be embarrassed of the harsh judgment we're putting on our elders - people who are essentially the age of many of our grandparents.

Perhaps im extra sensitive to it, but I find the word used to long be considered poor form. Many see it as simply outdated, but many also see it as the only acceptable way to now say the N word in public. Also, I have very racist family members who are constantly given a pass because, "they are old". I dont believe old dogs cant learn new tricks.

It sucks that Lackey is being made an example of here. I believe her intentions and understand the context. Though, Clint Eastwood movies for the last decade or longer are about him going around being un-politically correct. It's either seen as funny or old school common sense because he is too old to know better or has ripened wisdom. Nobody checks that behavior they just allow it like old people are some unstoppable force. Politicians too say this with nary a finger wag because being 60 is too hard to learn new things. Its not, and I think its time folks started being more serious about this.

 

[dragoner]

Yeah I want it to be clear I’m not saying “everyone here is being racist as hell” I’m saying “we might want to be careful with what we are saying” because it’s easy when it’s not ‘the n word’ to start using it left and right because of a technical semantic protection. That’s it.

I grew up in Texas, where that word was used as a noun, verb, and adjective. I can understand somebody totally getting upset about the usage of a similar term at the panel. In general it is best to not call out someone's ethnicity.

 

[Waller]

I'd say it's like the word 'oriental'. Out-of-date, mildly-to-moderately offensive, but not really a slur unless deliberately used as invective.

When I was in London UK just a couple of years ago, that word was everywhere. Supermarkets aisles, in the names of chinese restaurants, everywhere. Once you noticed it it was hard to unnotice it. That news hasn't spread beyod the borders of the US yet!

 

[Myrdin Potter]

Befended, as I said.

The panelist (who is black) appeared to be offended on her own sake, not on Delaney’s sake. The SFWA decided that the word violated their policies and took action.

I believe that there is so previous group (romance writers) that went with something else in similar circumstances and, in Twitter storms, were lambasted for taking too little action.

My personal reaction to this would be to abandon appearances at their events in the future.

 

[payn]

When I was in London UK just a couple of years ago, that word was everywhere. Supermarkets aisles, in the names of chinese restaurants, everywhere. Once you noticed it it was hard to unnotice it. That news hasn't spread beyod the borders of the US yet!

Even here in the twin cities there are at least a dozen markets and restaurants with the word in their name. It is a good comparison because both of these folks suffer discrimination, but the cultural discussion on what is and isnt acceptable varies. Which is why I have a hard time with what is going on in this particular instance with Lackey.

 

[MGibster]

I mean I feel like if this was an acceptable context, you would have said it, not “the word”, is perfectly acceptable to use.

That was entirely for your benefit. I didn't want to look like a jerk by using the word, looking like I'm pulling a "I'm not touching you" move. And to be clear, it's not that I think you're petty and would pull something like that, but I'm happpy to choose my words with consideration and respect for my audience.