I was just wondering if this chat is within the game itself?

I'm on a couple of gaming forums and that type of behavior is not tolerated at all, posts get yanked and threads locked or removed as soon as admin hears about them. 

The games I play are on servers and some have no swearing/no slur rules that are very strickly enforced, one warning and a kick, then a ban if the behavior continues.  These are the servers that I allow my son on. 

yes, the chat is within game.

There are filters for in-game, which block swearing.

Many games have swearing, shucks, i can't think of those that don't that the kids have played...just that they fake out the spelling.  Often , it is not the swearing that is the issue for me, it is the content.

Again, wow is a huge game, which is definitely moderated. One can be banned from it.  The the issue is not wow, but rather, what lies underneath the surface of many folks, and just needs a slight spark to get going.

It is sad for me.

sad for me too.

over on youtube videos abound showing people at political rallies showing their racism, homophobia, and pretty much anything else that we wish had been wiped off the face of the earth by now.  the one that sticks in my mind is this old white guy at a mccain rally somewhere holding a toy monkey doll that he had written 'obama' on... he held it above his head and yelled 'hussein (obamas middle name) is here to see what REAL americans look like!!!', and the people around him were laughing and cheering.

the first time i saw it, my stomach physcially ached...

damn ignorant, intolerant, racist, yanks...

Assalaam Alaiykum

-Omni

You're going for ironic there, right? ;)

Greetings!

On these type of forums Pinga draws to mind where homophobia and racism is encouraged, several things can happen to our impressionable young people . . .

• those that are young enough that have not yet formed their own opinion can be drawn into believing that what is spewed is truth
• those that are searching for acceptance could adopt the same mind set even though they know it is wrong
• those that are followers can get swept up following the wrong people
• those that adopt these messages of hate they learn on line can take them and use them in real life
• those that take part and are of a different race or sexual orientation can be very hurt and damaged by the remarks

It is sad . . .

I am so thankful that there was no thing as computers, internet, cell phones (with cameras) in my youth . . . I made some bad choices, wanted to be accepted, had a tendency to be a follower . . . I think if I had access to all this modern techology I could have gotten myself into a lot of trouble . . .

Hope, peace, joy, love . . .

-sigh-

This.... it makes me sad, all of this intolerance. -flicks Beloved- Hey! Don't talk about these "Young enough" people when they're right here!! Ok, I guess I'm probably the only just-turned-fourteen person on Wondercafe.

But anywho! One thing that just irks me a little, is that I keep getting the vibe that (I've been hanging around the parenting boards) all you adults seem to think that us "kids" are so conscience of this all, and not only that, that we're racist and intollerant and mindless followers of all this because of our youth. And Beloved, I feel that it is the access to the all this technology that has made me so  open minded to everything.

I have no inkling as to where you all are, but I live in Canada and in my school, my neighborhood, my grocery store, my street, on my #2 west bound city bus, I am a visible minority! I'm a Caucasian (however that is spelt ;) ) girl with Irish/british roots, and for every one of me; there are five east-indians, three aborigionals, three asians, and two african americans, and I couldnt care less.

They're people, no matter what skin color they have, and the mijority of my school feels the same way about it

goodness... I got off topic and I'm lazy AND it took so long to write all that out I dont want to delete it all and restart SO;

I feel that yes, this racism and homophobia is horrible, and it's really sad to know that people think these ways. But as for this:

" I call on all those who are affirming and aware to speak out against the vile threads wherever they may be, so that those who are being harassed don't stand alone."

I dont beleive that we have the right to try and stop people from saying these things. They have their right to freedom of speech, and those who are being harassed arn't alone. You talk as if these people have noone but hem selves and their computer, and that they are tied to the chair and forced to read all the ignorant things that are said about their ethnicity/sexual orientation.

THey have family, they have friends, and more importantly.

THey have free will, just like you and me, and the choice to simply look away. Close the web page. turn off the computer.

Becuase thats all anyone really can do if they are offended, is just Leave. They cant change a chosen fool! And neither can we, so rather than trying to keep people from speaking their tiny-tiny mind, what we should be doing is just treating these people, ourselves, as you would treat anybody else. Because they are anybody else! People are people any where.

And awnser me.... do you want to be alienated and then told that you cant fight your own battles? hn??

(augh, I talk too much. but hey, food for thought!!)

You tell 'em!  Although yes, I though I was one of the youngest...damn you you've stolen my title! ;)

I never agreed with the whole "I may not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it" idea.  Oh well.  I guess we only improve through people insulting our very being...needlessly...

Also, I don't think those who are being harassed not being alone gives the ones acutally being harassed much solice unfortunately.  Just because someone calls me a terrorist (just because I'm a muslim...and a white muslim at that!), it doesn't give me much solice that people elsewhere are in the same pain at the hands of such ignorance.  I mean, how can relating your pain and suffering to the pain and suffering of others bring anything but a depressing realization that your not alone...in being surrounded by ignorant assholes?

Anywho, welcome to Wondercafe and I think you spelt Atheistic wrong! Enjoy your stay!

Assalaam Alaiykum

-Omni

P.S.

yes, glad you picked up on that :D ;)  Gratz on the whole Obama thing btw America!

ok, yes, that was a stereotpe; however, the person in particular  that was off-the-top stated he was 14.  I don't want to take on the age dialogue on this thread, though I think it is an important aspect.    If someone else wants to run it, I am ok with engaging .

Let's talk about silence when dealing with homophobic or racist comments. 

What that does is tells the individuals it is acceptable, after all no one disageed with them.

It leaves those who are speaking out against it alone, feeling that the majority ar in silent agreement.

most importantly, it leaves the person who is gay or black to feel that they are alone and people are not with them.  Also it puts them in the positin of having to defend themsleves.  not easy.

so, no, silence is not an option. 

Regarding turning off the computer.  Give that one a rest. I  pay good money for the game. I enjoy the game, and I should NOT have to put up with such dialogue which has nothing to do with the game. 

Now, regarding the people you are surrounded by.  Yes, on the bus you may be a minority in your area.  That isnt' the case in my area; hwoever, in certain areas of large cities it is.

I ask you, though...is the same racial distribution seen in

a) police

b) firefighters

c) teachers

d) university professors

e) ministers

f) co-workers of our parents if in professional jobs

g) representatives to parliament

h) management

i) nurses

j) lawyers or people in judicial systems

Ohkay..... hn, I dont beleive I got my point across right.

I never meant that I would "Fight" persay from someone's right to speak their mind. I just mean that there is nothing you can do (unless getting lawyers and lawsuits and such involved... or evin the WoW admin/Mod or something like that) about it. Because if somebody wants to say it. No matter how many times you tell them to stop, or how many times they get banned/frozen/blocked. They'll keep coming back, like a person will only struggle harder when you put more pressure on the pillow while you smother them.

Its like sitting down a Republican and a Liberal(say the Republican is the one spouting this racism and homophobia, and the Liberal is the one who is taking offense to this) no matter how long they sit, and argue points, the Rupublican is never going to say "you know, you're right. I have been a crazy right-wing nut job, and I tire of it!" or likewise the liberal will say "yes. Yes I have been a Liberal Weiner. I'm siding with you"

That will never happen. I say... yes speak out against it, but dont try to stop it, or else the bigots will only grow more determined to throw their narrow-minded veiws out there.

If you see it, not online, but in the street, some jerk and his/her friends ganging up on a muslim, or a homosexual, speak out against it. Yes. Phone the police if it's serious, or just get inbetween it and ask him/her if they would like help. but dont fight it, hun. You'll get your *ss handed to you, and that's no fun :(

Okay, as for the silence. I.... dont think I meant "Do nothing"

I mean, they can speak; and we can too!!! But neither us, nor the bigots can take that pillow and smother the other with it.

And although I say "Us" I dont mean b"Just caucasians" or "Just Canadians" I mean everybody, on the contenent of North America can say what they will, the abusers and the abused. And hey, if we speak louder than the opposing, we catch the attention of higher ups enough. Maybe we can damper those racist/homophobic pr*cks!!

aha ha, gee- dont hate me when I get a little passionate -coughrantcough-

a) police: east-indians/Caucasians

b) firefighters: Caucasians/African Americans

c) teachers: East-Indians

d) university professors: no clue :(

e) (political) ministers: East-Indians

f) co-workers of our parents if in professional jobs: East-Indians (allot of East Indian Realtors around here, and the like, and alot of Indian owners of... well Indian Ethnic stores. The closest is a five minute walk from my place. Aha ha! I wish I were better at applying Henna to myself )

g) representatives to parliament: East-indians

h) management: Asian/Caucasian

i) nurses- Native

j) lawyers or people in judicial systems: East-Indian/ African-American

Just what I've seen :)

you are saying 100% of the nurses in your area are native?, and 100% of the judicial system is east-indian / african-american?

No, merely the majority. In a diverse country like Canada it's really hard to have 100% of any one ethnic group to be in an area. Like, on the west-coast (where I live) the visible majority is East-indian. Allittle more to the east, and it's Asian. And on the east coast (Quabec/Newfoundland) the visible majority is caucasian.

But like, In my highschool; The principal is east-indian, the one vice-principal is caucasian, and the other caucasian/american. well over half the staff is east indian. We have a choice to learn either Punjabi, or Jappanese, and in dance class we learn jazz, ballroom, ballet and Bangra dancing.... I have no clue if I spelt "Bangra" right  but anywho!

One race seems to dominate where I live. Like my landlord's name is Gurjit Daliwahl, and my math teacher's name is Mr. sidhu.

It doesnt bother me though. even though I am often harassed for being Caucasian (mostly for my british ancestery :( I dont even have an aceent, and still they bug me about it!!! Well cherio-pip-pip fish and chips go die painfully, to you to Aman  ((the jerk)) )

Any who (again) There is only one caucasian person running for school board in my area, and whenever a school does some sort of bake-sale/penny drive for charity, it all goes to some "sister school" in india :( what about the welfare families in canada?? All the suicide victim's children, or parents?? How about all the people who got laid off due to the coming recession!? THey need the money! Homeless people in canada, the rate has gone up so, so much in just Vancuuver; but the rest of the country needs help just as badly! So stop shipping all our money overseas!! AUGH D: THE SINGLE MOTHERS, OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS, THE LIBRARY ONLY HAS 40 BOOKS ADFASDFASDFD!!!!11!!!oneone

.... Alright I'm done being a spazz.... sorry for rant.

I doubt it...I don't think this young person realises how 2-faced and hypocritical he's starting to sound, asking for tolerance on one hand, and slamming those who don't agree with his muslim needs on the other...

I find it funny to read these posts and watch people blithely ignore their own lack of commitment to the ideals they espouse.

"Its like sitting down a Republican and a Liberal(say the Republican is the one spouting this racism and homophobia, and the Liberal is the one who is taking offense to this)"

Yeah, because ALL Republicans are like that......lol

Ouchies, Trinitymike, it was just a little demonstration-thingie. But think:

Buch equals republican

Bush equals Gay is wrong

Gay is wrong equals republican

aha ha, I'm unfamiliar with a bit of American politics. but it was the only way I could think of explaining my "no matter what you say, they wont change their mind" point.

I'm not grouping them all together :) so put the knife away please.

well, happily-atheistic, it is good to hear that your schools are looking at overseas..they help to level out all those that aren't.  brings balance across the country, especially when one considers total need.

Somehow I doubt it...

I was being a bit rough and I'm sorry...It's just that it's funny to see people espouse sort of the anti-neocon stance of tolerance and not stereotyping, jthen lumoing people together...

personally, I'm on both sides of the fence here....For example,.I believe that government resources should be given to help Canadian born and citizens FIRST, not this huge outlay of resources to bend over backwards to create this cozy little welcome mat/hand-out to immigrants....however, I do believe in Gay Rights and Gay Marriage...

sigh, trinitymike, not sure about your family, but my family are immigrants not that far back...so, is it only future immigrants you don't want helped?

Thats okay, Trinitymike, It's hard to know where people are coming from, especially where you're just reading nuetral words that have no... tone (gee, I'm bad at explaining things :( )

As for your veiw/stand on all that, I would have to say I agree :)

And Pinga, I'm not sure what Trinitymike's idea of immagrants is. Only that I'm positive that he doesn't want them to 'not'  be helped. Just that, some come from their counrty, why? Because it sucks. Then they come over here, because why? Canada doesn't suck as much. Some come here, make an honest living. and hey, thats fine with me.

But what about the other's that come over here, screw over our goverment, and get things like wellfare, without ever working a day on Canadian soil. Then get their friends to change their last names and get them into Canada hassle free. And reject calling themselves Canadians, and just continue to screw over our rules??

For me an immagrant is somebody who:

Comes to Canada, but refuses to call him/herself Canadian.

or,

feels they're entitled to things like wellfare.... or healthcare, or anything provided BY the Canadian govement FOR Canadians. While the've never worked here a day in their life.

Ok, once again: I Rant. And please dont feel I'm being racist, or I'm lumping people together, or something like that.... I just see it allot, and it makes me both incredibly peeved, and really depressed that my country doesnt seem to have any pride as a country...

I'm going to go sulk now :(

I wonder, what do you think of people who are citizens who do their best to not pay taxes? or corporations?

basically, it is racism, if you do not look at all systems, and thereby identify that there are those who do their best to get what they can from a system....and those that don't

Trinitymike, my father was an immigrant and served this country in the Navy for 25 years and in the civil service for another 15 until his death. He was awarded one of the highest medals that the armed forces can give a civilian for service during the first gulf war and I take offense at your ignorant comments.

I'm not racist. People are people, and some people are jerks!

I just would like it, when people come to Canada (and those who are citizens already.) Would just play by the rules!

And somegirl, relax, relax! No one EVER said that ALL immagrants do those things, so calm down, please :P

You wouldn't treat a 10 year old boy with leukimiya (I cant spell ): ) the same as you would treat a 45 year old rapist.

I really don't think it's where you were born, that makes you an immigrant. Its your attitude towards the country you've made your home. And for what your father did, somegirl, I take my hat off for him..... if I were wearing a hat, aha ha.

What are you trying to say...? -.-

Assalaam Alaiykum

-Omni

Happily, you're twisting language to suit your own agenda.  That's intellectually dishonest and a great way to get yourself dismissed as another bigot who can't be bothered to think about an issue.

Do some research on population studies, immigration, and use of public institutions before you come in here and mouth off about immigrants abusing the system.  You might be surprised by how many born and bred Canadians abuse the system.

Jashin-darn-it!! Nighthawk, do you know what you just did there? It's called 'Socratic Irony" Now,

"Socratic irony" is feigning ignorance in order to expose the weakness of another's position.

Now what you did was read "I just would like it, when people come to Canada ------- Would just play by the rules!" and tried to use it against me. But, dear Hawky, what was in place of that "-------"??

It was: "(and those who are citizens already.)" Meaning, I know that it isn't JUST immigrants who twist and steal from the sistem that was set up by canadian goverment to keep everything working. Heck, my own cousin is 21, finished highschool and the like, and is totally capable of getting herself a job. But no, she lives in her parents home and lives off of wellfare. Why? Cause she doesnt see why she should work if she can get money for free. Which is an attitude that makes me a little sick to my stomach. It doesnt have anything to do with someone's ethnicity, so please, by Divine-Jashin, dont throw bigotry at me like it's a bad thing.

-sighs- And hey, hey, hey! Let's stop and look at the word "bigot" for a second:

definition: A bigot is a person who is intolerant of opinions, lifestyles, or identities differing from his or her own.

I am intolerant of people whom think they can get screw over hard working citizens, and live life free while other's are working their asses off.

Meaning, dearest hawky, that I do not care for work-capable people on welfare, conartists and frankly most polititians whom set everything up so the rich get richer, and the poor get poorer. but not too poor! I mean, the masses of middle class people reduced to homeless, pennyless hobos, that would be terrible! Who would they steal money from, then??

Oh, and most creditcard companys. They are just the evilist

Alright, anything else you have a problem with :) ?

Oy, Trinitymike, Omni's a good guy. And I haven't heard him slam anyone who isn't muslim yet. Maybe i'm looking in the wrong forums, but he's always answered my questions honestly, and to his opinion. It's what this place is about isn't it? Opinions? I realise that it would hypocritical of me to say this and then blatantly yell out "Stop thrashing my friend!" So i'm going to say it politly. "I respect your opinion on Omni, but please be more... informed... before you make comments like that. If I'm wrong, please feel free to point it out. But he hasn't thrashed anyone to my knowledge.

Take it with a grain of salt,

Shadow.

For my part, I added a smiley-wink emoticon there, so that frees me from being taken seriously.  It's in the constitution I belive.  :) (And that was a normal smiley, so I'm totally in the clear).