while I actually loved that south park episode and their point that words (that word specifically) change their meaning over time, the “answer” they came up with is a joke of course. A joke that only works because bikers are upset and confused by the ‘real’ meaning of ‘flag’. If the original meaning didn’t exist it couldn’t be used to hurt the bikers’ feelings, it relies on its existing meaning to hurt them.
You cannot forcibly change what words mean. No matter how hard Trey and Matt wish they were iconoclasts and as much as i appreciate them? They REALLY aren’t as clever as they think they are. What they did, if they had succeeded would just allow CHUDs to yell ‘flag’ at homosexuals and pretend they were calling them bikers, so it’s a good thing it flopped.
As cool as it would be if “bundle of sticks” stopped being a slur, the slur itself is not the problem, the intent is. Intent behind calling bikers ‘flags’ is to make them feel like you’re calling them homosexuals, relies on homosexuality itself being a slur. The end. No debate. Full stop. It doesn’t even change anything, its hurting feelings RELIES on the meaning we currently agree on. Feel me?
Totally agree on all counts. As a teen when it originally aired I thought it was funny for the reasons you outlined (Trey and Matt’s intent) but yes in 2024 it just isn’t okay anymore (if it ever was at all) and I bet Trey and Matt agree and wouldn’t make that episode today
while I actually loved that south park episode and their point that words (that word specifically) change their meaning over time, the “answer” they came up with is a joke of course. A joke that only works because bikers are upset and confused by the ‘real’ meaning of ‘flag’. If the original meaning didn’t exist it couldn’t be used to hurt the bikers’ feelings, it relies on its existing meaning to hurt them.
You cannot forcibly change what words mean. No matter how hard Trey and Matt wish they were iconoclasts and as much as i appreciate them? They REALLY aren’t as clever as they think they are. What they did, if they had succeeded would just allow CHUDs to yell ‘flag’ at homosexuals and pretend they were calling them bikers, so it’s a good thing it flopped.
As cool as it would be if “bundle of sticks” stopped being a slur, the slur itself is not the problem, the intent is. Intent behind calling bikers ‘flags’ is to make them feel like you’re calling them homosexuals, relies on homosexuality itself being a slur. The end. No debate. Full stop. It doesn’t even change anything, its hurting feelings RELIES on the meaning we currently agree on. Feel me?
According to Wikipedia, that slur is really only used in the US and Canada. If you go to the UK and say it, they will hand you a cigarette.
And that bit of fun was handled by a plot in “arrested development”. MR F!
Totally agree on all counts. As a teen when it originally aired I thought it was funny for the reasons you outlined (Trey and Matt’s intent) but yes in 2024 it just isn’t okay anymore (if it ever was at all) and I bet Trey and Matt agree and wouldn’t make that episode today