Willow and Bristol Palin post slurs and profanity on FB

[Kimberlyd125]

I am curious if any of you were able to watch the show Sarah Palins Alaska?
And if so what are your thoughts?
Do you agree with the young man who set off the ugliness on FB by saying it was failing? I wasn't able to watch but did see some snippets from one of the entertainment shows. Alaska has some beautiful scenery, although I am prejudiced to the beauty of Montana, my fav place to fly fish. I know one thing, I wouldn't have the guts to climb a glacier like SP. I rappelled once and it scared the dickens out of me!

I am also curious as to your opinions of Bristol's performance on DWTS? Although she has consistantly improved each week, there have been some surprises this season, IMO.

I must sign out for awhile so please remember TOS and Salem's advice until Kimster is able to review the thread. BBL.

MOO

wm

I watched the show and I loved it. Alaska is breathtaking! And it was a nice look into SP's life IMO.

I don't agree with the guy's comment about it failing, it got very high ratings for TLC. I don't remember the exact number or how high, but from what I read, the show did very well.

Bristol on DWTS has impressed me at times but I think she should have been gone a while ago. NO WAY she dances better than Brandy. But the show goes by 1/2 Judges scores and 1/2 viewers votes. So, I guess she's getting a lot of votes.

 

[LyndyLoo]

When I was a kid 'gay' meant 'happy'! I am dating myself, LOL!

I am dating myself too waltzing..but when the term "" was put in, I think the meaning of her using "gay" was clearified...so I do think it was meant as a slur, not so innocent....Yes she is 16 years old, and yes I do think that SP will do some "Attitude Adjustment" where public statements are being made by anyone from her family. SP is a public figure, and NOW her whole family has been thrust into the spotlight..so maybe best they refrain from nasty language and utterances that are deemed offensive...not a good plan when trying to portray "Goodness" or "Wholesomeness" (is that a word?) to the nation :blushing:

 

[Kimberlyd125]

I am dating myself too waltzing..but when the term "" was put in, I think the meaning of her using "gay" was clearified...so I do think it was meant as a slur, not so innocent....Yes she is 16 years old, and yes I do think that SP will do some "Attitude Adjustment" where public statements are being made by anyone from her family. SP is a public figure, and NOW her whole family has been thrust into the spotlight..so maybe best they refrain from nasty language and utterances that are deemed offensive...not a good plan when trying to portray "Goodness" or "Wholesomeness" (is that a word?) to the nation :blushing:

I think they portray "normal teens" to the nation.

JMO

 

[LyndyLoo]

I think they portray "normal teens" to the nation.

JMO

I have to say then, you are far more tolerant than myself..I would be mortified if either of my grown boyz or gandbabies for that matter talked like that in public..Yikes..I would run out of soap :yuck:

 

[animlzrule]

I think they portray "normal teens" to the nation.

JMO

Ummmm....crass, mean-spirited, thoughtless, ignorant. Not so "normal".

 

[Kimberlyd125]

I have to say then, you are far more tolerant than myself..I would be mortified if either of my grown boyz or gandbabies for that matter talked like that in public..Yikes..I would run out of soap :yuck:

I didn't say I like it. My daughter knows not to say anything like that in front of me and I do hope she doesn't say it when I'm not around.

But "that's so gay" or "homework is gay" or "my phone is gay" is VERY COMMON slang right now.

 

[Kimberlyd125]

Ummmm....crass, mean-spirited, thoughtless, ignorant. Not so "normal".

Then you've just described a WHOLE LOT of teens. It's the slang right now.
It's horrible, but it is what it is.

 

[LyndyLoo]

I didn't say I like it. My daughter knows not to say anything like that in front of me and I do hope she doesn't say it when I'm not around.

But "that's so gay" or "homework is gay" or "my phone is gay" is VERY COMMON slang right now.

BBM..I would tend to agree with you IF that is how the term gay was meant..but IF you read the whole group of postings, the foul language, and equating that same person as a "" which truy exposes her posting for what they were..homophobic slurs

BTW..I really didnt say you liked it, but tolerated..and when 4 letter words, and "" are used in conjunction with her attacking posts..I have to say the meaning behind her typed words meant nothing along those highlighted lines I bolded..

I am sure SP will set her straight, and I do believe BP has already issued an apology for this..
http://www.tmz.com/2010/11/17/brist...-palin-dancing-with-the-stars-facebook-sorry/

 

[Cubby]

I think they portray "normal teens" to the nation.

JMO

I think 25 years ago that language was more tolerable though offensive. We live in a more politically correct world these days and for some the language SP's daughters chose to post on FB is as equally offensive as the F, C or N word. IMO. Also, I'm sure these girls know their behavior would make news based on who their mother is and how it's not a surprise when the children of political figures make poor choices such as this. I don't find their behavior 'normal' at all.

JMO

 

[Kimberlyd125]

I think 25 years ago that language was more tolerable though offensive. We live in a more politically correct world these days and for some the language SP's daughters chose to post on FB is as equally offensive as the F, C or N word. IMO. Also, I'm sure these girls know their behavior would make news based on who their mother is and how it's not a surprise when the children of political figures make poor choices such as this. I don't find their behavior 'normal' at all.

JMO

I'm just trying to make the point that it is used a TON by teens. It is so common that celebs such as Hillary Duff and Wanda Sykes have started a campaign and have done PSAs trying to get teens to stop useing it.

It has gone past "sexual" meaning and does not mean anything sexual anymore. They use it as lame or dumb.
I'm not saying it's right. Just that WP did not do anything that is out of the ordinary for teens right now.

I just looked it up and it has been recognized as "slang" since 2007. It's being used. It's a fact.

As I have said, I have several teen FB friends and I see it a lot. These are good kids and I don't think they are really meaning anything by it. It bothers me but it is what it is. It's being used as slang.

And, WP is 16! How many 16 year olds have you known that never did anything wrong? I don't know any.

 

[Cubby]

We'll have to disagree it doesn't mean anything sexual anymore because imo it very much does and for people who are struggling with their sexual identity to suggest it doesn't mean anything sexual anymore - is imo, offensive.

Some would say the N and C and even F words don't mean anything anymore but imo they do.

We can agree to disagree.

jmvho

 

[waltzingmatilda]

Good comments Kimberly & LyndyLoo!

Kimberly, I think the general concensus is to move the thread to the PL. I agree that it is difficult switching back and forth between threads. We can also discuss this subject more openly in the private forum.

Thanks for your thoughts on the show. The scenes I saw were breathtaking. I'd love to go there someday. Alaska, Oregon and Washington are the only three states in the western US that I've yet to visit. I just wish it were a show about Alaska with Sarah and Todd and that the Palin children weren't involved. It's gotta add pressure to their already high profile lives which I feel is a part of the girls' meltdown on FB, MOO.

As far as Bristol's performance on DWTS, she has improved each week but isn't near as skillful and precise as some who have been voted off. She is at an unfair advantage because, let's face it, she is not a star, she is a teen advocate! (and the show is called DWTS and I feel the lineup should be stars, entertainment, sports, music, tv and movies) However, I do feel Bristol will win it due to the popular vote. I don't plan to watch any more episodes of DWTS this season because it's not about dancing anymore and I don't intend to watch the beautiful and graceful Jennifer Grey lose, LOL! (former dancer here)

LyndyLoo, I agree that these kids must be taught to watch their p's and q's, especially on social sites which are undergoing such scrutiny these days with cyber bullying. They must be taught to understand how things are interpreted by the public and how to just swoosh, let it go. Keep their heads up and keep rolling on. They have the opportunity to be great role models for our youth with their opportunity to be in the public eye. Quite frankly, I was very disappointed in Bristol's venomous remarks. She is a teen advocate after all!

Sorry for the long post, and as always this is JMO, IMO, MOO and all that jazz.

wm

 

[Kimberlyd125]

We'll have to disagree it doesn't mean anything sexual anymore because imo it very much does and for people who are struggling with their sexual identity to suggest it doesn't mean anything sexual anymore - is imo, offensive.

Some would say the N and C and even F words don't mean anything anymore but imo they do.

We can agree to disagree.

jmvho

I really don't think we are disagreeing at all to be honest Cubby. I know the word gay has sexual meaning, my point was that the teens that are using it are not using it in a sexual meaning kind of way. They are using it to mean dumb or stupid. I agree that is very offensive. Especially to gay teens.
I hate it.

But when a slang word is used so much for so long with a complete different meaning, kids pick it up. Kinda like when someone works with a group of people who cuss all the time. Cuss words often slip because it is so common around you.

I was just trying to make the point of how common it is and how it is being
used.

I'm sure it's very hard for someone to understand if they are not around a lot
of teens.

JMO

 

[waltzingmatilda]

Hi Cubby, I'm glad you joined the discussion. I agree the words in question are poor choices and IMO a lack of sensitivity training from the parents. Kids nowadays have too many communications avenues in which to act out and it's not communications with their parents. Parents need to take more action in monitoring what their kids are doing. I snooped in my kids business although I never told them so. I wanted to know what they were up to. I felt it was my responsibility as a parent. They were good kids but still made poor choices as all kids do which needed to be addressed.

MOO

wm

 

[believe09]

You took the words right out of my mouth. I work in the school system and "that's so gay" is the latest craze in insults. I am constantly telling them to stop. The same with "". I hate that word. I hear adults use it more than kids for some reason.

Insult being the key phrase in this post. It is being used in a derogatory fashion. Not because it is warm and fuzzy. (Both terms referenced here.) I disagree that this is a PC issue, personally. This is the sheer foolishness of both or either girl choosing to use the terms knowing that they are high profile. At the minimum. The maximum-well that they think it is OK to say it.

Way back in the dinosaur age when I was in HS people used it too-same motivation. As a slur and a put down.

 

[Filly]

When I was a kid 'gay' meant 'happy'! I am dating myself, LOL!

If you date yourself that is not so gay.

Agreeing with Kimberly here. Kids have been using the "everything is so gay" for years now. It's used so often I've heard kids say it in front of gay friends. One time a friend of DD's said "That is sooooooooo gay" about an outfit someone had on. Their friend who is gay quickly replied "Honey, if that was gay it would have some style".

However, the term is an entirely different ballgame. That's a direct, disparaging, ugly term. I have heard gay men call other gay men that name and it is always in a negative, mean spirited way. is just as bad.

A seemingly straight person weather a teen or kid using that word it is homophobic. I'm not thrilled with the "That's so gay" term. I mean it's gotten so trivial to these kids it's broken down to just "gay". You may ask if they like something and they'll go "gay". Which if we decode it means they don't like it and it's weird. They have to be broken of it that's how common that phrase is.

No I do not agree with it. Yes, I have called kids out on it. Usually just saying "So, that means it's what? There's something wrong with being gay? Oh or does that mean you really love it?" They'll just look at you stupified most of them. That they do hear I agree every single day. The word that comes from somewhere else and they better be mindful it's not acceptable and it's hateful.

 

[WhyaDuck?]

To "Jew" someone is common slang, too, but that doesn't make it less offensive.

 

[animlzrule]

Even if one were to characterize it as "slang", the context in which the words were used in this instance were clearly meant as slurs. And these particular words are especially ugly and their usage should never be chalked up to "just kids being kids". It's irresponsible and turning a blind eye to potentially dangerous dehumanization of others based on their sexual orientation. It's not harmless even if "everyone is doing it." :waitasec:

 

[Kimberlyd125]

I think we all agree is offensive and wrong. But she's 16. She is a minor.

I consider myself Avery careing kind individual. But, I cringe to think what came out of my mouth at 16.

Not saying it's right, not making excuses, but teens are gonna do stupid things.

 

[waltzingmatilda]

Would this dicussion be any different if, let's say.........

The young man who was called fat (in the FB comments) or Bristol for that matter (who weight was also referenced) became distraught by the comments because their weight is an issue and a struggle and either one committed suicide. Or if one of the persons called gay in the FB exchange REALLY was struggling with their identity and committed suicide?

Would we be saying 'oh it's just kids being kids'? It is our duty as parents to teach right from wrong and what is and is not acceptable in today's society. The dinosaur age is over. WE must be proactive and vigilant in teaching our young ones!

What you see is what you'll be. Stephen King's The Shining

MOO wm