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From: NEWMARK@auvm.auvm.edu (Gavroche)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: ON PUBLIC RELATIONS
Message-ID: <15752@handicap.news>
Date: 22 May 91 04:01:49 GMT
References: <15660@handicap.news> <15727@handicap.news>
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Reply-To: NEWMARK@auvm.auvm.edu (Gavroche)
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Index Number: 15752

In article <15727@handicap.news>, mgflax@phoenix.princeton.edu
(Marshall G.
Flax) says:
>2) It is not surprising, nor is it inonsistent, that a person who has
>been blink for decades would find the word 'blink' unacceptable and yet
>use the word 'sighty'.  The relationship between the two words is not
>symmetric, because the relationship between the two groups is different.
>The sighted have tried to define and control the lives of blind people
>for centuries.  The blind have not tried to do the reverse to the
>sighted.  It's not a symmetric power relation; it is oversimplifying and
>naive to assume that the two words should be treated the same.
>
>marshall

*Flame ON*     this analogy is the exact same one given to claim that it is all
right for a black person to call a white person "Honky" while it isnt alright
for a white person to call a black person "Nigger"  When in actuality there
is no difference.  They are both racist words and neither would be used by
anybody with an ounce of decency and respect.  I am Jewish, but just because
somebody calls me a "kike" doesnt give me the right to call names back.  That
would just be stooping to their level.  Why would I want to do that?
*Flame OFF*

A better analogy might be the following:

One often finds African Americans calling each other "Nigger, boy, etc"
Jews are often seen telling jokes about themselves
Groups often use terms and jokes invented by others as disparaging
amongst themselves as a source of pride.  In a way it is saying: We have
enough self-esteem that we can laugh at these words.  They dont bother us.
>From what I can gather, "Blink" is similar to this.

There are Jews and African Americans who claim the "self-deprecating humor"
can be taken to a harmful extreme.  (e.g.  In Living Color (?)  Jap Jokes (?))
It also seems there are those who believe "Blink jokes" is also an extreme.

Calling someone a "sighty" can be classified under one of two categories:
1) Revenge.  We are discriminated against, called names, so we will
   retaliate likewise.      This *should* be avoided, it is not
   something to be proud of.
2) A mere abbreviation of the phrase "A person with the ability to see"  I
   think you might agree that is a little bit longer and a little bit more
   awkward to say.  "Sighty" is a lot easier.  I definitely dont mind being
   called a "Sighty" as long as it is meant merely as a classification device.