T-shirt sparks controversy at civility event at local college...

[cynatnite]

Students at East Tennessee State University are learning those themes this week as part of the university's first Civility Week.

Today the Hispanic-American Student Community Alliance invited the community and students to discuss the growing diversity on campus. 11 Connects Nate Morabito participated in the panel discussion.

Today's discussion is just one of many planned events throughout the week on the campus of ETSU.

However, one item being worn to promote civility week is drawing criticism.

http://www2.tricities.com/news/2012/mar/27/civility-week-event-sparks-controversy-ar-1799013/

Given the content of the T-shirt, I decided against posting the photo here at DU. You can look at it here.

WARNING: VERY GRAPHIC

http://www2.tricities.com/news/2012/mar/27/civility-week-etsu-t-shirt-sparks-controversy-im-160767/

[HarveyDarkey]

1. I see nothing wrong with that

Puts all the epithets & slurs in your face. I'd wear that shirt proudly, not just at civility or diversity events, but every day,

[cynatnite]

3. I couldn't wear it...

I don't think we have to be shocking to make a point. It is provocative.

[HarveyDarkey]

4. Sometime you have to be "in their face" to make the point

subtlety often doesn't work.

[cynatnite]

5. I disagree with the tactic. n/t

[mindwalker_i]

9. But that shouldn't be "in your face"

Words. I get tired of the amount of outrage people spend on words.

How many people will die today because they don't have health insurance, or that doesn't cover a preexisting hangnail?
"But he said pussy!"

[HarveyDarkey]

13. Shouldn't be, I agree

But the nature of this society makes such statements just that. I wish it weren't so, but there are so many prejudices in this country ( mostly ignored or denied) that something like this is "controversial". "in your face", etc, etc. I wish it weren't so, but....

[mindwalker_i]

15. Yeah, there would be better ways to deal with it, and get better results

There was an editorial on the NYT the other day about this very thing. The jist was, be offended and friggin' deal with it. Quit being so uptight that all anyone can say are bland platitudes. People need to get over themselves. More importantly, at least my impression is that liberals are too sensitive to saying things that are necessary, regardless of who gets offended. If Beohner doesn't like that we say he's for the 1%, then he can get his lips off their collective dicks!

[annabanana]

2. ok.. there was ONE slur there

that was a new one for me..
I assume it is anti-Catholic...

Where the heck did THAT one come from?

[Cirque du So-What]

7. I've never heard that one either

http://www.productreview.com.au/c/blower-vacuums/m/pope.html

What the heck do some people have against vacuum cleaners anyway?

[Romulox]

18. Same here. Is it wrong that I chuckled? nt

[Cirque du So-What]

6. A true discussion of civility

will address the casual nature with which all of the words on that T-shirt are part of some people's everyday conversation. Controversial? Yes, but it calls attention to a serious problem that stands in the way of civility.

[joeybee12]

21. There wouldn't have been news coverage if the shirt said, "Be nice to everyone and

don't judge....or something like that. You need something provocative to get peoples' attention.

[Chemisse]

8. Sometimes a shocking statement is what is needed to be highly effective.

Remember the bra burners? Those shocking acts were highly criticized (I was in junior high at the time and, having barely gotten my first bra, I recall being stunned by this). But the point was driven home in a way that could not be ignored.

[EC]

10. It's a message.

There was nothing but honesty with that shirt. Words that offend, used to describe stereotypes of different people that are not and more than the words used to describe them.

[frylock]

12. fugly?!

[BiggJawn]

14. Noticed "God-Hater" was missing.

Once again, the Atheist gets told to go pound sand...

[HopeHoops]

16. "pope blower"?

[FSogol]

19. I guess I do learn something every day.

[HopeHoops]

20. Never heard the term before, but it is funny.

[Quantess]

17. Who wants to wear that?

How about... put that t-shirt on, and go stand next to the religious nut wearing a sandwichboard in the town square?

Seriously, who in their right mind would put that on their body? That's just embarrassing.