Posted by mist on April 2, 2002, at 23:59:17
In reply to Re: Civility vs. Propriety Words, posted by Dr. Bob on April 2, 2002, at 8:23:24
Personally I find any place more welcoming, accepting, and supportive when people are free to use whatever language they need to, to express how they feel.
One thing to keep in mind is that original self-expression is a much stronger need and value among artists than among other personality types. And particularly for writers, the words they choose to express themselves are not incidental or interchangeable. The thing about "four-letter" words is that they can be used to convey an energy and power in the face of oppressive circumstances and an undiluted honesty of feeling that you can't get with other words. And even if this isn't an outlet for art or other types of writing, writers and other artists are who they are, and they need to be welcome here too. Part of getting support here isn't just others' responses but the ability to post from the heart knowing that you'll be accepted as long as you aren't attacking other members of the board.
Four letter words can also simply be about style and the subculture that one identifies with. To me these things are very importantbeing in an environment where everyone has to adhere to narrow, sanitized standards of acceptable behavior and speech has a depressing effect on me.
Hope others will have more to say about this too . . .
poster:mist
thread:3683
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20020308/msgs/3758.html