Just about every time I hear someone talking about how offensive it is to use the term "faggot" it reminds me of the one time I was helping my family gather materials for a wood-burning pile.

I ended up nearly cutting my sister's eye open when I accidentally hit her in the face with the faggot I was carrying. I was scared shitless thinking that I had permanently blinded her when it happened, but as it turned out she was bleeding profusely because I had hit her right below the eye instead. I'm glad it was my big sister, because if my arms were even an inch higher in relation to her face when it happened, she'd be wearing an eye-patch today.

So yes, every time I hear that specific term, I get personally offended because it recalls a very unfortunate negative incident in my own life that I want to move past, but simply cannot for as long as constant reminders are being casually banded about without any concern for whose feelings they may hurt.

It is likely impossible for you to interpret what I said even slightly in that way, so let me just ask you a straightforward question: Would it have been wrong if I just admitted flat out that I have absolutely no idea what it feels like to be directly subjected to language used exclusively for hate?

BRO CHIEF:    B r o ,
w e   s h o u l d   t o t a l l y   c h e c k   o u t   t h e s e   c a v e s
t o d a y .
 
GRAIN BRO: S h u t   u p   b r o .
 
ELDER: T h e r e   a r e   m e g a   t i t s   i n   t h e s e   c a v e s
f o r    t h o s e   w i t h   c o u r a g e   t o    s e e k .
 
GRAIN BRO: T h e r e   a r e   n o    t i t s   i n   a    c a v e .
 
BRO CHIEF: D u d e,   c a v e   t i t s .
 

BRO SCOUT: I t   i s    a n    e g g .
 
BRO SCOUT [2]: I t   i s   n o t    a    t i t .
 
BRO SCOUT: I t   i s    r o u n d .
 
BRO SCOUT [2]: I t   i s   o v o i d .
 
BRO SCOUT: W e   s h o u l d    t a k e   i t
w i t h    u s.
 
BRO SCOUT [2]: H o l d   u p,
b r o,
I ' m   b e i n g   t o t a l l y   s a v a g e d   b y
t h i s   k o b o l d .

BRO SCOUT: N o    w a y .

I don't say those words only partially because of empathy. But mostly because I understand that others are irrational about being offended. I don't want to offend people, because I'm not a dick, but I still think in the back of my mind they are being dumb for being offended by such. I've been called fat (I am *shrugs*), Whitey/cracker (not generally considered a strongly offensive racial slur, but still, it's pretty bad when you are the only white dude in the room), lazy asshole (by my dad), etc.

Queer was similar, but that's been RECLAIMED by gay people. I describe my own sexuality as Queer, for example. However, if someone CALLED me a 'queer', it'd be significantly different. It's similar to the 'N' word in this context. However, Faggot is a word that gay people haven't sought to reclaim, as it's one of the most venomous terms a person can use in reference to us.

Vellfire, I want you to know that I think that you are a good person and I agree with most of what you say.

However, I think that you try to go after everyone that says stupid shit and this is a pretty unwinnable crusade, especially on the internet. Your attempt to do so makes you look like a very easily offended and irritable person. Also, I think that when people here are trying to address their point of view about it you often dismiss it and tell them they're wrong, even if they have decent points. I know you're idealistic and you want what's right, but I really think you should relax a bit.