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This argument is similar to "gay" meaning "happy". Yes, we all know that was the original definition but then it became associated with homosexuality then peopl

by smtddr 11y ago

This argument is similar to "gay" meaning "happy". Yes, we all know that was the original definition but then it became associated with homosexuality then people started saying "gay" when they're describing something that's "bad".... and I hope we all see the problem here. I'm going to avoid pedantic debates on HN, they're endless. All I wanted to do here is show that culture appropriation is a real thing and can become a problem depending on the context.

cthalupa 11y ago
They're really not analogous situations, because hustle meant one thing, it was modified to mean largely the same thing but a bit different, and people are also continuing to use it with it's previous meaning... which seems to be the part you take issue with. That is not at all what happened with the term gay.
- smtddr 11y ago
  To spell it out, the point I'm trying to make is that historically oppressed and/or underrepresented groups trying to get a foothold in society, trying to get an identity or trying to celebrate their culture... as soon as they get a foothold, that foothold is taken from them by having its definition changed or diluted into almost nothing. >>it was modified to mean largely the same thing but a bit different To you it's a bit different. To me it carried the constant struggle of poor minorities, including my parents, and that difference is huge enough that I don't go just tossing the word around freely. You're definitely not going to see me with coffee mugs & pencils with "hustle" engraved on it. Btw, "The Struggle" is also another term that carries significant weight in poor communities. http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=the+struggle http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=the+struggle ...yes, you can show all the history of the word "struggle" but it now carries a big definition with poor people, especially african americans. At this point, there's nothing more I can say. This kind of thread never ends on HN and eventually someone will come along and say something that requires a whole school semester on history, culture and the different forms of oppression throughout history to respond to.

by smtddr 11y ago

cthalupa 11y ago

They're really not analogous situations, because hustle meant one thing, it was modified to mean largely the same thing but a bit different, and people are also continuing to use it with it's previous meaning... which seems to be the part you take issue with. That is not at all what happened with the term gay.

smtddr 11y ago
To spell it out, the point I'm trying to make is that historically oppressed and/or underrepresented groups trying to get a foothold in society, trying to get an identity or trying to celebrate their culture... as soon as they get a foothold, that foothold is taken from them by having its definition changed or diluted into almost nothing. >>it was modified to mean largely the same thing but a bit different To you it's a bit different. To me it carried the constant struggle of poor minorities, including my parents, and that difference is huge enough that I don't go just tossing the word around freely. You're definitely not going to see me with coffee mugs & pencils with "hustle" engraved on it. Btw, "The Struggle" is also another term that carries significant weight in poor communities. http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=the+struggle http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=the+struggle ...yes, you can show all the history of the word "struggle" but it now carries a big definition with poor people, especially african americans. At this point, there's nothing more I can say. This kind of thread never ends on HN and eventually someone will come along and say something that requires a whole school semester on history, culture and the different forms of oppression throughout history to respond to.