Londa said:
I think you misconstrued what I said. In no way did I intend to compare the histories of suffering of black people and gay people: playing the "Olympics of Suffering" game is neither appropriate nor constructive in any way. My point, however, was that the use of derogatory terms referring to either group--"nigger" and "faggot," respectively--serves to reinforce the marginalization of both groups, and to perpetuate any and all associations of negative qualities with these groups.
Admittedly, I couldn't care less about Kobe. My real concern is that people refuse to acknowledge that, regardless of the "intent" or "context" of what he said, the word "faggot" carries the implicit association of "wrongness" or "unnaturalness" with homosexuality. As has been addressed in this thread, Kobe could have easily substituted "motherfucker," "dumbass," or any number of other expletives in order to verbally fulfill his "intent." Instead, he chose "faggot," a derogatory term for a male homosexual.
Even though he (probably) didn't mean to imply that the referee in question was gay, the fact of the matter is that the word itself
is intrinsically linked to homosexuality--and is officially defined as such. And, moreover, by using "faggot" instead of any other expletive, Kobe inadvertently reinforced the idea that homosexuality is inherently wrong or a negative characteristic. It has little to do with what he intended and everything to do with the fact that he said it. My disappointment with Kobe comes from the fact that, as a person of considerable notoriety and (perhaps) social influence, he should make good use of his position and send an explicit message that this sort of hateful language is not acceptable in any situation--perhaps as a PSA, or something.
More appalling than anything though, is the fact that people in this thread are vehemently defending the use of the word as if they had been personally offended by being told that "faggot" is a gay slur. I understand the discomfort one endures when told that he or she is wrong or that he or she has done something offensive, but fighting back is unproductive and reflects poorly upon the individual.
What I hope is that people will take even just a moment to reflect upon the idea that words like "faggot" are offensive because of the associations that they carry and that
maaaaybe it would behoove people to opt for something less tinged with prejudice. I understand that people get angry and say hurtful things "in the heat of the moment," but there are plenty of other ways to verbally express one's anger without using gay or racial slurs.