Also, in our "wisdom" from this modern age we look back at certain terms and deem them offensive, or decide that the context they were used in was offensive.

At the same time, these terms are going to continue to be offensive until they start to be taken back. I could think of about 300 phrases right now that I won't say. These derogatory terms will continue to hold a repressive and degrading power over the people they refer to, until they are used so frequently that the word itself loses power completely. The film towelhead comes to mind, as the director attempted to do just that, by addressing the racism directly and unapologetically.

Dude. No. That is false. Sorry. If someone calls me a "c--t", 100, times (well they wouldn't make it past the first time really) I am not going to feel better. Much less for racial slurs...
Maybe I'm just more empathetic...I don't know. To me, its not okay.
Its like the proliferation of the word "bitch". Its everywhere. It started out as a derogatory name for women. Now its used by men talking about other men, women talking about men or other women...every sense possible. But to me, just because the word is constantly repeated...it lulls your sensibilities to sleep. But the meaning is still there. When a guy calls another guy a "bitch"...it means "dude, you are acting like a difficult unreasonable female." Its akin to, if you saw it, that South Park..."stupid spoiled whore playset"...where Paris Hilton tells the girls they are "liberated feminists" because they are acting like whores and all of the girls buy it, hook, line and sinker.

I try not get offended over little things. Back when I used to set, I named my routes every single time. It was fun for me and for the climbers there, and more than once, my chosen name was censored by the man. I wasn't offended by that either.

I never named my indoor routes anything inflammatory... I would usually just give them obscure bits of pop culture that reflected me as a setter rather than the actual moves.

"Needs More Cowbell" was my fave.

I also recall a certain professional photographer who printed 20 or so copies of my infamous sports bra pic, and then set a route full of slopers in the Dover Gym's bouldering cave with the pic next to the designated holds.

Damn, I was hawt...

Oooookay, I'll be your straight man... sigh...

What was the sports-bra route named?

I named my climbs for a long time but now-a-days I just don't have the energy to come up with something witty.

Try "george".

First off term bitch originated before the 12th century to describe a female dog or some other carnivorous mammals. Check your etymology before making assumptions. Secondly this route is found in a private gym who can name their routes whatever they want to. If this were found in an art gallery it would be praised for itsinterpretation of american history and opression. If it causes too much controversy the gym will either go out of business due to lack of clientel or change the names of the routes. If they want to change the names here is a list of suggestions: anal dagger rape (what? thats too offensive? but its found in Shakespeare) how about a diamond in an ethiopes ear (you guessed it, the bard once again). too old for you? lets try jew squatting on a window sill (T.S. Eliot's Gerontion published in 1920, though i will give in to the argument that Eliot has been called an anti-semite due primarily to this line) Still to old? Not relate to modern times. Lets go with some modern classics. Prom night dumpster baby, Terry Shivo the musical, and last but certainly not least "shouldn't there be an 'o' in cross cuntry?" all of which can be found on tv any night of the week thanks to family guy, along with many others. if they offend anyone change them, hell the route will only be around for a few weeks indoors, while outdoors the names will last as long a people are climbing them. and to answer a previous question yes i am a white male, i also happen to be jewish. if were gonna play the "i've been oppressed and demand special treatment game" then i think i have a few gripes that society says i should be entitled to. Instead of complaining I think my brother and I will keep fighting over pennies to make sure the world has a steady supply of copper wire while the polish guy on here keeps tinkering with that screen door submarine. L'chaim motherfuckas

so you're saying repeated use of a word or phrase can change its meaning then?

thanks for all replies!...as one of your few african-american climbers I was not offended by the name per se...rather the thought of some white 20 something flippantly naming an indoor climb seen by young children and the odd person of color...how do you think this makes me feel? why not name a climb White Oppression? how about Stupid Nigger? Outdoor climbs..sky is the limit for naming...indoor...better check yourself honky

.....
So if a route was named "Dachau" or "Concentration Camp"...you would be cool? Or maybe you are just disconnected...Yes, I know that "bitch" means female dog...anyone who has a dog or seen a dog show knows that. Obviously, when its used today...it doesn't mean "female dog"...just like "f*ck" doesn't mean "fornicating under consent of king"...it means to have sex.

thanks for all replies!...as one of your few african-american climbers I was not offended by the name per se...rather the thought of some white 20 something flippantly naming an indoor climb seen by young children and the odd person of color...how do you think this makes me feel? why not name a climb White Oppression? how about Stupid Nigger? Outdoor climbs..sky is the limit for naming...indoor...better check yourself honky

Dude. No. That is false. Sorry. If someone calls me a "c--t", 100, times (well they wouldn't make it past the first time really) I am not going to feel better. Much less for racial slurs...
Maybe I'm just more empathetic...I don't know. To me, its not okay.
Its like the proliferation of the word "bitch". Its everywhere. It started out as a derogatory name for women. Now its used by men talking about other men, women talking about men or other women...every sense possible. But to me, just because the word is constantly repeated...it lulls your sensibilities to sleep. But the meaning is still there. When a guy calls another guy a "bitch"...it means "dude, you are acting like a difficult unreasonable female." Its akin to, if you saw it, that South Park..."stupid spoiled whore playset"...where Paris Hilton tells the girls they are "liberated feminists" because they are acting like whores and all of the girls buy it, hook, line and sinker.

Interesting that you started that with"dude" - the original meaning of which was an east coast dandy who is unfamilar with the western range. I'm guessing that isn't what you ment.

Word change dramatically over time. They can, and do often switch meaning over time. Hit google up for some good examples.

Nice? Originally "not to know" (iignorant).

Or accent which means started off as "to sing".

There's a route called White Guilt over here. It's a route though, not a gym route.

Karmi if you're concerned about slavery their are some great organizations to donate to that fight human trafficking. Young girls are sold into prostitution at an alarming rate. Put some $$ behind your beliefs.

Karmi if you're concerned about slavery their are some great organizations to donate to that fight human trafficking. Young girls are sold into prostitution at an alarming rate. Put some $$ behind your beliefs.