Too Offensive?

[livius drusus]

I've been sitting on these fellas for ages now because they make me slightly uneasy. They were made for MisterIngo's historical emote contest, so the intent behind them was entirely positive.

What do you think? Are they too squicky for the hoard?

[Legs]

Hitler's face is so cute in that smilie

Neither are offensive to me.

[ceptimus]

I don't find either one offensive .

[Leesifer]

I think they are both the most offensive smilies I have ever seen.

[godfry n. glad]

Just one word:

**discomonkey**

[livius drusus]

Yeah, I figgered most people would tell me to upload these (and burn Hoff in effigy). Just, you know, swastikas are not something you toss around without thinking, and someone once commented here that an Al Jolson in blackface avatar was the most racially offensive one he could think of, so I just had to ask.

(Number two is the first talkie, roo. Al Jolson, a white singer, is performing in blackface.)

[godfry n. glad]

If you upload these two, you must upload discomonkey, too.

Oh... Swastikas are perfectly acceptable symbols of considerable age in Asian art. The best speculation I've seen is that they were representative of the flight of the shaman's soul on its spirit journey.

[justaman]

Originally Posted by livius drusus

(Number two is the first talkie, roo. Al Jolson, a white singer, is performing in blackface.)

[justaman]

A) I voted for Hoff. He's the best.

B) I don't get the second one...

C) Diskomonkey. Check it.

[Crumb]

[MonCapitan2002]

The only smilie I find offensive is the Michael Jackson dancing one. I do not like it that some who (I believe) is a pedophile has a smilie in his honor. He is undeserving of inclusion in the hoard. The two smilies above are only mildly offensive. If they bothered me that much, I would simply adblock them.

[D. Scarlatti]

Originally Posted by MonCapitan2002

The only smilie I find offensive is the Michael Jackson dancing one. I do not like it that some who (I believe) is a pedophile has a smilie in his honor. He is undeserving of inclusion in the hoard. [Hitler is] only mildly offensive.

Are you serious? Michael Jackson is more offensive than Hitler?

[MonCapitan2002]

Originally Posted by D. Scarlatti

Are you serious? Michael Jackson is more offensive than Hitler?

Hitler is dead. He no longer exists. While he was one of the worst kinds of scum that ever lived, he is gone now and there is nothing that can be done about what he did beyond taking measures to make sure events like the Holocaust never happen again.

On the other hand, Michael Jackson is alive and a free man. He can still prey upon little kids. He still has the capability to sexually abuse more children.

[livius drusus]

Originally Posted by godfry n. glad

Swastikas are perfectly acceptable symbols of considerable age in Asian art.

Yes but this isn't Asian art. This is a Nuremburg rally. There's no alternate interpretation of the swastika in this context.

Originally Posted by justaman

Good lord, man. Crack a book. The movie generally considered to have been the first picture with sound is The Jazz Singer, a stereotype-fest starring Al Jolson who among other things dons black face paint and a big ol' ring of white lipstick to sing a few minstrel classics like "Mamie" and "Toot, Toot, Tootsie".

His first line in that movie, and therefore the first line reputed to have been spoken on film is "Wait a minute. Wait a minute. You ain't heard nothing yet." Which the observant roo might detect over the smiley in question.

[justaman]

Originally Posted by livius drusus

Good lord, man. Crack a book. The movie generally considered to have been the first picture with sound is The Jazz Singer, a stereotype-fest starring Al Jolson who among other things dons black face paint and a big ol' ring of white lipstick to sing a few minstrel classics like "Mamie" and "Toot, Toot, Tootsie".

His first line in that movie, and therefore the first line reputed to have been spoken on film is "Wait a minute. Wait a minute. You ain't heard nothing yet." Which the observant roo might detect over the smiley in question.

OOOOOooooooh. Al JOLson. Yeah I knew that. Of course.

I still don't think either smilie is inherantly offensive. It's the context in which they could be used. I mean I still find to be the most offensive smilie in the hoard and I wish it would die die die die die.

[ChuckF]

I think the Smileyburg rally (Triumph of the Smilies) wouldn't lead anywhere good, and I can't see what it would add to the board. It doesn't offend me personally, but I can't see a good reason to add it.

The Jolson one isn't great taste and I can't imagine a circumstance in which to use it...but whatever, I guess. I once got "Al Jolson" as a clue at Pictionary. So I drew a little guy on his knee with his arms stretched out like he was singing Mammy. Of course my idiot partner had never heard of him.

[Adam]

I don't personally find either of them offensive but, then, I'm strangely amused by Nazi humor ( I dunno why...it's like the darker the theme, the more absurdly hilarious jokes about it turn out to be), and I'm only vaguely aware of who Al Jolson was, so I may not be representative of the general smiley consuming public. I can see why others may find either of them offensive, although I do think the Jolson one is a bit obscure. Also, I can't really think of situations in which I'd want to use either of them, except maybe to accuse vm of being the fascist overlord that he is.

[Adam]

Also, MC, I have to ask...you find an animated bitmap of a weird fucked up celebrity who may or may not have abused some children more offensive than an animated bitmap of an infamous dictator who is known for certain to have instigated the systematic abuse and slaughter of thousands upon thousands of innocent people?

That reminds me...any chance we can get a :babydangle: smiley added to the hoard?

* Adam was kidding about that last one...I think...

[wei yau]

Gonna have to agree with ChuckF. While I don't find either of them particularly offensive, I'd probably never use them and can see how lurkers or pass-through visitors would find them offensive.

The hoard is plenty strong already, I don't see these guys as adding anything worthwhile, though I do think they are well done. So, in terms of quality they are worthy additions, but with regard to potential for offensive, it might not be good to upload them.

[Tanda]

[viscousmemories]

I agree with Chuck, wei and Adam. Not particularly offensive to me personally, but not really necessary either. It does make me wonder why gets a pass, though.

[wei yau]

Originally Posted by viscousmemories

I agree with Chuck, wei and Adam. Not particularly offensive to me personally, but not really necessary either.

What about Tanda? She agreed with me agreeing with Chuck.

Won't someone please think about the t(p)andas?

[Tanda]

Originally Posted by wei yau

Won't someone please think about the t(p)andas?

I vote both icons exit stage left.

[D. Scarlatti]

What would happen if someone had a Hitler avatar?

Or is the question here whether adding the smiley to the inventory constitutes some sort of official endorsement?

[Tanda]

Originally Posted by D. Scarlatti

Or is the question here whether adding the smiley to the inventory constitutes some sort of official endorsement?

I think that's it, D.S. It might make guests uneasy and possibly offended if they don't yet understand the flavor of the board. I think Liv should listen to his instincts and be safe by leaving them out.