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Disco Writer used the N word in the writers room.

Yeah, this touches on the sort of "false equality" that so often derails discussions about racism (at least American racism). To insist that in order to be treated fairly, respectful, and - yeah, equally - we must all be treated exactly the same, regardless of our backgrounds and experience, is a red herring.
Funny, I never argued that.
 
I think this just maked it more problematic. Whether referring to thr Irish or all Caucasians, it's still an ethnic slur. The article is correct. I grew up on LA. Some Irishmen, like Mullholland and Doheny, had a huge impact on the city, there are no Irish neighborhoods.

So what did the policeman mean by using the word? It's either gibberish, or he was using the word typical of African Americans.

I see two possibilities, although I don't think either is significantly more likely than the other: the policeman was himself African American, or Mosley himself inserted the anti-Irish slur into his story.
Mr. Mosley is 67 years old.
The incident may have taken place a long time ago, like back in the 60's or 70's in which case both then N-word and the Irish slur may have been common place.
 
There is a difference between an office setting and a creative setting. I'm absolutely in favour of not allowing the use of the n-word in an office setting (or a Trek forum), where people from many backgrounds and political beliefs have to deliver an unpolitical work - even when used as a direct quote.

But a creative setting? You can not write about reality without acknowledging (and bluntly talking about) the more ugly, upsetting and uncomfortable parts of reality.

Imagine some record label telling Kanye or Jay-Z "You can use it in the recording booth. But you can never, ever say the full word when talking to your co-artist when writing the song!"
Utterly ludicrous! He would have left right then and there. As Mosley did.
Oh please, if you're an adult, you can talk about "real world" situations without using derogatory language in the discussions. A professional work environment is a professional work environment. IF you want to use it in a script, you can also talk about it And bring it up in that context (And if the printed story is accurate, HR did tell him he was free to use the word in a script.) ST: D ISN'T a reality show, its science fantasy. There's ways to discuss 'real world' situations without resorting to vulgarity.
 
Also, it sounds like the poor HR folk handled this about as well as they could - they called Mosley and gave him a heads-up. He decided that it wasn't worth hanging there and putting up with the mickey mouse bullshit - quite reasonably so, IMO. It's hard to imagine that he was having the fucking time of his life in that place, else he'd have likely shrugged this little thing off - I'm sure that, unlike some of these babies, he's had a whole lot worse shit dropped on him while sticking to his pursuit of things he really wanted to do.
It could also be he just has a huge ego. Again, just not showing up at work for three weeks and not even giving your employer notice? Again, not very professional, and perhaps he feels he doesn't need to be because of who he is.
 
Mr. Mosley most likely doesn't really need to work as a script writer for any TV show.
He is after all, an accomplished Author.
I get the feeling he does it because he enjoys it, almost like a hobby.
Kurtzman most likely asked him (perhaps as a favor), because of his credentials as a Sci-Fi author, to add his talents to the DISCOVERY writing team.
It makes perfect sense to me for Mr. Mosley to just walk away when something of this nature rears its ugly head.

If I were Alec Kurtzman I'd be livid at this point, as this certainly will put a dampener on getting any other well known Authors to lend their talents to the Star Trek franchise.
I'd be having several group and personal conversations with the Writers to attempt to clear the air, cause this is also going to stifle the current talent they do have.
:shrug:
 
Oh please, if you're an adult, you can talk about "real world" situations without using derogatory language in the discussions. A professional work environment is a professional work environment. IF you want to use it in a script, you can also talk about it And bring it up in that context (And if the printed story is accurate, HR did tell him he was free to use the word in a script.) ST: D ISN'T a reality show, its science fantasy. There's ways to discuss 'real world' situations without resorting to vulgarity.
But humans have been using vulgar language forever. In fact a big pushback against PC stuff isn't just about people wanting excuses to be mean. It has also been about people developing a thicker skin because of the harsh realities of life. If a writer can't even handle someone talking about racism in a very real way I can only imagine how bad his/her script on the subject would be. Especially if the writer is white and has no personal experience to drawl from. They should actually seek out uncomfortable situations. Jason
 
If I were Alec Kurtzman I'd be livid at this point, as this certainly will put a dampener on getting any other well known Authors to lend their talents to the Star Trek franchise.

This might be true, where writers whose primary career focuses are not in TV are concerned.

For many of those who do swim in that soup, this is a day at the office.
 
Oh please, if you're an adult, you can talk about "real world" situations without using derogatory language in the discussions. A professional work environment is a professional work environment. IF you want to use it in a script, you can also talk about it And bring it up in that context (And if the printed story is accurate, HR did tell him he was free to use the word in a script.) ST: D ISN'T a reality show, its science fantasy. There's ways to discuss 'real world' situations without resorting to vulgarity.

That would be the exact old policy that gives us an over-abundance of upper-class white writers, writing black characters who 'come from da hood' and use the n-word a lot.

Whereas actual black writers get weeded out because they're not allowed to talk about their real-world experience when crafting stories, because that might be "uncomfortable" for others.

Because somehow calling out racism is more offensive than tacitly ignoring it.
 
But humans have been using vulgar language forever. In fact a big pushback against PC stuff isn't just about people wanting excuses to be mean. It has also been about people developing a thicker skin because of the harsh realities of life. If a writer can't even handle someone talking about racism in a very real way I can only imagine how bad his/her script on the subject would be. Especially if the writer is white and has no personal experience to drawl from. They should actually seek out uncomfortable situations. Jason
I get it, and truth be told, I agree that in this situation, the person offended is (IMO) overly sensitive in the first place (assuming Mr. Mosley's version of what happened is true); and yes, were I so offended (I wouldn't have been) - I would have approached him about it first.

That said, in the current world, any corporation that doesn't follow the current law RE: "Safe Working Environment" - will open themselves up to legal actions, etc; so you certainly can't blame CBS HR for following the law and their procedure. Again, if the story is accurate - they said he was perfectly free to use the word in a script, but not in the ST: D working environment because someone informed them it made them uncomfortable. I have no idea what the life history of the person who made the complaint is, or whether said person WAS trying to get Mosley fired, but said person followed procedure, and Mr. Mosley admitted to using the terms in the manner her did.

It doesn't matter who you are. If you want to work in a professional, corporate environment, you have to adjust so everyone else is 'comfortable' in it. That's the l;aw as it stands. And again, I think the manner in which Mr. Mosley responded (IE Just not showing up for three weeks) is also VERY unprofessional, but that's me.
 
That would be the exact old policy that gives us an over-abundance of upper-class white writers, writing black characters who 'come from da hood' and use the n-word a lot.

Whereas actual black writers get weeded out because they're not allowed to talk about their real-world experience when crafting stories, because that might be "uncomfortable" for others.

Because somehow calling out racism is more offensive than tacitly ignoring it.
Again you read A LOT that's not there into what I say. And Mosley wasn't 'weeded out'. HR spoke to him, and informed him that the use of that word made someone else uncomfortable, and further that he was FREE to use it in a script. They DIDN'T fire him, he CHOSE to quit (and did so in IMO - a very unprofessional way.)
 
This might be true, where writers whose primary career focuses are not in TV are concerned.

For many of those who do swim in that soup, this is a day at the office.
Thar's just sad.
But I suppose where BIG Egos are concerned it's a given.
 
I get it, and truth be told, I agree that in this situation, the person offended is (IMO) overly sensitive in the first place (assuming Mr. Mosley's version of what happened is true); and yes, were I so offended (I wouldn't have been) - I would have approached him about it first.

That said, in the current world, any corporation that doesn't follow the current law RE: "Safe Working Environment" - will open themselves up to legal actions, etc; so you certainly can't blame CBS HR for following the law and their procedure. Again, if the story is accurate - they said he was perfectly free to use the word in a script, but not in the ST: D working environment because someone informed them it made them uncomfortable. I have no idea what the life history of the person who made the complaint is, or whether said person WAS trying to get Mosley fired, but said person followed procedure, and Mr. Mosley admitted to using the terms in the manner her did.

It doesn't matter who you are. If you want to work in a professional, corporate environment, you have to adjust so everyone else is 'comfortable' in it. That's the l;aw as it stands. And again, I think the manner in which Mr. Mosley responded (IE Just not showing up for three weeks) is also VERY unprofessional, but that's me.
I've worked in two mid-size community hospitals all my adult life.
If I were that sensitive to vulgar words I would have had to quit decades ago due to having to deal with a 'John Q Public' whose moral standards and education status is questionable at best.

One would hope that a group of Professional Writers with a somewhat higher educational level would be above petty squabbling, but I guess EGO trumps all.

(damn, double posted again ... sorry):alienblush:
 
I get it, and truth be told, I agree that in this situation, the person offended is (IMO) overly sensitive in the first place (assuming Mr. Mosley's version of what happened is true); and yes, were I so offended (I wouldn't have been) - I would have approached him about it first.

That said, in the current world, any corporation that doesn't follow the current law RE: "Safe Working Environment" - will open themselves up to legal actions, etc; so you certainly can't blame CBS HR for following the law and their procedure. Again, if the story is accurate - they said he was perfectly free to use the word in a script, but not in the ST: D working environment because someone informed them it made them uncomfortable. I have no idea what the life history of the person who made the complaint is, or whether said person WAS trying to get Mosley fired, but said person followed procedure, and Mr. Mosley admitted to using the terms in the manner her did.

It doesn't matter who you are. If you want to work in a professional, corporate environment, you have to adjust so everyone else is 'comfortable' in it. That's the l;aw as it stands. And again, I think the manner in which Mr. Mosley responded (IE Just not showing up for three weeks) is also VERY unprofessional, but that's me.
I don't really blame CBS or HR. I mostly blame the writer,internet that can reward that kind of narcissism and basically the human condition. Jason
 
It'll be interesting to see reactions to the episodes Mosley wrote. "STD sucks... except when Mosley writes it!" Or if the episodes don't turn out to be so hot, I wonder if it'll be blamed on Michelle Paradise "tampering" with them? It'll be this year's version of "STD sucks... except for Pike!"
 
You just don't get the difference between his time and company time/property do you?

Apparently, you still believe you can defend the indefensible practice of white liberals trying to define and/or punish what offensive--in this case, a word that is only related to black people (as the recipient of it), and one with a measure of history they (those sitting on the Ivory Seat of Culturally Sanctioned Thought) cannot understand, hence the less than honest overreaction to his use of a word that was part of his personal experience. Once again, This was a black man discussing his personal experience with racism, and obviously, he was using it the context of recollection during a story conference. Even it was not work related, it was and ever will be his right--and again, its not to be controlled, shackled or modified by those with no understanding of his plight to apply their "we know best" white liberal paternalism to his life.

It is quite obvious that you cannot, nor will you ever understand that, hence offensive, ridiculous situations like the topic of this thread.
 
Apparently, you still believe you can defend the indefensible practice of white liberals trying to define and/or punish what offensive--in this case, a word that is only related to black people (as the recipient of it), and one with a measure of history they (those sitting on the Ivory Seat of Culturally Sanctioned Thought) cannot understand, hence the less than honest overreaction to his use of a word that was part of his personal experience. Once again, This was a black man discussing his personal experience with racism, and obviously, he was using it the context of recollection during a story conference. Even it was not work related, it was and ever will be his right--and again, its not to be controlled, shackled or modified by those with no understanding of his plight to apply their "we know best" white liberal paternalism to his life.

It is quite obvious that you cannot, nor will you ever understand that, hence offensive, ridiculous situations like the topic of this thread.
Again, apparently you have facts we don't. Please provide sources.
 
Ya know, I just realized that we are assuming that it was another Writer in the room.
What if it was just some office lackey or a coffee & doughnuts delivery person who just happen to be there at that moment?
I said this many pages back but it got drowned out due to ever higher soapbox construction.

For all we know it was another member of staff who just happened to be walking past the office door at just the wrong moment, could even have been a guest who was just being shown around.

Could have been either sex and any ethnicity.

We dont know.
 
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