Now as some of you may know we now have a "new" rule that has just been implemented.

Racial Slurs

Malicious use of slurs against players that are based on race and/or ethnicity. We will show absolutely no tolerance towards racist and xenophobic ideals.

Expires in 6 months

1) Warning

2) Site Ban

Now as Giga13 has already noted. Racist remarks are already covered in the current Hateful Comments rule.

Hateful Comments

Any form of severe or excessive hate speech or hateful language based on race, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, mental capabilities, and other personal circumstances.

Meaning the new rule is redundant, and mainly just serves to increase penalties, and virtue signal.

I think the main problem with the rules is not the quantity, but clarity and enforcement.

So to increase clarity I would recommend changing the Hateful Comments rule to this:

Hateful Comments

Using hateful language with the intent to degrade, discriminate against, or humiliate another person.

Since we are all human, everyone is covered by this rule, and equally protected.

People shouldn't be banned only based on the content of their messages.

But instead also take into account the intent and the context of their messages.

Because I can say the same exact words with completely different meaning in different contexts. Like saying "I killed him." when playing a video game, verses saying "I killed him." after being asked if you committed a murder.

Now I have a perfect example of this:

Recently JM123 managed to receive the very first Racial Slurs Vio.

JM123 wrote: >half of the site will get banned my n'igga

But fortunately our hero BSM sprinted to the occasion and reported this heinous offender.

https://epicmafia.com/report/258927

Result: JM123 received Racial Slurs 1st - Warning

So what went wrong?

Lets first look at the context: JM123 was voicing his disagreement with the creation of a controversial policy. https://epicmafia.com/topic/91047?page=3&post_highlight=3131016

Now lets look at the intent: JM123 wished to express his view, that the enforcement of such a policy would result in many players being banned.

Finally lets look at the content: >half of the site will get banned my n'igga

Obviously the controversial word is n'igga, however I would argue that JM123 has not violated the Racial Slurs rules which is defined as: "Malicious use of slurs against players that are based on race"

While some people may consider n'igga to be a slur, JM123 did not use it maliciously against other players, or people to demean them.

In fact it is often used even till this day as a term of endearment between friends.

So the main issue in this occasion is the interpretation and enforcement of the Racial Slurs rule.

The result of this will be a chilling effect on freespeech, as I might be vio'd for simply discussing this topic right here and now.

Even though my intent is not to demean or be racist towards any person, but rather to allow people to joke and speak freely and only be punished when they are truly being hateful.

The letter of the law does not line up with interpretation of it.

Currently as it stands the real definition of Racial Slurs is

Racial Slurs:

Using n'igga or n-word no matter what your intent is.

This I believe is a very poor way to address things as heavy handed censorship doesn't actually protect the vulnerable, but simply stifles conversation and an open exchange of ideas.

TLDR:

- People should only be vio'd based on the intent and context of their messages.

- Bullies should be targeted not simply people who disagree with you.

Jeff: 'People outside of communities can stop virtue signaling their offense for the people within them. It’s a tired and gross practice to be offended for others who are not. It serves the purpose of trying to be holier than thou and is an ugly way to defend your point.'

Volta's Slur Whitelist: https://epicmafia.com/topic/91071?page=2

Check my story, The Peoples Village https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Q2yeMDXdG69ngAz3gw_0HWQoXNGPf479EW4BD369alY/edit?usp=sharing

Sources:

Songin New Rule Suggestion: https://epicmafia.com/topic/91047?page=3&post_highlight=3131016

Giga13 Response: https://epicmafia.com/topic/91060

BSM's Report: https://epicmafia.com/report/258927

BSM's Speech Code: https://pastebin.com/Z6B0hbJn (Adopted by Admin into censoring words)

https://epicmafia.com/lobby/rules