[seesaw]

I wanted to bring attention to an internet trend on social media that affects one of our shortcuts here.

Often on PC, we use parenthesis around a person's name/handle to signify a hug. Over the past couple of years, neo-Nazis have used this on social media to call out people who are Jewish. For example, we would use (((seesaw))) to give me a hug, but it's quite widely known now that this is actually a way to call me out as a Jew and also a sort of threat.

I think it's important for us to discontinue our use of parenthesis in this way, even though we don't mean it that way, because it is now widely recognized for it's antisemitic use in social media.

I'm not sure if this has been previously discussed here. I know I see it fairly often in posts and in chat, although it's been a month or so since I've been in chat.

Just wanted to share this information because I know we like to be "pc" on PC. (pun intended)

Seesaw

[unaluna]

Good idea. Reverse triple parens )))luna((( are also problematic.

Its one, two, or 3 parens, it doesnt matter how many.

Thanks Seesaw. This is bizarre. I never heard of it. How sad to turn a nice gesture into a mean one.

[LiteraryLark]

I, for one, will continue to ((hug)) my friends, because I'm not afraid of some cowardly gang. That's all Neo-Nazis are. A small-numbered, cowardly gang that is milking whatever the heck is left out of their horrific history. The Neo-Nazis have absolutely no power. None. Not unless we go along with whatever they're using to spike fear in people and bow down to them. Which I will not.

We cannot live in constant fear, we cannot cease to live and love. If we stop our ((hugs)) it only gives more power to the Neo-Nazis who have absolutely no power in this country --which we can thank our soldiers, our police officers, and Our President for that. The swastika used to be a symbol of peace. The Nazis ruined that. Don't let our ((love and hugs)) fall prey to hate. If we sacrifice what we love out of fear, hate wins.

[MickeyCheeky]

That's why I use four parenthesis instead of three

Originally Posted by MickeyCheeky

That's why I use four parenthesis instead of three

Wow! I had no idea!

[seesaw]

Lots of words and symbols are turned into slurs, and we refrain from using them to show that we won't give into prejudice. It doesn't really matter how many parenthesis, and the fact that some would disregard the notification that a certain word or phrase has become a slur is actually really alarming to me. That you care so little about using a slur against someone else...that's the argument that people use to justify their prejudices.

It's sad that new people who come to PC will be subjected to this.

[TishaBuv]

I didn’t know such a thing existed because I don’t interact with nazi’s. I am proud to be called out for being a Jew. Thank you LL for those kind and sane words.

[unaluna]

Lark, your President speaks FOR, not against, the Nazis. He thinks they are quote good people.

Get informed. Google Charlottesville.

[MickeyCheeky]

Well, I still disagree, but I guess I can drop this gesture for the sake of everyone's safety on PC.

[seesaw]

You can't reclaim a slur unless you're part of the demographic it's being used against. And I am part of the demographic being slurred in this case.

I also don't appreciate this notification of a slur being used to further people's political agendas. Please control yourselves from discussing politics. This is not about that.

I am so confused now, how can these things possibly be a threat? ()

[littleblackdog]

Originally Posted by whispershadow

I am so confused now, how can these things possibly be a threat? ()

They are not a threat in their own right but they are used to identify a person (or company) as Jewish so that vile anti-semitic people can then harass them online with abusive messages and images.

I don't think that the original post had anything to do with being proud or ashamed to belong to a religion - more to raise awareness of this disgusting practice, and to protect people from abuse if the (((hug))) is misinterpreted.

[amandalouise]

thanks for the information. I dont cyber hug just anyone normally. just like I dont go out on the street and physically hug everyone that I meet. my cyber hugs with brackets are reserved for my close friends and family, just like off the computer.

I do use hugs buttons on websites frequently, but this isnt for conveying deep emotional love for someone. on websites that have a hugs button its usually just a way to let others know you have read their post and what they wrote touched their hearts/ feelings in some way.

my point is when I use brackets to represent hugs those I use it with know me on a more personal level so they automatically associate the brackets for a hug not for racists actions.

I dont think its even possible for a website anywhere on the internet to ban the usage of the (((Hugs))) many places have their own laws, cultural ways,

here in america we can no more stop someone from (((Hugs)))) than we can someone who LOL or LMAO, or ROTFLOL or or

my suggestion to anyone who finds hugs in brackets offensive to place in their signatures that they dont accept hugs. that way members read their post, sees at the bottom of the post that they prefer not to get hugged, and then others will know not to hug them no matter what the reason behind the fact that they dont like hugs.

[Fuzzybear]

I didn’t know about this . It’s sad when a nice gesture is turned into a mean one

I guess these are ok?

Fuzzy

[DocJohn]

Since Wikipedia recognizes this just for triple parentheses -- not all use of parentheses (because that would be a little ridiculous) -- I'd encourage our members to consider not using triple parentheses in the future to denote hugs.

Instead, either use the hug button (in the forums), or 4 or more parentheses while in chat.

I agree, it is a very sad state of affairs when a hate group adopts a common behavior, already in use. There's not much to be done about it other than to adopt to the times.

Originally Posted by DocJohn

Since Wikipedia recognizes this just for triple parentheses -- not all use of parentheses (because that would be a little ridiculous) -- I'd encourage our members to consider not using triple parentheses in the future to denote hugs.

Instead, either use the hug button (in the forums), or 4 or more parentheses while in chat.

I agree, it is a very sad state of affairs when a hate group adopts a common behavior, already in use. There's not much to be done about it other than to adopt to the times.

So 5 parent however you spell it like I do would be okay? I'm just getting myself confused sorry

So like this ((((( username ))))) is okay?

[Fuzzybear]

Originally Posted by whispershadow

So 5 parent however you spell it like I do would be okay? I'm just getting myself confused sorry

So like this ((((( username ))))) is okay?

Yes ((((( username ))))) is ok

[seesaw]

I would actually recommend that you don't put someone's name in multiple parenthesis but rather do as AmandaLouise did and put the word "hug" in the parenthesis. Multiple parenthesis is very much like the 3 and 3. So instead you could say (((((hugs))))) WhisperShadow and then there's no semblance to the slur at all.

As others have noted, there are emojis that you can use, GIFs, or the HUG button on the posts in the forums.

That would just be my recommendation. People are going to do what they are going to do, and there may or may not be conflict that arises out of it. I know I don't want anyone of any culture, ethnicity, religion, race, etc feeling like I'm doing something that is oppressive to them.

Originally Posted by seesaw

I would actually recommend that you don't put someone's name in multiple parenthesis but rather do as AmandaLouise did and put the word "hug" in the parenthesis. Multiple parenthesis is very much like the 3 and 3. So instead you could say (((((hugs))))) WhisperShadow and then there's no semblance to the slur at all.

As others have noted, there are emojis that you can use, GIFs, or the HUG button on the posts in the forums.

That would just be my recommendation. People are going to do what they are going to do, and there may or may not be conflict that arises out of it. I know I don't want anyone of any culture, ethnicity, religion, race, etc feeling like I'm doing something that is oppressive to them.

what about saying "hugs seesaws" or other member names without using the parent whatsits? would that be okay, seesaws?

[seesaw]

Originally Posted by whispershadow

what about saying "hugs seesaws" or other member names without using the parent whatsits? would that be okay, seesaws?

That wouldn't bother me, personally, whisper, at all.

[Carmina]

I refuse to allow fascist scum to determine what I can or can't write, people should take back the (((hugs))) for themselves and undermine any attempt to make it into anti semitic code.

[seesaw]

Originally Posted by Carmina

I refuse to allow fascist scum to determine what I can or can't write, people should take back the (((hugs))) for themselves and undermine any attempt to make it into anti semitic code.

I think DocJohn weighed in on this. And he's right.

[unaluna]

Originally Posted by Carmina

I refuse to allow fascist scum to determine what I can or can't write, people should take back the (((hugs))) for themselves and undermine any attempt to make it into anti semitic code.

Maybe any further discussion can be done on the Current Political Discussion Group, if people are so inclined?

[FooZe]

This thread is being closed at the OP's request.