Comments on: Christian Combs: Peace Out!

By: CrystalDex

CrystalDex — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 05:17:20 +0000

Yeah the issue is that people have nothing better then to gripe about a little kid using a peace symbol because it might mean something somewhere else.

Like I said too much time to gripe about the silliest things.

By: Abi

Abi — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 01:32:02 +0000

Just my opinion, but I don’t think the kid’s nationality or the fact the picture was taken “on US soil” are the issue here. What is an issue is whether the content of the post is suitable for the audience of this blog. It seems that the majority of readers are American and I’ll take your word for it that this gesture is a positive one over there.

But there is also clearly a significant minority from the UK (and presumably also Ireland, Australia & New Zealand since they’re English speaking countries where I believe the sign is also rude). In light of that, is it wise to post a picture of such an offensive gesture? Perhaps in future CBB should adopt the approach that many Livejournal communities take. If something may offend people, you post a warning and hide the potentially offensive material “behind the cut” meaning it’s only visible in the extended post. That way the American readers would still get to see it while those of us who find it offensive wouldn’t have to.

As for those like Anon who say that young people in the UK use this sign, yes some do. You often see it on Facebook photos just like you see American kids giving the finger to the camera: because they think it’s cool and rebellious to be obscene. Friends who flick the Vs at each other tend to be the kind of friends who also swear at and insult each other casually. In other words they aren’t the nicest people and don’t represent most of society or even most of the young people. I’m 21, English and I think it’s rude. When I lived in France and people did that sign meaning “two”, it upset me. It wasn’t done deliberately but our culture is deeply ingrained so when I see it, I find it offensive. Surely a little cultural sensitivity isn’t too much to ask?

By: CrystalDex

CrystalDex — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 05:16:38 +0000

How about this one ladies, gents, whatever…

Um that picture was taken on US soil so it is safe to say it is a peace sign.

Now if it were taken in GB then I can see a uproar of the population having a hissy over it.

I swear a lot of people have nothing to do with their time but gripe about the dumbest things.

I highly doubt his parents would sit idly by and let him throw up profanity to offend a whole nation if they were in that country.

Chill out….

By: Terri

Terri — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 03:34:40 +0000

Loving the shades, dude! It’s the peace sign, people. If you took it for something else, that’s your deal.

By: bananasong

bananasong — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 23:19:30 +0000

have many asian friends and they all use the peace sign when taking pics..it’s almost innate…. it’s not an insult and the way Diddy raises that kid, I doubt he was swearing…he looks so cute

By: J

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 16:52:39 +0000

Anna you’re right! It’s sad that a few had to make it a race issue. It’s the fake attitude that goes along with the gesture that makes it look so cheesy, not race. Shame on some for bringing race into it, I thought people were better than that.

By: Renae

Renae — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:14:27 +0000

There is no hostility coming from me. Believe me I’m quite calm. Honestly I’m not jumping on you. You have a right to your opinion and so do I (which I was stating). I wasn’t aiming it anything at you. I just put what I had to say out there in the universe and you just happened to bite back. (By the way your responses aren’t exactly peaches and cream either). I get what you are saying. I know you don’t think Christain is swearing. My point was he’s saying Peace, why can’t we just leave it at that? It’s just two little fingers but oh well. You’re right though this needs to be put to bed. Peace (and out of respect to you, I did not throw up the peace sign)

By: Alex

Alex — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:54:59 +0000

Oh dear. I didn’t take the peace sign out of context, I just said I didn’t like it anyway, I personally express myself in different ways, but people can choose to do what they like and what is appropriate where they come from. The fact that I’ve now had to defend myself against the level of vitriol that has been blasted has possibly left you with the impression that I think Christian is swearing. I do not. Where he comes from, this is fine. I don’t think I can say it any plainer than that. If you are seeing hostility in my initial comments (and since you are giving me some hostility, I’m guessing this is what you’re imagining) then you HAVE misunderstood and you HAVE blown it out of proportion. My completely innocent commentary on this subject has been taken entirely out of context and has resulted in this rubbish still going on now. It’s ridiculous. The things that have been said (and not just you, Renae) seem to suggest that people are not allowed to say anything that doesn’t go along with the norm. Jeez. Bottom line here, is that this means something different in different places, and since the majority of us on here have been saying that from the start, I don’t get why this is still an issue at all. It’s beyond me why I’m still having to defend myself. I’m not even defending an opinion, since we apparently seem to agree, Renae. You seem to have misunderstood to the point where you actually think we have different viewpoints. We don’t. Now, can we all just find some inner peace and put this rubbish to bed?

By: Renae

Renae — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:28:26 +0000

“Blown out of proportion” (shaking my head some more and since I got permission, why not). You’re funny…I’m not the one who took a peace sign of an innocent child and blew it out of proportion. Whether are not it means anything to you accept it for what it is. I read your comment and I “wildly” understood you perfectly. I just don’t get the dissecting of this innocent gesture…that’s all.
I don’t see what’s unattractive about holding up two fingers. I hold them up all the time when I have to gesture the number two. Sometimes I hold up three, sometimes five. God forbid the message should be more important than the execution.

By: Alex

Alex — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 13:55:28 +0000

Shake your head all you want Renae….yet another person who either wildly misunderstood, didn’t read my posts properly, or hasn’t seen a thesaurus. There are multiple ways of saying you don’t like something, I chose to say it wasn’t attractive. Big deal, stop making it into something it isn’t please. And Anna, I think you’re onto something with the attitude point. I still can’t believe how badly this has been blown out of proportion. There has been too much nastiness and judgement in this thread, I think it’s time we all stop saying anything. I know I’m sick of having my words twisted, I’m sure I’m not alone.