Uncouth PerspectivesNot on the rug, man.

Their usage has become very common place in many circles, much to the chagrin of others. I, personally, will use a swear word when I think it is appropriate.

What I love is the people who will tell their children/partners/etc to NOT use a swear word and to say something else instead.

Child: “Damn! I really wanted to go play!”
Parent: “Honey, don’t say that word! Say darn!”

Oh, what good we have done here! We’ve stopped this atrocity from happening again and the world will be a better place, a place with no swear words!

…or, we have done nothing at all. This approach does not focus on the real situation. Swear words are swear words not because of the word itself, but because of the emotion and meaning behind the word. If we are going to teach someone, especially a child, about not swearing, saying “No!” is not the answer.

Rather, it should be a discussion about the meaning behind the word. In any human relations, in trying to persuade someone to change a behavior (because only they can do it, it’s not about putting limitations or about putting up blocks. Rather, it is about actually changing a perception. Having a reason that you can support and defend as to why something is not good or acceptable. At best, forbidding something only buries it; at worst, it turns into rebellion.
Quick fixes are not lasting solutions. Only lasting solutions are. If you attempt to solve anything by not focusing on the problem, you risk not solving anything and even creating a larger problem.

I’m not going to say anything in this rant for or against Eminem, because I want to talk about freedoms and drawing lines. First, let’s look at my definition, so we are all on the same page:

freedom n. Unrestricted access or use.

How can we “draw a line” on something in which there is unrestricted access or use? You cannot “draw a line” on a freedom, because it is no longer a freedom. You cannot create borders and call THAT freedom. “Look, this is my freedom box.. but don’t step outside of it, that’s BAAAAD…” Also, the point of our government is solely to protect our right to happiness, to ensure we can be happy and that no one interferes with another’s right to be happy (I’m not saying this is the way things are, but how they could and should be). I would think that drawing a line on a freedom would be an interference with my rights?

expression n. Communication, esp. in words; utterance.

Also, what about expression? Expression is an individual’s recreation of themself in imagery. If a person is not harming another person (taking away his/her right to happiness) and there is consent, there is no call to condemn and remove the freedom of expression, the freedom of communication. You can criticize, you can choose to not see or hear or experience the communication (you are not forced to acknowledge someone’s expression, just like I am not forcing you to read this right now).

When we start limiting, we stop growing, we stop learning, we stop understanding, we stop living. Expression is a part of our communication, a secondary process to our cognition, to our reason; don’t ever let it go to waste.

In this speech, he gave an example of how he was a good listener and a good relator by how he would tell his fiance, the “typical woman,” that she is not fat when she is in those “moods” that “all women have.” Can we please stop and look at this?

First, and foremost, there is NO TYPICAL WOMAN! In fact, there is no typical person at all. Each person has his/her own conceptualization faculties and is an individual with their own strengths and weaknesses. To declare that any behavior is “typical” to gender (or color, race, etc..) is to deny that which it is to be human, to deny reason by making the dynamic conceptualization of the human mind into a static “oh, this is how everyone is.”

Secondly, this phenomenom of “do I look fat” is not just with “women.” I can testify that I have heard those words come out of many people’s mouth who are not female, including myself. Being a woman does not make one “moody” or “emotional.” These stigmas set by our society are hindering the ability for people to grow individually and have a real identity.

To be a person, you do not need to identify with a group. You need only identify with yourself. Have your own beliefs and values, have your own desires, have your own personality, and above all, have your own thoughts!

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Our Mission
Uncouth.net was founded with the intention of bringing our message to the world at large. We have plenty to say and not enough forums to do it in. The original idea spawned when I had the idea to start a “ranting” journal, wherein I wrote down everything that angered or upset me, and that I was not able to find a suitable outlet to argue about it. Then, I got the idea to include people I knew in this fiasco, and soon it became the basis for a website. That idea has spawned into Uncouth.net and hopefully it will spawn into even more ventures.-Isaac S.

Uncouth adj. 1. Speaking or acting crudely; unrefined. 2. Awkward or clumsy; ungainly.

Rant v. To speak loudly, wildly, and at length; rave.

“A rant is not synonymous with an angstful bitch. At least, our rants are not. Our rants are rational criticism
of the world around us and people’s interaction with reality.”- Isaac S.

WARNING
We are here to say what we think! This website is designed for all ages, but the content is mature. There will be no pornography, explicit sexual content, or obscene language. If you read this website, the chances of you having to think are going to be very large. We are not out to offend or attack anyone, but people will be offended by what we say. This is good. If you disagree with something, WE WANT TO KNOW. We have an email set up just for this, hatemail@uncouth.net. Please email us with your comments, because we are interested. We will try to make a reponse to any emails that are actual arguements or comments. You can also email any author at their email, which are listed in the credits section and at the end of any piece written by them (unless it is a guest article, then it will only be listed on the article). Remember, we are not out to offend anyone, but we are here to speak our minds.

Submissions
One of the greatest things Uncouth was founded on is fostering and growing each individual’s voice. Thus, we all prosper and grow from your submissions! Simply sign up for an account and rant your heart away!

Uncouth.net has taken a path not chosen by many. Our goal is that every person has the ability to contribute their thoughts and ideas to our community, but also have the ability to get their posts edited by the Uncouth editing staff. From our experiences, most websites either have an elite team of writers or a sloppy “everyone can post anything” system. While we still have a comment system and forums, we also believe in havg clean and crisp articles and rants, but we want to allow everyone the opportunity to present their thoughts and ideas.

We do not, as it stands, believe in censorship. However, we do believe in a professional style and approach to writing. Our ideas of professional are still not the norm of the world. So, in submitting and article to Uncouth, we will -never- censor anything… but our editorial process does ake our goals and visions as a whole into mind.

Here are some simple guidelines to follow:

- We do not support hate of any sort. It is very possible to critize and discuss ideas, beliefs, and people in a constructive and non-abusive manner. Please do not add to the hate already in the world. This is what we strive most to fight.

- There are no “bad” words, but there are pointless use of words. Generally words considered to be “profane” are used and abused by those who generally spout them. Every word has it’s purposes–do not overuse. If something deserves an emotion, we proudly adhere to using it. But, if it does not need to be used… don’t use it.

- Rants and articles do not need to be any length. They can be long or short (Isaac has many rants that are only a few short sentences) … but ensure there is some actual content to the piece.

- We consider the most important focus of philosophy, theology, and all of our ideas to be on Daily Life. Our experiences shape who we are, and by sharing those experiences, we can also learn and grow. The most attached to reality and true life experiences, the more people will respond and attach themselves to your writing.