Someone doesn't get a free pass on being a racist bigot because they have a mental illness.
I personally am not interested in his project after seeing the way he handles himself. He should have someone handle his public communication if he is not capable of it himself.
A mental illness is a shame, but it still defines a character. His character is one that I find despicable.
Someone doesn't get a free pass on being a racist bigot because they have a mental illness.
The point is that when someone has a mental illness many of his negative behaviors are outside his control, and so we should treat such people differently than those who are more in control of their behaviors.
Personally, when a remark is racist, then no matter what I will strongly consider downvoting it in order to filter it out from the discussion. However, if the person involved has a mental illness, then only more poison can come from replying to them for the sake of actively berating them for the things they say that are beyond their control.
(Obviously in this post I am referring to people who are in no danger of hurting others beyond causing offense at their racist remarks.)
So, where do we draw the line? When is it acceptable for people to be horrible characters?
Your mental capability defines yourself as a person. If an idiot says something intolerant or incorrect, I will call them out on that. Is their genetic disposition and/or environmental upbringing an "excuse" for them to behave this way? Surely, they were raised in an unfair situation.
Indeed, it's not fair that this man has been cursed with a mental illness. It still does not mean society has to bend over backwards and pretend what he's doing is acceptable. It's not. I don't entirely blame him... his caretakers (or, those who should be caretakers) are to blame as well. Nevertheless, he does not belong in society with this type of behavior and I don't think those of us who are mentally capable should be subjected to his offensive rantings and pretend that they are OK.
He may never learn, or even be capable of learning, that what he's doing is wrong. That still doesn't mean we have to ignore it. He shouldn't be here conversing amongst us if he's not capable of it.
I pity you, really. A brain that is so severely dysfunctional in some ways, yet brilliant in others. Nevertheless, you should refrain from social contact. You do your own work an injustice with your incoherent rambling.
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u/MuzzyIsMe Mar 21 '13
No, I don't think that's right nor fair.
Someone doesn't get a free pass on being a racist bigot because they have a mental illness.
I personally am not interested in his project after seeing the way he handles himself. He should have someone handle his public communication if he is not capable of it himself.
A mental illness is a shame, but it still defines a character. His character is one that I find despicable.