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Hi there, I agree with you that derogatory language towards any group should not be supported but don't you think it also depends on the way you say it? For example: I'm German and I know we're often called Krauts but it doesn't bother me if you say it in a funny way instead of a mean one (btw, I despise any form of Kraut, the food, so for me this name is very ridiculous). I do not perceive it as derogatory as long as you don't say it with that derogatory voice that probably all of us know. I would even be more offended if you used the official term German with that voice than if you called me a Kraut without any hatred in your voice. LOL, does that make sense at all?
Now I can't speak for Roma people here but maybe it's the same for them. While I would not name my daughter Gypsy because there are other names I like better, I would not assume parents who use the name to be discrimating Roma people with it. After all it's the name of their child and you usually do not name your kid after someone you hate, do you? However if anyone is seriously considering to use Gypsy they might prepare for their kid being teased by others, who do indeed use the term to discriminate. There's a lot of hatred in this world.

This message was edited 8/31/2009, 9:15 AM