User:Sirdog/Sandbox
Controversy
Rule change on slurs
On October 10, 2020 Kira announces that a change relating the rules governing usage of slurs were changed. Previously, the usage of "racial, homophobic, transphobic or antisemitic slurs" were only disallowed if used in a derogatory manner. The change made the usage of such slurs, regardless of context, disallowed.[1]
The cited reason for the change was to address users who would use the "in a derogatory manner" provision in a manner that would let them circumvent the rule entirely, and/or justify the usage of the slurs "all the time".
Kira would later comment in the general channel that freedom of speech as a concept was important to them, but that they remained firm in their decision, not wishing a minority to cause prospective members to "shy away".[cn]
Members criticized the change as being a restriction on free speech, referencing the first amendment of the United States constitution.[cn] Others commented that such rights are constitutional to a government in nature, are unrelated to private entities such as Discord, and so no rights are infringed.[cn]
