Are you offended by my user name?

[Bertha Venation]

Poll question: Are you offended by my user name?

Please be honest. If you are offended, please explain. Thanks



Edited to add this link, in case you're curious about what prompted me to ask this question. http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=118&topic_id=54881&mesg_id=65608

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

1. No..I am clear you were not intending to glorify racism

by creating that handle and that would be the only reason I could see someone being offended.

[JVS]

4. Shit, never got that pun before. Bertha Venation= Birth of a Nation

[Lars39]

8. Took me well over a year to get that pun!

Who the heck is voting extremely offended? :shrug:

[elfwitch]

31. I never got it either...

I'm kinda slow sometimes in spite of myself.

[pagerbear]

2. Why would I be offended by a drag name?

[terrya]

3. Of course not! I loved "Torch Song Trilogy" :-)

:hug:

Terry

[Beware the Beast Man]

5. No, I like blinds!

brrrum *crash*

:+

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

6. I'M OFFENDED! Your username glorifies (gasp!) DRAG QUEENS!!!!!

Won't sumbuddy think of the childrun?

[Screaming Lord Byron]

7. No. I get it, I understand camp and I wholeheartedly approve.

[DrWeird]

9. no

but I'm curious why you picked it.

[Bertha Venation]

13. I picked it for several reasons

* the sound of it cracks me up

* I love the film it came from, and Harvey Fierstein (sp?), who wrote it

* I love the name "Bertha"

* a gay character in a favorite book used the term "friends of Bertha" as a code to identify other gay folk

and any number of other nebulous, indescribable reasons.

[Insider]

10. not really, but

i do understand why someone might be offended or object. FWIW, this is a very stand-up way to handle it. thanks, b.

:hi:

[THUNDER HANDS]

11. sure beats

Adol Fhitlersfan, which I believe, was your other choice for screen name. :D

[Rowdyboy]

12. Of course not

I've always thought it was delightfully clever (its also one of my favorite drag-names). Count my vote a STRONG "not offended in any way".

[Bertha Venation]

14. Goodness. So far 5 "extremely offended" votes and not one comment

on the offense. I hope some folks will step up.

[LynneSin]

23. Freepers like to freep our polls

:bounce:

I'm only offended because i didn't think of it first

:P

[Bertha Venation]

26. You mean Freepers give money to DU?

I thought you had to be a subscriber to vote in the polls. Am I wrong?

[Misunderestimator]

I believe you only have to donate to CREATE polls...

I think :shrug:

[Screaming Lord Byron]

30. You have to donate to be able to post polls, not vote in them.

AFAIAA, that is.

[LynneSin]

32. No need to pay to vote in our polls, only create them

But here's a test. Start a "Who you gonna vote for: Bush or Kerry" and I will guarentee we get a few Bush voters.

They vote - we learn to deal with it!!

[Bertha Venation]

34. All I can say to a Freeper who is offended by my nick is this:

And you call liberals the "PC Police?"

[DS1]

15. I knew the movie before I saw your play on the names

and have never felt that you were trying to link the two.

It's pretty clever, IMO

[name not needed]

16. No

I'm not offended easily.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

17. No but I am offended by YOU

just kidding.... :hug:

[CrownPrinceBandar]

18. Consider the source of the offense...............

Don't sweat it.

[Bertha Venation]

21. I'm not, really. And I posted this poll not to show anyone up

but to find out for myself. Perhaps to my shame -- at least showing my ignorance -- I honestly didn't think any offense could be drawn. Live & learn.

[CrownPrinceBandar]

25. I think you're being a little too hard on yourself...............

If a certain DU poster has a problem with your screenname, he/she should either take it up with Skinner or mention it nicely, not call you out on the boards and try to belittle you with some cognoscenti-style platitudes. Its rather self-serving.

edit: spelling

[CBHagman]

19. I assumed you were a Harvey Fierstein fan.

Besides, your posts suggest that you are a mensch. How could I possibly take offense at your nom de guerre?

[WilliamPitt]

20. Of course not, you racist scumsucker.

;)

[EstimatedProphet]

22. Not at all, but I have to wonder about your bragging on having veins

Doesn't everyone?

[EstimatedProphet]

24. BTW to be more serious

I wouldn't worry about what went on in the other thread. Reading that exchange, it looked to me like a chip on the shoulder.

[Bertha Venation]

29. t'was my impression too -- big chip

TY

[TOhioLiberal]

27. Bertha....

...not offended. Why should I be? Take a deeeeeeep breath...tell that person I said:



k? :hug:

Trek

p.s. I voted a resounding NO!

[Misunderestimator]

28. Love your user name...

If someone is offended even after understanding how it was chosen, then that someone isn't worth your worry. :)

[Screaming Lord Byron]

33. Hang on, I'd like to change my vote.You're a terrible, terrible person.

To choose a name given to a drag queen in parody of the name of a dubious silent movie with dodgy ethics is despicable. How can you show your shameful face in public? :evilgrin:

[GOPisEvil]

35. WHO IS OFFENDED BY YOUR USER NAME?!

I'LL KICK THEIR ASS!

</Skittles>

[geniph]

36. Harvey Fierstein is the Queen

I'd never object to a pun of his creation!

[Lestat]

37. How the hell could it be racist?

Jesus Christ!

[Bertha Venation]

38. I don't know -- especially in the absence of intent. But

if we have anyone who reviews FR, maybe we can get an explanation from there. I'm willing to listen. :shrug:

[Book Lover]

54. They are thinking of the wrong movie

DW Griffith's Birth of a Nation is a silent movie that glorifies the KKK as saviors.
http://imdb.com/title/tt0004972/

Bertha here is using it as a drag queen name (check Michael Musto's Village Voice column on any random week to come across more). (But for my life I can't rememebr where he wrote it. Help!)

[Pithlet]

39. No

I knew about the "friends of Bertha" thing, and the play on words. I've always loved your name. If you had used the actual title, "Birth of a Nation" and had ever posted even one bigoted thing, I'd probably feel differently.

[TN al]

40. I was offended by it...

...My only reference was the original movie from which it came and my reaction was "how could a progressive want to glorify that" I wonder how many have seen the movie. I have and it is pretty offensive. Anyway, from looking at the other posts it seems to have a completely different connotation of which I was totally unaware. It seems like the name is good depending on your audience so my question would be, why would you want to limit yourself to just that audience? Anyway, it is your name so offend or entertain at your desire. Why would you even start this poll? are you thinking of changing it?

[Bertha Venation]

43. answers to your questions

I'm not glorifying the film. Heavens!

It seems like the name is good depending on your audience so my question would be, why would you want to limit yourself to just that audience? I'm limiting myself to no audience. It's just a name.

Why would you even start this poll? Because a post in another thread suggested that some might take offense to the name -- why? I don't understand it; the name is a parody of something offensive, for god's sake -- and I wanted to know if any DUers were hurt by it.

are you thinking of changing it? Not a chance.

If you're curious, rent or buy an '80s movie called "Torch Song Trilogy." That's where I got the name. Also, see this post http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=1282126&mesg_id=1282216

[TN al]

44. HMMMMM...

...It seems like the name is good depending on your audience so my question would be, why would you want to limit yourself to just that audience? I'm limiting myself to no audience. It's just a name.

If it was just a name I doubt it would have engendered this many responses.

Why would you even start this poll? Because a post in another thread suggested that some might take offense to the name -- why? I don't understand it; the name is a parody of something offensive, for god's sake -- and I wanted to know if any DUers were hurt by it.

Why would you want to know unless you either intended to change it or revel in it?

are you thinking of changing it? Not a chance.

Ahh, you want to revel in it.

I don't want to anger you with my responses but I don't think you could convince me my responses are not reasonable. Do what you want to do but when you ask me what I think of it be prepared for an honest answer.

[Bertha Venation]

45. Okay, TN al.

I don't think your responses were unreasonable at all. I started the thread to get input just like this. You're the only one so far who has revealed offense, and I am grateful.

The only thing I take exception to is, "Ahh, you want to revel in it."

No, it's not a matter of reveling. I mean no offense. If someone takes offense, well, as much as I hate cliches, that really is not my problem. I am not responsible for others' reactions to my being who I am. I refuse to be so damned co-dependent as to say "if someone's offended by my name, I'd better change it."

I don't wave my moniker around to get a rise out of people. I never have. I've been on DU since 10/03 (I think) and only one person has ever mentioned that my name was offensive to him. That was when I was new, in a thread about guns (I think), and I was taken for a Freeper based solely on my handle.

You're the second to take offense, and all I can say to you is, none is meant. If you can say, "No offense is meant; therefore I'll take none," great. If you can't or won't great. It's up to you.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

46. I think people are getting a little over-sensitive on this.

It's a witty pun, and there is no intent behind it. After all, the movie does not have sole ownership of the term 'Birth of the Nation' and the phrase has already been subverted by a drag queen. There is nothing here to be offended by.

Sorry, I didn't mean to post this here, I meant to respond to the original thread.

[put out]

47. I voted "Offensive" or maybe

"Offended", or some such because I just don't like it. I am a faithful follower of Sister Betty Bowers. She has advised the ladies about you. The "Birth of a Nation" movie which I am told was made before people could even talk, I just don't understand; we are as a group discouraged from going to those darkened houses which may present images and ideas. Any images and ideas we need we can get from the Landover Church. Bless their hearts, they are only protecting the flock.

I am also told because my step mother has "Vanity Fair" episodes in her home, that "Bertha Venation" is an exotic dancer of some sort. She needs to wash some of that makeup off of her face and come on to the church.

This is why I think you should renounce that name. It makes me feel all funny. ;)

[cosmicdot]

41. No. we need to loosen up or we're gonna bore ourselves silly

I thought it a clever play on words ... originality is something we're lacking - and losing - because of required-by-dictate narrow minded thinking, extreme litmus tests and too many forbidden zones ... we're painting ourselves into an anal retentive corner, and likely candidate for a mental breakdown ...

not healthy ... repression and suppression have their downside

Birth of Our Nation is part of our Washington, DC Mall Smithsonian past ... the British don't just sweep its past under the rug ... instead, they have the genius of Rowan Atkinson to turn it into cunning humour -- 'Blackadder'




the Brticom 'Vicar of Dibley' ... what are the chances of the US producing something similar here .... forgetaboutit ... as it is, some of the episodes shown on local PBS come with a **warning**

geez

~sigh~


there are more than one way of looking at things
and, the closed minded wear blinders most of the time

my .02

[Catshrink]

42. Absofuckinglutely not!

No way....

:yourock:

[tigereye]

48. no I think it is cool

just a very clever pun, and "birth of a nation" has many other connotations beyond the film. Didn't know there was a Harvey Fierstein connection, and that makes it even funnier.



Sometimes the map is not the territory.

[lyrical di]

49. I had to vote offended because you asked

whenever I have read your name, I have associated it with the incredibly racist movie Birth of a Nation. I was always shocked to see the title and wondered if you were mocking racism or just what the deal was. I never saw you make any racist comments so I was very confused, but always offended at the thought that you were mocking racism and making a joke of it. Heyy! You did ask.
So please explain to me what the other meaning is. I do not understand your other references to gay & lesbian television stuff. Can someone educate me with a link to what's going on? I feel clueless. At least now I know that I SHOULDN'T be offended by your name.

To those who militantly responded against anyone taking offense, don't be ridiculous! If I walked around with a very offensive screen name like "I hate...." you fill in the blanks, I'd be making a statement and would of course offend .....

[WillParkinson]

61. Gay & Lesbian Television Stuff...

The name of the movie is Torch Song Trilogy. It was done by Harvey Fierstein and had Matthew Broderick, Anne Bancroft and several other 'big' names in it.

During the movie Harvey is cast as a drag queen. He's had many names and shares them with the audience (us). "Bang Bangladesh", "Fonda Boys", "Bertha Venation".

If you'd like to learn more about the movie you can find some information here:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096289/

ON EDIT:
Let me just say that not everything is ever how we think it is. Because some people THINK that Bertha Venation is a racist movie title does not necessarily mean it is. If you're curious about something you should ask (not just you, anyone) and be prepared for the answer. Don't just assume you know what's going on.

[Deja Q]

50. Birth of a nation. Or, perhaps,

Re-birth once civilized people take control of society from these degenerate animals in power. Hopefully.

[MikeG]

51. Its too old of a controversy. Now its just quaint.

Kind of like the Fatty Arbuckle case.

[Taverner]

52. I think those offended never saw the Torch Song Trilogy HBO special

or play (although I'll be willing to bet the numbers for the play are low here since it never left NYC...)

[NightTrain]

53. Hell no!

I don't offend easily, and your user name never even came close to offending me.

In fact, I was never sure if you meant to refer to the D.W. Griffith film or to one of the drag queens in Harvey Fierstein's TORCH SONG TRILOGY! :evilgrin:

[Miss Marmelstein]

55. I love your user name...

I saw 'Torchsong Trilogy' on stage years ago and also loved the movie. I was visiting my parents last week and pointed out your name to them and they thought it was very cute. Had to explain it to them, tho.

:silly:

[Katarina]

56. No way!

I have -always- thought that you had the coolest name on DU.

As for that other topic...well...what can you say. :eyes:

[achtung_circus]

57. iverglas is a dork

[KamaAina]

58. It's one of the cleverest puns in all DU

must have completely missed it in "Torch Song Trilogy"; always thought it was a sardonic commentary on the movie, i.e., the kind of thing that a few of us just do not seem to "get", no matter what.

[Bluebear]

59. I know the movie reference but I always took it as a hopeful name...

ReBertha Venation after November, for instance!

[Jax]

60. I love your call sign!

And the posts that follow your name are outstanding.

You are a classy DUer bertha! :thumbsup:

Jax

[Donkeyboy75]

62. You can't change it.

This is PC to the extreme. Your name means one thing (drag queen in a film). It could be misconstrued to mean another (racist movie). Not your problem. Neither are ingrained in American culture (or any other, TMK).

If we take this to the extreme, we ought to ban the swastika symbol from Hindu religion because some crazy bastard (some German dude) co-opted it. There are far too many people who go out of their way to be offended. Live and let live. Jesus Christ.

You don't know me, Bertha, but I'm a big fan of your posts, even if you hate copycatters (I am one of them). I got your back. :hi:

[Screaming Lord Byron]

63. I can't imagine her as anything other than Bertha.

She just has this air of Bertha-ness.

[Donkeyboy75]

64. I focus on the latter part of her name.

I imagine her as a humanoid that by a freak of nature is all circulatory system.