The Sucking Continues

Please be sure to read my previous post about the the sign policy at the RBC Center and the word "sucks." My conversation with the AGM continues below.

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> Subject: Re: Sign policy during hockey games
> From: larryp@rbccenter.com
> Date: Mon, 7 Mar 2011 18:36:33 -0500
> To: Clever Sign Chick
>
> All good points. Yes the work jerk is allowed.
>
> Thanks,
>
>
> Sent from my iPhone



-----Original Message-----
From: Clever Sign Chick
Sent: Wednesday, March 09, 2011 9:57 AM
To: Larry Perkins
Subject: RE: Sign policy during hockey games

I don't think I understand your response. Are you saying that even though the term "suck" is acceptable in G-rated movies, and even though there are frequent chants of "Ref, you suck!" during hockey games, that signs with the word "suck" on them are disallowed from the RBC Center?

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Subject: RE: Sign policy during hockey games
Date: Wed, 9 Mar 2011 12:28:30 -0500
From: larryp@rbccenter.com
To: Clever Sign Chick

Ms. McKelvy,

Let me see if I can address the issue a little more...

When people go to a movie, they presumably know what they are paying to see is rated G, and that the movie does contain vulgar language. Those folks who attend a movie know full well what to expect. When they come here to a hockey game, they are not coming expecting us to put vulgar language in the big screen, the same is true for those attending a church. If we put the word “Suck” up on our screens there would be an uproar.

To your point relevant to people saying the word ‘Suck”, you are correct, and our policies ask people to reframe from cursing. In fact we consistently eject people from the building who abuse the policy.

While we are not fun of any language that degrades and humiliate others, we do tolerate a form of expression.

While I know this is some what disheartening, please know that we want you to keep cheering and expressing your passion for the game...

All the best,

Larry

Larry B. Perkins, CFE, CPP, CMP
Assistant General Manager
RBC Center/Carolina Hurricanes
1400 Edwards Mill Road
Raleigh, NC 27606
919-861-5466

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Clever Sign Chick
Date: Wed, Mar 9, 2011 at 9:43 PM
Subject: RE: Sign policy during hockey games
To: larryp@rbccenter.com

Mr. Perkins:

Sorry, I thought it was understood that a "G" rating by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) means that a film is appropriate for "General" (all) audiences. It's considered ok for everyone. As I explained in a previous email, a G-rated Disney film (The Princess Diaries) included the word "suck" in its dialog. Even in the film's parent's guide, there was no warning about the word "suck" being used in the film, although there was a warning about "shut up." My point is that "suck" is not a curse word in most people's minds. At least, the Motion Picture Association of America thinks it is appropriate for all audiences.

If you disagree with the MPAA and you think that "suck" is a curse word, then you'd have to eject just about all the fans in the arena when they yell, "Ref, you suck" in unison, which in my experience happens at least every other game. There are also times when people (whole sections of fans) yell, "Goalie, goalie, goalie, you suck!" in just about every game.

I really don't think "suck" is considered a curse word by most people. Kids say it in front of their parents. I heard the word on TV at 7:30 the other night on a sit-com. They said it on the TV show 7th Heaven (a show about a minister and his family). I don't think most people think it's a curse word. Apparently, you do. I'm sorry if you personally take offense, but you are interpreting a vulgar meaning that I and most people do not intend. I looked up the word "suck" in my Merriam-Webster dictionary, and for its slang meaning, it says "to be objectionable or inadequate." When I looked up other words, the dictionary advised me that they might be considered vulgar, but there was no such admonition for the word "suck."

In order to convince you that "suck" is not a curse word, I have cited the dictionary, an article about the word's evolution, and examples of its usage in popular prime-time TV and G-rated movies. I have provided photos of children using the word in signs in other hockey arenas.

As another case in point, did you know that in 2002, the management of the Seattle Mariners attempted to prevent fans from wearing t-shirts that said "Yankees suck" to games at Safeco Field? The management ultimately dropped their ban on the shirts because of widespread fan outcry (in favor of the "suck" shirts) and implications that they could be restricting fans' freedom of speech. http://forums.fourtitude.com/showthread.php?349013-Yankees-suck.....but-not-in-Safeco-field-apparently

Regarding your assertion that "there would be an uproar" if you put the word "suck" up on your screens, I have brought various signs into the RBC Center with the word "suck" on them over the years, some of which have been featured on the Jumbotron for a few seconds. The only uproar I heard was a roar of approval and applause, and sometimes even laughs from good-natured fans of the opposing team.

"Sucks" is not offensive to most people. Having funny signs confiscated at the door is.

Clever Sign Chick