I am aware of the historical origin. I did not previously in all honesty, so at least thanks for making me aware, I do rather enjoy etymology. However, this word no longer has these connotations which you’re taking offence over.
I’m sorry that the origin of this word is painful for you, but no one is intending harm toward you or intending to degrade your sexuality by using this word.
People use it to describe someone who’s being negligently self-centred and unempathetic. People simply don’t associate it with sexuality, at all.
I understand because of your personal circumstances, and no doubt real discrimination you’ve faced, this word is a sore point for you.
However, if it’s any consolation, for this one word in particular, you do not have to be sore, the meaning of the word has changed since it’s origin.
You know I saw Disney’s Hercules last year. Hadn’t seen it as a kid. Lots of bad mythology in that movie, but it all follows the pop culture tropes and common understandings. Zeus is a great father and husband because he’s the king, and cause he looks like Yahweh. Hades is a bitter scheming homosexual because of Lucifer.
But the worst part of the movie was a five second joke about Narcissus. His death is turned into a punchline. And he’s drawn as a full grown man, making kissy lips into a mirror. You want to hear the version from actual mythology?
Narcissus, who according to Ovid was sixteen, was repeatedly proposed marriage by this guy, Ameinias. He wouldn’t take no for an answer. Narcissus just wanted to go out into the woods and be alone and hunt, but Ameinias kept bothering him. So Narcissus told Ameinias to go kill himself. If I were a teenage boy being sexually harassed? I’d do that too. Perfectly normal reaction.
But Ameinias actually does it. And as he’s stabbing himself, he prays. He wants Narcissus to suffer, too. He says “Though he should love, let him not have what he loves”. And Nemesis answers his prayer. Nemesis is the goddess in charge of punishing mortals for hubris. For acting like they’re the equals of the gods. Why would Nemesis punish someone for being mean to a sex pest? Well, as near as I can tell, the Greek cultural interpretation of asexuality/aromanticism is that it’s a form of selfishness. They thought Narcissus was avoiding marriage because he wanted to keep his body to himself, out of arrogance. That’s what they thought all asexuals were.
So Nemesis decides to punish Narcissus, and SHE makes him fall in love with his reflection. She turns him into what you call a “n*rcissist”, as a punishment for being asexual.
Oh, and by the way? Narcissus was born because his mother was raped. Her name was Liriope. The rapist’s name was Cephissus. Yeah, if I were carrying intergenerational rape trauma, I’d get pretty fucking angry about sexual harassment too.
It is negative, but it’s not insulting based on someone’s sexuality! (Edit: I’m assuming you’re referring to narcissist, not enthusiast)
WHY is it insulting to call someone a Greek asexual boy?
Because people spent thousands of years hating that teenage boy for not putting out.
I am aware of the historical origin. I did not previously in all honesty, so at least thanks for making me aware, I do rather enjoy etymology. However, this word no longer has these connotations which you’re taking offence over.
I’m sorry that the origin of this word is painful for you, but no one is intending harm toward you or intending to degrade your sexuality by using this word.
People use it to describe someone who’s being negligently self-centred and unempathetic. People simply don’t associate it with sexuality, at all.
I understand because of your personal circumstances, and no doubt real discrimination you’ve faced, this word is a sore point for you.
However, if it’s any consolation, for this one word in particular, you do not have to be sore, the meaning of the word has changed since it’s origin.
You can either accept that or not.
You know I saw Disney’s Hercules last year. Hadn’t seen it as a kid. Lots of bad mythology in that movie, but it all follows the pop culture tropes and common understandings. Zeus is a great father and husband because he’s the king, and cause he looks like Yahweh. Hades is a bitter scheming homosexual because of Lucifer.
But the worst part of the movie was a five second joke about Narcissus. His death is turned into a punchline. And he’s drawn as a full grown man, making kissy lips into a mirror. You want to hear the version from actual mythology?
Narcissus, who according to Ovid was sixteen, was repeatedly proposed marriage by this guy, Ameinias. He wouldn’t take no for an answer. Narcissus just wanted to go out into the woods and be alone and hunt, but Ameinias kept bothering him. So Narcissus told Ameinias to go kill himself. If I were a teenage boy being sexually harassed? I’d do that too. Perfectly normal reaction.
But Ameinias actually does it. And as he’s stabbing himself, he prays. He wants Narcissus to suffer, too. He says “Though he should love, let him not have what he loves”. And Nemesis answers his prayer. Nemesis is the goddess in charge of punishing mortals for hubris. For acting like they’re the equals of the gods. Why would Nemesis punish someone for being mean to a sex pest? Well, as near as I can tell, the Greek cultural interpretation of asexuality/aromanticism is that it’s a form of selfishness. They thought Narcissus was avoiding marriage because he wanted to keep his body to himself, out of arrogance. That’s what they thought all asexuals were.
So Nemesis decides to punish Narcissus, and SHE makes him fall in love with his reflection. She turns him into what you call a “n*rcissist”, as a punishment for being asexual.
Oh, and by the way? Narcissus was born because his mother was raped. Her name was Liriope. The rapist’s name was Cephissus. Yeah, if I were carrying intergenerational rape trauma, I’d get pretty fucking angry about sexual harassment too.
This is your history.