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Comment by throwaway239845

2 days ago

> It is the piracy that is afflicting them

That’s not what the phrase says. It says piracy is afflicting the waters. It’s describing the condition of the waters.

How would you propose changing this wording?

4 comments

throwaway239845

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hopelite  2 days ago

Why not simply say “Somali piracy” since that it what is happening and the Somalis are doing as a feature of their nationhood, if one can call it that. The piracy is not a disease afflicting the Somalis, they are perpetrating it just like how a robber robs you, he is not afflicted with robbery against you. Where does that kind of nonsensical mentality even come from. I’m old enough to remember being taught to avoid the passive voice, but these people today are something else with their mentally detached perspective. Are you shooting yourself in your own feet or are you afflicted with being shot in the feet?

Edit: Also, yes, I noted correctly what it said, I’m not sure why you felt the need to act as if a reframing of the claim causes some inaccuracy. But also, neither are the waters afflicted by piracy, it’s still just Somalis engaging in piracy… human’s engaging in piracy, not some disease or animal afflicting the water like a pestilence … just humans choosing to be dirty, as evident by their choice to engage in piracy.

I see people really don’t like seeing Somalis as humans with equal agency and responsibility. That’s the kind of racism that is so pernicious.

  • throwaway239845  1 day ago

    > Why not simply say “Somali piracy”

    The audio is referencing geographical locations, so saying “Somali piracy” alone doesn’t provide a geographical location (since Somali piracy could take place anywhere).

    So the quote would need to change to something like:

    “[…] to the relative quiet of Somali piracy in Somalia’s waters”

    …which is extremely clunky.

    Can you suggest an acceptable version, that still does the job of referencing the geographical location?