A discussion on the "n" word

[manasecret]

So you're asking if the word 'nigger' can be used without being offensive?

Yeah, it can. And one day I hope it gets to the point of a word like 'fuck' or any other "bad word" that you can say openly without offending most people (there is always someone that will be offended by any such words).

But I don't think we're anywhere near that day. And I don't think it's something you can force to be just another bad word. It will kind of just become one, I guess by way of people using it openly in non-offensive ways.

As for the argument to just stop using it, I don't think there's any way to just eradicate the word like, who is it, Jess Jackson? wants to do, by simply saying, "C'mon, guys, let's not use the word." Especially when he still uses it himself. It's a cultural thing, not just a word, and only when the culture that fosters the use of 'nigger' is no more will it even have a chance of being gone. Chances are it will morph into another meaning, though, before it eradicates itself, if it ever does.

My thoughts.

[KillerGremlin]

Regardless of how you feel on the subject of the n-word, mutter it out loud in any real American city, and you will get shot.

[KillerGremlin]

Originally Posted by manasecret

(there is always someone that will be offended by any such words).

And the prolifically contextual revelation about a word with racist implications comes out!

From Wikipedia:

Nigger is a pejorative term used to refer to dark-skinned people, mostly those of Black African ancestry. For centuries, it has held negative connotations, and in modern times, in most contexts, it is considered a racial slur

from: http://www.google.com/search?q=defin...ient=firefox-a (I had a chuckle at the first and third definitions)

I think the over-use (especially in Black culture) of the n-word has numbed it down, and people forget that it is still a racist slur. "Fuck" has no racial weight behind its context, so while it is offensive to some people, who fucking cares?

Faggot, Coon, Beaner, Wop, Nigger...can these words really be used in a contextually neutral way?

Presumably, the N-word will be diluted to a point where a majority of the population accepts it as a neutral term. I, however, do not foresee this happening any time soon as it stills carries heavy racial context.

Edit:
I assume this will be brought up....the use of the "n-word" and its social acceptance in black culture is, indeed, a double standard. The fact that 50 Cent can drop the word 200 times on his album, and no one seems to care illustrates this dilution in modern popular culture. The fact is, I still think there is an overwhelming group of Blacks that feel the word is offensive, regardless if the person using it is black. It is a social viewpoint that is hidden away very well.

[manasecret]

Originally Posted by KillerGremlin

And the prolifically contextual revelation about a word with racist implications comes out!

Not sure what you're getting at.

From Wikipedia:

from: http://www.google.com/search?q=defin...ient=firefox-a (I had a chuckle at the first and third definitions)

I think the over-use (especially in Black culture) of the n-word has numbed it down, and people forget that it is still a racist slur. "Fuck" has no racial weight behind its context, so while it is offensive to some people, who fucking cares?

Faggot, Coon, Beaner, Wop, Nigger...can these words really be used in a contextually neutral way?

You're right that the word will always be a word on a different level from words like 'fuck'. But 'nigger' has a whole lot more weight behind it than the other words you listed, 'faggot', 'coon', 'beaner', 'wop' ... these are words that, unless you're a politician, you can get away with making jokes using those words.

Can you do the same with the word 'nigger'?

Presumably, the N-word will be diluted to a point where a majority of the population accepts it as a neutral term. I, however, do not foresee this happening any time soon as it stills carries heavy racial context.

Exactly my thoughts. Eventually, it will be diluted to the level of other racial slurs. Still not nice, still racist, but with less weight behind it.

Edit:
I assume this will be brought up....the use of the "n-word" and its social acceptance in black culture is, indeed, a double standard. The fact that 50 Cent can drop the word 200 times on his album, and no one seems to care illustrates this dilution in modern popular culture. The fact is, I still think there is an overwhelming group of Blacks that feel the word is offensive, regardless if the person using it is black. It is a social viewpoint that is hidden away very well.

It may be a double standard, but isn't that fair? Most Jews I know will tell you it's ok if they make jokes about Jews, but not ok for Gentiles to make Jewish jokes. The same goes for jokes about Latin Americans, Asians, etc. Is that any different?

[KillerGremlin]

Originally Posted by manasecret

Not sure what you're getting at.

I was just trying to make love to the English dictionary by sounding smart. Hee-haw!

Originally Posted by manasecret

You're right that the word will always be a word on a different level from words like 'fuck'. But 'nigger' has a whole lot more weight behind it than the other words you listed, 'faggot', 'coon', 'beaner', 'wop' ... these are words that, unless you're a politician, you can get away with making jokes using those words.

Beaner is "less" racist than the N-word, but they are still words with some racial context. Unlike "fuck," I have yet to use the word "beaner" in a non-racist mannerism, even if it was a joking one.

Originally Posted by manasecret

It may be a double standard, but isn't that fair? Most Jews I know will tell you it's ok if they make jokes about Jews, but not ok for Gentiles to make Jewish jokes. The same goes for jokes about Latin Americans, Asians, etc. Is that any different?

I discriminate against everyone, because if I left some groups out that would make me racist.