You just can't. I don't know why it's so hard for some of you to understand why black folks can use the N word but you can't, but let me see if I can break it down for you.
The N word is a noun in the English lexicon used by white peoples as an ethnic slur to describe black people.
The N word is a noun in the English lexicon used by black people to describe each other, negatively or positively.
The word these days basically is equal to "guy", "man", or "dude." At least that's how *I* think of it. For example, rarely will you see girls referred to as n**gas. Only males are called this. Then there's a broader use of the word where it simply means "a black person." I think this use of the word was common during slavery, it wasn't considered offensive. Even after slavery ended, blacks still referred to each other as n*** because they were used to the word. Of course, since this word was common during slavery, some racists began to use to word to mean "slave" or "inferior person." Anyway, it's generally assumed that when a white person says it, they are trying to be rude or insult the person. That's why some people get offended. I don't buy into the whole "trying to take a bad word and make it good" idea. If that were the case, then why don't they call themselves other racist names? After all, there are numerous insulting names for people of African descent, yet n*** is the only word used. It's hard to get a group of people to stop using a word that they've been using it for so long. That would be like trying to get Australians to stop saying "mate."Here is a list of acceptable nouns you can use as code for the N word.
Muslim
Socialist
Radical Islam
Buffoon
Idiot
Moron
Feel free to use the N word if you so choose, but remember there may be consequences for doing so.
Any questions?
14 comments:
I have a question that I have pondered and not seen addressed.
Is "white trash" a racist term?
When did it come into use?
Is it a Southern usage or national? Is the term "white trash" used by non-whites?
I don't know about "white trash" being a racist term, but I consider it an ethic slur. Not sure about the Southern or national usage, and although I don't hear the term used by blacks to describe whites, that doesn't mean it isn't used.
Why ethnic? Although, come to think of it, I did know a Jewish woman from Boston who found "The White Trash Cookbook" offensive because her immigrant ancestors had been referred to as "white trash." The cookbook had no ethnic recipes -- just things based on heavily processed foods -- aerosol cheese and the like.
I never considered it racist until I wondered how it compared to blacks using the N-word. It's very subtle, but it could be racist if you think of it this way. There are whites, poor whites, and white trash -- and everyone else is just trash (which is why there is no black trash). But that is fairly convaluted thinking.
Just a curiousity -- but as one who like me spends a lot of time reading and writing, I wondered if you had any thoughts about it.
I consider it an ethnic slur because it refers to a particular race of people.
I think the term is used by whites when referring to the class system. I don't know if you read the book or saw the movie The Help, but the rich white women didn't accept a white woman from the other side of the tracks just because she married a wealthy man.
Oh, and I forgot to include the word Aborigines on the acceptable code word list.
I did read through the article and the links, and appreciate the insights.
My opinion is that using the N-word is disrespectful of both the speaker and the target because it puts them both in stereotypical roles rather than in an authentic human exchange.
"White trash use the n-word. They are aggressive and violent, either with their fists or their tongues. If they have money, they consider themselves the betters of those who don't. If they don't, they are envious and blame others for their poverty. They are not kind or charitable. They are bullies."
Thanks for the insight Havealittletalk
"My opinion is that using the N-word is disrespectful of both the speaker and the target because it puts them both in stereotypical roles rather than in an authentic human exchange."
And that's what it's all about Chip~putting blacks in a stereotypical roles rather than in an authentic human exchange. Well said my friend.
I've got a question for you. I'm mixed and I don't use the n-word in everyday conversation because of my own personal beliefs and because that's how my mom brought me up but I do have white friends who might use while rapping a song or whatever, it really doesn't bother me, does this fall off limits for you?
Thanks, Redeye. I remember years back our opinions about something differed. You reassured me that although we shared many perspectives, of course, there would be times when we would disagree, and that was just fine. It didn't mean we couldn't be buddies.
So, really, this is your own goodness coming back to you. :)
Tolerant people can agree to disagree without being disagreeable.
Tolerant people can learn. Those who become disagreeable when questioned can neither teach nor learn. There's a huge gap between inquiry and inquisition.
Thanks havealittletalk, and I agree. One of the reasons I was banned from Left in Alabama was because "I made people who disagreed with me feel like they were a racist."
Hmmm, Redeye, perhaps you only helped your debate opponents recognize that they are racist?
Introspection is hard work, especially when we don't measure up to our own perceptions of our ideals.
Hmmm, Redeye, perhaps you only helped your debate opponents recognize that they are racist?
Exactly. Even those with super powers ( of which I am not), can't control the way someone "feels".
I've got a question for you. I'm mixed and I don't use the n-word in everyday conversation because of my own personal beliefs and because that's how my mom brought me up but I do have white friends who might use while rapping a song or whatever, it really doesn't bother me, does this fall off limits for you?
Answer: Yes.
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