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This is dumb thinking. Language is all about context and relationships.
If I call my wife a special nickname that I have for her, and you over hear me saying that nickname, you'd know immediately it would be inappropiate for you to use the same nickname with her as I did.
You'd know this because you understand that you don't have the same relationship with her as I do so that relationship gives me access to use certain words with her that you don't have.
You wouldn't go around saying well her husband calls her that nickname why can't I and pretend that if I don't want anyone to call my wife that nickname, then I shouldn't call her that nickname.
Everyone would look at a person who made that argument as if they were an alien who didn't understand human language or relationships.
This is an uncontroversial understanding of human language, that is it about context and relationships. This applies to all language all the time and we all understand this application. Now stop being silly.
love this. and people like alpha know this and would still probably use the word even if no rapper said it ever. there are many words used by people within certain groups that are not appropriate for other people to use. but hey, it's a free country. you can say whatever you like. just don't get mad about the consequences.
and I'm not buying that so many of you hear this word so much between blacks. I'm black and I live in Hampton Roads (lots of black folks). I haven't heard anyone use it since I've been here. I cannot remember the last time I heard someone say it outside of a rap song.
I don't like the word. It shows disrespect to blacks for one thing. I also don't like the word "cracker" or "gringo" because it shows disrespect to white people. If one of these disrespectful words is ok so are the others...Anyone who has ever used the word "cracker" has no right to complain about others who use the "N" word but try and convince them this is next to impossible....Don't call me names and I won't call you names...how does that sound?
and I'm not buying that so many of you hear this word so much between blacks. I'm black and I live in Hampton Roads (lots of black folks). I haven't heard anyone use it since I've been here. I cannot remember the last time I heard someone say it outside of a rap song.
Really? I live just north of Flint MI and for any day I drive through and around the city, I definitely hear it almost daily albeit, admittedly, via music from cars near me.
Also stopping in the city for gas, at the grocery store, etc. Heck yes. Perhaps it is regional.
But I do think that is more cultural than racial. I have black friends and also work for several upper-class black people and I never hear that word in their presence. But in the 'hood, absolutely yes, commonly. For the record, I don't like it whatever the origin.
I can't think of the last time I heard that from a white person. actually. I would choose not to associate with people who typically used that word so there is some self-selection.
I voted for the last choice because I am not offended by words and I loathe people that hide behind such cowardice.
With that being said, there are words that are not to be said due to the negative meaning and connotations. The N word is one of them. Out of respect for my fellow man, I would not say this word nor would I tolerate people using it around me. But to whine about it and say I'm offended, no, that's BS.
So I have a friend of mine that uses this word in a racist way constantly, and I confronted him on it last night at a BBQ. I was surprised to find that I wasn't the only one that stepped forward on the issue once the ball was rolling. The thing is, several of my friends including myself use the word in a joking way mainly because of pop culture. when one of my white or Latino friends sends me a text message that says " what's going on %$^#&% I really don't put much thought into it, but listening to this particular friend talk about black people using the N word in a negative way really has turned me off to using the word in a joking way, especially after confronting him on it.
how offended are you by the N word
You're the one who needs to adjust your attitude toward a silly word.
I think it is one of those words that should disappear. A word should be acceptable for everyone or not be used. That is the problem with this word. It is acceptable to use if you are the race that it targets, but if someone uses it towards that group, it is racist. That line can be crossed far too easily and creates such a double standard. It was a word used in the past during a time that frankly most of us hate ever happened. It is a question of political correctness, it is a question of respect. I am certain that those who fought so much and sacrificed so much to end segregation would rather it never be said again along with similar terms.
I ride the bus to work, sometimes, and, oftentimes, there's a great number of Black people in the bus, and I hear that word being tossed about amongst themselves, but have a white man toss that word about, and you could be arrested or killed! What gives!!!
I'm Gay, I'm not offended at all when I'm referred to by the Q or F word! I appreciate the honesty!
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