I saw this on another forum and thought that I would post it here for discussion. What do you guys think about the use of the "N-word"? Not only is it used as a racial slur, it is also used as slang. Should it's use be completely eliminated or is it acceptable if used by certain people or if used in a certain way?

Please don't take this post in a bad way

Here is the link to the video:

http://www.whas11.com/sharedcontent/...49293&catId=49

 

Unfortunately it isn't right and should not be condoned for ANY american to say ANY version or the "N" word.


But, had that teacher been black there would be no story. PERIOD END OF STORY!

 

I think if it's used in an educational way, there's nothing wrong. Just to say this word is inappropriate, don't use it, sort of thing. To call someone that I don't think is right, and if you go around calling your friends by that name, don't get pissed when someone else calls you by that.

People call me Honkey quite often, but I haven't gone Muslim-cartoon-riot on anyone...

 

Yup!

 

using speech privately doesnt really make it free does it?

(To keep the rant from coming....this is a generic observation and has nothing to do with the topic at hand. Personally I think this topic will end up either dying of inactivity (see my Scalia thread or will get locked for arguing.)

 

I say "*****" to my friends all the time. Now, the other word, I dont use...Out of respect. It's a disrepectful thing to say.

If I dont know you, and we aren't close friends, I will simply call you by your first name.

A teacher, never, EVER, should use that word around students.

 

The video wouldn't load for me, but if this is the story that I heard about last week, the kid used the *n* word first in a description of himself and the teacher responded with the same *n* word. So if the teacher is in a world of trouble, shouldn't the kid be in some sort of trouble (suspension) as well?

Edit: Or is this another case of people in a higher position should be held to a higher standard.

 

I have a very close freind at work that happens to be black. I call him that all the time and he calls me "white boy" all the time. To us it is a term of endeerment.

I recall back in grade school many years ago, reading "Uncle Tom's Cabin" The word was used quite freely in the book. How do they read this book today, or did the school system to the "politically correct" thing and have it banned from the educational system.

 

Then that wouldnt make it FREEDOM of speach would it. having to use it only in private....i think that's what vader was getting at.

 

That is the key problem, the only people that are viewed by the media as racist are white people...

If i started a television channel called WET (white entertainment television) how long do you thing it would take before the protests started (eventhough BET is on everyday without problems)

or how bout CLOUD magazine (instead of JET)

There is a major double standard

I as a white person, am supposed to watch what i say.. when a black person can say anything about a white person without repercussions... if i say anything about a black person in public.. i'd probably be shot

 

It's been my experience that the kids speak worse than the adults do... they do it because they are mystified by the words because they have been demonized by the media... therefore it is cool to use these words.

 

And Amen...

I 100% agree...This is absolutley true

Their is also a double standard among black people themselves...Why must you get so upset when a white person says the word "*****" in an non-offensive way. But you will allow another black person to call you that same exact word 37x in a 5 minute conversation. By using the term so much you are doing nothing but saying to us white fowlks that the word "*****" is acceptable. I don't go around calling my friends "kracker" or "honkey" all day and you don't hear black people go around using these terms very often.


All im saying is maybe you have to fight the battle amongst yourself before you can win the war.

 

I learned a long time ago that that word has nothing to do with race or creed. I use it as a deragatory remark to stupid, spineless, cowardly bastards regardless of the color of their skin. It's not a word I use lightly, and when I say it, I mean it with full conviction.

 

BINGO!!!! Gotta agree with you on all counts....

 

The word "******" doesn't really offend me.
I had a friend in school who just happened to be white. One day, out of the blue, he just called me a ****** one day... I walked over calmly, not knowing what I was gonna do when I got there, and before he or I knew it, I had broke his *****-farking nose with one punch (by accident; I really didn't try to break his nose), blood went everywhere, and I doubt if He will ever use that word again.

We were kids then, we probably would have gotten sued now-a-days... All I knew is white folks weren't supposed to say it; so, when he said it to me, I socked him one. We were friends the next day, tading hot wheels cars, and magnets, etc... My mom was never called, as far as I know, and the teacher (who witnessed this) teased him for days, calling him "Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer... She was white too.

That was a knee-jerk reaction.
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Now that I'm older, and wiser, I know what was wrong, and if I ever saw Kenn, I'd apologize to him... His mom pulled him from our school shortly after that. I never saw him again...
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Now that I am older, sensible, and educated, I know that the word "******" is not singularly offensive when it comes out of a white person's mouth. It's all about the context.

One of my best friends, Paul, is a white man, living in Ohio. We were best friends in the Army. We used to hit the weight room after work, and one day he let "*****" slip out... There was a moment of pause... He didn't know how I would react. I looked him right in the eye and said, "Shut-up cracker!" We both laughed... I told him I knew he didn't mean it in a derrogatory way. So, after that, I became his "*****" and he was my "wigga". Or I was a "graham cracka" and he was a "saltine".

But, believe me when I tell you; saying ***** around a black person, just because you hear everybody else saying "*****", doesn't instantly make it cool for you to say "*****". Well, it's cool- you just have to be ready to accept the consequences, be they positive or negative.

However, as a black man, I know when it's a term of endearment, and when someone's trying to disrespect me. That goes for other blacks too. If my boy and I are shooting the *****, and he says, "You are one crazy *****." I know he's cool. But, if I was to look at another brother, and he retorts, "What the fack are you looking at, *****?!" Then, I know he wants his *** whipped... There is no endearment, or brotherhood between us...

So, if you and your "black friends" are cool with you saying "*****" by all means, enjoy it. I hear young white kids calling each other *****, so in trying to be black- they're picking up all the traits. So enjoy it.

Just be careful where you use it... All brothers aren't as understanding as me.

It's funny you guys are all "Amening" about getting rid of Jet & BET, yet- you don't see why a black person would take offense to the rebel flag... Not, that's a double standard...

I guess it's alright, as long as it's all white..