Author Topic: The N Word  (Read 463 times)

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Offline JMT

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Re: The N Word
« Reply #15 on: June 23, 2017, 09:13:27 pm »
I don't think it's your place to tell people what should and what shouldn't offend them. 

Especially when you have no first hand knowledge of what being a victim of racism feels like.

I think the two of you are arguing from a completely different philosophical place than I am.

Offline JMT

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Re: The N Word
« Reply #16 on: June 23, 2017, 09:24:14 pm »
I think I should back this up - I'm not arguing that the word doesn't have horrible connotations.  It shouldn't be said.  I used it as an example of how I feel about all words in general.  Words are inventions of humanity that we give meaning to.  The N word is something that we gave meaning to.  Humanity collectively could also take that meaning away, though far less easily given the history of the word's use.

Offline cybercoma

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Re: The N Word
« Reply #17 on: June 25, 2017, 03:20:38 am »
When you say there's no real power in word it's like you've completely forgotten what psychological abuse is.

Offline JMT

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Re: The N Word
« Reply #18 on: June 25, 2017, 09:20:08 am »
When you say there's no real power in word it's like you've completely forgotten what psychological abuse is.

But to let something harm you, you have to first perceive it as harm.  As a society, we have come (with good reason) to perceive that word as harmful - but what if we didn't?

Offline kimmy

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Re: The N Word
« Reply #19 on: June 25, 2017, 11:46:46 am »
It's not the word itself.  It's that when a white person uses it, they're associating themselves with a school of thought that views black people as inferior.  It's not the word itself, it's the message you send out by using the word.

 -k
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Offline JMT

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Re: The N Word
« Reply #20 on: June 25, 2017, 02:03:49 pm »
It's not the word itself.  It's that when a white person uses it, they're associating themselves with a school of thought that views black people as inferior.  It's not the word itself, it's the message you send out by using the word.

 -k

What about when someone like Bill Maher, who obviously doesn't believe black people are inferior, uses it?  I understand how the word is seen and was used.  I understand that he shouldn't have said it.  I also understand that he used it as a comedian (not that it was funny).

Offline kimmy

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Re: The N Word
« Reply #21 on: June 26, 2017, 12:44:07 am »
What about when someone like Bill Maher, who obviously doesn't believe black people are inferior, uses it?  I understand how the word is seen and was used.  I understand that he shouldn't have said it.  I also understand that he used it as a comedian (not that it was funny).

Context matters, C.  I think it's dumb to take Bill Maher (or Quentin Tarantino, or any number of others) to task for using the word in a context pertinent to the work they're producing.  On the other hand, if Mel Gibson uses the word while yelling at his girlfriend for dressing like a **** or something, that's a whole different story.

 -k
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Offline JMT

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Re: The N Word
« Reply #22 on: June 26, 2017, 11:22:06 am »
And that's the problem I have.  Context matters, but Bill Maher was ripped to shreds over its use.  He was wrong to use it, and he admitted that.  He apologized over and over.  For a time, I still thought he wouldn't be let back on the air.

Offline BC_cheque

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Re: The N Word
« Reply #23 on: June 26, 2017, 04:44:06 pm »
I don't think Maher meant any harm either but if he lost his career over it, I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

It's about time people learn you can't take it upon yourself to decide whether you're using the word appropriately.  Just don't.


Offline SirJohn

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Re: The N Word
« Reply #24 on: June 29, 2017, 01:40:48 pm »
I don't think Maher meant any harm either but if he lost his career over it, I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

Seriously? Maher has spent his life fighting for liberal causes and against racism and homophobia. He donated a million dollars to Obama's reelection campaign. You wouldn't be bothered if he lost his career over the misuse of a word a single time during a live show when he was tired?
"When liberals insist that only fascists will defend borders then voters will hire fascists to do the job liberals won't do." David Frum

Offline BC_cheque

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Re: The N Word
« Reply #25 on: June 29, 2017, 02:01:23 pm »
Yeah, I do.  For the exact same reasons I said before, I think people need to learn it's not up to them to decide whether they're 'down' enough to use the word. 

He could've even said 'house slave' instead but 'house N' with er at the end is way out of line for a white person to say.  No matter who they are and how many black friends they have or how many black causes they support.

Just. Don't.

There's a good scene in Dear White People about this. 


Offline SirJohn

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Re: The N Word
« Reply #26 on: June 29, 2017, 04:08:18 pm »
Yeah, I do.  For the exact same reasons I said before, I think people need to learn it's not up to them to decide whether they're 'down' enough to use the word. 

And I think people need to understand the concept of forgiveness and empathy for a fellow human being, who is as imperfect as all of us.
"When liberals insist that only fascists will defend borders then voters will hire fascists to do the job liberals won't do." David Frum

Offline kimmy

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Re: The N Word
« Reply #27 on: June 29, 2017, 09:58:17 pm »
He could've even said 'house slave' instead but 'house N' with er at the end is way out of line for a white person to say. 

The phrase "house negro" has a history in American political discourse that has lasted beyond slavery.  It has a connotation similar to "Uncle Tom".

If Bill Maher had been using it in a relevant context, I could understand the usage.  It turns out he wasn't, of course, so I think it was very stupid of him.

 -k
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