Author Topic: The N Word  (Read 465 times)

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Offline JMT

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The N Word
« on: June 14, 2017, 09:22:43 am »
You and I have had this discussion before.  I don't believe in swearing in conversation.  I do believe in the value of artistic and real expression.  Swearing is part of language and culture.  Words are, IMO, only as powerful as what you make them.  That's why I really don't understand the whole controversy over Bill Maher and the use of the N word.
« Last Edit: June 23, 2017, 02:12:18 pm by jmt18325 »

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Offline BC_cheque

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Re: Re: Host Censorship
« Reply #1 on: June 15, 2017, 11:49:56 am »
You and I have had this discussion before.  I don't believe in swearing in conversation.  I do believe in the value of artistic and real expression.  Swearing is part of language and culture.  Words are, IMO, only as powerful as what you make them.  That's why I really don't understand the whole controversy over Bill Maher and the use of the N word.

Two things.  First, the N-word is not the same thing as swearing.  It is a highly charged word in the historical context and cannot be compared to someone who is just too sensitive to hear the words **** and ****.  And I really don't think anyone who is not black has a right to say whether or not blacks are too sensitive about the issue.

Second, I sort of understand banning swear words, but this forum has blocked me using the words **** and ****.  These are both G-rated and have a place in everyday discourse.  They should not be disallowed.

Offline cybercoma

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Re: Re: Host Censorship
« Reply #2 on: June 21, 2017, 02:30:40 pm »
You and I have had this discussion before.  I don't believe in swearing in conversation.
Swearing? No, sir. I don't **** believe in it.

Offline cybercoma

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Re: Re: Host Censorship
« Reply #3 on: June 21, 2017, 02:31:43 pm »
I really don't understand the whole controversy over Bill Maher and the use of the N word.
Uh, you really don't understand why there's a problem with white people using the "N" word?

Offline JMT

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Re: Re: Host Censorship
« Reply #4 on: June 21, 2017, 09:18:50 pm »
Uh, you really don't understand why there's a problem with white people using the "N" word?

I understand why people see it as a problem.  In reality, the word only has as much power as we give it.

Offline kimmy

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Re: Re: Host Censorship
« Reply #5 on: June 21, 2017, 10:45:09 pm »
I think the word "****" should only be used when prefaced by the phrase "**** yo' couch!"

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Offline kimmy

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Re: Re: Host Censorship
« Reply #6 on: June 21, 2017, 10:47:25 pm »
And even then, only by Dave Chappelle.

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Offline kimmy

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Re: Re: Host Censorship
« Reply #7 on: June 21, 2017, 10:49:16 pm »
Chris Rock had a classic bit where he called for "a race war between black-people and ****", but I believe he retired that one because it turned into just an excuse for white rednecks to complain about "****".

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Paris - London - New York - Kim City

Offline cybercoma

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Re: Re: Host Censorship
« Reply #8 on: June 23, 2017, 10:26:29 am »
I understand why people see it as a problem.  In reality, the word only has as much power as we give it.
No. That's not the reality. The reality is that it was shouted at people for the colour of their skin, before they were tied to truck bumpers and dragged to death, doused in gasoline and burned alive, or beaten and hung from trees. The historical context of the word is very important and your argument here is an incredibly dismissive, "black people LET it bother them," as if there's actually any justifiable reason why it shouldn't.
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Offline JMT

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Re: Re: Host Censorship
« Reply #9 on: June 23, 2017, 01:48:41 pm »
They continue to give it power by letting it bother them.  The rest of us do the same.  Words have no more power than we give them.  I have to be moderator like and insist we move this though.

Offline cybercoma

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Re: The N Word
« Reply #10 on: June 23, 2017, 04:54:41 pm »
I don't think you quite grasp what you're implying when you say they let it bother them.

Offline BC_cheque

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Re: The N Word
« Reply #11 on: June 23, 2017, 05:24:57 pm »
Yeah, classic, 'don't be so sensitive' abuser excuse.

Offline JMT

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Re: The N Word
« Reply #12 on: June 23, 2017, 06:34:56 pm »
Words are not things - they can't hurt you unless you give them that power.  Yes, the word has been used with terrible intent and in the name of terrible deeds.  It doesn't make it any more than a word.  It's not something you're going to change my mind on.

Offline JMT

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Re: The N Word
« Reply #13 on: June 23, 2017, 06:38:27 pm »
This makes my point far better than I can:

In some sense words really are magic spells. Say the right syllables and you assume tremendous power. But that too is an illusion, because the words themselves don't actually make you stronger.

There's real power in the world, there is real racism and sexism and oppression. People have suffered from these abuses.

The words themselves, though, are a string of sounds and some scratches on a page. They only have the power that we have collectively decided they should possess.

http://blog.nathanbransford.com/2013/03/words-have-power-we-give-them.html

Offline BC_cheque

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Re: The N Word
« Reply #14 on: June 23, 2017, 07:42:41 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.