Why is it seemingly an unspoken rule that Blacks can use the N-Word by Whites can't? Here is my answer: Many Black people think they have stripped the word of its power by claiming the word as a positive instead of a negative racial attack as it was intended to be by racist White people. Many Blacks who hear Whites use the N-Word still perceive those Whites as trying to insult them racially so they take offense to a White person saying it. I don't think that anyone should say it. It's offensive and meant to cause psychological harm.
Being as this is a controversial issue among blacks, with members of the black community taking different sides, I ( a white man) tend to stay out of this, and just avoid using the 'n' word without judging what black folks should or should not do. My behavior is not dependent on them coming to a unanimous conclusion themselves. I won't be using it regardless. Its that easy.
Krs-1 states that it means king. So why would a so called white person call a so called black person king anyway...funny that racist so called whites who use it are actually contradicting their own sentiment
Well it is understood to be an insult, yes? if you called someone gay in two centuries ago, it would mean they are happy, but, now has other meanings. if we want to stop people using the word you refer to in this opening post of this thread, i forgot what it is called because of rules i think, you would need to give them better words to use, yes? how about, something catchy? if we were to bring a new insult into the cultures of the west, how about something cute, like "Samson," which would be catchy too, or something offensive like "(*)(*)(*)(*) master?" either of these words, or many others, will replace this current term by exposure to the vocabularies of people all over the west, and, the more they use them, the more original they will feel. it might take a while to catch on though, as it will have to gain popularity. think of the insult "noob," that is new and caught on fast!
Instead of bywords why not say their real name? The most high, contrary to belief, does not for forbid this, say my name, say my name when nobodies around you Say baby I love you- destinys child.
Blacks will tell you the word itself is racist yet turn around and call another black by that term. I've asked whether or not people considered it racist if a black person calls an other black person by that term and I agree with them.
People use words to people they know that may be seen as racist, sexist etc all the time, it is not the words themselves that make them 'bad' it is the way and context they are used, but I don't expect you to understand that.
Maybe is seems that way to you because you're racist? The fact is that the word can be used by anyone. The context, intent and meaning is what matters. Traditionally, when the word was (and often is) used by white people, it is intended as a generic insult. Some black people took to using it themselves as an ironic claiming back of the word (much like some homosexuals have done with the word queer). That's what you're seeing but it's only part of the story. If Obama gave a speech at the Whitehouse and talked about how not enough n*****s were voting, he be condemned for that use of the word. If a white academic was presenting a paper about the use of offensive language and talked about how some black people use the word n****r themselves, few people would care. So when you used it in your question (albeit edited due to the board rules), you were being offensive and meaning to cause harm? When I use it in my response, was I doing the same?
I'm referring to its original intent which you agreed was made by White people as an insult against Black people. That's why I don't use the word. I don't believe in claiming the word and changing its meaning the way some Blacks do I think it should not be used in polite conversation. As for my or your use of the word in this thread obviously having a conversation about the word and directing it at someone are not the same thing.
Do you have some evidence the word originated as an insult? "Negroid" is considered a "racist insult" by some but was an ancestry based classification from Blumenbach.
It's hard to say whether it was an insult at the very beginning of its application but over time as it came in to common usage it definitely became a highly offensive insult. http://www.etymonline.com
I think it is ridiculous some black people claiming they can say a certain word but whites can't. Imagine if I said blacks can't say Algebra. I think there would be World War 3 and I will be destroyed. I believe anyone can say whatever they want. Even if it is offensive. Black people are being racist themselves by not allowing certain words to be used by white people. I have seen many situations where a black person has said something racist and nothing happens. When a white person says something racist the whole mainstream media destroys that individual.
Quite a silly comparison really, Algebra has never been used as a means to convey contempt for another person, now if you have used Honky (a derogatory term used by black people for a white person or for white people collectively.) then you would have a point and be correct. It is not the word itself that is racist, it is the context in which it is used. and I, personally, whole heartedly agree that no matter your "race" if you use a word specifically to demean another person of a different "race" then you are being racist. The color of the skin of the person doing it SHOULD make no difference.
I used the term Algebra because to demonstrate a point without using an inappropriate language. Yes context should be taken into consideration. The whole point of my argument was that some Black people say there are some words other "races" cannot use. This is racist itself.
No I don't think that at all. I do however think there are certain words that people should think very, very carefully before using especially if those words could be construed as being derogatory to another 'race'