When is a word racist?

If a person chooses to use a word that is knowingly hurtful to others, how can that not speak volumes about them? They are either lacking in empathy or are actively looking to hurt others.

The word 'spook' was used as a racial term toward African Americans. It was widely known as such. So the word - letters put together in a sequence - is not racist, of course. But that it has been used as a derogatory term does make it racist.

 

Doesna' matter what the POC thinks.

 

As do democrats. Republicans want him out because of his proposed law on abortion.

 

There are no dif between the parties' methods: get the other guy out, no matter what.

I have no use for The New Racist Republican Party.

 

I have no use for anyone who calls a group racist because of party association.

 

So...by that definition, we can't use "Apple" to describe either the fruit or my iPad since it was used as a slur? That we can't refer to certain birds as "Crow"? Can't go to the store and ask for a "coconut"? Have to ban "Oreos"?

Is the word itself racist just because someone used it as a racist slur or does it only become racist when used in a racist context?

 

Please explain how we can have freedom of speech and yet some words are banned. When words are banned, then sentences are banned, then opinions are banned. What next, you are charged because the expression on your face looks like you are thinking of banned words.

 

What an alternate reality you inhabit. 1. King has been severely punished and derided within the GOP, making the "without criticism" part a lie.

2. It's not the "Republican lackeys and running dogs" who are howling for Northam to resign, it's YOUR SIDE. Congratulations, you managed to cram two obvious lies into a single sentence. Not surprised.

 

If you would like to take the discussion to an extreme, sure, go ahead.

 

Why is it an extreme?

What is the difference between using Apple and using Spook? Both are used as racial slurs, both have common non-racist uses.

You state "If a person chooses to use a word that is knowingly hurtful to others, how can that not speak volumes about them? They are either lacking in empathy or are actively looking to hurt others."

So is a person who knows that Apple is a racial slur lacking in empathy or actively looking to hurt others if they state "My iPad is dead, I'm going to the Apple Store to get another one."?

 

It's racist to make Rocky Racoon run from dogs. jk.

But Spooks isn't racist -- that's the bad guys at the upper echelon FBI and retired guys like Brennan.

 

You are not using the word apple to hurt anyone. Are you? You are using it in the context of the fruit or your computer.

If I say, "Sorry, I didn't mean to spook you", I am using it in a context that has nothing to do with race.

I can't believe that we are having to have this conversation!

 

Social banning and social pressures to use or not use certain words are not violations of free speech. They're affirmations of such if anything.

 

^^^^^^^ Claims all Republicans are racists then inadvertently makes a racist remark. That's just gold!

Doesn't matter what those colored thinks....get to the back of the bus....

 

Societal "banning" is quite different than that of something being legally banned. The latter I saw a violation of freedom of speech, but the former is not. The word "******" is almost universally banned by societal pressure, yet nowhere is it illegal to say or used that word. Indeed, I'm willing to bet as I type this, that the word itself, will be censored by the forum program. Yet my freedom of speech is not violated. Freedom of speech only applies to government, not societal pressures.

 

Exactly!!! She was using it in the context that the cat spooked easily. So how is that racist to keep the name as Spook?

 

Ok, so then how would it be "lacking in empathy or actively looking to hurt others" if someone names a cat after a behavioral pattern? That the cat was named "Spook" not for it's coloration, but the fact that it's easily scared or "spooked" by things that it's not familiar with. Would it somehow be less racist if the cat were just as timid but was Calico or Orange Tabby colored?

No one's twisting your arm.

 

Words can not be racist. Only people can be racist.

 

I have no use for anyone who calls a group racist because of party association.

 

Words in context can be racist.

 

It wouldn't be.

 

Well then we're fine, aren't we?

The original post was about a black cat named spook - not that it was timid.

 

The first thing that needs to happen is.....Do not allow leftists to determine what is racist evaaa. Especially with words. Nevaa!

 

The first thing that needs to happen is.....Do not allow the New Racist Republican Party to determine what is racist evaaa. Especially with words. Nevaa!

 

And spook is a fine name for a cat, but people will be "within their rights" to question it just due to it being a black cat. I myself would "babify" it and call it Spooky