I'm reading that book in English class. Did you notice what words it uses in the first few pages? did you find a son-of-a-....something on there? i did.

I just finished reading To Kill a Mockingbird and I mentally flinched everytime I read the word 'nigger'. I've never really thought much about its implications but it just feels wrong.

Maybe it's just been drilled into me that way, but it does feel worse when said by non-black people. But like Cap was saying, if they're not being offended by it, then there should be no problem. It's like when a sterotypical white girl greets her friends by saying "Hey bitch!" (..Guilty.) If anyone else said it, it would be unacceptable but between friends it's a term of endearment..maybe? I wouldn't actually know, I actually haven't known a single black person since I was 7 so who knows what the black community is like now. Heh.

I suppose you are right, Cap.

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That's just sad.

Yes, it's very sad. But it's the truth. There are very few people who manage to get out.

Story of my life.

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and there's no chance in hell that any of them are ever gonna get out of this fucked up neighborhood and make something of themselves, so they need not worry about it.

That's just sad.

They should, except for the fact that nobody around here gets offended by it, and there's no chance in hell that any of them are ever gonna get out of this fucked up neighborhood and make something of themselves, so they need not worry about it.

Wow. Your friends really need to watch what they say.

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What the heck is that supposed to mean?

It wasn't worded how I would say it, those are my friend's words. It wasn't meant to offend anybody.

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as long as they're not somebody who acts extremely white.

What the heck is that supposed to mean?

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The huge problem with it is that it's extremely race-specific, and as such, perpetuates segregation and racism.

True, but not always. Most of my friends use it towards not just other Blacks, but their friends of any race. I'm white and a lot of the time a friend will come up to me and say "What up my nigga" or something like that.

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It's ok that it might evolve into a non-offensive term. But it's only non-offensive if used by blacks.

Again, not always. A lot of people around here are okay with whites (who are their friends, not just random white people) using the term, as long as they're not somebody who acts extremely white. So, if I wanted to, my friends wouldn't care if I use that word. I just choose not to. If somebody we pass on the street overheard our conversation, they'd take offense.

And btw, I don't know if this response made sense because I woke up 5 minutes ago, and wrote it in 63 seconds, but if it didn't...I'll respond later when I have more time to respond.

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But blacks, on the other hand, take offense at anyone other than another black person calling them a nigger, even though they've adopted it within their own community.

Hey, don't put me in the same boat as them. (Pun)

To be honest, anyone can call me a nigger all they like. I'd only worry about the person calling me a nigger, if they were flashing Nazi "gang signs" at me as well.

The word "queer" underwent the same sort of thing. It used to be a derogatory term, but it was adopted by the gay community and its effects nullified. What's strange about this, however, is that gays generally don't mind being called queer. It is, after all, what they would call themselves. But blacks, on the other hand, take offense at anyone other than another black person calling them a nigger, even though they've adopted it within their own community.

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Originally posted by Capricorn_09:
Great for them. But where I live, people use it in almost every sentance. Teachers are okay with it. A lot of teachers even use it. It's just another word like "homie" or "homegirl/boy" or whatever.

The huge problem with it is that it's extremely race-specific, and as such, perpetuates segregation and racism.

It's ok that it might evolve into a non-offensive term. But it's only non-offensive if used by blacks. It perpetuates negative racial solidarity, keeping the "us vs. them" mentality.

Great for them. But where I live, people use it in almost every sentance. Teachers are okay with it. A lot of teachers even use it. It's just another word like "homie" or "homegirl/boy" or whatever.

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Originally posted by Capricorn_09:
The one ending in "a" is a term of endearment used by African Americans towards other African Americans.

I can think of a dozen black public figures who disagree with that. Not to mention rap lyrics, ha.

There are two versions of the word. The version ending in "er" is offensive to African Americans. The one ending in "a" is a term of endearment used by African Americans towards other African Americans. If you're white, you can't use either of the words. I hear the N-word ending in "a" at least 100 times a day, and I'm fine with that. But if I were to say it (which I never have/would/will), I'd be deemed racist.

But hey, that's just the way the world works.

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Maybe the whole thing would go away if no one said it. But apparently it's all right to say it if you're black...not if you're any other race.

That's the part that gets me...I don't understand how it can be okay for one person to say a word, but not another.

Double standards bother me.

my mom told me that i could say nigger but not around black people and i said well i don't wan t to say this word because it is offensove to colored people and i have never said it but once when i was little softballcrazee13@yahoo.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2nTbqbtGug

I cant stand that word, it pisses me off. I am white, but I was brought up around different ethnicities and when I hear it come out of someones mouth, it offends me completely. I dont think anyone should feel comfortable saying that word, it is definatly one of the more evil. I know people would say, sticks and stones... but I dont believe that I think Id rather have a broken arm than to be mentally and verbally harassed/abused.