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.

quote:

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.

quote:

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.

quote:

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.

Obviously, it's a loaded and offensive word, and it's a very complicated situation. I couldn't disagree more with anyone proposing to ban the word, however. If the government can actually outlaw words, civil liberties are further down the toilet than I ever would have imagined.

The reason I don't agree with the ban, besides it simply curbing free speech, is that the word is currently being used in so many contexts. Whether any of these contexts or any of use of the word at all is appropriate is simply not up to any one person or any one governing body to decide. The word is being used in rap songs, as a term of endearment, and in an ironic sense, just to name a few. I'd really hate to limit free speech, put slews of rappers out of business, and censor comedians working to point out how ridiculous racism is (like Dave Chapelle) all because we got too PC happy.

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.

Nigger is just a word. Get over it. (This is just a general statement, not aimed at anyone in particular.)

very true. the english dictionary is quite vast to where we shouldnt have to use such words, its just that todays society is too ignorant and uneducated to know what most of those words mean so we opt for the easier "everyone knows them" terms like the ones ive stated. honestly its like beating a dead horse, they wont be able to ban those words due to freedom of speech and even if they were to it wouldnt solve the problem of the meaning.

I've been to other parts of the country and experienced some of how each part lives alittle, yet I cannot speak for everyone. I think it depends on what part of the country you live in depends on what slurs, if any, are there.

Like the thread stater, I'm a southern raised white young adult. Being of a broken home, there were years I was raised by one parent who thought it was okay to use the N word. Then there were the rest of my years I was raised by the other parent who thought it was wrong to use.

To this day, I don't use that word and I wont ever use it. And if we are going to ban words in this already sometimes oversensitive society, you might as well add to fag and queer to that list BigSlickAK.

I think that using the N word is wrong and offensive regardless of who says it. If people are offended by it, then why use it? Why not respect that? I have never used it and I never will. I don't like using any kind of derogatory term, such as the ones that BigSlickAK gave an example of. I think that the English vocabulary is ample enough for you to be able find another word to describe someone that is not a put down.

well if they are going to start banning the N word (which will never happen) might as well not stop there. what about honkey, cracker, spic, wet back, beaner, chinc, gook, jap-o, wap, dago, flip. all are the same yet none of those races get as offended as black people when someone says that. why is that?

Have you guys heard of all the debate that's going on now about banning it in different cities? (maybe that's why you started this eagle?)

I think the only time I have ever said it was when quoting To Kill a Mockingbird. I would never say it at someone but I also don't think African Americans should say it refering to themselves if they are going to be pissed if some white person says it.

Yeah I said it once when i was little two. My Great Aunt said it, and I didn't realize it was bad.

Where I'm from we don't have very many African American people, and It wasn't until I was 10 or 11 that I met my somebody who was.

So my experiences are way different than most.