He finds the "F" word offensive, but not....

[amy4bruce]

I think it's a case of "I can say it, you can't." It's alright to disparage a group if you're a member of it.

At least, I think that's the attitude. Personally, I think it's ridiculous.

 

[goofy's friends]

I completely agree. Its extreemly important to change with the times and not offend. There is one thing about the "N" word that confuses me and hopefully someone on the DIS can explain this to me. Why do so many black americans use the "N" word to describe themselves and other blacks? If its wrong to use that word then why do they use it? I've heard Bill Cosby speak and he denounced that practice... so its clear not all blacks feel its ok to use the N word. Could someone please educate me? Thanks in advance!

This is how it was explained to me once--please accept this as a disclaimer, as I NEVER use any of these words/descriptions AND I have no idea if this explaination is completely accurate:

The N word is to black people as "White trash" is to white people. It is intentionally used in a derrogatory way toward a group of people and their life style, but if a white person uses it, it is completely unacceptable.

This was a discussion in a multicultural counseling class I took, but have not had personal experience.

 

[ryka]

I think that this is a great opportunity to teach kids about what is acceptable and what isn't. The older generation sometimes uses these old words and they don't always mean harm but it is a bit disconcerting.

As for black kids using the 'N' word, I hear that a lot too. I wonder what's up with that?

Ok first let me say that I don't like the 'N' word at all but when you hear young kids using it and I hear black white and hispanic kids using it the ending is not er it is an a. So it is N***a. To them it is kind like saying you're my friend or you're my boy. They use it alot in rap songs too. The explanation I got was they use the word to show that they overcame what alot of African Americans have went through and that you can't hurt them with that word. I guess it really depends on where you live. You'll never hear them saying it with an er it's always with an a.

 

[JoyG]

I think it's a case of "I can say it, you can't." It's alright to disparage a group if you're a member of it.

At least, I think that's the attitude. Personally, I think it's ridiculous.

I think when it first started being used in rap songs and street slang it was a way of African Americans taking something so oppressive and "owning" it...turning it around so it no longer had any power over us.

Unfortunately, I think that now, just like many phrases that originate in rap songs, popular culture has taken hold of it and I hear other people who are not African American using that word and it really gives me the shivers.

Negro and Colored were never in the same category as the "N" word. Those were just descriptions like African American or Black are today. When I teach about them in class I describe them as "old fashioned" terms that shouldn't be used today because they could offend people. I don't put them in the same category as the "bad N word".

"Oriental" is old fashioned and offensive these days as well. So is "mulatto" which was already mentioned.

 

[Robinrs]

Yes, we do use it as a funky word amongst ourselves but I, personally, do not. Words like N please, or N get out my face are typical terminology but knowing the true meaning of the word it is tantamount to HORROR to hear it from another race. Somehow it still sounds stupid in the explanation, but that's just the way it is.

Papa Deuce, tell your FIL to come call me one. I'll gladly bring him into the 21st century....

 

[Papa Deuce]

Yes, we do use it as a funky word amongst ourselves but I, personally, do not. Words like N please, or N get out my face are typical terminology but knowing the true meaning of the word it is tantamount to HORROR to hear it from another race. Somehow it still sounds stupid in the explanation, but that's just the way it is.

Papa Deuce, tell your FIL to come call me one. I'll gladly bring him into the 21st century....

Mebbe u can torture him with 24 hours of Taylor's Ford commercials.....

 

[Robinrs]

I think when it first started being used in rap songs and street slang it was a way of African Americans taking something so oppressive and "owning" it...turning it around so it no longer had any power over us.

Unfortunately, I think that now, just like many phrases that originate in rap songs, popular culture has taken hold of it and I hear other people who are not African American using that word and it really gives me the shivers.

Negro and Colored were never in the same category as the "N" word. Those were just descriptions like African American or Black are today. When I teach about them in class I describe them as "old fashioned" terms that shouldn't be used today because they could offend people. I don't put them in the same category as the "bad N word".

"Oriental" is old fashioned and offensive these days as well. So is "mulatto" which was already mentioned.

LOL, Joy! I think we posted these at the same exact time!!

 

[JoyG]

but knowing the true meaning of the word it is tantamount to HORROR to hear it from another race.

So true! Well said.

 

[Robinrs]

Mebbe u can torture him with 24 hours of Taylor's Ford commercials.....

Now THAT would be cruel and unusual punishment.....