Seriously??????????

[dalt01]

if you get a chance watch the exchange between whoopi, barbara and sherry on the view this morning.........sherry? you didnt mean it .........right?.........

 

[soupy11]

Sherry's not convinced the world is round, so I wouldn't worry too much about this.

 

[WaltD4Me]

I stopped watching The View when Barbara was promoting her book and talking about her sex life every day (as if that would make me run out and buy it) ........ what happened?

 

[sayhello]

I give up. I don't have time to watch the whole show. Can you give us a hint?

Sayhello

 

[Justin Jett]

I stopped watching The View when Barbara was promoting her book and talking about her sex life every day (as if that would make me run out and buy it) ........ what happened?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/03/barbara-walters-n-word-view_n_992656.html

 

[snowy76]

Words have a lot of power. Call me crazy, but I actually get what Sherri's saying to Barbara here.

I teach at a fairly diverse high school. Black youth don't see the word the same way older Americans do. If you ask them about it, their opinion is generally that using the word takes away the negative power of it. When black students use it, they're saying hello to a friend. I still don't like it and I call them out on it. It's not appropriate for my classroom or the hallways outside my room.

If a white student uses it, it does strike me more emotionally, more strongly. I'm more offended when I hear it from a white student, maybe because that word was used by whites for do long to exert dominance over blacks.

That being said, if a reporter like BW is quoting something, Sherri should understand it's being said in that context.

This all reminds me of the publisher that went and changed Huck Finn. I heard several prominent African-American scholars insist that was the wrong move - that the n-word should be included, read, read aloud even, to open dialogue about what it means and how it holds power over people even today.

I think it was a good conversation for them to have; more people need to talk openly about these things. Certainly better conversation that celebrity gossip.

 

[kaligal]

Whoppie was right. You can't report on the story without using the word and there is no reason to pretend that it didn't say what it said.

Anyone can report the story and use the word - black, white, pink, whatever.

The fact that someone is going to take offense where none is intended should never stop anyone. They'll get over it. Or they won't. Whatever.

I'm not sure if Sherry (who I never heard of before) is a big crybaby or if she's trying to bully other people into speaking (or not) as she instructs them. Either way, she should be disregarded.

 

[PeterPan09]

I did see it, and I was wondering why she got her panties in a twist over Barbara but not Whoopi. If it's a word that should not be said, then nobody should say it. I don't understand the inconsistency.

I don't use that word, or the f word that is used to refer to gay people. I don't want to either those words from anyone-white, black, gay or straight. I think they are both evil nasty words that have no place in civilized conversation. However, in the limited situation that was being discussed, I understand why Whoopi and Barbara both chose to use the actual word.

 

[Cherinva]

I grew in a time when the word was used to insult someone...I never liked it and when I became an adult, I refused to allow the use of the word in my home...and I feel like that still. Now, I agree with Whoopie on one point, it shouldn't be removed from books (to make it appear it didn't happen..it DID happen and we should by now have learned from it)...I also don't like other terms used to insult someone..including white trash or trailer park trash...I feel there are other ways to get a point across than trying to insult someone.

I do understand where Sherry is coming from, even though I don't agree with it.....IMHO Barbara did nothing wrong.

 

[CJK]

I have a question. I understand the reasons why people do not like the N word, as was discussed on the show. Is the other N word a bad word too? I think the two words are derived from each other, but I'm not sure. I still hear this other N word from time to time, and I've seen people unfazed by it, and others offended by it. I need enlightenment!

 

[sayhello]

My biggest issue with this is that Sherri was trying to make her problem (the fact that hearing a white person use the "N" word bothered her) into Barbara's problem. She wasn't just informing Barbara that it bothered her, she was trying to make Barbara feel guilty. Barbara was just reporting and commenting on the story, and the fact that Sherri tried to make a big issue out of it seems a bit over the top. She has every right to feel however it makes her feel, but she has no right to try to make Barbara feel guilty about it, since Barbara didn't do anything wrong.

Sayhello

 

[FireDancer]

Words only have the power you choose to give them. If you choose to give them no power they will have no power. If you choose to give them great power they will have great power. I choose to give no words power so I don't get all up in arms when anyone says anything. If you (general you) do want to give a word power you go right ahead but don't try and force that power onto me. I just don't care.

I find it makes life much easier.

As for The View, there must be something wrong with my TV because whenever I attempt to watch it all I hear is hens clucking.

 

[DisneyKevin]

Words only have the power you choose to give them. If you choose to give them no power they will have no power. If you choose to give them great power they will have great power. I choose to give no words power so I don't get all up in arms when anyone says anything. If you (general you) do want to give a word power you go right ahead but don't try and force that power onto me. I just don't care.

I find it makes life much easier.

As for The View, there must be something wrong with my TV because whenever I attempt to watch it all I hear is hens clucking.

This is terrific and easy for you, but I'm guessing that you haven't been the target of a hate filled, yet commonly used word or phrase.

As someone who has, I can tell you that no matter how hard you try, it still causes pain and anger.

Please understand that no one is trying to force anything onto you, but rather they are explaining their feelings. While you have expressed your feeling of not caring (and apathy is indeed your right) my feelings of hurt and anger are every bit as valid and important to me.

Telling someone to not give a word power seems to me to be placing the burden on the victim. Maybe instead, we should try to make people understand that words and the feelings behind them are hurtful and at times a bit scary.

 

[Cap.Steamboat Willie]

Whoppie was right. You can't report on the story without using the word and there is no reason to pretend that it didn't say what it said.

Anyone can report the story and use the word - black, white, pink, whatever.

The fact that someone is going to take offense where none is intended should never stop anyone. They'll get over it. Or they won't. Whatever.

I agree with you that anyone, regardless of color, can and SHOULD report it using the actual word.

It SHOULD make people uncomfortable.
It SHOULD make people discuss WHY they are uncomfortable.

I also agree with Whoppie that by NOT learning the history of the word negates the history of African Americans in the United States. I also applaud her for collecting all the artifacts from here and from WW2 so that their TRUE meaning can be remembered and history will not be repeated.

Too many children use that word without understanding why someone like Sherri is effected so when it comes out of the mouth of Barbara. It should be a bitter pill regardless of who uses it otherwise it sterilizes the ugliness and that is a very slippery slope. It is that mentality that can get certain people to believe that Slavery wasn't really THAT bad and that the Holocaust never happened.

Let the reporters use it.
Let it be uncomfortable.
Let there be no ambiguity as to the ugliness of the word (history and all).
It should not be appropriate for ANYONE to use it and think it is chic, hip, cute, or customary because that leads to this endless debate of "it's OK if she uses it, but Not her".

Just my opinion.

 

[simonkodousek]

"""

 

[dalt01]

you haven't been the target of a hate filled, yet commonly used word or phrase.

As someone who has, I can tell you that no matter how hard you try, it still causes pain and anger.



Telling someone to not give a word power seems to me to be placing the burden on the victim.

I agree 101%!

When people use the "gay" in lieu of a multitude of other words, I am truly offended. When's the last time you heard someone say "that's so straight" or "you're so straight?"

Don't even get me started on the F * G word.

first a disclaimer, my sister is a lesbian and you would be hardpressed to find someone more accepting of alternate lifestyles than me......but.....i think we may be losing track here........this wasnt about the "what" was said it was about the "who" that said it..........a black person can say it but not a white person.....so........let me ask this.....those of you who happen to be homosexual?............do you use the term f****T around each other? i would guess you do.................and if so why is that ok? i am aware that this goes on in all walks, if we think a co worker is a jerk and someone not associated with us calls him one we will come to his defense............he may be a jerk but he's our jerk so to speak. i love the term "perception is reality" and i think that is what we have here.

 

[kaligal]

first a disclaimer, my sister is a lesbian and you would be hardpressed to find someone more accepting of alternate lifestyles than me......but.....i think we may be losing track here........this wasnt about the "what" was said it was about the "who" that said it..........a black person can say it but not a white person.....so........let me ask this.....those of you who happen to be homosexual?............do you use the term f****T around each other? i would guess you do.................and if so why is that ok? i am aware that this goes on in all walks, if we think a co worker is a jerk and someone not associated with us calls him one we will come to his defense............he may be a jerk but he's our jerk so to speak. i love the term "perception is reality" and i think that is what we have here.

Not all gay people use that slur. Not all black people use the N word.

The difference between people using it among themselves is the context.

That dingbat Sherry is getting upset with Barbara for no reason. Barbara meant nothing by it. It's about context.

Words used as insults sting. Used in a different context, not so much.

I have a very close friend who is gay. I never called him the gay F word because it isn't a word I've ever used and it won't roll off my tongue. I did once say, "Oh, my God, you are so gay" and he almost spit his drink out...it was appropriate, in that context and because we're friends and he knew what I meant.

A very close friend of mine calls everyone she doesn't like or who inconveniences her in any way a (bad word) behind their back. She calls me that same word on occasion and I reciprocate. We don't actually mean it - it's a joke. And we'd never call anyone that for real...certainly not people who actually are that thing (or, rather, do that thing for a living. )

If someone uses the N word or the gay F word as a slur, they ought to be socked hard in the nose. As a juror, I wouldn't find anyone guilty if they broke the nose of someone who said something so vile. BUT, if they're using it with their best friend, not so much.

Context. It's just not that hard a concept.

eta: I also think it is about time we stopped referring to gay people as "living an alternate lifestyle." Being gay, per se, doesn't make your lifestyle different. But that's another subject, I guess.

 

[DisneyKevin]

first a disclaimer, my sister is a lesbian and you would be hardpressed to find someone more accepting of alternate lifestyles than me......but.....i think we may be losing track here........this wasnt about the "what" was said it was about the "who" that said it..........a black person can say it but not a white person.....so........let me ask this.....those of you who happen to be homosexual?............do you use the term f****T around each other? i would guess you do.................and if so why is that ok? i am aware that this goes on in all walks, if we think a co worker is a jerk and someone not associated with us calls him one we will come to his defense............he may be a jerk but he's our jerk so to speak. i love the term "perception is reality" and i think that is what we have here.

I've never been one to keep what I think to myself....now is no different.

You have taken my words (and while I can't speak for Simon, I'm guessing his too) out of context. My post was not about what Sherry said on TV. It was about what Frank posted.

I respect Frank and his opinions and feel he's strong enough to hear a different opinion without his feelings being hurt. I tried to show him a different point of view because...I think...that's what adults do.

As for using the words you have mentioned, no, I don't use them with anyone.

I find them demeaning and hurtful. There is too much hate and rage associated with those words to find them acceptable in any situation. This is not to say that I wouldn't say to one of my friends "Can you be any gayer?" or something along those lines.

Kaligal said it very well. Context carries a great deal of weight. People know when their friends are joking with them and when there is venom behind the words.

I guess I'm kind of amazed that people want to hold up the example of people of color using that word or gay people using that word as a pass for them to use it too. It seems to me that it's just a way of trying to control a situation that people have no right or need to control. People don't need to use a slur to let me know how they feel about me. Most of the time it's pretty evident.

There is a very nasty history behind these words and I'm hoping that time will heal the wounds caused by them. We aren't there yet. Kids are killing themselves because of the word you asked me if I used. Isn't that reason enough to not use it? Does another kid have to commit suicide before we realize that enough is enough?

As for Sherry Shepard......she doesn't believe in evolution, she doesn't believe anyone has proven that the world is round and she has no trouble expressing her religious views and telling others why their views are wrong. She does all of this and in the next breath tells of her several abortions. Her opinions are hers and she is welcome to them. I just hope she never feels the need or gets the chance to speak for me.

 

[dalt01]

A very close friend of mine calls everyone she doesn't like or who inconveniences her in any way a (bad word) behind their back. She calls me that same word on occasion and I reciprocate. We don't actually mean it - it's a joke. And we'd never call anyone that for real...certainly not people who actually are that thing (or, rather, do that thing for a living. )



eta: I also think it is about time we stopped referring to gay people as "living an alternate lifestyle."

i agree, i was searching for another phrase and that was all i could come up with...........as far as the first paragraph above, i for the life of me cant figure out what you are trying so hard NOT to say...........ya gotta tell me what the word is........

 

[dalt01]

I've never been one to keep what I think to myself....now is no different.

You have taken my words (and while I can't speak for Simon, I'm guessing his too) out of context.

that was never my intention, i was just zero'd in on the original topic.