The "N" Word

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  • pjl44 said:
    No one has actually commented on whether Cuomo was wrong or not for him repeating a quote.
    It seems completely unnecessary to me, so I understand why people would be upset. Then again his brother thinks it's on par with "Fredo," so maybe this family is just a little more comfortable throwing it around than most


    And I'll throw this back that Lennon thought a woman was the female version of the N word...
  • pjl44pjl44 Posts: 9,460
    pjl44 said:
    No one has actually commented on whether Cuomo was wrong or not for him repeating a quote.
    It seems completely unnecessary to me, so I understand why people would be upset. Then again his brother thinks it's on par with "Fredo," so maybe this family is just a little more comfortable throwing it around than most


    And I'll throw this back that Lennon thought a woman was the female version of the N word...
    Did anyone ask him to reckon with that at the time? Obviously it wouldn't fly today, but the song is almost 50 years old and he is dead.
  • cincybearcatcincybearcat Posts: 16,442
    No one has actually commented on whether Cuomo was wrong or not for him repeating a quote.
    I said I would never say it...so I wouldn't quote it either.  I don't think he should have personally.
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  • No one has actually commented on whether Cuomo was wrong or not for him repeating a quote.
    I said I would never say it...so I wouldn't quote it either.  I don't think he should have personally.
    TY.
  • cutzcutz Posts: 11,832
    edited October 2019
    Cuomo shouldn't have used it.

    Worked with a few young  black   guys over 20 years ago. I had 2 black guys around my age including my Boss. Well, one day the young guys were calling each other the "N"-word when the 2 older guys said to them to STOP calling each other the "N"-word. Their reason was if you do not respect each other how can other people?
  • cutz said:
    Cuomo shouldn't have used it.

    Worked with a few young  black   guys over 20 years ago. I had 2 black guys around my age including my Boss. Well, one day the young guys were calling each other the "N"-word when the 2 older guys said to them to STOP calling each other the "N"-word. Their reason was if you do not respect each other how can other people?
    Then you have the ICE-T song "Straight up Nga" that says those older guys wouldn't understand.
  • hedonisthedonist Posts: 24,524
    No one has actually commented on whether Cuomo was wrong or not for him repeating a quote.
    I think if it's being quoted, cited, whatever, then it's fine to use.  It doesn't mean the person doing the quoting subscribes to using it.

    Personally, I don't use the word in any form.
  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Posts: 49,948
    PJ_Soul said:
    It is never ever okay for non-black people to use it IMO. I think black people can work out for themselves if or when it's okay for them to use it themselves, but from my perspective, it is a 100% no-go for everyone but them.
    It is literally the only word that has been demonized by the american people.

    No other racial slur gets this status of "non negotiable" .

    Jews have been persecuted the longest in the world and the word Kyke doesn't get a fee pass but it isn't lambasted as much or to get a hyphen and say the K-word.
    That isn't the only demonized word in America.
    But the status of the N-word compared to other racial slurs obviously comes from the history or slavery and Jim Crow. It's not hard to figure out why that particular slur reached "special status" among American slurs.
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  • cblock4lifecblock4life Posts: 1,718
    Not an expert, but I can tell you how most incarcerated blacks feel about it...

    older blacks think it’s disrespectful no matter who or how it’s said, rapped, or sung.

    younger blacks see rap versions of the word as an endearment of sorts..and think it’s ok to call each other it whether jokingly or endearing and 
    It’s not ok for whites to say it whether talking or rapping.
  • mickeyratmickeyrat Posts: 38,548
    context is incredibly important. not having heard his statement in this interview, and having read a good portion of the article. he seemed to be referencing historical record as to how things absolutely were in regards to new immigrants.

    yet another glaring example of the difficulty we have in this country in owning our collective history and speaking about it in frank terms.


    personally directed at someone no matter their race or ethnicity is wrong and no matter who is using it in that context,  using the word in a conversation about our history, I have no problem with.
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  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,016
    There's a YouTube video out there somewhere where two well-know black guys are discussing the use of "n" word by black.  They had strongly opposing views.  It's a difficult subject even for them.
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  • drakeheuer14drakeheuer14 Posts: 4,467
    It is interesting the difference and acceptance levels of it when there is a hard ‘r’ ending vs the popular ‘a’ ending. I would even argue there are already unwritten rules allowing one more than the other. The’a’ ending and transition into the mainstream is the only thing keeping it alive I believe. 

    I would never use it, no need or desire to. 
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  • My view. Its a nasty word, term or greeting.
    I cannot understand why black people would use  it freely and insist others don't.  Its a simple  answer  from me. 
    If its a nasty word. Don't  use it at all not on yourself. Not on others. It should  be consigned to history  as a derogatory term. 
    If its in songs and you want to sing along then what. My black friend can enjoy the song but i have to stop and miss most of the words out. Makes zero sence in my eyes. Just cut the word for everyone. Solved
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  • I just also thought. If they are taking the word back . Why and where are they  taking it.
    In to the future is where. Whats the real point of that. 
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  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,016
    edited October 2019
    One of my buddies back in my college days was one of the coolest and funniest guys I've even known.  His name was Jim G. and he was African American (or what everyone back then simply referred to as "black".)  One day, early in our first year (fall of 1969),  three or four of us guys were sitting around in one of our dorm rooms filling out some forms the school required us to send in.  One of the questions regarded race.  Us white guys put a check in the box labeled "Caucasian".  Jim G. said, "I don't know guys, I've gotta mark the box that say 'other'."  Jim then proceeded to do so and then filled in the black space next to it with... yep, the "n" word.  Funniest shit I ever saw!  :lol: 
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  • g under pg under p Posts: 18,196
    https://youtu.be/WdSuHxYGKX8

    For the longest time b4 one could Google an answer instantly I thought that opening lyric was saying the N word. I was furious back then in '82, I kept thinking how could they get away with saying something so insensitive in a song. 

    Just give a listen to that opening and tell it doesn't sound untoward.

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  • In my mind it’s never acceptable to be used and cringe when I hear it. I get that it’s used as a means to express oneself through music, poetry, writing and speech but I still don’t like it. For those of you who find it acceptable as an art form, in lyrics, say, are you also okay with Piss Christ, Robert Maplethorpe’s photography, Madonna simulating intercourse with a crucifix or Sinaid O’Connor tearing up a picture of the pope?
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  • This thread made it a day and didn't get locked.  I am impressed!

    There is a To Kill a Mockingbird play on Broadway here in NYC that I have been dying to see and was wondering if they removed the N word from the screen play?  Haven't  heard anything about it.
  • In my mind it’s never acceptable to be used and cringe when I hear it. I get that it’s used as a means to express oneself through music, poetry, writing and speech but I still don’t like it. For those of you who find it acceptable as an art form, in lyrics, say, are you also okay with Piss Christ, Robert Maplethorpe’s photography, Madonna simulating intercourse with a crucifix or Sinaid O’Connor tearing up a picture of the pope?
    Is Maplethorpe still relevant?  I thought there was wayyyy more risque stuff out there now?

    Have to google Piss Christ.
    Madonna, didn't care.
    Sinead, didn't care.

    These all seem like older references too, nothing new?

    I did find the beheaded Trump pic w Kathy Griffin to be in poor taste.

    I cringed at 2 girls 1 cup.

    Usually I don't care much about things that people do and encourage pushing the envelope but using the N word isn't pushing anything.  I see it in rap music as just a word and I am not allowed to say it.

    When used as a slur I find it grotesque.  If explaining something for context it should be just a word and not get peoples feelings hurt but I'm a white male and don't have a say in the matter which can be frustrating at times.  It's a losing battle to try and defend it.
  • In my mind it’s never acceptable to be used and cringe when I hear it. I get that it’s used as a means to express oneself through music, poetry, writing and speech but I still don’t like it. For those of you who find it acceptable as an art form, in lyrics, say, are you also okay with Piss Christ, Robert Maplethorpe’s photography, Madonna simulating intercourse with a crucifix or Sinaid O’Connor tearing up a picture of the pope?
    Is Maplethorpe still relevant?  I thought there was wayyyy more risque stuff out there now?

    Have to google Piss Christ.
    Madonna, didn't care.
    Sinead, didn't care.

    These all seem like older references too, nothing new?

    I did find the beheaded Trump pic w Kathy Griffin to be in poor taste.

    I cringed at 2 girls 1 cup.

    Usually I don't care much about things that people do and encourage pushing the envelope but using the N word isn't pushing anything.  I see it in rap music as just a word and I am not allowed to say it.

    When used as a slur I find it grotesque.  If explaining something for context it should be just a word and not get peoples feelings hurt but I'm a white male and don't have a say in the matter which can be frustrating at times.  It's a losing battle to try and defend it.
    All of those things are still relevant depending on where they may be exhibited, displayed, shown, etc. San Francisco and New York, not so much. Mobile and Little Rock, way more so. The N word has been around for a long time too and is still relevant. Why wouldn’t those other things be? And granted, they haven’t been exhibited in quite some time and I’m not sure what the controversial art of the day is. Maybe like the N word, it depends?
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  • g under pg under p Posts: 18,196
    Like someone said here that they cringe when hearing the word spoken in any format. In fact any derogatory word that is spoken to represent any culture or race I can't stand hearing them. 

    That is one of the reasons I admire the comedian Richard Pryor. He once in his early comic albums would use the N word excessively. Then after a trip to his mother land Africa and seeing feeling what these people from Africa were really like, he discontinued using the word in ANY format. I loved the concious decision he made that using that word was just not ok to be used anymore. I'll try and find where he speaks on this matter on one of his albums.

    Peace
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    *The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)


  • In my mind it’s never acceptable to be used and cringe when I hear it. I get that it’s used as a means to express oneself through music, poetry, writing and speech but I still don’t like it. For those of you who find it acceptable as an art form, in lyrics, say, are you also okay with Piss Christ, Robert Maplethorpe’s photography, Madonna simulating intercourse with a crucifix or Sinaid O’Connor tearing up a picture of the pope?
    Is Maplethorpe still relevant?  I thought there was wayyyy more risque stuff out there now?

    Have to google Piss Christ.
    Madonna, didn't care.
    Sinead, didn't care.

    These all seem like older references too, nothing new?

    I did find the beheaded Trump pic w Kathy Griffin to be in poor taste.

    I cringed at 2 girls 1 cup.

    Usually I don't care much about things that people do and encourage pushing the envelope but using the N word isn't pushing anything.  I see it in rap music as just a word and I am not allowed to say it.

    When used as a slur I find it grotesque.  If explaining something for context it should be just a word and not get peoples feelings hurt but I'm a white male and don't have a say in the matter which can be frustrating at times.  It's a losing battle to try and defend it.
    All of those things are still relevant depending on where they may be exhibited, displayed, shown, etc. San Francisco and New York, not so much. Mobile and Little Rock, way more so. The N word has been around for a long time too and is still relevant. Why wouldn’t those other things be? And granted, they haven’t been exhibited in quite some time and I’m not sure what the controversial art of the day is. Maybe like the N word, it depends?
    Unfortunately controversial art doesn't have hatred behind it like the N word does.

    I do wonder if people were taught that it was just a slang word and has no bearing in today's society like "it meant something different back then than it does now." would the word be as big a lightning rod as it is?

    Or

    Does opening a discussion like this bring out old views and thoughts?

    Something I do want to know is "do the younger generation find the word that demonizing or was it taught to be?"
  • g under p said:
    Like someone said here that they cringe when hearing the word spoken in any format. In fact any derogatory word that is spoken to represent any culture or race I can't stand hearing them. 

    That is one of the reasons I admire the comedian Richard Pryor. He once in his early comic albums would use the N word excessively. Then after a trip to his mother land Africa and seeing feeling what these people from Africa were really like, he discontinued using the word in ANY format. I loved the concious decision he made that using that word was just not ok to be used anymore. I'll try and find where he speaks on this matter on one of his albums.

    Peace
    Before or after his freebasing experience?
  • g under pg under p Posts: 18,196
    I found a little something with RP speaking on not using the N  word anymore....

    https://youtu.be/kRfOOHqkW_s

    Peace
    *We CAN bomb the World to pieces, but we CAN'T bomb it into PEACE*...Michael Franti

    *MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
    .....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti

    *The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)


  • Glorified KCGlorified KC Posts: 2,672
    Everything is about perception and how differently many of us perceive things differently.  I believe in general what's important is to be mindful that if something you say or do, does offend someone that you respect it and keep in mind to not do it again around that individual.  That being said, how would you account for everyone's perceptions?  The N Word and other terms like it, I think are things that should never be uttered around people you have no clue on what their perception is, or their humor.  I've evolved over time, to where I just don't use those terms anymore, because that's how I want to be perceived by everyone now, including those who I've joking said discriminatory things.  It's something I'm not proud of, when looking in the mirror, but that's just me.  It doesn't matter if you believe someone is too thin-skinned, it's about being mindful of creating an environment around yourself that accepts others for what they are.  If you can't accept that, then isolate yourself from those people.  However, you'll find yourself in a very lonely place if you want to continue using that type of language.
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  • Barbados 2006.

    While working there a food truck would come by and I would purchase my lunch from the lady (Finey) every day.

    I would ask about the food and local cuisine she had on it.  She happen to mention that one of the ingredients was a "Nga Peppa".

    I told her that is an awful thing to call it.

    She said to me with a stone look and shrugged "what can I do?  I can't change the culture."

    This was what the pepper was called but called a Bird pepper in other places.

    Finey was African American and not a mean bone in her body and accepted the pepper as such as did the island.  Not sure if this has changed in 12 years or not?
  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,016
    This thread made it a day and didn't get locked.  I am impressed!

    There is a To Kill a Mockingbird play on Broadway here in NYC that I have been dying to see and was wondering if they removed the N word from the screen play?  Haven't  heard anything about it.

    Interesting question about To Kill a Mockingbird.  If you go, it would be interesting to know the answer. 
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    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • I don't mind it being used if you are quoting what someone said. you are simply stating what another person said. 

    in movies and in art, it's fine, as long as it's not gratuitous. it has to have proper context and be telling a story, not just using it to use it. 
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  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Posts: 49,948
    brianlux said:
    One of my buddies back in my college days was one of the coolest and funniest guys I've even known.  His name was Jim G. and he was African American (or what everyone back then simply referred to as "black".)  One day, early in our first year (fall of 1969),  three or four of us guys were sitting around in one of our dorm rooms filling out some forms the school required us to send in.  One of the questions regarded race.  Us white guys put a check in the box labeled "Caucasian".  Jim G. said, "I don't know guys, I've gotta mark the box that say 'other'."  Jim then proceeded to do so and then filled in the black space next to it with... yep, the "n" word.  Funniest shit I ever saw!  :lol: 
    I think "black" is still a completely accepted term now, just as "white" is.


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  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Posts: 49,948
    edited October 2019
    This thread made it a day and didn't get locked.  I am impressed!

    There is a To Kill a Mockingbird play on Broadway here in NYC that I have been dying to see and was wondering if they removed the N word from the screen play?  Haven't  heard anything about it.
    I would be shocked and dismayed if it was taken out. That, to me, is the one obvious exception when it comes to the use of the word (by non-black people): in art (movies, books, etc) about racism. I mean, it would be pretty fucking hard to make a movie about American slavery or about white supremacists, or about Jim Crow topics, without the word being in the script and said by white actors.
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
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