Black leaders: End N-word in entertainment

124

Comments

  • yosi1
    yosi1 Posts: 3,272
    Ahnimus wrote:
    I totally disagree. If they didn't take offense there would be no use for the word to be used racially. Why do people call each other assholes? Usually because it's a general insult, it means virtually nothing in everyday context, it's used because it's hurtful. Even if they couldn't say "nigger" they would say "porchmonkey" or something equally as hurtful.

    How is that different from what I said? People use the word to insult and hurt, and that is why it does.
    you couldn't swing if you were hangin' from a palm tree in a hurricane.
  • Ahnimus
    Ahnimus Posts: 10,560
    yosi wrote:
    How is that different from what I said? People use the word to insult and hurt, and that is why it does.

    The difference being that you seem to think people won't insult each other if we ban all of the words associated with hurtful speech. The reality is, people will make up new words or use old dead words. First of all, you can't ban a word anyway. It's much simpler to control your own interpretations.
    I necessarily have the passion for writing this, and you have the passion for condemning me; both of us are equally fools, equally the toys of destiny. Your nature is to do harm, mine is to love truth, and to make it public in spite of you. - Voltaire
  • yosi1
    yosi1 Posts: 3,272
    Ahnimus wrote:
    The difference being that you seem to think people won't insult each other if we ban all of the words associated with hurtful speech. The reality is, people will make up new words or use old dead words. First of all, you can't ban a word anyway. It's much simpler to control your own interpretations.

    I don't believe that, nor did I ever say that. You just put an opinion in my mouth. I have no idea why you think I believe that or said that, but neither is true.

    I was saying, that in order for the word (or any other hateful word that exists now or was to be created) to no longer be hateful, or offensive, would only be, if all people were not hateful and did not intend to offend others.

    I'm not sure why you thought I was saying anything to the contrary. Please be a little more careful reading someone else's posts before you tell them what they are thinking.
    you couldn't swing if you were hangin' from a palm tree in a hurricane.
  • Ahnimus
    Ahnimus Posts: 10,560
    yosi wrote:
    I don't believe that, nor did I ever say that. You just put an opinion in my mouth. I have no idea why you think I believe that or said that, but neither is true.

    I was saying, that in order for the word (or any other hateful word that exists now or was to be created) to no longer be hateful, or offensive, would only be, if all people were not hateful and did not intend to offend others.

    I'm not sure why you thought I was saying anything to the contrary. Please be a little more careful reading someone else's posts before you tell them what they are thinking.

    Sorry, that was the impression I got, my bad.

    Stil wouldn't it be easier for the individual to control their own interpretations?

    Because even if no one used it with hurtful intent, another can still derive hurt from it based on their own interpretations. But if they ignore the bad definitions and respond like I mentioned before, it leaves the "racist" with nothing to say and feeling like a complete ass.
    I necessarily have the passion for writing this, and you have the passion for condemning me; both of us are equally fools, equally the toys of destiny. Your nature is to do harm, mine is to love truth, and to make it public in spite of you. - Voltaire
  • norm
    norm Posts: 31,146
    Ahnimus wrote:
    The difference being that you seem to think people won't insult each other if we ban all of the words associated with hurtful speech. The reality is, people will make up new words or use old dead words. First of all, you can't ban a word anyway. It's much simpler to control your own interpretations.
    I can't believe I'm agreeing the Ahnimus.:);)

    By continually reacting to words like nigger, fag etc is giving those words strength. I know this sounds simplistic, but if everyone would stop being offended by offensive words, perhaps the words would stop being used.
  • farfromglorified
    farfromglorified Posts: 5,700
    yosi wrote:
    I see what you're saying, but, it sounds like you're not acknowledging how hard and long a process it can be to not take offense to something (or someone) when they are intentionally offending you.
    If you are acknowledging how hard of a process that is, than we are in agreement.

    Of course it's hard!! Definitely agree there.
    This analagoy isn't perfect, but I'll throw it out there anyway: A person does not want to be hurt when they are hit by someone, and if they are they are in someway "giving in" too. But, that is not always something that can be controlled. The same goes often when someone is offended the use of deragatory words directed at them.

    I see where you're going here but it's not really true. The difference is -- when someone strikes you, you largely have no choice but to be hurt. When someone says something to you, that choice certainly exists. Furthermore, even those who strike you want something bigger than your pain -- they want your acceptance of that pain. And you can reject that too (***shout out to the Wachowski Brothers***)
  • yosi1
    yosi1 Posts: 3,272
    farfromglorified wrote:
    I see where you're going here but it's not really true. The difference is -- when someone strikes you, you largely have no choice but to be hurt. When someone says something to you, that choice certainly exists. Furthermore, even those who strike you want something bigger than your pain -- they want your acceptance of that pain. And you can reject that too (***shout out to the Wachowski Brothers***)

    Like I said, the anology was far from perfect. Sometimes though, an insult can hurt so much that even if there is a choice to feel the pain or not, and be insulted. The choice to not feel it is almost negligible.

    --> Did that make sense?
    you couldn't swing if you were hangin' from a palm tree in a hurricane.
  • aNiMaL
    aNiMaL Posts: 7,117
    Androgynous Mind wrote:
    it always baffled me that african americans despised the word, but go ahead and use it themselves to greet each other. it doesnt make any sense.
    Yeah, I had this same conversation with a co-worker of mine. He said that it is different because of the intent when it is used. I say bullshit. Black people cannot simultaneously be offended when a white person says the word or when they call a black person it, and at the same time call each other that all the time as though it is a big joke.

    Nigga please!
  • farfromglorified
    farfromglorified Posts: 5,700
    yosi wrote:
    Like I said, the anology was far from perfect. Sometimes though, an insult can hurt so much that even if there is a choice to feel the pain or not, and be insulted. The choice to not feel it is almost negligible.

    --> Did that make sense?

    Yes, that makes sense.
  • Ms. Haiku
    Ms. Haiku Washington DC Posts: 7,390
    The power of language is under review either by us, written by us, or by the actions of Black Leaders discussed. Language can be a knife, a gift, or a group. I don't think I have much to add to the particular discussion presented herein, but rather to state the obvious that language is a powerful tool.
    There is no such thing as leftover pizza. There is now pizza and later pizza. - anonymous
    The risk I took was calculated, but man, am I bad at math - The Mincing Mockingbird
  • rebornFixer
    rebornFixer Posts: 4,901
    Sure, let's do it. Let's just make sure that NO ONE can get away with it. Part of the current problem stems from the fact that black entertainers continue to use the word with impunity, while everyone else gets demonized for so much as using it in non-derogatory casual conversation. I understand that some of this comes from a desire to appropriate the word from racists ... But its still a bad idea. Micheal Richards used the word because its still so accessible ... to everyone.
  • yosi1
    yosi1 Posts: 3,272
    Ahnimus wrote:
    Sorry, that was the impression I got, my bad.

    Stil wouldn't it be easier for the individual to control their own interpretations?

    Because even if no one used it with hurtful intent, another can still derive hurt from it based on their own interpretations. But if they ignore the bad definitions and respond like I mentioned before, it leaves the "racist" with nothing to say and feeling like a complete ass.

    No problem. My only response to this is that is much easier said than done. Sure, that should be the ideal goal, but to achieve that state is rather more difficult than what you make it seem (although I'm sure you know that).

    Just to be clear, this isn't an endorsement for banning the word. Just pointing out that the solution you are proposing doesn't seem realistic (just like a solution of eliminating hate is unrealistic), sadly.
    you couldn't swing if you were hangin' from a palm tree in a hurricane.
  • Ahnimus
    Ahnimus Posts: 10,560
    yosi wrote:
    No problem. My only response to this is that is much easier said than done. Sure, that should be the ideal goal, but to achieve that state is rather more difficult than what you make it seem (although I'm sure you know that).

    Just to be clear, this isn't an endorsement for banning the word. Just pointing out that the solution you are proposing doesn't seem realistic (just like a solution of eliminating hate is unrealistic), sadly.

    It would difficult, but I think it's more probable than banning hate.
    I necessarily have the passion for writing this, and you have the passion for condemning me; both of us are equally fools, equally the toys of destiny. Your nature is to do harm, mine is to love truth, and to make it public in spite of you. - Voltaire
  • yosi1
    yosi1 Posts: 3,272
    Ahnimus wrote:
    It would difficult, but I think it's more probable than banning hate.

    I personally don't believe either are possible (especially anywhere in the near future), but I'd love to be proven wrong.
    you couldn't swing if you were hangin' from a palm tree in a hurricane.
  • Ahnimus
    Ahnimus Posts: 10,560
    yosi wrote:
    I personally don't believe either are possible (especially anywhere in the near future), but I'd love to be proven wrong.

    Either would take a lot of societal evolution :/
    I necessarily have the passion for writing this, and you have the passion for condemning me; both of us are equally fools, equally the toys of destiny. Your nature is to do harm, mine is to love truth, and to make it public in spite of you. - Voltaire
  • sonicreducer
    sonicreducer Posts: 713
    oops
    you're a real hooker. im gonna slap you in public.
    ~Ron Burgundy
  • Evacuation Rules
    Evacuation Rules Posts: 2,162
    Where I live, the word "nigger" is used to describe anybody who's "got game". I have black, white, asian, latino, serbian, and gay friends and we all refer to each other as "nigger" affectionately.

    When John Lennon said "Woman Is The Nigger Of The World", he wasn't talking about black people.

    Words can have different meanings and connotations.

    Banning a word = a bad idea

    Why aren't "black leaders" up in arms about *all* racial and sexual slurs?
  • Songburst
    Songburst Posts: 1,195
    JWBusher wrote:
    Where I live, the word "nigger" is used to describe anybody who's "got game". I have black, white, asian, latino, serbian, and gay friends and we all refer to each other as "nigger" affectionately.

    When John Lennon said "Woman Is The Nigger Of The World", he wasn't talking about black people.

    Words can have different meanings and connotations.

    Banning a word = a bad idea

    Why aren't "black leaders" up in arms about *all* racial and sexual slurs?

    So you're the reason Dave Chappelle doesn't do his show anymore. I can't stand it when people call each other niggers. It sounds so gay.
    1/12/1879, 4/8/1156, 2/6/1977, who gives a shit, ...
  • sonicreducer
    sonicreducer Posts: 713
    the term "nigger" is really complicated with the connotations and the blah, blah, blah,...


    don't say it. if one person thinks it is mean, don't say it. don't call fat people fat. don't call the short kid stubby. what is the big fucking deal? be nice,...
    you're a real hooker. im gonna slap you in public.
    ~Ron Burgundy
  • cornnifer
    cornnifer Posts: 2,130
    JWBusher wrote:

    Why aren't "black leaders" up in arms about *all* racial and sexual slurs?

    Um,... because they're BLACK leaders. Their foremost job is to represent their community. It isn't that they're o.k. with "all slurs". If a school building catches fire, i'm getting MY son out first. When i know for sure My son is safe, then, and only then, can i concentrate on getting some other kids out. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
    "When all your friends and sedatives mean well but make it worse... better find yourself a place to level out."

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