J Lo used that word as a term of endearment, and her boyfriend at the time didn't mind, so why should I? Intent is EVERYTHING. btw, I agree with TJ. When I hear anybody use the N word, the first thing I think is that the offensive person has a limited vocabulary.
Hey lil, if you're interested, some harvard professor wrote a well received book about the N word and its history and usage last year; here's the link to the Amazon listing http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0375713719/qid=1053109310/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_1/104-7645206-0937514
I don't know about anybody else...but I can't think of a good time for me to use that word. I don't use it. And it makes me uncomfortable when others do.
If you would bother to use some sort of logic you would realize why I started this thread. The question my girlfriend asked me and the answer I gave her. I wanted to see if my answer was with the majority of the people's thoughts or not, I believe it is called sampling. It doesn't bother me, it's just a way of getting other people's opinions on the subject. Geez,
Completely irrelevant. How often do you find yourself reading Huck Finn or To Kill a Mockingbird to a group of children? Point is that most black people find the n-word damn offensive if they hear a non-black guy uttering it. It evokes images of slavery, oppression, segregation, and racism. One of my best friends is black, and I lived with him for two years. Never once used the n-word, in front of him.
Do you mean you think it is good or bad in Huck Finn? I think it is bad and when my class had to read the book in the 7th grade the teacher blacked out the words.
I have found that most black people I know over the age of 30 find the word offensive. My age group has become used to the word being an everyday sort of thing...sad but true.
Apples and oranges. I realize that black strangers will be offended if I use the N word, so if I were to say it, my intent would clearly be to offend them. Thus, I would never do that. My only argument is that the word itself has no power. Some people in our society feel powerless though, and use the word as a way to control the speech and actions of others. Demonizing a person who uses the N word without bad intent is as bad as racism itself. Both practices are born of ignorance. ....the pc crowd has this one wrong.
Since Huck Finn is a book in which a young white boy accepts a black man as a human being of consequence, and some contemporary black scholors feel that the book is an important turning point in positively changing cultural stereotypes in America, I would say that your teacher made a huge mistake. Deleting the N word in Huck Finn or like books eliminates the history of an ugly part of our past, and we all know what George Santayana said about that- Those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it!
My logic shows me that alot of people in this world worry about a lot of insignificant things. Don't say it. Period, how about that for logic. How hard is that? It may not be right for blacks to be able to say it or not, but really did it require a discussion with her to get her to accept that she just shouldn't say it.
Personally, I think the teacher did the right thing. I think you would be hard pressed to find any 7th grader who would completely understand the historical implications you stated above. The term in question has too much of a negative connotation to expect 12 year olds to be able to rationalize it in the manner you suggested. I agree that Huck Finn is an important story that should be read by all but give these kids till High School to mature enough to be able to interpret material that contains racially insensitive dialog. As for the poll I voted for the bottom option because the term suggests racial inequity but from school and other public places I have heard people use it in a euphemistic manner.
OK, about intent again.....would you think it would be ok if a young white man said to a young black man this: "What's up my n***a?" or "What's up n***a?" Here's why I ask. Timing, I believe, mentioned something about a group of people take ownership of a word that is offensive to them and change it to undermine the power or harshnes of the word to thme. [<-----PARAPHRASED] Well, if that is the case and you both think that is a good point, why would it be OK for that white person to say it since the n-word is not used to offend white people in any negative way. (I'm not disagreeing with you just wanting more information and opinions. )
I have a couple of black friends, they don't even really care about it, They think racism is funny as long as your joking about it. I mean we say a lot of things that would be offensive to most, but to us its just all in fun. I would never use any words like that around anyone that wasn't ok with it though.
what are you, a lawyer? my contracts professor used to come up with hypothetical situations like this. i generally don't appreciate the word...i would absolutely be uncomfortable reading it out loud to children...particularly without some explanation of the word and the context of the book.
Like I said, I gave her my opinion on why people may think it is OK for blacks to use the word freely and not others and I told her I don't like it either way. I just wanted MORE opinions to maybe give HER a little more input, so yes it required a discussion. I believe the forum description clearly states: Politics, Religion, RACE and other heated topics you wouldn't fire away on in polite conversation. Not for the weak of heart. If you don't like my topic and why I started it, simply don't read or post in it.
QUESTION: What is the worse thing your wife/mother/family ever called you . . . maybe still call you to razz u? is it ok for everyone to call you that? I mean . . . .Once u heard your boss's wife call him a b*tch Goto him . . and call him a b*tch . . .then when he gets upset tell him . . .. WELL YOUR WIFE CALLED YOU THAT . . .WHY CAN'T I???? Rocket River I don't think it should be used at all . . ..
