"The N Word"

What do you guys think? Do you find it offensive?

Personally I don't see any reason to take offense to the word itself. A word only has the meaning that it's given. I feel like if people we're to simply not take offence to it, it would have no power.

People should take offence to hate, but not to the word itself, even if used in a hateful way. By demonizing the word you take away the focus on intent. I just don't see why people make such a big deal over racial slurs.

If you have enough common sense to see that racism is stupid, then why not just disregard it altogether? Certainly I don't mean to say that we should allow discrimination. All I'm saying is that if someone calls a black person the N word, why should they take any more offence to it than if they we're called an asshole or a bitch or something.

I think that all racial slurs should simply be insults which are specific to a certain type of person. Just like people tend to call women bitches as an insult or men assholes.

I don't see any reason for a distinction between calling a black person the N word and calling a woman a bitch. Not that either of those is a nice thing to do, but there are situations in which they are appropriate or at least common.

Basically what I'm saying is I don't understand why people give so much power to this word. I understand that it's been used in a horrible way and in horrible situations for a long time, but I don't see why we should allow the word to retain its racist meaning.

I mean no disrespect to anyone of course, and I look forward to opposing points of view. This is simply mine.

 

I'll admit that I say "The N Word" more than most people. I don't mean it in a bad way at all, and I am in no way racist.

Sometimes it just comes out... One time two of my friends were playing NHL 12 (one was white and one was black) and then the black guy scored. My friend shouts out "You fucking ******!" but he didn't mean it in a racist way, he would have said "The N Word" no matter who scored on him, and our black friend knew that so he just joined in the laughter because it was hilarious how loud he yelled ******.

 

Yeah most of the people I hang out with use it in exactly the same way.

 

i never understood why the black can use it so easy , and when a white guy is racist .
i know german and in germany language negro is a normal word . no offense using it . when my teacher first use it (she was german) i told her that word here is offensive but not in germany .

 

There are two N-words. One is spelled or sounded out with an -er at the end which is never taken so good. The other is spelled or sounded out with an -a at the end which is expressed in some hip-hop/rap music sometimes.

 

Two reasons why I choose not to use it:

1. I consider myself too intelligent to use such slurs and wouldn't want to give anyone the wrong impression about me.
2. I would not want to have the word 'slip out' during a conversation in earshot of someone who might take offense and decide to confront me. I've seen it happen, and the a-hole deserved it, but that's not the point.

 

nambla. yeah I hate those guys..

 

This makes you sound like more of a prick, than an "intelligent person".

 

I don't use it. I don't find it offensive in any way, but then again, I'm not black...I'm purple.

There are much more offensive words out there now...

Republican
Fat
Retard
Hooker
Herpes
Orange
Batman

Just to name a few

Sorry if I offended anyone.

 

I don't use words that might cause another to believe that my perspective is other than it is, so racial slurs aren't part of my vocabulary. Myself, I might find a message offensive but the words used to convey it are just tools so I don't get hung up on them.

 

It's not offensive if you drop the "er" and ad an "a."

I can't find the video since I'm on my phone, but go on YouTube and search for "English teacher N word". Also, take a look at the Boondocks version.

 

...so calling someone a fat, retarded, orange batman-hooker with herpes would be really bad then

 

I once accidently called my boyfriend a "faggot nigga" in front of a black gay man. He didn't seem to mind lol.

Words are all about intent. I jokingly use all kinds of racial and gender specific slurs. Who cares? I don't mean it. I just like to pepper my speech with horrible language for the hell of it. fuck.

However, its completely different if someone calls someone a ****** with anger and hate behind the word.

 

Never use it, don't let it used in my house.

 

dude that word is not offensive at all or racist any unless you use it in a racist way. i just got shit for saying it somewhere thanks for bringing this subject up

 

i'm too british for that, we only casually insult ginger people :afro:

 

The word "Bitch" is like a tongue in cheek term of endearment with me. I called a female friend, who I assumed knew me that well, "Bitch" one night and she went off on me. People can be more sensitive about words than we realize. It pays to be careful.

 

Follow this advice if you're looking to get your ass kicked.

 

nah black people actually respect me for using it

 

Then kick your ass??????????