So, what do you think? Is use of the n-word acceptable online? I am also interested in any legal restrictions on its use in your country. In the USA, as far as I know, it is only disallowed by the FCC for broadcast during certain times.
Of course it's free speech. I also think it can be used in a context where it adds value to the conversation, just like any word. Although around here it's used by monkeys who have been given the toy of a socially objectionable and offensive term, so they fling it around like poo. It's not clever, and kind of crass. But at the same time, I find irritating people who get easily offended amusing as well.
I do admit that I overuse it, and that it's not really that funny. But it simply doesn't fail to provide lulz, it's amazing. All in all, on a more serious note... the word has lost much of its offensive meaning over the years. It is used so commonly and so innocently in popular culture that I simply cannot see how one can get truly offended by it without succumbing to the hypocritical notion that only black people are allowed to say it.
i use it for the lulz as well...but people don't generally take me as seriously as they do pavel (or, put it another way, people dont' make it as public as they do for him)...which i find pretty damn funny in its own right.
yeah its just a word.... and like any other word using it the wrong way lets everyone know exactly where the high water mark of your intelligence is. Come on down here to the south and say it as often as you can... I love watching white boys getting their ass beat for disrespecting other cultures.
Is it legal to use it in Canada? Don't they have some sort of a court that hears complaints from groups regarding what is written and said by individuals or groups?
I just yelled it out the window...lets see if I get arrested just to clarify...we are talking about nun-chuks right?
Hi, INAL, but in my country it isn't illegal to use it in general. But if you use it on an individual you may be sued for libel. IMHO it's not the word that causes the problem. In some contexts it might be accepted. It's the mentality behind the person using such words. In the simplest case they are tacky. Or they are racists or what you want to call them. And they should not have a place in our societies. Regards Gyro
WTF...why would it be illegal in Canada. POT is fucking legal here people. Anyways, this question is kinda stupid cause if it's okay to the person themselves, well, there's your answer. Anyways, in my opinion, if it's 'not okay' to say it in person why would it be okay to say it online?
so, we'd have to start book burnings if we banned it because african american jim doesn't establish the same reality that ****** jim does.
If free speech is conditional, it's not free speech. Either you can say what you damn well please or you can't. If you start banning words, you're setting a dangerous precedent. Of course, people shouldn't be offensive deliberately. It's just not very nice. (Though hilarity often ensues) On the other hand, people shouldn't allow themselves to be so shocked and affected by something as simple as a word. (Though if they don't, how will we amuse ourselves on the Internet?)
