| Jul 4, 2007 @ 4:29 PM |
the n word
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onoudn
Posts: 6,354
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The truth is I hate the word. I can't even type it. Nor do I think it should be used by anyone. But the fact of the matter is it has a different context when used in slang on the streets, and culturally among people of african american heritage, than it does outside of that culture. Yet, some people want to pretend as if they don't understand that. They point at african american's who use the slang version with apparent resentment, or even envy, and assert it as an example of some sort of reverse discrimination. But, are you really so confused about words, phrases, actions, and etc, having different meanings in the context of certain cultures, than outside those cultures?
I don't consider myself to be that intelligent yet I can understand I can't do or say certain things soley due to cultural differences? And if I didn't, I think that it would be a matter of respect for me to learn. I think by refusing to learn what other cultures find offensive by outsiders is just part of being tolerant.
[Edited on 7/4/2007 4:39 PM]
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| Jul 4, 2007 @ 4:37 PM |
the n word |
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eastham
Posts: 7,907
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As I typed in another post, I think that Dick Gregory's great experiment to reduce the sting of the word by co-opting its use has largely failed.
Several hundred years ago, the word "paddy" was the n-word of its time. My relatives came to the US from Ireland and the only land they were allowed to farm was swamp in Bethlehem, CT on a road named Paddy's Hollow. When they walked to mass on Sunday, the locals threw rotten vegetables at them.
As the Irish moved up the immigrant food chain, they didn't embrace the word paddy, they forced the culture to stop using it. The result (and it is not the same in the UK) is that most Americans of Irish descent have no reaction to the terms paddy-wagon and paddy-whacked and don't know St. Paddy's Day is a slur.
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| Jul 4, 2007 @ 4:48 PM |
the n word
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onoudn
Posts: 6,354
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Americans of Irish descent have no reaction to the terms paddy-wagon and paddy-whacked and don't know St. Paddy's Day is a slur.
This is the kind of example I'm looking for. You just explained that the word is offensive to some. I'm not that culture I only know what you just explained. So, here is what I'm going to do. I'm not going to use that word anymore. I'm not going worry whether all Irish people find it offensive, or if some use the word as slang or anything else. I'm just going to stop. And thanks for letting me know this.
Now in the case of the n word. Some african americans, way back in the day, started using it in a sarcastic, mocking way, maybe for the same purpose Dick Gregory had in mind. But the word is not spoken the same. It is slang. The slang word has a different meaning. Its a matter of the context it is used in, just like every other word.
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| Jul 4, 2007 @ 4:50 PM |
the n word |
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kjac
Posts: 8,163
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Thanks for the info eastham. I wasn't aware it was a slur either.
But as for the OP, I suppose it's no different than referring to illegal immigrants as "wetbacks". 
In my opinion, if you don't like hearing a word, you stop saying it. And that includes the 56 times the word in reference was used in one DMX "song".
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| Jul 4, 2007 @ 4:58 PM |
the n word
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jamminjerry
Posts: 4,085
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and so simian, you will agree with me as to the punishment of those that use the N word?. i followed you in anotherthread.
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| Jul 4, 2007 @ 5:02 PM |
the n word |
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eastham
Posts: 7,907
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Well, it will be seen if rap does really clean up its act.
Jerry, I know that you meant well in your postings on the previous thread, to hold others accountable for using an objectionable word, but sometimes our sarcasm doesn't translate well in this forum and I think that this was the case. You didn't mean to be hurtful, but you were.
[Edited on 7/4/2007 5:07 PM]
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| Jul 4, 2007 @ 5:05 PM |
the n word
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dixiepixie
Posts: 869
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onoudn
The truth is I hate the word. I can't even type it. Nor do I think it should be used by anyone.
Those who hate the word and don't think it should be used by anyone do not make excuses or justifications why some should be able to use the word.
A true hate of the use of the word means we don't rationalize why some should be able to say it.
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| Jul 4, 2007 @ 5:05 PM |
the n word |
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onoudn
Posts: 6,354
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I don't think you understand kjac. This is not the only word in the world that has more than one meaning. For example I can tell my Vet brothers that I love them. But it doesn't mean the same thing as when I tell my girlfriend I love her, or my mom; or, if I say I love hot dogs on the 4th of July. Its the context that it is used in that makes all the difference. For all intent and purposes the "slang" word and the other have almost opposite meanings. It really does surprise me that its that hard to understand. omg....now I bet someone is going to look it up in the online dictionary.
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| Jul 4, 2007 @ 5:10 PM |
the n word
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graywolf
Posts: 44,520
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well stated dixie. There are many other words just like this one that should be avoided and ignored and which I personally do not normally use but for illustration I will try to mention a few here. How about, kike, nazi, redskin, half breed, gringo, pollock, potato eater, white trash, trailer trash, rag heads and many many others. We in today's society should not be using any of these words but there are some who feel it is there right regardless of what others think.
[Edited on 7/4/2007 5:20 PM]
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| Jul 4, 2007 @ 5:11 PM |
the n word |
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onoudn
Posts: 6,354
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dixie
I'm just trying to breed a little understanding here. Sorry if my explanation are not as equal as yours. I'm doing the best I can do. Having said that. What are you doing to try to understand my perspective? It seems like all you want to do is criticize everything I try to explain.
I didn't bring about the history of the n word. It happened all on its owns beyond my ability to control. I'm just trying to provide a little clarity to those who my not understand why it has and will still continue to be used as is.
[Edited on 7/4/2007 5:15 PM]
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| Jul 4, 2007 @ 5:13 PM |
the n word
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graywolf
Posts: 44,520
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O, actually there are several differnet types of love and while they were all translated as "love" if youtrace back to the original language you will find totally different meaning.
Love of a friend.
Love of a parent for a child or a child for a parent.
Love for others(Humanity).
Love of a man and woman.
Love of a pet.
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| Jul 4, 2007 @ 5:24 PM |
the n word |
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onoudn
Posts: 6,354
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I thought I was using love as an example of the many different meanings one word can have. It seemed like there was confusion over that. This is shocking to me. I learned about such things early on in life.
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| Jul 4, 2007 @ 5:25 PM |
the n word
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eastham
Posts: 7,907
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While I don't think that the word nazi is nor should it be a synomym for German, I wouldn't put this word in the same category as the others. It is a term for a member of a particular political party. I don't think the members of the current American Nazi Party find the term objectionable.
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| Jul 4, 2007 @ 5:25 PM |
the n word |
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dixiepixie
Posts: 869
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onoudn
dixie
I just trying to breed a little understanding here. Sorry if my explanation are not as equal as yours. I'm doing the best I can do. Having said that. What are you doing to try to understand my perspective? It seems like all you want to do is criticize everything I try to explain.
Good one onoudn you accuse me of criticizing you but don't mention your posts criticizing me.
I look at it as the two of us see this issue differently and are both expressing our views, which is what the forums are for.
If your take on this matter is that certain people should be allowed to use the word while others are penalized and you want someone to understand the other's perspective, then you'd better come on over to my point of view because I will always see that as hypocrisy.
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| Jul 4, 2007 @ 5:27 PM |
the n word
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graywolf
Posts: 44,520
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I agree with what you said eastham but there are also those who use this as a derogatory term to refer to anyone from Germany and that is what I was referring to in my statement.
edited for spelling
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| Jul 4, 2007 @ 5:30 PM |
the n word |
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eastham
Posts: 7,907
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I understand gray, and I don't approve of its use in that manner either.
Dixie, re-read O's first post. He doesn't like the word and doesn't think anyone should use it.
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| Jul 4, 2007 @ 5:36 PM |
the n word
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onoudn
Posts: 6,354
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If your take on this matter is that certain people should be allowed to use the word while others are penalized and you want someone to understand the other's perspective, then you'd better come on over to my point of view because I will always see that as hypocrisy.
Its a culture thing dixie. Just to show what I mean. I can't go about claiming I'm proud to be a white man. Why? Cause I'm not white. Certain words have certain meaning in the context of certain cultural circumstances. Its not a matter of some people being able to use it and some not. Its a matter of it meaning something different when a person of one culture uses it than someone outside that culture. Why? Cause different cultures have different history and the words and language they use adopt in meaning to reflex that.
btw it would be nice next time someone has a problem with one of my threads to try to help get it back on track rather than going and complaining so that it can get closed 
[Edited on 7/4/2007 5:44 PM]
[Edited on 7/4/2007 5:47 PM]
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| Jul 4, 2007 @ 5:43 PM |
the n word |
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dixiepixie
Posts: 869
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eastham
Dixie, re-read O's first post. He doesn't like the word and doesn't think anyone should use it.
eastham, Do you think that I missed that? Look at my post, the 7th one down, where I highlighted his statement.
However, he went on to attempt to make excuses for, rationalize, explain away and justify why certains groups should be able to use the word by saying this
But the fact of the matter is it has a different context when used in slang on the streets, and culturally among people of african american heritage, than it does outside of that culture. Yet, some people want to pretend as if they don't understand that. They point at african american's who use the slang version with apparent resentment, or even envy, and assert it as an example of some sort of reverse discrimination. But, are you really so confused about words, phrases, actions, and etc, having different meanings in the context of certain cultures, than outside those cultures?
Again, it is hypocrisy to censor and forbid one group to use the word and make excuses why it is just fine for another group to use it.
The word shouldn't be used by anyone. No exceptions, no excuses, no justifications why one group should be able to use it and another shouldn't.
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| Jul 4, 2007 @ 5:48 PM |
the n word
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graywolf
Posts: 44,520
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O, it is your duty/responsibility to keep the thread on track as you say since you are the OP of the thread. It seems like youthe OP of this thread are taking it off track by bringing this in here also.
[Edited on 7/4/2007 5:50 PM]
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| Jul 4, 2007 @ 5:49 PM |
the n word |
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onoudn
Posts: 6,354
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Again, it is hypocrisy to censor and forbid one group to use the word and make excuses why it is just fine for another group to use it
Define hypocrisy. If the circumstances and meaning of the word change based on usage within these groups I don't find that to be hypocrisy at at all.
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