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Is the "n word" a racist term regardless of the context?

Is the "n word a racist term regardless of the context?

  • Yes

    Votes: 8 22.9%
  • No

    Votes: 27 77.1%

  • Total voters
    35
frankly, i think it's a disgusting term, used by anyone. racist when used by non blacks, yes, for what would ever be a legitimate reason to use the word?

as for racist when used by blacks? hmm.....no, i guess not.....but i don't have black friends or family who use that term.

It is a disgusting term because it was made that way by people in the past. People automatically associate the term with negativity. I don't think that the word in and of itself is inherently racist or evil. It's just a word. No word should be given that much power. Of course, it's fairly easy for me to say this because I don't have a history with that word and it doesn't affect me the same way that it affects others. This is primarily why I don't say it because I don't want to offend anyone.
 
Nope, not racist.....;)

Frankly, I wouldn't take your assessment on the issue anymore than I would someone like David Duke. Considering that your former nickname was Coon County and from what I and others have seen on this board, you clearly hold racist views...or you are just attention starved.
 
That may be true but if used in a fit of anger, to insult, it doesn't necessarily fulfill the qualifications of it being racist.
seems to me if used by a white person it would always be used to insult, if not shock. why use it at all?
 
seems to me if used by a white person it would always be used to insult, if not shock. why use it at all?

I'm sorry, but that makes no sense to me. So let's say for instance there was a book, movie, record album or whatever that has that word in the title. If I repeat that title out loud to someone because I am referencing that particular item, it means that I'm using it to insult or shock? Give me a break.
 
It is a disgusting term because it was made that way by people in the past. People automatically associate the term with negativity. I don't think that the word in and of itself is inherently racist or evil. It's just a word. No word should be given that much power. Of course, it's fairly easy for me to say this because I don't have a history with that word and it doesn't affect me the same way that it affects others. This is primarily why I don't say it because I don't want to offend anyone.
well, i kinda hate the "c" word.......maybe in the same way.

if people automatically associate the term with something racist, which they do, then it's presumed to be negative. all the arguments in the world won't change how the word is perceived.
 
well, i kinda hate the "c" word.......maybe in the same way.

if people automatically associate the term with something racist, which they do, then it's presumed to be negative. all the arguments in the world won't change how the word is perceived.

Perception isn't the truth, though. We all have different perceptions of things.
 
Perception isn't the truth, though. We all have different perceptions of things.
do you know many people who don't perceive that word as racist? honestly? i can say that mother****ing asshole is a term of endearment, but would most people believe that?

if words aren't offensive, why are they censored on this forum? because their common usage is meant in an offensive way.
 
do you know many people who don't perceive that word as racist? honestly? i can say that mother****ing asshole is a term of endearment, but would most people believe that?

That's not what I'm saying. You are missing the point. I'm saying that the word "nigger" is not a bad in and of itself. It's a word. Just as any other word is a word, that's a word. It's how a person uses that word that makes it racist. Context is incredibly important. I never said that it was a term of endearment. In certain a certain context, however, it can be. I've seen African Americans use it with each other as a term of endearment. Hell, I've seen them use it with white people as a term of endearment. It's just a word. You can't tell me that a person using the term in a racist/derogatory context is the same as a person using it in the context of a term of endearment. I'm sorry, but that makes no sense.

if words aren't offensive, why are they censored on this forum? because their common usage is meant in an offensive way.

They are censored on this forum because the administrator chose to make this board that way. It doesn't mean that the words are inherently offensive.
 
That's not what I'm saying. You are missing the point. I'm saying that the word "nigger" is not a bad in and of itself. It's a word. Just as any other word is a word, that's a word. It's how a person uses that word that makes it racist. Context is incredibly important. I never said that it was a term of endearment. In certain a certain context, however, it can be. I've seen African Americans use it with each other as a term of endearment. Hell, I've seen them use it with white people as a term of endearment. It's just a word. You can't tell me that a person using the term in a racist/derogatory context is the same as a person using it in the context of a term of endearment. I'm sorry, but that makes no sense.



They are censored on this forum because the administrator chose to make this board that way. It doesn't mean that the words are inherently offensive.
yes, i agree, context is important. i just think 99% of the time white people use that word in an offensive manner.
 
I'm sorry, but that makes no sense to me. So let's say for instance there was a book, movie, record album or whatever that has that word in the title. If I repeat that title out loud to someone because I am referencing that particular item, it means that I'm using it to insult or shock? Give me a break.
not you, necessarily, but you can't tell me you think people normally use that word innocently.
 
frankly, i think it's a disgusting term, used by anyone. racist when used by non blacks, yes, for what would ever be a legitimate reason to use the word?

You can't think of a legitimate reason to use the word?

How about a discussion like this where we actually treat everyone like adults and not have to act like we're dealing with 2nd graders spelling out that its "time for b-e-d" for fear that someone may actually have to hear the thing we're obviously talking about.

How in the world is this question:

"Is the 'n word' a racist term regardless of context in your mind"

somehow not racist but

"Is the word 'nigger' a racist term regardless of context in your mind"

somehow racist.

Both things are saying the exact same thing. Both have the exact same context. Both have the exact same meaning behind them. However one has a person tip toeing around a word and acting like he's dealing with children because someone may be offended that he used a word that is an actual word in a context that is COMPLETELY benign, and the other simple converses like a reasonable adult is actually stating the words we mean.

This goes to other things.

If someone exclaims "Gosh Darnit, that's freaking poop" in the heat of a moment after a bad call in a sports game is that magically honestly better than "God damnit, that's ****ing ****"?

Are the words magically going to hurt someone if they hear it? Is there something magically evil in the very fabric of the word "****" that isn't present in "freak", or in "nigger" rather than "n-word"?

I agree completely the word most of the time is definitively offensive. If you're just throwing it around for no reason or for shock value, that's bad. If you're using it as a derogatory term, that's bad. I think that's true, black or white. I think the same way with **** honestly. If you're just using it to shock people or to offend people or in gentile situations or company I think its offensive, if you're using it around a bunch of guys in casual situation as a normal flow of your conversation then I don't think its all that offensive.

Context matters, and that word and all other words are going to have infinitely more power to offend, degrade, and paralyze people the more we say that it shouldn't even be uttered even when legitimate discussions happen. Furthermore, that kind of attitude is exactly part of the reason its so hard to HAVE legitimate conversations concerning the matter and is the same for most race things. One can not speak frankly, in a completely non-racist context, without immediately being declared racist and the entire conversation become derailed because you said a certain buzz word of phrase.
 
well, i kinda hate the "c" word.......maybe in the same way.

if people automatically associate the term with something racist, which they do, then it's presumed to be negative. all the arguments in the world won't change how the word is perceived.

"c" as in like...the word that rhymes with bunt? or Grunt? or hunt?
but the "n" word isnt bad. they call themselves that all the tme. its just if a white person says it then its offending.
 
You can't think of a legitimate reason to use the word?

How about a discussion like this where we actually treat everyone like adults and not have to act like we're dealing with 2nd graders spelling out that its "time for b-e-d" for fear that someone may actually have to hear the thing we're obviously talking about.

How in the world is this question:

"Is the 'n word' a racist term regardless of context in your mind"

somehow not racist but

"Is the word 'nigger' a racist term regardless of context in your mind"

somehow racist.

Both things are saying the exact same thing. Both have the exact same context. Both have the exact same meaning behind them. However one has a person tip toeing around a word and acting like he's dealing with children because someone may be offended that he used a word that is an actual word in a context that is COMPLETELY benign, and the other simple converses like a reasonable adult is actually stating the words we mean.

This goes to other things.

If someone exclaims "Gosh Darnit, that's freaking poop" in the heat of a moment after a bad call in a sports game is that magically honestly better than "God damnit, that's ****ing ****"?

Are the words magically going to hurt someone if they hear it? Is there something magically evil in the very fabric of the word "****" that isn't present in "freak", or in "nigger" rather than "n-word"?

I agree completely the word most of the time is definitively offensive. If you're just throwing it around for no reason or for shock value, that's bad. If you're using it as a derogatory term, that's bad. I think that's true, black or white. I think the same way with **** honestly. If you're just using it to shock people or to offend people or in gentile situations or company I think its offensive, if you're using it around a bunch of guys in casual situation as a normal flow of your conversation then I don't think its all that offensive.

Context matters, and that word and all other words are going to have infinitely more power to offend, degrade, and paralyze people the more we say that it shouldn't even be uttered even when legitimate discussions happen. Furthermore, that kind of attitude is exactly part of the reason its so hard to HAVE legitimate conversations concerning the matter and is the same for most race things. One can not speak frankly, in a completely non-racist context, without immediately being declared racist and the entire conversation become derailed because you said a certain buzz word of phrase.
I agree completely the word most of the time is definitively offensive.

above is my point. of course it's a hot button word, because of its historical use. maybe in 100 years, it won't be.
 
I cringe when anyone uses a term like that in a derogatory sense. For instance, one day when I was at work, one of my co-workers was talking about how much he dislikes Obama and how he watched the news and saw "all them niggers lining up eagerly to vote for him." To me, that is racist. I don't see how that can be taken any other way. It made me cringe and I was kind of boggled all day that people like that still exist. While many around where I live have fairly racist views, they aren't usually that out in the open with them. I personally don't use the word because, while I don't think the term is inherently racist, I realize that there are people who get offended by the word regardless of the context and I wouldn't want to go out of my way to offend anyone.

I remember the first time I heard it in a professional setting as an adult, I was in South Missouri working with a Job Corps recruiter, and he just threw that word out there over lunch. I almost spit my food on the table. To me, it just screams "low class."
 
I just want to see how many people think that the "n word" is inherently a racist term, or if it is more complicated than that. I personally think that context is important regardless of what the offensive term is. I wouldn't consider a person racist for using the term regardless of the context. Context is incredibly important. What does everyone else think?

No, it isn't. One doesn't have to be black to be a nigger. I know plenty of white niggers.
 
I think, generally speaking, if a White guy uses it, it's racist, if a Black guy uses it, it's slang for 'bro'.

Uhhhhhh, noooooo, it's not a compliment, or a term of endearment when a black person uses it on another black person.
 
Uhhhhhh, noooooo, it's not a compliment, or a term of endearment when a black person uses it on another black person.

That's not true. I've heard it used as a term of endearment in the past. Everyone has their own views of the word as you showed above. Not everyone feels the same way you do about the issue, nor do they feel the same way I do. We are all individuals who view things differently.
 
above is my point. of course it's a hot button word, because of its historical use. maybe in 100 years, it won't be.

Sorry, didn't realize that was your point based off:

i think it is, regardless of the context.

frankly, i think it's a disgusting term, used by anyone. racist when used by non blacks, yes, for what would ever be a legitimate reason to use the word?

seems to me if used by a white person it would always be used to insult, if not shock. why use it at all?

I see you've now possibly changed your stance to a much more reasonable one that there are ways in which it can be used in a non-racist way depending on context. My post was being typed prior to you seemingly reaching that position and going off your multiple prior statements
 
Though my view is not PC, I only associate the n-word with African American gang bangers or the like.

An honest living African American is not deserving of the term. They deserve the respect of every other person.

I have nothing against African Americans but gang bangers of any race make me mad.
 
That's not true. I've heard it used as a term of endearment in the past. Everyone has their own views of the word as you showed above. Not everyone feels the same way you do about the issue, nor do they feel the same way I do. We are all individuals who view things differently.

Trust me, it's not true. It's the same as calling your wife/gf, "bitch". You might get away with it, but there's nothing polite, complimentary, or endearing about it.
 
No.

Take any word out there.

Only when the person writing or speaking it means it in a derogatory manner does it become so.

That said, some words have gained a certain amount of inherent negativity, due to their popularization as such in most persons thinking.

For example, if I hear the word “nigger”, I automatically think “Is that person racist?”

I then examine further possibilities, while still having that first thought in the back of my mind.

So, in general, it is a negative word to use. Although I am sure there is a positive way to use it…
 
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Trust me, it's not true. It's the same as calling your wife/gf, "bitch". You might get away with it, but there's nothing polite, complimentary, or endearing about it.

So suddenly you can speak for every single person who has used the term? :roll:
 
So suddenly you can speak for every single person who has used the term? :roll:

I can speak for my culture, sure. If I said to my parent's, "nigga' please!", or, "'sup, muh nigga?", can you imagine the ass whippin' I would get?

Anyone, black or white, that thinks there's any kind of positive connotation to the word, "nigger", has alotta growing up to do.
 
I can speak for my culture, sure. If I said to my parent's, "nigga' please!", or, "'sup, muh nigga?", can you imagine the ass whippin' I would get?

You are speaking for your personal experience. Not everyone is the same.

Anyone, black or white, that thinks there's any kind of positive connotation to the word, "nigger", has alotta growing up to do.

Whether or not you think they are grown up has nothing to do with it. If they mean it as a term of endearment, they mean it as a term of endearment. Your personal opinion of it has no bearing on that.
 
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