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

[Dr_Patrick]

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?

 

[Harry Guerrilla]

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 doesn't express racial superiority of one race over black people.

 

[Khayembii Communique]

No, words are meaningless outside of context.

 

[MyOwnDrum]

I think, generally speaking, if a White guy uses it, it's racist, if a Black guy uses it, it's slang for 'bro'.

 

[Travelsonic]

I think, generally speaking, if a White guy uses it, it's racist, if a Black guy uses it, it's slang for 'bro'.

I think this kind of double standard is frankly sad.

 

[MyOwnDrum]

I think this kind of double standard is frankly sad.

Why is it sad? The Blacks make their own culture's rules. If they want to use the word, then it's fine with me. I'm not gonna use it.

It does seem ghetto from my perspective, but it's their business.

 

[jamesrage]

Why is it sad? The Blacks make their own culture's rules. If they want to use the word, then it's fine with me. I'm not gonna use it.

It does seem ghetto from my perspective, but it's their business.

If a word is truly disparaging and racist then it shouldn't matter who says it and what context it is used in. No one should use it. Any black person who goes around using the word nigger or nigga or some other form of that word has absolutely no business bitching about other people using the word.

 

[Caedon]

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?

It's a racist term that can be used in a manner that doesn't convey racism. I asked some of my black friends this and they told me that for them, it was a way of claiming ownership of who they were and what they were worth. Almost a 'turn attacks against us into badges of pride' type thing.

Regardless, I have a hard time seeing how someone not in that culture could use the term in a non-racist fashion.

 

[jamesrage]

It's a racist term that can be used in a manner that doesn't convey racism. I asked some of my black friends this and they told me that for them, it was a way of claiming ownership of who they were and what they were worth. Almost a 'turn attacks against us into badges of pride' type thing.

Regardless, I have a hard time seeing how someone not in that culture could use the term in a non-racist fashion.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJ_qUvpyiIU"]YouTube- Texting is Nigga Technology[/ame]

 

[Dr_Patrick]

It's a racist term that can be used in a manner that doesn't convey racism. I asked some of my black friends this and they told me that for them, it was a way of claiming ownership of who they were and what they were worth. Almost a 'turn attacks against us into badges of pride' type thing.

I've heard people say that as well. Which means that it isn't a racist term regardless of the context.

Regardless, I have a hard time seeing how someone not in that culture could use the term in a non-racist fashion.

So if a white actor says it in a movie as a character, is he a racist? Nothing is ever simply black or white like that.

 

[Goobieman]

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?

I prefer, and use, the term "Ghetto Homie".

Its clear that the 'n-word' is racist only when someone described by the 'n-word' wants it to be.

 

[digsbe]

It depends on who says it. If Harry Reid says it (in a racist context even) it's not racist, if some other white guy does then it is. Context doesn't mean anything, and the word itself has all kinds of meanings depending on the race of the individual. I personally don't like the word and I think its immature for anyone to say, but it's highly overplayed and people's careers are decimated for saying it even when they aren't racist.

 

[Dr_Patrick]

It depends on who says it. If Harry Reid says it (in a racist context even) it's not racist, if some other white guy does then it is. Context doesn't mean anything, and the word itself has all kinds of meanings depending on the race of the individual. I personally don't like the word and I think its immature for anyone to say, but it's highly overplayed and people's careers are decimated for saying it even when they aren't racist.

I think it's silly to hold anything against a word. It's just a word. It's not capable of thought or emotion. It's how the word is used and the person who is using it that way.

 

[sazerac]

Even if you're a white guy who has nothing but good feelings about blacks it just sounds racist to use that term.

 

[liblady]

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?

i think it is, regardless of the context. i think some people like to use it for shock value, not that they are necessarily racist, but the word IS inherently racist.

 

[liblady]

No, it doesn't express racial superiority of one race over black people.

it demeans one race.

 

[Harry Guerrilla]

Even if you're a white guy who has nothing but good feelings about blacks it just sounds racist to use that term.

That's because people made up a new definition of racist.

It used to mean, the belief that your race is inherently superior to another.
Now it's anything offensive to another race.

 

[liblady]

It depends on who says it. If Harry Reid says it (in a racist context even) it's not racist, if some other white guy does then it is. Context doesn't mean anything, and the word itself has all kinds of meanings depending on the race of the individual. I personally don't like the word and I think its immature for anyone to say, but it's highly overplayed and people's careers are decimated for saying it even when they aren't racist.

whose career has been decimated because they said that word when they weren't racist?

 

[Dr_Patrick]

Even if you're a white guy who has nothing but good feelings about blacks it just sounds racist to use that term.

While it may sound racist, it doesn't necessarily mean the person using it is racist. For instance, Patti Smith had a song called "Rock N' Roll Nigger", in which she uses the term "nigger" as a reference to the trailblazers and revolutionaries who are considered by many as outcasts and rebels in society, but because of their bravery make a huge difference and shape how our society changes later on. There's absolutely nothing racist about the song.

 

[Harry Guerrilla]

it demeans one race.

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.

 

[Goobieman]

i think it is, regardless of the context. i think some people like to use it for shock value, not that they are necessarily racist, but the word IS inherently racist.

So when one black guy refers to another black guy as 'n-word', he's being racist?

 

[Dr_Patrick]

i think it is, regardless of the context. i think some people like to use it for shock value, not that they are necessarily racist, but the word IS inherently racist.

So you would say the same to African Americans who now use it as a term for pride? They have turned something that many associate with negativity into something fairly positive. Are you saying that they are racist? Because that must be the case if the term is inherently racist.

 

[Catz Part Deux]

I've heard people say that as well. Which means that it isn't a racist term regardless of the context.

When white people use it, I cringe.

 

[liblady]

So you would say the same to African Americans who now use it as a term for pride? They have turned something that many associate with negativity into something fairly positive. Are you saying that they are racist? Because that must be the case if the term is inherently racist.

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.

 

[Dr_Patrick]

When white people use it, I cringe.

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.