Just a lil' curious here

[DngrMse]

But why is the word '******' censored? Those who want to use this particular word for it's shock value, and to demonstrate what loyal skin-head-nazi-fucks they are can do so by adding spaces between the letters, switching letters with numbers, or whatever. Why do you give this one word so much power? Because of crap like this, here at 'discussanything', there are some things I can't discuss without using baby language. I gave that up when I was two.

And here, at 'discussanything', I can call a cunt a cunt, no problem, no questions asked, have a nice day....but if I attempt to type out the dreaded "N" word, I'm censored. I can't even discuss classic literature without it's quoted text reduced to an incomprehensible series of '*******' betwixt every few words.

I can talk about porn. Or cunts. Or Kikes. Or Wops. Or Beaners. Or Chinks. Japs. Slopes. Etc. Etc. Etc. Heck, I can even say 'Canadian', if I wanted to foul my own mouth with that disgusting word, (not that I ever would). But, when it comes to Joseph Conrad, I hit a brick wall here. I can't even repeat the title of his novel. No...it's just to horrible to comprehend, and it's one of the most touching, and well written classic novels I've read.

And here....I can't even discuss the novel. All because some people have decided that one word in the English language is just too horrible for you civilized folks to even see.

Fucking prudes, and Canadians, the lot of you. :/

[UhOhXplode]

Everything offends ****s so I just call them ****s. If I was a author and I had to write anything about ****s I would still just call them ****s. Well that would really suck so I just wont ever write about ****s.

[enola]

I will find the N word offensive when blacks stop using it themselves. Until then, its just another word anyone should be able to use.

[Malcolm Wright]

I will find the N word offensive when blacks stop using it themselves. Until then, its just another word anyone should be able to use.

You're entitled to your opinion, but that's as logical a statement as saying:

"I will find pooping on the sidewalk offensive when Chinese people stop doing it, until then, its just another thing people should be able to do".

[enola]

You're entitled to your opinion, but that's as logical a statement as saying:

"I will find pooping on the sidewalk offensive when Chinese people stop doing it, until then, its just another thing people should be able to do".

Do chinese people shit on the sidewalk? I am not aware of that. Got proof of that or is it just your opinion? If a word is derogatory to a whole race of people, then it should be derogatory for them to use it against themselves.

[Malcolm Wright]

Do chinese people shit on the sidewalk? I am not aware of that. Got proof of that or is it just your opinion? If a word is derogatory to a whole race of people, then it should be derogatory for them to use it against themselves.

I didn't realize analogy would be problematic for you.
I am not claiming Chinese people poop on the side walk. I'm illustrating in what way I find your stance irrational. Just because someone else does something shouldn't make it something desirable for others to do.

News flash, black people are not a group to be lumped together in this generalized way, unless of course you are racist.
Some blacks use that word, others don't. If you take the behavior of one part of the group and use that to determine the whole group, you're thinking like a racist.

I'll try another analogy, maybe it will work better now that you've caught on that I'm using it. Some men whip themselves. Does it follow that it is ok for you to whip any man you come across?

[enola]

I get what you are saying. What I AM saying is, it is kind of hard to stop such disparaging words when it is used by the very people it insults.
N***** come in all colors, not just black. Do I use the term? No. I was raised to not say such rude things, any more than I would call an Italian a Wop or an asian a Slanty Eye/Gook or a Mexican a Spic. However, having that word filtered out is silly. Cunt is extremely insulting to all women.Do some women use it? Yes. But not as much as the N word is bandied about in songs BY blacks then expecting anyone not black to not do the same thing. It's a double standard and silly. When blacks understand that, THEN we can all look askance at racist people who use it. Until it is stopped by ALL, it's just another nasty word..like fuck.

[enola]

And there is no need to get all snarky on me either. I understand analogy very well. I am stating my opinion. Take it or leave it but being rude is not needed.

[Malcolm Wright]

I get what you are saying. What I AM saying is, it is kind of hard to stop such disparaging words when it is used by the very people it insults.
N***** come in all colors, not just black. Do I use the term? No. I was raised to not say such rude things, any more than I would call an Italian a Wop or an asian a Slanty Eye/Gook or a Mexican a Spic. However, having that word filtered out is silly. Cunt is extremely insulting to all women.Do some women use it? Yes. But not as much as the N word is bandied about in songs BY blacks then expecting anyone not black to not do the same thing. It's a double standard and silly. When blacks understand that, THEN we can all look askance at racist people who use it. Until it is stopped by ALL, it's just another nasty word..like fuck.

Sorry but that's not exactly true. The N word carries a very heavy history on its back. One in which it was used by whites against blacks, and represented a system in which white person could seriously beat or kill a black person on a whim, with little to no consequence. Historically, the word was used as a reminder by a white person to the black person of their almost complete lack of rights.

Given the circumstances, I find it strange that some people don't understand that it is not the same thing for black person to use the word as it is for a white person to. Maybe you can help me understand. Is it because you don't understand the history? Or is it because you are jealous that word you wouldn't use anyway is somehow less appropriate for you to use than it is for some other people? What exactly is it?

[Malcolm Wright]

And there is no need to get all snarky on me either. I understand analogy very well. I am stating my opinion. Take it or leave it but being rude is not needed.

I wasn't being snarky or rude. You took my analogy and treated it as literal. I can be excused for thinking perhaps you don't work well with analogy: many people don't.

[enola]

I am not stupid. I know the history of the N word. But isn't that why they fought so hard to rise above it? Why Rosa Parks refused to move in the bus? It is a disgusting word, regardless of history. The rebel flag is historical too, but to some, it is for what was and is part of the history that made this nation what it is...divided still. However, to some, the flag represents the N word as well.
We can go back and forth on this all day and will have to wait because I am preparing for bed and too tired to debate the pros and cons of why rappers and "some" blacks still use it towards each other. What I'm saying is, if they want that word..if EVERYONE wants that word to be stopped being used, then ALL should stop using it. Until that happens, its just another word to me that is as gross as the word Cunt (which you failed to address in MY analogy).

[Malcolm Wright]

I am not stupid. I know the history of the N word. But isn't that why they fought so hard to rise above it? Why Rosa Parks refused to move in the bus? It is a disgusting word, regardless of history. The rebel flag is historical too, but to some, it is for what was and is part of the history that made this nation what it is...divided still. However, to some, the flag represents the N word as well.
We can go back and forth on this all day and will have to wait because I am preparing for bed and too tired to debate the pros and cons of why rappers and "some" blacks still use it towards each other. What I'm saying is, if they want that word..if EVERYONE wants that word to be stopped being used, then ALL should stop using it. Until that happens, its just another word to me that is as gross as the word Cunt (which you failed to address in MY analogy).

I didn't address it because I think it is perfectly ok for a woman to consider a man should not use the word, even if she does. I'd respect her feelings on the matter. And it bears less distinct history than the N word.

And you're missing my point: if you understand the history, then you should understand that it is not just another gross word. We speak to convey meaning to each other, and we do that by choosing our words. Language is contextual by definition, and the same word can mean a different thing depending on where it is spoken, how it is said, and WHO says it to WHOM. Your attitude ignores this fact.

M.

[enola]

You are black then?
My point is, if it is a bad word, then even you should not use it even though history reflects the usage of the word in a disparaging manner. I am caucasian. I don't call my friends Crackers or Honky's that are also caucasian. And I do not call my black friends the N word even though I love them and it is in a joking manner because it is offensive. I can't imagine singing a song using any of those terms, no matter the "history".
My "attitude" is it is not a very nice term. BUT....as long as it is "popular" amongst blacks to call each other that, then it is hypocritical to cry foul when it IS used by those other than black.
Dyke is another word that falls in that category. Some lesbians call each other dyke or bull dyke. Or lesbos. I am none of the above. I am straight, white, and of european ancestry...mainly german and irish. I would find it extremely offensive to be called a nazi or a lazy irishwoman. My husband in native american. He would pound anyone that called him an injun. Even in joking around with other native americans.
The meaning you are conveying to each other is making the N word something other than what is is. Disrespect. History or not.

[enola]

We are disagreeing tonight and I must say goodnight. Perhaps we can have a meeting of the mind in some form or another, another time. My brain is shutting down....so I wish you a good evening, Malcom.

[Malcolm Wright]

You are black then?

Yes.

My point is, if it is a bad word, then even you should not use it even though history reflects the usage of the word in a disparaging manner.

I don't use it. But I can see that it is not the same thing when a black person uses it in jest, or even as an expression of brotherhood, and when a white person uses it referring to a black person he doesn't like. Why can't you see that?

I am caucasian. I don't call my friends Crackers or Honky's that are also caucasian. And I do not call my black friends the N word even though I love them and it is in a joking manner because it is offensive. I can't imagine singing a song using any of those terms, no matter the "history".

You are constantly talking about yourself - and in this example, I think your position is a very honorable one. But we're talking universally here. You need to be able to conceptualize that a black person can use a sensitive word with another black person with very different results than if a I white person uses the same word with a black person. Its not right, its not wrong: but it is certainly understandable and its the way it is, and may be for some time still.

My "attitude" is it is not a very nice term. BUT....as long as it is "popular" amongst blacks to call each other that, then it is hypocritical to cry foul when it IS used by those other than black.

No it is not hypocritical. You just don't get it.
Here is a loose analogy. A toilet is a toilet on the face of things. But is it hypocritical for a woman to get upset if a man enters the ladies room? After all, SHE enters the ladies room all the time, so why can't he? Answer: because he's not a lady. His presence there is offensive and threatening because of context. I explained to you that you are failing to recognize the importance of context in language, but you ignored me.

M.

[Malcolm Wright]

We are disagreeing tonight and I must say goodnight. Perhaps we can have a meeting of the mind in some form or another, another time. My brain is shutting down....so I wish you a good evening, Malcom.

Have a good night Enola!

[Ratbag]

I agree with Enola... I think if a word is offensive to people when used because it is reminicent of bad history it should not be used in any way joking or otherwise, by anyone. I cannot comprehend saying something is offensive to me, and then doing it myself. That's pretty much it in a nutshell.... we have different terms here, but the context is the same.

[Malcolm Wright]

I agree with Enola... I think if a word is offensive to people when used because it is reminicent of bad history it should not be used in any way joking or otherwise, by anyone. I cannot comprehend saying something is offensive to me, and then doing it myself. That's pretty much it in a nutshell.... we have different terms here, but the context is the same.

I think what a lot of people have trouble understanding is that it can be part of the healing process for an oppressed people to take ownership of the words that defined their oppression, and to transmute them into a personal meaning - a use that disarms the original meaning when used amongst themselves.

It seems obvious to me, but then again I'm black so I should allow that it isn't obvious to someone who has not lived through it, or does not have an in depth appreciation for psychology.

Enola's take is that such appropriation is hypocrisy, but its not. It is the legacy of abuse. It is neither wrong nor right, it just is. And it will melt away with time. Meanwhile, why care? Since it is a word nobody seems to want to use anyway, why not just let those black folks who want to use it do so and understand its just part of the process?

[Ratbag]

I like to think of myself as colourblind, I have trouble to be honest even diferentiating between a lot of folks. Sure, there are obvious exceptions, but about 50% of people in my area I couldn't attempt to either define their race or percentages of whatever this and that I don't know and couldn''t care to try even if someone asked.....

As I said, we have different words here, and I generally find these used by that 50%, not the easily defined peoples of races. Being this way... why would I hear someone say a horrible word and think.... oh no, that's lovely it's just someone "taking ownership"? what I hear is someone saying something horrible, and that is only because I am not a racist person.


* Plus there is the whole explaining to my kids why they should accept their friends saying things in everyday chit chat that they could be expelled from saying at school.... is an awfully tough conversation to explain whilst trying to bring up colourblind kids. Which in all other respects I think I've succeeded at.

[Misteria]

Ask a chinese dude when last did they get an election and he will answer you:
" ahhh dis morning "

yeah I know its a shit joke but when I swear on here I try to do it in a subtle or direct way so as to avoid offending...

thats if!