Quizzes & Puzzles61 mins ago
Is 'the N word' offensive or just acceptable everyday slang?
I would appear to be the latter in Australia:
http://www.dailymail....N-word-offensive.html
Would any Ab'er use the phrase in front of a black person they didn't know, and if so, in what context?
http://www.dailymail....N-word-offensive.html
Would any Ab'er use the phrase in front of a black person they didn't know, and if so, in what context?
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The increasingly common use of the 'n' word within black 'circles' (so to speak) also raises the issue of permitted usage. For example, how black does one have to be?
What happens when a person is third or fourth generation mixed race who cannot be accurately described as either black or white - can they use the word with impunity? Just what do the specific levels of melanin in your skin have to be above in order for a person to have permission to use the word without causing offence?
What happens when a person is third or fourth generation mixed race who cannot be accurately described as either black or white - can they use the word with impunity? Just what do the specific levels of melanin in your skin have to be above in order for a person to have permission to use the word without causing offence?
I know. That's precisely what I'm saying.
It seems ludicrous to me that we appear to be condoning a two-tier system of communication whereby it's deemed okay for one section of society to use particular words but it's wrong and offensive for another section of society to use those exact same words.
It makes no sense and I believe it's counter productive as it plays straight into the hands of bigots who leap on the opportunity to say (not unreasonably), “Well, if they're using it, I'll use it.”.
As I said earlier – if a word is deemed to be offensive then it is offensive no matter who says it.
It seems ludicrous to me that we appear to be condoning a two-tier system of communication whereby it's deemed okay for one section of society to use particular words but it's wrong and offensive for another section of society to use those exact same words.
It makes no sense and I believe it's counter productive as it plays straight into the hands of bigots who leap on the opportunity to say (not unreasonably), “Well, if they're using it, I'll use it.”.
As I said earlier – if a word is deemed to be offensive then it is offensive no matter who says it.
Missnemesis -
As far as I understand it, it's done by general consensus brought about through the media and social interaction. Words become 'unacceptable' for various different cultural and social reasons. The mechanisms by which this happens are highly complex and I don't claim to understand them. Sometimes however, it comes from the courts who deem a word to be inherently racists or offensive.
For example, there was a court case a few years ago that ruled that the word, “***” is in itself a racist word. It's not a ruling I agree with as I think it's simply a foreshortening of the word Pakistani. However, I very rarely hear that word any more and I certainly don't use it in case I cause offence.
As far as I understand it, it's done by general consensus brought about through the media and social interaction. Words become 'unacceptable' for various different cultural and social reasons. The mechanisms by which this happens are highly complex and I don't claim to understand them. Sometimes however, it comes from the courts who deem a word to be inherently racists or offensive.
For example, there was a court case a few years ago that ruled that the word, “***” is in itself a racist word. It's not a ruling I agree with as I think it's simply a foreshortening of the word Pakistani. However, I very rarely hear that word any more and I certainly don't use it in case I cause offence.
Although I am "caucasian" as per race identification...With dark hair,eyes and summer tanned skin,in the 70s i was yelled at "you're only an ole ***"....I felt the abuse then and it was quite shocking:-(...I was just a colour...or race...not a person. That gave me a very small insight on what its like to be non white...and it was horrible:-(...To be clear then...the P word is not only offensive...it FEELS offensive.
SP sorry its taken a while to get back. you say that White people would still use it....if they did and black people didnt say it as well then they would have no comeback and would clearly be in the wrong.
lets just get rid if these words by not using them in any kind of context at all!
also birdie your point about who can use the n word....There is a jeniffer lopez song called play and she used the N word....a lot of people were like "is she 'allowed' to say that word?"
lets just get rid if these words by not using them in any kind of context at all!
also birdie your point about who can use the n word....There is a jeniffer lopez song called play and she used the N word....a lot of people were like "is she 'allowed' to say that word?"
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