Do you feel Racial Slurs can be used in a way that isn't racist?

Alright, got a feeling this topic is going to get a little hairy. Please try to be kind :)

So here's my thoughts, swearing can be used in a derogatory manner, however people can also use it when they stub their toe ect.

If someone were to say "f*** you" then clearly they're trying to offend you, and you're allowed to take offense.

If someone were to stub their toe, and say "f***" then clearly they have no intent on insulting anyone, and that was mearly their word of choice. So no-one should take offense to that swear, in that particular situation.

As such i feel that "swear words" are a part of the english language, and although they can be used in an offensive manner, they shouldn't be taboo.

Now onto the topic:

If someone were to say "**** you, you N*****" to an African Ameircan they're clearly using the N word in a derogatory manner, and can thus be labeled as a racist for using racial slurs.

HOWEVER, if someone were to say "Back in the 1920's, it was totally normal to call black people n*****s". Their intent is to educate, and thus they do not mean to insult anyone via that racial slur.

Question: Do you think it's alright to use Racial Slurs in a manner that doesn't intentionally hurt others. Such as Educating people on why these words are wrong? Or should we just ban these words, so no-one can say them ever?

Racial slurs don't have to have anything to do with racism. The definition of the word seems have gotten lost in this over-PC culture we live in now.

Isn't racism when you say your race is superior over another? I think people are loosely using the word 'racism' nowadays DroidPhysX

Yes. You answered your own question in your post. /threadthegerg

Racial slurs don't have to have anything to do with racism. The definition of the word seems have gotten lost in this over-PC culture we live in now.

Pirate700

[QUOTE="DroidPhysX"]Isn't racism when you say your race is superior over another? I think people are loosely using the word 'racism' nowadays Nibroc420

[QUOTE="DroidPhysX"]

Isn't racism when you say your race is superior over another? I think people are loosely using the word 'racism' nowadays

Nibroc420

Yes, however some people have used words to describe races and put them down. N***** may just mean "Black person, African American" But it seems to have gained a negative connotation. However at the same rate, we could easily ban words like "Fat, Ugly," Not trying to draw any lines connecting those words to African Americans. However words such as "Fat, Ugly" are often used in negative tones to bully people. Should we ban those too?

Of couse. Being kept in the dark is the best way to avoid seeing inconveniences.

Hugs for everyone!

[QUOTE="Nibroc420"][QUOTE="DroidPhysX"]Isn't racism when you say your race is superior over another? I think people are loosely using the word 'racism' nowadays DroidPhysX

Racial slurs don't have to have anything to do with racism. The definition of the word seems have gotten lost in this over-PC culture we live in now.

Pirate700

Of course they do. That doesn't mean that they're racist in any context, but I don't see how one could say that they have nothing to do with racism.

racial conflicts is not the same as curse words but w/e. "Curse" words are beautiful and have powerful meanings. Anyone looks at a word and thing it should be banned is messed up in their head. The people who use a word in a way to hurt someone should be banned.

As long as a word is never overused or abused then it's 100% ok. I can't stand anyone that gets freaked out and scared at the simple "curse" word used in any possible way.

There was a boondocks episode where one of the characters called blue-tooth audio "N**** technology" otherwise known as "lazy." Or at least what I think they meant to call it. So yeah, maybe. I mean, we say insulting words that are fun to say but had a meaning to a certain group of people.

As for banning racial slurs, no. There are a lot of reasons but I don't feel like giving it out. Just no.

Just to put it out there n*** isnt really negative anymore its like saying bro. No matter the race my white freinds saying and ive seen hispanics and koreans use it.RYDERFTN

It is certainly negative if it ends with an "er".

Try saying the n word to a black person and see what happens.

Just to put it out there n*** isnt really negative anymore its like saying bro. No matter the race my white freinds saying and ive seen hispanics and koreans use it.RYDERFTN

Just to put it out there n*** isnt really negative anymore its like saying bro. No matter the race my white freinds saying and ive seen hispanics and koreans use it.RYDERFTN

.. Lets have them say that to blacks and see how they react...

i use racial slurs all the time in non offensive ways. never had a black friend complain when i use the N word they're just words. if someone gets offended by them then who cares? not my problem, its theirsmems_1224

Words have meaning. Words are "things" and they can be offensive.

[QUOTE="RYDERFTN"]Just to put it out there n*** isnt really negative anymore its like saying bro. No matter the race my white freinds saying and ive seen hispanics and koreans use it.GreySeal9

It is certainly negative if it ends with an "er".

Try saying the n word to a black person and see what happens.

[QUOTE="RYDERFTN"]Just to put it out there n*** isnt really negative anymore its like saying bro. No matter the race my white freinds saying and ive seen hispanics and koreans use it.Nibroc420

Why do people view the words the way they do? Because of history.

As for the bolded. good decision. There's no reason you need to use the n word.

[QUOTE="RYDERFTN"]Just to put it out there n*** isnt really negative anymore its like saying bro. No matter the race my white freinds saying and ive seen hispanics and koreans use it.GreySeal9

It is certainly negative if it ends with an "er".

Try saying the n word to a black person and see what happens.

Yeah.. look at dave chapelle's standup.

i use racial slurs all the time in non offensive ways. never had a black friend complain when i use the N word they're just words. if someone gets offended by them then who cares? not my problem, its theirsmems_1224

[QUOTE="RYDERFTN"]Just to put it out there n*** isnt really negative anymore its like saying bro. No matter the race my white freinds saying and ive seen hispanics and koreans use it.sSubZerOo

.. Lets have them say that to blacks and see how they react...

[QUOTE="GreySeal9"]

[QUOTE="RYDERFTN"]Just to put it out there n*** isnt really negative anymore its like saying bro. No matter the race my white freinds saying and ive seen hispanics and koreans use it.Nibroc420

It is certainly negative if it ends with an "er".

Try saying the n word to a black person and see what happens.

The "er" form is negative because that is the one that has dark history attached to it.

Sure you can use it in an educational manner.

How is somebody supposed to know that you didn't mean to be offensive?

[QUOTE="Nibroc420"][QUOTE="RYDERFTN"]Just to put it out there n*** isnt really negative anymore its like saying bro. No matter the race my white freinds saying and ive seen hispanics and koreans use it.GreySeal9

Why do people view the words the way they do? Because of history.

As for the bolded. good decision. There's no reason you need to use the n word.

[QUOTE="sSubZerOo"]

[QUOTE="RYDERFTN"]Just to put it out there n*** isnt really negative anymore its like saying bro. No matter the race my white freinds saying and ive seen hispanics and koreans use it.RYDERFTN

.. Lets have them say that to blacks and see how they react...

Yeah, in your circle of friends, I'm sure it's not an issue.

But go up to a random black person and say that, there will absolutely be a problem.

[QUOTE="GreySeal9"]

[QUOTE="Nibroc420"] Some people get EXTREMELY offended if you use that word. Even if you're not using it in an offensive manner. I'm curious as to why these people view these words as they do. I'm with k2theswiss on this, so long as a word isn't being used in a way that offends people, i see no harm in using it. However I refrain from using it because i believe many people will become offended if i was to use the N word, even if it wasn't in a racist manner. Ya dig?Nibroc420

Why do people view the words the way they do? Because of history.

As for the bolded. good decision. There's no reason you need to use the n word.

Okay, there are a FEW situations in which using the word is okay, but those are exceptions.

Limit the English language? It's not even about that. It's about being responsible about one's language use.

[QUOTE="RYDERFTN"][QUOTE="sSubZerOo"]

.. Lets have them say that to blacks and see how they react...

GreySeal9

Yeah, in your circle of friends, I'm sure it's not an issue.

But go up to a random black person and say that, there will absolutely be a problem.

[QUOTE="GreySeal9"]

[QUOTE="RYDERFTN"]Just to put it out there n*** isnt really negative anymore its like saying bro. No matter the race my white freinds saying and ive seen hispanics and koreans use it.RYDERFTN

It is certainly negative if it ends with an "er".

Try saying the n word to a black person and see what happens.

Yeah, because you're black too. That's why they don't get offended.

Your assertion that "nobody gets offended anymore" is not in tune with reality. After all, teachers can get fired for using it and I guarantee if a white person goes up to someone and says the n word, it will be a big deal.

[QUOTE="mems_1224"]i use racial slurs all the time in non offensive ways. never had a black friend complain when i use the N word they're just words. if someone gets offended by them then who cares? not my problem, its theirsGreySeal9

Words have meaning. Words are "things" and they can be offensive.

[QUOTE="DroidPhysX"]

Isn't racism when you say your race is superior over another? I think people are loosely using the word 'racism' nowadays Nibroc420

Agreed. it's just the F U/ S/ N/ B words are more famous that gets more heat then those words. But just like on here if i called some one ugly im sure mod would shut me down.

IMO i hate anyone who was born and raised in America that call them self's African American, or w/e it may be. If you was from Africa then came here and became a American then COOL your both but i can never understand it. I look at friends when when that crap comes up and i say Do you even know what Africa looks like?

I guess i should start walking around saying Im German/Scottish/ Nativa american/ American.

[QUOTE="RYDERFTN"][QUOTE="sSubZerOo"]

.. Lets have them say that to blacks and see how they react...

GreySeal9

Yeah, in your circle of friends, I'm sure it's not an issue.

But go up to a random black person and say that, there will absolutely be a problem.

[QUOTE="sSubZerOo"]

[QUOTE="RYDERFTN"]Just to put it out there n*** isnt really negative anymore its like saying bro. No matter the race my white freinds saying and ive seen hispanics and koreans use it.thegerg

.. Lets have them say that to blacks and see how they react...

No I am pretty sure if you walk up to a stranger that is black, that there is no way you could use that slur for them to have a positive reaction..

[QUOTE="GreySeal9"]

[QUOTE="RYDERFTN"] I call them that n they call me n just how we all grew up.RYDERFTN

Yeah, in your circle of friends, I'm sure it's not an issue.

But go up to a random black person and say that, there will absolutely be a problem.

[QUOTE="GreySeal9"]

[QUOTE="RYDERFTN"] I call them that n they call me n just how we all grew up.Nibroc420

Yeah, in your circle of friends, I'm sure it's not an issue.

But go up to a random black person and say that, there will absolutely be a problem.

This analogy is so silly.

"Fat" and "obese" can be descriptive terms whereas the n-word is not a descriptive term. It is a perjorative term.

Not only a couple of people are offended by the word. It has a deep and dark history.

Like I said, it's not about "limiting the English language". It's about being responsible about one's word choice. The word is appropriate in limited contexts.

I call people n*****s all the time.

Just never black people.

[QUOTE="GreySeal9"]

[QUOTE="RYDERFTN"] I call them that n they call me n just how we all grew up.RYDERFTN

Yeah, in your circle of friends, I'm sure it's not an issue.

But go up to a random black person and say that, there will absolutely be a problem.

It's not being hypocritical. Blacks saying the word has a WAY different contextual basis than whites saying it. I mean, it is really not obvious to you why it would be offensive for a white person to use it rather than a black?

Also, you might live in some weird place where nobody cares at all, but that does line up with reality.

[QUOTE="RYDERFTN"][QUOTE="GreySeal9"]

It is certainly negative if it ends with an "er".

Try saying the n word to a black person and see what happens.

GreySeal9

Yeah, because you're black too. That's why they don't get offended.

Your assertion that "nobody gets offended anymore" is not in tune with reality. After all, teachers can get fired for using it and I guarantee if a white person goes up to someone and says the n word, it will be a big deal.

This analogy is so silly.

"Fat" and "obese" can be descriptive terms whereas the n-word is not a descriptive term. It is a perjorative term.

Not only a couple of people are offended by the word. It has a deep and dark history.

Like I said, it's not about "limiting the English language". It's about being responsible about one's word choice. The word is appropriate in limited contexts.

GreySeal9

the N word's Denotation is "Black person" Why can the two not be interchangeable? Why do we allow it to maintain such a negative connotation.

And yes, it does limit the english language. "You can't call them that, you have to call them this" Why dont we just remove every synonym ?

[QUOTE="RYDERFTN"][QUOTE="GreySeal9"]

Yeah, in your circle of friends, I'm sure it's not an issue.

But go up to a random black person and say that, there will absolutely be a problem.

mems_1224

Like I said to that other guy, you might live in some strange place where nobody cares, but I can assure you that outside of your experiences, people do care.

Some black people use it all the time >.> So yes.

[QUOTE="RYDERFTN"][QUOTE="GreySeal9"]

Yeah, in your circle of friends, I'm sure it's not an issue.

But go up to a random black person and say that, there will absolutely be a problem.

GreySeal9

It's not being hypocritical. Blacks saying the word has a WAY different contextual basis than whites saying it. I mean, it is really not obvious to you why it would be offensive for a white person to use it rather than a black?

Also, you might live in some weird place where nobody cares at all, but that does line up with reality.

Black people use it all the time >.> So yes. mrmusicman247

[QUOTE="mrmusicman247"]Black people use it all the time >.> So yes. Nibroc420