Death of the "N" word

[ZoWhat]

Found this article on yahoo news. Go NAACP go!! Isn't the word "colored people" considered racist?

This came from Wikepedia ---Colored and colored people (or colored folk in the plural sense) are North American terms that were commonly used to describe black people and many Hispanics, but also included Asian (brown)/(yellow), or mixeds (brown), and Native American (brown/red). The term "colored" in particular (along with "Negro") has fallen out of popular usage in the United States over the last third of the 20th century, and is now archaic and potentially derogatory, except in certain narrow circumstances such as the name of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

Interesting. Anyway (or anyways) I think its a good thing. I hope this includes the slang - "*****" which I find just as offensive.


NAACP to bury "N" word

By COREY WILLIAMS, Associated Press Writer Mon Apr 30, 1:10 AM ET

DETROIT - The NAACP held a symbolic funeral in Detroit 63 years ago for Jim Crow.
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The civil rights organization will do the same this summer for the "N" word, the Rev. Wendell Anthony said Sunday.

Anthony, president of the civil rights organization's Detroit branch, said members and supporters of the
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People will conduct services and a "eulogy" for the racial slur. The mock funeral will be held during the NAACP national convention July 7-12 in Detroit, he said.

"We are committed to ending hate — word and talk," Anthony said. "It doesn't do anyone any good, whether it's a journalist on TV or a rapper on the radio."

The announcement comes after a renewed discussion nationally about racial insensitivity, brought on by Don Imus' derogatory comments about black members of the Rutgers University women's basketball team.

Imus didn't use the "N" word in those comments, but was fired in early April by CBS Radio and NBC after major companies including General Motors pulled their advertising spots.

"Now that corporate America has caught up, maybe something will happen," Anthony said. "We have to stop investing in stuff that is killing us."

Jim Crow was the systematic, mostly Southern practice of discrimination against and segregation of blacks from the end of post-Civil War reconstruction into the mid-20th century.

 

[pussy+dickdenice]

It has never been understood, (by me) why people should be called 'colored' by people whose skins are white.

As I understand, from the day of Newton, it is known that, white is the presence of all colors of the color spectrum.

And black is the absence of any color.

 

[Philbert]

Sorry, pd...If you are speaking of light, then white is all the spectrums of light.
But, speaking of pigment, white is the absense of color, black is "all" colors (use a jar of water too long to clean your watercolor brush, it gets darker and darker, not clearer and clearer).
Remind me to not have you do the interior painting of my house!
Got your sugar-coated point, but in my world people aren't so much judged by skin color, but by culture color..."Black" is a culture, not a color.
I would buy a black suit, but not an "African-American" one.

But then, I live in Texas, and you don't!
:wave:

 

[Roughneck]

It has never been understood, (by me) why people should be called 'colored' by people whose skins are white.

Your answer lies in your question:

When it is "ok" to call 'Caucasians' as "white", then it should follow that it's ok to call other folks by their skin color - "brown", "black" etc. The way we have it today (at least in America) you'll almost always hear "African American" or "Hispanic" used as common descriptors - but you'll almost never hear "Caucasian" used as a common descriptor.

When used for purely descriptive purposes, I don't see any harm in mentioning the skin color of a person. I don't get "offended" when someone describes me as a "white man" (I'm not a true Caucasian. But this opens a whole another can of worms - "define caucasian, Black, Hispanic" etc.). Just as some of my patient notes mention that the person is "black" etc. I don't see it as inherently "racist".

Personally:

* I disagree with using the term "African American" to describe a 'black' person. Not only is this term discriminatory against thousands of Caribbean natives who now live in the US, it also implies that present generation blacks have some kind of intimate, historic connection with Africa.

* Words have power, but they only have the power that WE give them. And, conversely, if we don't give them power, then words have no power. But, you can't ban a word that has no power. Banning a word, in itself, gives and/or reinforces its power.

This is simply semantics. Semantics is the study of languages. Languages are symbols. If I say the word, "brick", an image comes to your mind. You have linked in your mind the what a brick is with this word. This word, therefore, is nothing more then a symbol for the image in your mind.

The same is true for the N word. If someone uses that word, it has power because it brings up a symbol. And what a powerful symbol it is! 300 yrs of hate and oppression tied up in one little word. It is one of the most powerful words in the English language.

But.

But, only because WE give in to that power. Unlink that symbol from that word and you rob it of its power. NO WORD should have so much power. In fact, NO WORD has such power over me. Think of the worst possible word you could say to me. I wouldn't be impressed. You want to call me a 'nazi', for instance? Because I would dismiss your characterization of me in those terms - out of hand, the word would unimpress me. That symbol would mean nothing to me because I don't 'own' that symbol. You can say it, but it's not me, and so, it's unbelievable TO ME. And so, it's not an insult that I would take seriously.

I'm not suggesting that the struggles aren't important or our history isn't important. I'm suggesting that there is no inherent need or right for all of that to be invested in the symbolism of one nasty word. This word, as a symbol, is unimportant. Or rather, the only way to rob it of power is to DECIDE that it is unimportant. Language changes all the time. And it changes because the common use changes.

That's why I think it's probably for the best for the youths to be incorporating this word into their 'common' language. If you want to devalue this word, you have to treat it like pennies, not diamonds. However, the "incorporation" has to start being more uniform.

I don't advocate the wholesale incorporation of this word in our language. It would not be appropriate for our generation BECAUSE of the symbolism, because of its power. But, I'm all for changing both. Changes in language takes time. Let the currency of this word fall. It NEEDS its economy of use deflated.

Racism is more than just 'words'... racism is a mindset that leads to behavior. Getting rid of the "N-word" won't get us any closer to racial equality....


cheers,

 

[Donkey Boy]

brought on by Don Imus' derogatory comments about black members of the Rutgers University women's basketball team.

I didn't hear it, but did Imus specifically refer to just the black teammates or did he reference the whole team? Because I think there were whites and others on the team too.

More and more often, it seems to me that the people who really make things "racial" are the very people who are crying fowl to begin with.

The media simply encourages it too.

 

[calpoon]

what's the question here? people aren't ever going to ban the "N" word. people use it as a derogative, people use it indiscriminatly, and people even use it in a way that is not racially motivated. as far as the term "colored" in refence to people, it's not really an insult. upon a time ago it was the common expression and calling people black or white was seen as off key. really any decriptions of race, or attempts to categorize people at all is going to lead to stereotyping and misrepresenting and negatives. that's just the way it is, but it's alos human nature, so much as it can be said there is one.

 

[Christmas_Ape]

Are you guys talking about naggers? Man, talk about people who annoy you! Don't get me started!

 

[Roughneck]

Are you guys talking about naggers? Man, talk about people who annoy you! Don't get me started!

Nice South Park reference....

 

[holdol]

The "N" word (I hate that) will never go away. I hear it every single day, in idle conversation, greetings, and over the vibrating trunks of a lot of my customers vehicles. I often "correct" at least my employees if it happens to come out of their mouths whether it's derogatory or not. "I couldn't use that language, so neither should you"! I applaud the attempt to censor future references to "politically incorrect"(I hate that too) terms in the recording or entertainment industry, but it'll never happen. :2 cents: :dunno:

I prefer using Ma'me or Sir myself

 

[ZoWhat]

I didn't hear it, but did Imus specifically refer to just the black teammates or did he reference the whole team? Because I think there were whites and others on the team too.

More and more often, it seems to me that the people who really make things "racial" are the very people who are crying fowl to begin with.

The media simply encourages it too.

He was referring to the entire team.

Its interesting that his sidekick (I think was the producer) referenced the team as hos prior to Imus saying "those nappy headed ho's". This guy wasn't ever mentioned in the entire discussion about the derogatory reference.

So, its acceptable to call a female basketball team "ho's" but "nappy headed ho's" is unacceptable.

I thought Imus was fired for what he said, however that isn't really true.
He was fired because General Motors pulled their ads from his show. Big business has a lot of clout.

 

[Roughneck]

I applaud the attempt to censor future references to "politically incorrect"(I hate that too) terms in the recording or entertainment industry, but it'll never happen. :2 cents: :dunno:

Just curious - if you "hate that too", why support it?

I prefer using Ma'me or Sir myself

I was raised to address any stranger as "Sir" or "M'am". And I continued to do so until they requested that I address them differently.

50+ years on, I still follow that practice.
I only break the rule for my pediatric patients - I ask the parents in that case.

I thought Imus was fired for what he said, however that isn't really true.
He was fired because General Motors pulled their ads from his show. Big business has a lot of clout.

Actually, that is how it is supposed to work in this country - if you don't like what people say, stop supporting them financially. General Motors pulled out precisely because of the strong American backlash... it chose to support the people complaining about Imus than support Imus himself.

I've already given my PoV on the Imus controversy here....


cheers,

 

[meesterperfect]

Are you guys talking about naggers? Man, talk about people who annoy you! Don't get me started!

That was a very realistic parody of the current mindset in the U.S.. That episode said alot about todays paranoid fear of "words". Cheers to the writers of that.
I'm in the States for a few months now working alot to get a little ahead,taking care of some things, and visiting my parents.
Anyway I work side by side with a black guy. I only mention his skin color to make a point.
We both like alot of the same stuff, movies, comics, sports, boxing, OZ, The Shield, ect. When we have conversations for example about movies, We sometimes need to describe a charactor, Its not uncomfortable at this point to say"well he's a white guy, or he's a black guy" in order to jog our memories. But at first it was. Because I didnt know if by describing a guy as black would offend him, and vice versa for him.
But its just words, its sad society would consider describing someone as black or white to be racist. In many cases its just the most obvious, primary description.
"Hey remember when Ali fought Shavers?"-" No who's that?"-"Well, He was Big Bald Black guy"-" Oh yeah, I remember now".
Theres no problem there, but because of societies norms and political correctness, you gotta be careful. Its a shame.

One small reason I decided to leave the U.S. was an incident at a job a few years ago.
A customer asked me for a manager. There were about 20 or 30 customers all real close to each other.
I told the manager a customer wants him. He said "which one?" I said " he's an older black guy".
Well the manager just flips out. Yelling" don't you ever say racial things around here again!!! ect ect......It got heated and I got transfered over it.
"Words". Now I'm a racist.
Then I get transferred. At some point I saw a cashier who works there at my gym, but didn't speak to her.
One day she needs my help for something at work. Now I've never spoken to her before this moment. While getting her her stuff I say in passing,very nonchelantly, just being nice, " So you go to the gym?"
She freaks," how do you know that? thats none of your business, who told you that?" As if I'm a stalker or pervert.
10 minutes later I'm in the office getting questioned.
"Words" Now I'm a pervert.
Shortly after that I sold my things, bought a one way ticket, and left. I decided I didn't want to live in such a high strung society.Altough I still care deeply for my country, I don't want to live there.

 

[MILF Man]

I believe this racist organization will be disappointed with the end result.

You can't just make a word vanish. How naive can one be?

 

[holdol]

Just curious - if you "hate that too", why support it?

I probably should have used degrading in that statement.

I just don't like the term "politically incorrect" when it doesn't apply to politics

Thanks Roughneck...:hatsoff:

 

[bigdaddytodd22]

I hate it, we call them the "N' word and we are racist, but hell it is fine for them to call us a cracker or ect. How the hell is that ok.

 

[Ax3C]

Y'know, as a white man who grew up in an era in which 99% of all school systems were finally integrated and as a white man who tries very much to draw no distinctions between the color of one's skin, I find it more and more annoying and disgusting that the topic of race is coming up with greater and greater frequency in this community.

I really don't fucking care what color one's skin is ... what matters to me is the QUALITY of the person; their character, their honor, their valor, their commitment to themselves and in that in which they believe.

I say this to my fellow 'Caucasians' (and I use that term derisively and with great, loaded sarcasm), if you want to use the words "NI**ER" ior "SP*C", or J*W, or any other racist, bigoted, hateful words, then by all means, I so encourage you to do so. I fully support your right to go to any area in the United States that has a predominant and significant population of minorities and use those words. Let's just see how long you'll survive. I know for a fact you wouldn't last more than a half minute in MY old neighborhood. Blacks, Mexicans, Asians, AND whites would all be stomping your asses into the ground.

So yes, by all means, dear white people, go and spew your hatred and bigotry to the "unwashed masses" ... for I tell you this now: I will stand up and applaud the ass-kicking and beat-down you will summarily receive as soon as those shitty, filthy words issue forth from your mouth. If you have the unmitigated audacity and balls to hide behind the incredibly fucked-up rationalization of "Well, THEY can say it to each it, why can't WE?" , then I truly, TRULY fucking pity you and your off-spring. We don't need people like you on this planet.

Go away. Disappear into the ether. Wave BYE-BYE.

I am about as white as one can get. I am of Germanic, French, Irish extraction. I have blue eyes, blonde hair, and extremely fair skin. I grew up in a poor(er) part of Houston. I grew up with people who were black, Mexican, Asian, and every other race and skin color imaginable. I grew up with parents who taught me, first and foremost, to treat my fellow man and woman with the respect and dignity they deserved as people ... not COLORS.

I dated and made friends with people of all races. The color of her skin mattered not to me. What DID matter was how she carried herself; how she projected herself; how she respected herself and others. It was her character and her honor that I was attracted to, not the color of her skin or how much "darker" than me she was.

So ... to answer the fucking nastiness I'm starting to see in this thread (and others):

If you can't say something nice, then DON'T say a fucking word!!! Keep your shitty, puerile, vile, bigoted comments to yourself Show some respect for your fellow man and woman.

Look beyond the color of the skin and discover the beauty of the person who lives within.

'Nuff fucking said. :hatsoff: :2 cents:

 

[calpoon]

So, its acceptable to call a female basketball team "ho's" but "nappy headed ho's" is unacceptable.

aint that funny? we're so enlightened as to have overcome racism, hell, we're even banning the word, but when it comes to good old fashion everyday sexism and misogyny it doesn't skip a beat.

 

[blakey]

Y'know, as a white man who grew up in an era in which 99% of all school systems were finally integrated and as a white man who tries very much to draw no distinctions between the color of one's skin, I find it more and more annoying and disgusting that the topic of race is coming up with greater and greater frequency in this community.

I really don't fucking care what color one's skin is ... what matters to me is the QUALITY of the person; their character, their honor, their valor, their commitment to themselves and in that in which they believe.

I say this to my fellow 'Caucasians' (and I use that term derisively and with great, loaded sarcasm), if you want to use the words "NI**ER" ior "SP*C", or J*W, or any other racist, bigoted, hateful words, then by all means, I so encourage you to do so. I fully support your right to go to any area in the United States that has a predominant and significant population of minorities and use those words. Let's just see how long you'll survive. I know for a fact you wouldn't last more than a half minute in MY old neighborhood. Blacks, Mexicans, Asians, AND whites would all be stomping your asses into the ground.

So yes, by all means, dear white people, go and spew your hatred and bigotry to the "unwashed masses" ... for I tell you this now: I will stand up and applaud the ass-kicking and beat-down you will summarily receive as soon as those shitty, filthy words issue forth from your mouth. If you have the unmitigated audacity and balls to hide behind the incredibly fucked-up rationalization of "Well, THEY can say it to each it, why can't WE?" , then I truly, TRULY fucking pity you and your off-spring. We don't need people like you on this planet.

Go away. Disappear into the ether. Wave BYE-BYE.

I am about as white as one can get. I am of Germanic, French, Irish extraction. I have blue eyes, blonde hair, and extremely fair skin. I grew up in a poor(er) part of Houston. I grew up with people who were black, Mexican, Asian, and every other race and skin color imaginable. I grew up with parents who taught me, first and foremost, to treat my fellow man and woman with the respect and dignity they deserved as people ... not COLORS.

I dated and made friends with people of all races. The color of her skin mattered not to me. What DID matter was how she carried herself; how she projected herself; how she respected herself and others. It was her character and her honor that I was attracted to, not the color of her skin or how much "darker" than me she was.

So ... to answer the fucking nastiness I'm starting to see in this thread (and others):

If you can't say something nice, then DON'T say a fucking word!!! Keep your shitty, puerile, vile, bigoted comments to yourself Show some respect for your fellow man and woman.

Look beyond the color of the skin and discover the beauty of the person who lives within.

'Nuff fucking said. :hatsoff: :2 cents:

Great post Ax3C - couldn't agree more, especially about people going ahead and using ""NI**ER" ior "SP*C", or J*W, or any other racist, bigoted, hateful words," and then getting the beating they deserve
- in my part of the UK the most likely rascist slur is "paki" said to anybody of asian or middle eastern origin - any white guy using that kind of banter in the company of most of my asian mates is asking for a slap :eek:

anyway, like i say, great post :glugglug: