General Discussion

MineralMan

(150,551 posts)

23. Words gain their meaning also from the person who speaks them.

Fri Apr 6, 2012, 01:42 PM

Apr 2012

Here's how I see it. If some of my black acquaintances wouldn't be annoyed if I used "nigga" in a friendly way, does that mean that I should use that word? I'm sure they wouldn't be offended if I didn't. So I wouldn't. They won't notice if I don't. Someone above described a son, I think, who used the word among his friends regularly. But, what happens when someone who isn't his friend hears it and takes strong offense? Not such a good idea, then. Would his friends take offense if he simply didn't use the word at all? I doubt it very much.

The bottom line is that it's not a word I would use under any circumstance, because there are circumstances where it would cause offense. I cannot think of any circumstances where not using it would cause offense. Simple, huh? I don't seek to offend, so I avoid using language that has the potential to offend. It works a treat.

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Why do so many white people want to use the "N" word? [View all] Taverner Apr 2012 OP

As Louis CK says, why say "the N word"?... SidDithers Apr 2012 #1

Same reason you don't say the c-word Taverner Apr 2012 #2

Cracker? Ter Apr 2012 #32

See You Next Tuesday nt Taverner Apr 2012 #33

I'm back today Ter Apr 2012 #41

No the C word is called See you Next Tuesday Taverner Apr 2012 #51

LMAO Ter Apr 2012 #54

There's also "hoo-ha" treestar Apr 2012 #56

i don't get it either ... i don't have a need or desire to use that word... Scout Apr 2012 #3

I don't have any desire to use that word. HappyMe Apr 2012 #4

I dunno... pipi_k Apr 2012 #5

tell one person they can say something and tell another that they cant. whoawhat Apr 2012 #6

Because they are petty Tom Ripley Apr 2012 #7

Maybe my friends are weird, but I don't kiva Apr 2012 #8

Same here n/t deutsey Apr 2012 #13

I don't either. emilyg Apr 2012 #29

same here! Quantess Apr 2012 #40

Ditto cherokeeprogressive Apr 2012 #44

Where I live you hear it all the time and folks don't have an issue with it The Straight Story Apr 2012 #9

I would pay to see that too. RC Apr 2012 #12

I kept thinking of this: Fawke Em Apr 2012 #19

+1 doh1 Apr 2012 #27

I can't figure it out, either. Do they feel they are being discriminated against? Arkansas Granny Apr 2012 #10

My mom and grandfolks put it like this HillWilliam Apr 2012 #16

It's a brave new World snooper2 Apr 2012 #24

There's a difference between "using it" and saying it. marshall Apr 2012 #11

My understanding for younger kids is they don't use it with older people because they understand uponit7771 Apr 2012 #14

I must be getting old izquierdista Apr 2012 #15

The only word that is similar that occurs to me is "Bitch." Bitch is a word that no man should use Sarah Ibarruri Apr 2012 #17

The C-word is pretty similar Taverner Apr 2012 #18

And the "C" word, exactly. There are lots of non-sexist, non-racist insults that can be used... Sarah Ibarruri Apr 2012 #21

Not really Spider Jerusalem Apr 2012 #39

True. That is why I get black people using that term treestar Apr 2012 #46

White conservatives know the difference, too, but they're racists and want to play dumb about the Sarah Ibarruri Apr 2012 #53

Semantics can be offensive to rational people. Moostache Apr 2012 #20

Words gain their meaning also from the person who speaks them. MineralMan Apr 2012 #23

Good question. When I was in grammar school, I learned all MineralMan Apr 2012 #22

The only reason people use a word, is because they feel the word will hurt you. Life Long Dem Apr 2012 #25

I do not use that word OriginalGeek Apr 2012 #26

Insecurity. Major Hogwash Apr 2012 #28

There is one valid use for the word nadinbrzezinski Apr 2012 #30

How about a classroom discussion of "To Kill a Mockingbird"? (nt) Nye Bevan Apr 2012 #35

You are in the academic environment nadinbrzezinski Apr 2012 #36

I was embarrassed to use in on google treestar Apr 2012 #43

And your obsession with the use of a word or the failure to use a word is what? lonestarnot Apr 2012 #31

When I was in grammar schoool someone black called me a cracker. Zax2me Apr 2012 #34

NO. Not OK cbrer Apr 2012 #37

I don't think "so many whites" want to use it. nt TeamsterDem Apr 2012 #38

I don't want to use it and I don't even want to hear it treestar Apr 2012 #42

I suppose some twist this use into some kind of freedom of speech Whisp Apr 2012 #45

'so many white people' is a strawman bart95 Apr 2012 #47

Who are these people? Rex Apr 2012 #48

I simply cannot say that "N-word." Hepburn Apr 2012 #49

It's a case of putting yourself in someone else's shoes Taverner Apr 2012 #52

I don't even use it MrScorpio Apr 2012 #50

So many white people? Zax2me Apr 2012 #55