On The N Word
Filed under: TV News > Elizabitch Hasselbeck > Whoopi Goldberg
As you recall from last week, Elizabitch Hasselbeck got very emotional during a debate with Whoopi Goldberg and Sherri Shepard over the use of the controversial N word on The View.
Hasselbeck insisted that the word should not be used to describe anyone or be used by anyone. Whoopi took the position of many stating that only members of the black community are entitled to use the word.
Now steps in actor Taye Diggs, who has his own opinion about the situation and about Hasselbeck.
Diggs says Hasselbeck "doesn’t understand, and, no offense — I don’t think any white person has the right to tell a black person or to even weigh in on subject matter such as that. They don’t know what it’s like to be called that word; they don’t know what it’s like to be black.”
Diggs continued, “They can have an opinion, but… don’t take a word that you created and called me for many, many years, and then me being in my position, have the strength to change what it means in my own culture. Don’t try to take it back now. Now it’s ours. Leave it alone.”
What do U think?
Should everyone stop using that word? Or should it be allowed to be used by only some people?
[Image via WENN.]
NO ONE SHOULD USE WORDS OF HATE OF ANY KIND!!
I have awhite child and a half black child, I'll be damned if I allow my black child to say a word that my white child can't b/c he is white or vice versa. What scare me the most about this whole situation is it reopen that segregation door. I live in Dayton, Ohio where bussing is still in effect and if any black person here does not know what the bussing is then racism hasn't really hit you that hard and you need to rethink your stance. When ANY race wants privileges above and beyond equality, then there is no equality. It starts with little things like a word, going into certain neighborhoods, getting into schools, etc. My fear is that this word and the insistance on only the black race being able to use it will lead to more and more demands to have special priviledges that will ultimatley cause more racism towards black people leaving my daughter with less rights than her white brother. The silliness needs to stop. I teach both my children that ANY word or phrase used to hurt or humiliate should not be used. My daughter will never view the N word as a term of endearment and if other people teach thier children the same thing then silly arguements like this will not exist in 10 years. On the other hand, If you don't want to share "your" word then take it and go home.
guess what asshole? i didnt call you the n word for 'many many' years. i was born in 1976. ive never called a black person the n word. move on you fucking idiot. oh, im sorry am i allowed to call you an idiot? because you are.
Taye is ignorant. I've lost respect for him. In this day and age as a celebrity he should be more careful with what he says…oh well he just comes off looking like a racist himself.
And I'm sick of the black people that say we white people just can't stand not being allowed to do or say something. It's NOTHING to do with that–maybe they are just so close minded that they can't see that. I think a lot of black people are just as much, if not more so racist against white people(and several posters on this topic have affirmed that). And it's not all easy just because you're white. We get discriminated against also….You know, companies have to hire x amount of racially diverse people…so then I might lose a job that I'm more than qualified to do…..Heaven forbid if we have a white history month, or WET white entertainment, or Ivory Magazine. People would go ape shit. There shouldn't be a black history month either. History is history and should all be taught without having labels on it. All that separation is bad. And racist in itself. We are one world. America especially is the melting pot…we shouldn't have black this, and black that. We are humans first and foremost…all with feelings, we all bleed the same, we all hurt the same, we all laugh the same.
Can't we all just move forward with love and kindness and acceptance in our hearts? Build a bridge over troubled water?
If everyone is so free to use whatever word they want, why is that in every post no one really "says" the word? Americans are such puritans, and freedom of speech is such bullshit. Also, African americans, (and this could be a whole new topic for discussion) are everything BUT african. They couldn't be more different.
You all need to take a chill pill. Come to africa, you'll see what racism really is all about
IF BLACK PEOPLE WANT TO SAY IT'S OK TO USE THE N-WORD THEN IT HAS TO BE OK FOR EVERYONE TO USE IT. I ACTUALLY THINK ELIZABETH H. WAS MAKING A GOOD POINT THAT ANY USE OF *ANY* WORD PROPAGATES ITS COMMON USE IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE. AND THERE LIES THE PROBLEM - YOU F'ING IDIOTS. ALSO, WHOOPI NEEDS TO KNOCK THAT CHIP OFF HER SHOULDER AND OWN UP THAT SHE'S DONE JUST FINE DESPITE HOW THINGS USED TO BE.
I don't use I've never used, my parent have never used it. I did not create it. So I shouldn't be described as "using this word for years". I don't think anyone should use because it does perpetuate hate no matter what race says it. I remember a cousin of mine saying that word when we were 7, that was the only time I ever saw my mother swat anyone other than my brother and I. I'm Irish and Italian I've never called myself a Mick or a WOP. Why would I perpetuate that kind of behavior?
Re: tigre – You wanna bridge the divide? Stop separating yourselves from the rest of humanity every chance you get. There were white slaves too you know, not just black ones. You want to promote history so much then perhaps you should research it a bit more.
I'll never know what it's like to be black, but you'll never know what it's like to be white either. You think we're not discriminated against? Think again! All you have to do is turn on BET during a comedy special and you'll hear just how much white people are discriminated against!
Re: ME – Please say something of substance. You're mad Because I speak the truth. U sun screen wearing piece of shit.
Re: LizCH – i actually agree with both points white people have no right to make an opinion about "The N Word"
wellllllllllllllllllllllllll, being black i agree 100%
i also agree that men should have a say in abortion…same logic.
Re: LizCH – i actually agree with both points white people have no right to make an opinion about "The N Word" and men have no say so about a woman deciding to have an abortion
Ok, so normally I rarely agree with the republican, but I actually think about this she was right. I don't think it's right for ANYONE to use that word. I mean how is it ok for one person to say it and one person not to? If we want to move beyond racial boundaries in this country, we have to start with things like that. And I do agree to some extent about what Whoopi said, how they are in two separate worlds in a cultural sense, we are ACTUALLY one country in a literal sense. We go to the same schools, work many of the same jobs, shop in the same places, and even go to the same churches to an extent. By continuing to use those words at all, especially as a slang term of endearment or whatever is going to perpetuate problems. If we want to become more united as cultures, we have to stop using words that separate us. I was raised to love everyone of every color, and yet when I would try to befriend black kids growing up they would try to detach themselves, eatting in a pack, sitting together and not letting anyone join them in the back of the bus, etc. I realize that racism is a terrible and widespread problem, but it is not ONLY perpetuated by white people. It goes both ways and that word, and many others are part of the problem.
although i agree with taye, as a black woman, i am really saddened that the black community continues to use this word with such a negative history. it's really sad. you have no right to say "well, WE can say this word, but it's not okay for whites to use it because it puts us down."
WE are putting ourselves down. and although there is a lot of cultural history within the hip-hop community, it's time to stop using the word. for that reason, i'm upset that whoopi goldberg would argue for the use of the word…
Elizabitch is an idiot…she means well but she doesn't get it. She lives in a fucking fantasyworld where everyone's equal and we all live in one world. We're not all living in her white, privileged world. N*gger is a word like C*nt. When a man calls a woman a C*nt, it's offensive…if women take it back and use it in fun and empowering, it's ok. She needs a basic sociology class. Don't these TV people go to college?
Re: denve – if u feel you can say it then come on down to los angeles and say it all u want and when you go home at night beat up i hope you understand why
fuck em all i dont care anymore…i didnt create the word and hear it mostly from blacks…i live in america and will use whatever word i want
I'm sorry - but I find this all debateable. I can recall Martin Luther King saying in his "I Have A Dream" speach, saying about his 4 little children -hoping they're not someday being judged by the color of their skin - but by their character.
People, lets let this all go! - Give it all a rest! The people that have done all the damage before - are all dead and buried long ago! We are all now trying to live civilized, and peaceful. Let's finally be the generation they all hoped and dreamed about! We should stop separating ourselves from one another by color, religion, or race & start accepting each other as friends.
Knock the **** off already! Every nationality on thid eart has had it's test in time. Yet, we are all still here. Just accept the life you have & do good things with it - make the good changes. Do good things, & be good to one another.
- Sharon
Sooo…with that logic, men should not be able to say 'bitch' or 'ho', right? Those are slurs that only women can use. A slur is a slur. I understand at one point the intention was to 'take it back', but that's over with. It is. It's become overused and made 'hip' in some populations, and it should not be used by anyone. I find it amazing that Black people are unwilling to stop using it! Just amazing…or maybe just sad.
Taye who??? "They don’t know what it’s like to be called that word.” Gee funny, because I guarantee you call your friends that all day everyday. If you call your friends the N word then guess what, you just gave me the right too. You call your wife an f'n C**t. Guess what, I can call her an f'n C**t. Someone said gays did the same with Q***r. The difference is most gays won't kill you for using it. “They don’t know what it’s like to be black." Taye, you were born in 1971. Whoopi, you were born in 1955. Neither of you were ever slaves and neither of you, well maybe Whoopi, have never been called by the N word on a daily basis under its true hateful meaning. Guess what, every race has its own set of derogatory slam words. There's just as much racism against blacks as there is against Hispanics, Jews, and gays. Go play an Xbox live game or two and you'll see. If you don't want a word to be used then don't use it yourself. Hispanics and Jews don't go running around in their daily lives and on songs calling each other "wet backs" or "kikes." Taking a disgusting and racist term and making it a positive form of admiration doesn't make you a stronger person. It makes you an idiot. A stronger person would over look someone else's opinions or remarks and still loving them as human beings. Racism is based on idiocracy and attention. Ignore the idiots that are looking for attention.
I completely agree with No.s 1 & 4. They have articulated their points very well!
Furthermore, "I" did not create that word and those that did were not from this generation. Quit blaming "me" and my generation. We need to move beyond all of that negative history and allow for healing. The highly publicized comments made by Taye, Whoopi and Sherri perpetuate the negative past and do not allow themselves or others to move beyond their ancestors suffering and hardship.
The word should be banned. I believe this is just another way for them to feel empowered against "whitey".
Whoever uses the damn word and claims to prohibit use of the word from another race is a downright, illogical, hypoctical racist. so guess what??? i'm saying that 98% of black people are patheic victimized, self-righteous, hypocritical assholes!! use of the word is exclusive to your race???? hmmmm and white people are the "racists"??? just because they can't get over their self pity, do they try to use this as some form of getting back at white people?? at least the FCC isn't discrimatory!!! blacks that are stuck in the racist rut need to get over their damn selves. how about try dislodging your head outta your fatass and look at the real world!!?! guess what?!?! its not the 1920's!!! its fifty years since equal rights were established in the 60's!! im sick and TIRED of hearing black people being so DAMN hypocritical!! are they that proud??!ignorant?? or just plain stupid?!!?
Ok if they say it is not ok for White people to say this word, as I am; then what is a word that only white people can say and no other race can. That's right everyone can say whatever white people say. Well that's a load of BULL! If we white people did that, we would not hear the end of it! And what about the skinny white dude from Scream that it now a comedian, in one movie I remember him saying…"Whaz up my N****!" to black people in the movie and they were fine with it. And they are fine with him now. So explain that one to me. Well I think I'm done ranting now. Thanks for listening!
first of all, why would people in the black community use the n word to refer to others if its such a degrading word towards them? second, the black community has fought so long to have equal rights with white community, so if we have equal rights and the black community can do anything white community can do, then the white community should be able to use the word if the black community are.
Sorry Taye Diggs cheats on Idina like there isNO TOMORROW! He asked my friend Farrah from Vegas/LA out more times then I can count!!!!! LOSER! She could do so much better!
As for the comment! - NO ONE should say it - I'm going to go on the view and call all white people " crackers " and spanish people " spicks" get over it already!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Re: jacki –
Absolutely my thoughts. Quit talking about how white people "owe" and "segregate" and then doing the same thing yourself. Absurd.
History is just that. History. There are a lot of things that sucked for a lot of people, but things have changed and blacks now have more opportunities afforded to them that whites do not have (EOE, NAACP, etc). I just say quit your bitchin and get over it. Seriously…how long are blacks going to use that crutch? The only thing keeping the black man down is himself. If blacks can abandon the whole slavery thing, people will stop thinking of them that way.
The word shouldn't be used by blacks or whites, period. Fuck this shit about how the blacks can use it because it's something they've been called and how it's ok they say it because they were being called that 100 years ago. It shouldnt matter whether you're american, african american, irish, italian, or mexican (etc.), any negative word placed upon an ethnicity ththat was used a billion years ago doesnt make it right to be used now. we need to move forward, not backwards, we need to try to unify this country and if the african american population thinks that by them saying the n word but not the white population is positivw advancement then they are fucking completely crazy
Re: amand – how dare you who are you to say "Black people need to get over slavery" As a 21st century black woman i would love to be able to know my heritage, to know what country in Africa my family came from, but because of slavery i will never know where i come from so what should Jewish people get over the hollocaust too that was a stupid comment and your a stupid person for believing it
This entire thing pisses me off no one aline today created the word … I hate when people say 'you created the word' thats like saying Taye Dgigs created aids… get out of here comments like that perpetuate racism… Awareness is very important but finger pointing is stupid who cares who says the N word it barely means anything anymore get out of here
ps TAYEEEE u dont know what its like to be a white person listen to imbeciles like u and ur excuses
IT'S SHIT LIKE THIS THAT CONTINUES THE PERPETUAL "RACIST" FUCKING CRAP. CAN'T EVERYONE JUST GET OVER THIS SHIT!!!!!!
Taye Diggs is an idiot. He clearly did not watch the exchange between Whoopi and Elisabeth and he obviously believes he's magically from the past. If he knew so much about his own culture he'd know that marrying a "white prize" won't earn him too much blackness cred either! Stupid rich boy!
being a puerto rican and mexican women. I feel like they have tried so hard to get rid of people using that word that it is hypocritical for them to keep using it
I love how it all comes back to slavery. It all comes back to how white people owe black people something, because of our ancestors. That shit should be thrown out the window. In today's society we are working on equality for all, and that's that. The past is the past.
Black people need to get themselves togethor. We can never, ever, truly be united and free if we do not stop taking care of ourselves. STOP spending money on fake gucci and baby phat and start maybe investing in a laptop or a house. STOP eating up all that fried chicken and processed foods packed full of crap like malodextrin and then wonder why we are all dying of heart diease.And will my people Please stop goin on about the damn word "nigga?" Damn, I said it. And if Dr. King was alive today he'd be saddened at the state we are in.
All black people are racist! This really is the underlying issue. I'm so sick of these hypocrites. Just admit it your all racist and hate white people…because quite frankly I am sick to death of these idiots saying they can call each other this word and it is a form of endearment. If you want to use that word fine but don't tell others not to use it as well. HYPOCRITES.
Hmmm, I doubt very seriously that Taye Diggs has EVER been called the N word by any white person. This ideas that white people use this word nowadays anyway is ludicrous. Sure there are people that use it. If you want behavior to stop then you have to model it. If you want the word to stop then you have to stop using it.
Has anyone really looked up the meaning of the "N" word. When you look in a dictionary… not online, but an actual book. It states it means "an ignorant person." So why would a black person want to use the "n" word when talking to a friend? It does not state black ignorant person, or white or red or blue… just an ignorant person. So I say we can all use it.
SHUT UP ABOUT BEING BLACK ALREADY!!! You have an entire month dedicated to Black History….what about White History…oh wait we would be racist. You celebrate MLK's birthday - what about Walt Disney…oh wait he's white. You made Georgia change their state flag because it was the 'confederate' flag, it's part of history you fucking selfish pigs. You bitched because no one came to help after Katrina…meanwhile all of you and your family/friends found time to loot and rape people. Have you seen any of the flood victims from this year do that shit?? HELL NO - they're helping each other build the city back, not waste their time bitching because someone's not helping. The Civil War was over 100yrs ago, shut up about it already. You got your civil rights. You got color specified colleges. You have your own TV station. You have your own magazines. Need I say more?? If anyone……ANYONE should be bitching about how they have been treated throughout history it should be the American Indians. They were treated worse than any African American ever was….but you don't hear them calling people names, they don't come out in public and blame the 21st century population for what happened to their ancestors. They can't change what happened 100+yrs ago and neither can you so SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!
This is the most hilarious thread ever, with all of these mad-as-hell and not-gonna-take-it-anymore white people. Harrummph!
So, lemme get this straight:
Most of you mad-as-hell white people here are completely losing it because some black people MIGHT — in their OWN company — want to call *each other* "nigga". — ????
Sooooooo … exactly how does this affect any white person? –??? Are you guys feeling like you weren't invited to the party or something?
Re: sassy – If your BLACK heritage hadn't sold you in America in the first place, you'd know where you were from. You want to blame someone for slavery? Blame the dickhead's who sold your family out, or the asshole's who bought them! Don't blame ME for something that was ABOLISHED over 100 freakin' years before I was even born!!!!!!
I would love to hear his argument if this would have been a white person making the same comment about Barack. This is the most ignorant thing I have ever read, if the word is so offensive, THEN STOP USING IT. Until the day that blacks stop using it, I will say the word as much as I please.
sticks and stones, people… sticks and stones. Anyone, of any race, can say whatever the hell they want. get over it. What's good for one is good for all. This is why we live in America!!
I love how Diggs groups all whites and all blacks as 2 separate groups and refers to them as "us" and "you". These types of ignorant comments further fuel the anger and divide between races…. which is why the argument will never go away!!
sorry as a white american I think that there is a lot of reverse racism going on….it seems to me that color is a bigger issue to blacks than to whites and while we need to accept things that are "black only" the shit hits the fan if there is anything "white only"…my relatives weren't even in this country when slavery was going on so I don't want to be held accountable for something that happened over 140 years ago…it's revolting not to mention offensive and I for one am fed up with it and all the PC BS.
Re: Amand – U silly little bitch. U guys gave us the shortest month of the year. Ur complaining about a month, when we learn about yall pale asses all year. U guys gave an asshole who didn't discover America a national fuckin holiday. Please shut the FUCK up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
if black people can say it so can white pople this is redicuilous its all or nothing..either we all say or or noone says it.. and thats racist of black people to say we cant say it if they can.. slavery is over…!!!! hellllooooooo get over yourselves!!!!
IF YOU WANT TO BRING SLAVERY BACK, THINK ABOUT WHO SOLD YOUR OWN PEOPLE TO WHITE POEPLE. YOUR OWN… SO SHUT THE FUCK UP…IGNORANT FUCKS… DONT USE THE FUCKING WORD AND MAKE EVERYONE HAPPY. THIS FUCKED UP WORLD IS SO DOUBLE STANDARD, SICK AND TIRED OF IT. IF YOU ALL ARE SO UNHAPPY WITH RACISM AND CRAP LIKE THAT LEAVE THE FUCKING COUNTRY AND WE WILL SEE HOW HAPPY YOU WILL BE. I LOVE BILL COSBY, HE IS SO RIGHT WHEN HE TALKS ABOUT IGNORANCE…LEAVE THE WHITE PEOPLE ALONE, DONT INVOLVE US WITH YOUR UNSECURITIES….PLEASE FUCK OFF!!!
black people need to stop bitching about how white people owe them something. we owe you nothing!!! all throughout history countries would conquer and enslave its inhabitants and you don't hear them whining about it. It's not our fault blacks have never flourished in their own country or that we brought them here (blacks sold blacks to americans) and put them to work to build one of the strongest nations in the world because, honestly, its not like they were doing anything productive with their people in africa.
i think that ty should not refer to elizabeth calling him that back in the day. she has no control over what the slaves were called. and she does too know what it is like being called a name when whites are often refered to as "crackers" it is just the same. you dont see whites calling themselves crackers
I think that is the most ridiculous justification for black people to be able to use the word. So, since white people use to beat black slaves….it is now okay for black people to beat one another? So stupid! Quit being hypocrites and lets change society and get rid of hate words. There's change for ya!
At some point in time the black community has to pick itself up and get on with their lives. Slavery was a bad thing, but so was the holocaust and you don't see Jewish people stuck in a rut. The african american community is the only community that has failed to come together and make a significant effort to better their lives as a whole. They have the fewest number of business owners of all minorities, they don't try to better their communities the way latinos, asian, jewish folks do. There has to come a time when the pissing and moaning stops and they try to make their lives better.
Re: B –
Shut the fuck up idiot!
only black people can use that word. Duh.
Re: ME – Again, WE were under the IMPRESSION of INDENTURED SERVITUDE U STUPID FUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Re: Amand – AMEN TO THAT "SISTA". HA! If blacks would just chill the fuck out about it we would have a much happier society with less racial tension. Whites may have done slavery, but the blacks (with everything they get now) are the cause of the racial tension. I have started my own "movement". Blacks always treat other blacks like thier own family. So when I go to the store, I only go to a white person and I am only friendly with the white people and I don't talk to the blacks. If we did half the shit they did they would know it feels to have the double standard.
Re: No, W –
No idiot…we are just fed up with all the reverse racism.
No one should use the word. It's offensive in general. Maybe if we stop using the word all together, it would be a small step forward towards real equity. The word originally meant IGNORANT and I was always taught that anyone using the word was IGNORANT (regardless of what race, uses it). I don't really think Rosa Park or MLK Jr would be very impressed with anyone using that word or claiming to own that word, etc. Everyone claims there is still a major seperation between races, well maybe if people learn to let go of their anger and move forward and stop blaming everyone else for the PAST, we might start getting to that point. Racism & hatred is taught behavior. So, instead of teaching young children that word or why it's ok for one person to use it and not another, maybe they should try and teach them that everyone on this earth is part of the human race and we need to respect each other's values, hertigage and past and move on. Maybe then our children can teach their children and all this B.S will end, instead of being drawn out and explained to the next generation and therefore continuing the cycle. Everyone yells about no equality, but how is the cycle going to end unless someone stops it…. and maybe that first small step starts with ending the use of this one word. There will always be people who hate, but not trying because of those few is just feeding into the hate.
If it's not good for one, then it shouldn't be good for anyone.
I'm sorry, but black people need to get over what happened in the past. Yes, what happened was terrible, but it happened to neither you, me, or anyone you've ever met. Black people are constantly claiming that white people are racist and we're the ones outcasting them. Uh, hello! If you're stating that as a black person, you are the ONLY ONE entitled to say a word because WHITE people don't know what it's like to be BLACK, that's bullshit, you are outcasting YOURSELVES. It is black people that keeps racism alive these days. If a white person ever said something as bogus as, "that black man can't say that because he doesn't know what it's like to be white", he would be shot, and probably by a black man. GET OVER YOURSELVES!
If these ignorant people (Diggs, Goldberg, ect.) actually listened to a History class they would know every race on this planet has been enslaved at one point. And if anyone has the nerve to bitch and moan I'm thinking it should people who are Jewish. The Holocaust took over 6 million lives, worst form of genocide in history. And the funny thing is you don't see any of them walking around with a chip on their shoulder. Go read a history book you ignorant racists!!! Yes, I did say they were racist because that is what this subject boils down to..black people are all racist.
Hassleback…I got yours! I agree with those that say we all can use it, or no one can. This battle of racism will forever go on if it is ok for black people to use the word and not white folk (Not that I want to use it)! Heck…I didn't create the term, nor did anyone that is a live in this century. Taye Diggs is fine though might I say…Idina Menzel is one lucky lady to go home with him every night! Hmm…I wonder if his white wife can call him that??
Given that our society is supposed to be moving toward equality, I think that any word that is recognized as being part of the English language should be an acceptable term used by any English speaking person. It's either a "bad" word that shouldn't be uttered by anyone, or something that anyone is entitled to use without prejudice.
Why is it that both black and white (or any other race for that matter) can utter the term "honkey" without such contraversy?
Sherry and Whoopie said it was a term of endearment to say to one another. So, why is it okay for them to go up to each other and say, "Hey N word," but it is not okay for their very good white friend to say it in the exact same manner? Whoopie said it is about context. Why can't a white person say it in that context. Why is it okay for black people to call white people crackers and honkies? What's the difference?
I think it is about time black people got over themselves. Slavery is over. Unless you yourself were personally affected by slavery, no one owes you anything. That is the problem with most black people these days. They have a sense of entitlement. I'm Irish and a woman. My ancestors were treated like crap too. Get over it already. The reason there is such a great divide still is because the black community won't let it go.
Re: kionn – OPEN THE DICTIONARY YOU IGNORANT FUCK!!! you will never advance no matter what
first of all, I AM WHITE AND I DIDN'T CREATE THAT WORD…SECOND, I DON'T USE THAT WORD! QUIT LIVING IN THE PAST AND LOOK TOWARD THE FUTURE FOR GOD'S SAKE. LET IT GO…NO WONDER THIS WORLD HAS GONE TO SHIT! B/C WE CAN'T GET OUR HEADS OUT OF OUR ASSES! IT'S ALWAYS THE WHITE PEOPLES FAULT! MY WHITE ASS AND FAMILY NEVER CONDONED INTOLERANCE! MY FAMILY IS VERY DIVERSE AND I'M SICK AND DAMN TIRED OF US LIVING IN THE 1930S WHEN IT'S 2008!!!!!!! QUIT BLAMING MY FAMILY FOR A WORD THAT YOU DIDN'T ENDURE. YOUR ANCESTORS DID!!!! GET OVER IT
#1 I'm so sick and tired of (Black) people telling (white) people that can't say current words but they can.
#2 I'm sick of how (black) people want equally rights but they arethe ones that segregate themselves from others.
#3 I'm sick and tired of them have more rights then others and still whine for more.
#4 I'm sick and tired of them using the (race card) for everything.
#5 I'm sick and tired of (white people) having to walk on eggshells around them.
And last I don't think anyone of any color no matter what should use hateful words little the N-word. That would be like a white person calling another family member (white trash) or a (mexican) person calling another family (wet back). This is stupid we all need to move on. The only ones that keep holding everyone back are black people. You know that I'm right.
At the end of it all….Whoopi and Elizabeth both have their points in their own right….Agree to Disagree….This is a never ending cycle….No one is really right or wrong…. and RE:LizCH ur logic makes absolutely no sense…
I am not a racist. and I feel for all the blacks who have suffered. HOWEVER, why would they want to use such a word that is so hurtful? I just don't understand why blacks can use it, but whites cant (I would never use it anyways). It has the same meaning for both blacks and whites. If it's so horrible, DON'T USE IT AT ALL. It's a double standered. I'm sorry. Get mad all you want. But it makes me mad! "oh, yeah we can use the word, but blacks can't???" I'm Italian. and I would never say, "You can't call me a racial slur, but I can, because it's different when i say it." IT IS COMPLETE BS. BS BS BSBSBSBSBSBSBS SERIOUSLY. DOES ANYONE ELSE AGREE WITH ME?
f that … if they can say it I can say it!!!
I THINK BLACK PPL ARE CHOSING TO BE OFFENDED BY THE N WORD. ITS JUST A FUCKIN WORD.. IM LATIN AND IF SOMEONE CALLS ME A SPICK I LAUGH MY ASS OFF AND PLEASE DO NOT FORGET WE HAVE ALSO BEEN SLAVES PPL .. A TABOO WAS CREATED AROUND THE N WORD AND NOW IT HAS A DOUBLE STANDARD .. IF ITS SO BAD WHY DO THE MAJORITY OF BLACK PPL (AND WHITE PPL WHEN BALCKS ARENT AROUND) USE IT EVERY 5 MINUTES? I THINK PPL NEED TO GET OVER IT FUCKIN PERIOD
Non-blacks should not use that word in public because it is RUDE, and negroes better stop it with these freakin' double-standards. His logic is the typical ridiculousness I've come to expect coming out of the mouths of shines.
First of all Taye Diggs, I am white……and I did not create that word. So I'm very offended that he would generalize that term to everyone. I happen to be a good person who doesn't think calling anyone of any race names of any sort. I don't call my girlfriends b*tch or c*nt as a term of endearment. Also, let me ask you this? I took my 2 year old son to the playground in my neighborhood and there were 6 young black men that were calling each other that name in a way of comradery, one apologized to me (as my 2 year old was there). What if my son had of learned that word that day? What would you say then? He's going to think that's ok? I mean he's only 2, he doesn't know any different or what being racist is? What ever happened to just common courtesy? What ever happened to people just being kind to one another?
well,there it is folks,the wall that it seems we cannot get over or around!it saddens me to hear and read comments such as this! why did i,raise my children to respect every one and never to use words such as this,when it doesn,t seem to matter.
I am sorry. If Blacks can use it, then whites can. And don't lay all this, "you used me as a slave bs!" I never ever use the N word, but i literally have people say, "you white people used us blacks as slaves!" OKAY FIRST OF ALL IF YOU ARE SAYING THAT, YOU WE'RE NOT A SLAVE. SECOND OF ALL, I'M SORRY. IT"S OVER. It"S IN THE PAST. THIRD OF ALL I JUST READ A TRUE STORY AND MANY BLACK SLAVES WERE FREE AND TURNED AROUND AND HAD THEIR OWN SLAVES.
If you look in the dictionary, most if not all words have many different interpretations. In this case it has a negative and positive meaning, depending how and by whom it is used. Whether you like it or not, freedom of speech allows each of us to use it anyway we choose. This is the way it is so, there is no point arguing about it.
Re: Court – I honestly believe that the Holocaust cannot be compared to 300 years of captivity. People fail to realize that slavery has had a ripple effect for both blacks and whites. White slave owners were able to build wealth off the FREE LABOR from BLACKs and provide a stable environment for their kids and their kids kids and for their kids kids kids. Because of slavery, African Americans were NEVER able to build wealth. (And if we tried, it was sabotaged by the KKK). After slavery, blacks did not aquire land. Hell they (former slaves) were sharecroppers for many years well into the 1900's. Truthfully the majority blacks have not been able to successfully acquire wealth until the mid to late 1900's. Whites have had a 300 year head start. So of course they would n't understand the pyscological affects this has had on generations of black people. They've always had a silver spoon in their mouths at the sacrifice of a black person.
Re: Kionn – Your racial comments and slurs are doing NOTHING for this world but making it worse. You're being ignorant and preventing change in our society. racism is not an intelligent form of rebuttle or defense, it is for the uneducated.
My white son got called a n****r at school from a black kid and my son said it back to him My son got ISS and the black kid went on back to class my son doesnt know the difference between black and white he doesnt see color but b/c the teacher was offended and not the black boy(they were playing with each other best friends)he got in trouble.If blacks continue using why cant white people use it when my baby hadnt heard that word at all but a black kid taught it to him I had to take time to explain slavery to him My son didnt have anything to do with slavery and neither did I
Taye Diggs needs to just close his mouth. The only reason he even opened his mouth is to get some publicity for his going-no-where-career. But I would have to agree a 100% with Holei about this subject. If a black person doesn't like to be called the N were by a white person, then a black person shouldn't use it. How is it okay for only a black man to say it to another black man. If Taye wants to say "now it's ours, leave it alone", then I can say the white man "created" that word, don't they have a right to say it as well? I don't honestly believe this, but thats where his logic is going.
I am tired of blacks pulling out the race card anytime something doesn't go their way. I see all the time, at school and work, if something doesn't go their their way(promotions), it's because they are black. Us white people are aways having to be careful not to offend them, because then we get labeled as racists. Enough already we don't owe you anything!
This is the future of our unborn children?WE as humans are all twisted And this is(use of any negative word or deed against each other) will get just as twisted thru history.Lets stop hurting the human race.PEACE OUT To ALL!!!
Re: ranos – Black people love it when the racists start talking shit at them because it makes them feel superior.
I'm sick of black people playing the victim card constantly with the "N" word. It's not like they're the only ones who are being called crude names. Asians, Hispanics, and Middle Easterners have to deal with that kind of shit too, newsflash. So self centered.
"don’t take a word that you created and called me for many, many years" I never knew he was so old he doesn't look much over 35 years old.
It is as simple as this. This word is word that means different things to different people. Some white people use it, some black people us it. Some people black and white do not use it and thinks no one should use it. Personally my grandmohters calls me one on a daily basis and doesn't mean the same thing if someone drives by yells it out of car window. Yes black people did turn something negatvie as a term of endearment. Hell, I have seen white dudes use it with each other, I really don't know how to take that yet, but it doesn't bother me that much. Everybody does it, Some latin people call each other by names that Americans have given them as put downs, Italians and even white people calling each other names like inbreeds. However, out of all these different backgrounds, none have the impact of the "N" word. Black people have been denied the most basic civilties, like marriage, voting, I mean we were considered property, most of don't even know where we come from except for Africa. We were not allowed to keep our names our culture or language, everything we have we have had to create or extend from our anglo-saxon owners. So, when someone who is not black uses this term, it makes one think that they want you back right where you were. It is hard to understand if you have never had to edure racisim, and beleive me you don't have to be called the "N" word to fell the pain of it.
It is never appropriate, regardless of what color your skin is, to use that word.
Just as it should never be acceptable to use the word cunt.
So, I can start calling my self a fuckin cracker, and it will be less offensive to "my people"? Don't think so. No one should be using the word.
I don't use the word, not that I haven't in the past. I think everyone needs to chill the fuck out. Anyone can use the word, it's called freedom of speech.
There are bigger things to worry about then a word.
No matter who uses it, when I hear the "N" word used, I kinda cringe. To me it is a very offensive, demeaning, derogatory word. We have one English language in this country. I don't see how we can take a word and say when this group uses it it means xx and when this group uses it it means yy. Our English language has a defination for each word–but the defination is not broken down by which group of citizens uses the word.
I thought abe lincoln abolished slavery- isn't owning a word like slavery?
Taee Diggs' remarks are ignorant. Suffering and prejudice is not unique to blacks. They did not invent it. Gaysand Lesbians, obese people, and even white people are discriminated against. Gays are ridiculed and even killed simply for being gay. Obese people are looked down upon and treated as worthless for being overweight. White people are treated as racists for being white. You don't have to be black to have an opinion on race, nor are you a a racist for having an opinion on race. If blacks feel so strongly about the "n word" they should not use it. Thet should set an example. If it is such a foul and offensive word in the mouths of some, it cannot also be a term of endeament in the mouths of others. Elisabeth is right; Whoopi and Sherri are wrong. You cannot have it both ways. It's either a bad word, or it is not. There is no middle ground with this word. I don't use it, because it is a wrong word. Plain and simple. It is wrong to call Italians Guinea's. It's wrong to call Polish Polack's. It's wrong to call Hispanics 'spics. It's wrong and it is ignorant, blind hatred. It is never right to hate someone based on the color of their skin, their looks or size, or their sexual orientation. When people stop acting wronged, and as if trials and tribulations are unique to them, the road to equality will be even smoother.
This is a subject where there will NEVER be a common ground. To ask public opinion is useless. Holei, I hate to break it to you but many Blacks have been referred to as an N by someone not Black, everyday. Our parents tried to make it a positive to take the pain away. As silly as it may seem to some that's what it is about. I would never expect anyone to understand the twisted logic behind the use, it is never going to happen. That is true for any slang reference to an ethnic people
The problem with both parties is that they assume that the rest of their own culture will be able to deal with the situation in an appropriate manner.
The longer that the "N" word remains on the tongues of any individual, black, white, red or green, the longer it will be misused…further propelling tension between races.
The second qualm I have with Diggs and Goldberg's stance is that the ties that bind them to the true meaning of the word have long past their generation. Therefore, to claim that word as their own, is to claim a period in time that they cannot truly connect with, because they have not lived it.
What concerns me is the lack of African-American cooperation in letting the past live in the past. As a member of the Jewish community, anti-Semitic phrases and words have no place in our society, even if we could make the words our own, those words have no place in our, or any, mouth. Such is the case with the "n" word.
Everyone is entitled to an opinion. Diggs and Goldberg deserve no more or less respect than Hasselbeck. Sure, some of her views or past musings may not be in line with what others feel to be right and good, but she deserves equal respect in lieu of being demonized for her thoughts and questions.
i personally think that such word should not be used in any way, even if your black. If you dislike people, besides your race, to call you the N word, then why allow yourself or others black people to call you that? … i know it brings insecurities, but as much as we can we have to stop acting so hypocrite and just try to be more mature. NO TO "N" WORD!!!!!!
I love how black people STILL make themselves feel like we owe them bcuz of slavery…. my ancestors did… that's not my fing problem!!!! get over itttttt!!!!!
I mean, we're trying to make it right, everyone…… but stop making us feel like were sooooo mean and bad bcuz we're white….
we're trying to b one like Hasselback says and gets bitched out by whoopi bcuz she starts saying no it's not one we can't be one.. so WTFFF BLACK PPL ARE RACIST NOW!!!!!pathetic
Its sad that so many people have commented saying that black people no longer get called that word and therefore, they should stop fussing over it. I have two black adopted sisters and we live in a prodomitaly white suburb. I have watched as my 11 year old sister came home from school crying not knowing what the "n" word ment but being upset because a white child had called her that on the bus. From the way the child spoke she knew it was a bad word, with out knowing the meaning, without knowing the history of the word. When it's used in a hateful way, it is a bad word, period. Its a matter of how the context of the word makes another person feel. So if coming from a white person, and the word makes a black person feel badly, then it shouldnt be said. White people should be ok with that, damn… why would you want to use a word that makes another person feel badly anyway?
I use the N word and don't give a flying hell.
If you look "the N word" up in the dictionary it's defined as an "ignorant individual" so technically, anyone, black or white can be a "N word". If a black person can say "the N word". Why can't I? I get called a cracker all the time in my inner city neighborhood. How is that any different?
Diggs is correct. Take the word BITCH for instance. Women took what was and still is considered a negative word and use it to their own meaning. A woman can say to another woman in a friendly way: You're a sexy bitch.
If a man said it, it would have a different meaning. I won't call a woman a bitch because from me it would be hurtful, but I wont tell women they can't say it to each other.
Same thing with the N-Word. White people know what happens nowadays when you say it to a black person. Don't worry about how we speak as long as it's not directed at you. I say the N word, it's a part of my vernacular and when I say it, no one has told me it's hurt them, in fact they smile and shake my hand and give me a hug. I guess it's because I'm blacl.