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.]
Thats the most ridiculous thing i've ever heard. White people shouldn't have an opinion on it? Well tell that to JFK or Bill Clinton, two very influential WHITE men who have worked very hard to make sure that ALL people are treated equally. Racism isn't just against black people, the definition of racism is "hatred or intolerance of another race or other races". Saying that white people can't have an opinion on certain subjects is ignorant and a step backward in the fight against racism.
Taye's statement "don’t take a word that you created and called me for many, many years" is wrong. The people that created that word are dead and no one has been calling him the N workd for many many years. That type of thinking is a part of the broblem.
pathetic people: its only a word. anyone can say it. hey i just said it outloud! ooh but im a white girl… scary! im such a bad person. jeez louise, im gonna go to hell! what we "should" and "can" say is irrelevant. guess what! WE CAN ALL SAY ANYTHING WE WANNA! but if you black people out there wanna say I can't say a word well then you're just gonna have to get over the fact that im gonna say it if your gonna say it. so HA! im gonna do whatever the fuck i wanna do and i have the sudden urge to say the n word. what are you gonna do about it? you cannot control me. you cannot control what i will and will not say. you can suggest and i may or may not follow that suggestion. i personally did not think up that word and i have never in my life said it to a black person nor will i ever, but if i want to say the word out loud i will. so sorry, but just GET OVER IT. i am uncontrollable.
thank you.
Equality means EQUALity. It's hypocritical to say one group / race of people is allowed to do / say something but another is not.
I'm so tired of this argument. Either it's ok or it isn't - for everyone.
So it is pure stupidity for people to say that black people today have not faced racism or been called the n word. i think it is true that the word should be abloished because as a black person it brings back painful thoughts and memories but i also stand by the black people who want to empower the word because we as a culture have taken back that word and can use it as our own. we have spun a negative into something better. white people with never be able to use that word in an accepted matter. but i do agree that pop culture should not use the word as much as they do because it is making it a word that is too commonly used and accepted.
just know that the word itself still hurts people and when another black person says the n word it is acceptable in my words but never if it is said by a white person. it is pure ignorance to believe that no one will ever use the word again and it is even more ignorance to believe that white people should be allowed to say it too!
I kind of agree…. Sort of like my girls and I call each other bitches all the time, but let a dude say it and it's on like donkey kong!
Why does he keep saying you? I agree, if they choose to use the word its their choise. But stop referring to me as my ancestors. I did not call you that, and my family was out there picking cotton with the slaves, so whats the difference? I do not come from people who owned slaves. I hate it when black people want to carry hatred for something they did not go through personally, and that I did not do to them. Stop crying about it, and keep calling each other it. Who gives a shit?
Okay, so slavery was terrible. Did the white explorers/slave traders rip the blacks from Africa? OH HELL NO. Other (black) leaders of tribes in Africa SOLD the otha brothas! Ha ha ha Not even history books really give THIS much discussion. It is an ugly part of history and oddly enough, perpetrated by the black tribe leaders in Africa! They made $$$$ I think nigga is a dandy word. Who fucking cares what color you are. What matters is class and money.
"Violence begets violence" Anger begets Anger". EVERONE NEEDS TO PUT THAT WORD IN A BOX AND LEAVE IT THERE. MY 6 YEAR OLD SON KNOWS THERE IS AN "n" WORD AND WANTS ME TO TELL HIM WHAT IT IS. I REFUSE TO THROW THAT WORD AROUND,AS I FEEL EVERYONE SHOULD. BUT TO EACH THEIR OWN. THIS IS AMERICA
Re: jamie – You are the one who is a moron if you cant (or don't want to) see the difference.
Some people will never understand, I accept that, but just stfu if you don't get it. Lord
This is just another example of how black people insist on holding themselves back and creating their own world so that they can say that white people hold them back and racism still exists. Its an ignorant word and any intelligent person can see that any use of it is benign, you didn't need to be called it to understand how horrible it is. There are words like the N word in every race and culture that each and every one of us can relate to.
All of you that say black people are not called the N word anymore by white people are totally clueless. My husband is black, if he accidentally cuts someone off in traffic or anything else like that, the first ignorant word that comes out of some peoples mouths is the N word, yes in 2008! And, what Diggs is saying is that they took over the word and gave it a positive spin because it was such a negative, horrible hateful word. Just like if I joke around with my girls and say "what's up bitch!" it's an endearing term, but if a man uses that word, it's not ok! Get it? That word belongs to black people, they suffered enough, they can use it how they want.
omg this is so stupid!! ok great, bad shit happened. but let me remind everyone that it didn't happen now. And it's not like I have a black slave! They get carribana, bet, like a million things but you don't see white ppl getting any parades or tv stations!! Plus they can call white ppl whatever the fuck they want and not get in trouble so fuck it. We get to say whatever we want. If you're acting like one, you get called one. Otherwise you don't. I have black ppl in my family that could care less cuz they know they're not gonna get called names cuz they act like proper people. end of story.
I'm with paul mooney. Don't use the n word or the b word. Divorce them, ban them, they are too hatefully potent and we can't change that.
Re: Holei – "I" as a black person in the 21st century, have been called that word many MANY times by ignorant whites. Sorry that you live in a fairy tale world where there is no racism, but I live in the US where it's quite prevalent. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that ALL white people are ignorant AT ALL. Most, if not all that I know are outstanding citizens. I'm just saying that anyone who thinks that just because it's 2008 that there is NO RACISM needs to get a clue.
blacks think they own this word? i dont think so. hilarious that these fools that seem to think they can call other blacks this name or even their friends yet whites cant, are fucking retarded. maybe the uneducated, drug selling,drug using , dont take care of their kids, welfare mother fuckers should quit fucking complaining and whining and get your ass a job and/or go back to school and be something other than a worthless piece of shit living off my tax dollars! and talk about shit in the present like the war!!!
next thing you know- you won't even be able to call people "black"
Re: Mandy – As a white person…..thank you. I don't like the word but hate the fact that some black people act like its people living today that put their ancestors from way back in slavery.
This is the stupidest thing I've ever heard of - that a certain culture or ethnicity 'owns' a word and no one else can use it. Are we all in Kindergarten?
You know, black people want everyone to treat them like equals. The problem is by using that word, they are separating themselves from everyone. Pick a side….either you want to be separate and different, or you want to be like the rest of the world. But you can't have it both ways.
Honestly, I think if you take offensense to word, then your plane weak minded. The word only has meaning because people, White and Black gave it power. I think that it is stupid that Black people think its OK to call each other that, as I think it is stupid for any person, white, blk, latino etc to call each other anything that "used too" have a derogitory meaning. Grow up people, get over yourselfs and freaking move forward in life. STOP LIVING IN THE PAST.
Everyone is entitled to there opinion on the matter no matter the color of there skin that is the great thing about this country. People in general should no use the word because it comes from a place of hate.
I understand what the black community is saying when they say that they have transformed the word to mean something different for them. but you can not in turn say whats up my nigga (meaning a friend) in the lyrics of music. music that is heard by the masses of whites, blacks, asians, latinos etc. and expect everyone not to want to embrace something that is being turned into what could be coined pop culture. say it to each other in private. fine! but put it out to the world and you have lost your right to say who gets to use the word. in a sense black people themselves have made it ok to be said.
Growing up in a house where my white mother and stepfather called each other the "n" word, I pretty much understood the word as just a bad word goes in the boat with Hell, ignorant (its actual meaning), etc… I believe a person can take a word and its meaning is perceived by receiver of that statement. I can say to one of my female friends white, Asian, Latin, or African "hey whore what’s up" (I would not do that anyway, but just to make a point) and depending on how it is perceived by them is really what it comes down to.
All of this really goes along with moving from the past to the future, if we continue to live in the past things will never change. All people are able to vote over the age of 18 now and slavery is illegal. Today people are only treated (in most cases) how they let someone else treat them.
I may never understand how it is to be a African AMERICAN in the united states, but I do know that we are all Americans and how we are treated is more based on the fact that we ARE Americans.
Re: Miry – Gawd, you white people will never get it! When a black person uses it against another black person it isn't considered derogatory. However, I have yet to see a white person use it against a black person and it wasn't used in a negative way.
Geez, it's like talking to first graders…
Nigga please, it's all stupid anywayz
Really, that word is a disgrace to anyone that uses it, and anyone that allows themselves to be called it, for the fact that it means an ignorant person in the dictionary, no one should want that to be a term of endearment, by family, friends, or people of the same race or different races, and I AM BLACK!! the word's root started off as negro, for black in spanish, in the south with their southern drawls it became n*gger because they couldnt say it right, then negativity was associated with this word because it was in the time of slavery when blacks were thought to be beneath whites on an equality level. I think anyone that says it breathes life into a word that should want to be discontinued by all, as blacks justify it…it goes out of control…because now when whites cry over it…it becomes a race issue, "she doesnt understand cuz she is white" is BS, its upsetting to anyone with some common sense, black, white, red or green….She cried and they brushed it off….maybe we should all sit and wonder why this isnt a joke, and if the "N word" offends white people….why the hell doesnt it affect us? No one should use the damn word….EVER…NO ONE!!! What a rant…I just meant to put FIRST!!!!
Re: Martic – So, what does that have to do with the content of what he was saying. You can be married to a white person and still have the beliefs that you have. You are stupid!
Re: GIRLI –
The Black TV channel is designated for black people ONLY! It doesn't have TV shows that feature mostly black, but also the occasional white person.. it's just black people! There is not ONE TV show that features ONLY white people! It there was you better believe white people would be made out to be the racists. Yes, there was a time when black people weren't in the media at all, but there was also a time when women/black people were not allowed to vote and women couldn't work.. times change and black people's attitude towards white people needs to change with it!
As white people we know the terrible abuse that black people suffered through slavery and do feel the shame of our ancestors. However we in the 21st century, (in hopefully decent society) do not use that term! as we know of its disgusting origins! however i do understand the empowerment that the black community feels in reclaiming it for their own use. Although any mentioning of that word just brings up the horrible surroundings of its origin so i DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE INSISTANCE OF IT BEING USED, UNLESS TO CONTINUALLY MAKE THE WHITE PEOPLE OF TODAY FEEL BAD FOR SOMETHING THEY DID NOT DO!!!!!!!!!!
Re: kionn – Let me guess…you are a teen-ager with no job, no friends and no summer activities to keep you busy…and, the only time that you step away from your keyboard is to put dinner in the oven before mommy and daddy get home, right??
YOU are the type of example, that I give my 13yo, so that he will stay in school, and get an education. Moron.
WTF!!!! HOW THE HELL ARE WHITE PEOPLE TRYING TO TAKE IT BACK?!?!?!?!
I have in no way ever wanted to use it, and neither do most people. We aren't trying to take it back, we're just saying it was meant as a horrible word and we don't want anyone saying it. WHY THE HELL DO THEY WANT TO USE A WORD THAT WAS USED ON THEIR ANCESTORS IN A BAD WAY!?!?!?!
We don't want to take it back to use it on them again.
What a dumbass.
I mean seriously this is out of hand, and racism will never stop if people keep goin on, black people are fuckin treated better, because everyone carries this fucking guilt, like we will offend them any second.
We did nothing wrong. Maybe people did AGES ago, but that isn't us.
And he hasn't ever been treated like a slave, so what the hell's he goin on about.
I bet he has a better life than me surely.
GAH, we're not trying to take it back we're just trying to say stop using it because in WHITE culture it will never be changed into something else, it will always mean what it meant years ago, and not being BLACK we can't feel the way you feel about it, so everytime you use it, it's like you make us feel guilty, for something we never did. Just reminds of us back then, and it's stupid and people will now always be reminded of it.
So even if you mean it as something else, we can't see it that way.
Re: w – awesome! i totally agree with you. I think more people should say it so it will mean less and less then maybe people can get over this hardon they have for the word–or for people not saying the word
I think he's been brainwashed in to believing that ANYONE has the power to change the meaning of a word like that. It will always be a negative, disgusting word. Perpetuating it, in order to take "ownership" of the word is insane. Let IT and EVERYTHING it stands for die. Elizabeth H. was right.
Ok, you know I have somewhat of a problem with what Taye is saying. First, he's pulling the race card out and it's unnecessary ("white people don't know what it's like to be black"). Second of all, how can someone stand there and say "we were called this word, but now it's ours. Now we embrace it." wtf? If it was such a hateful word, why would they now embrace it?? Wouldn't that kind of cancel out all of the crap that happened decades ago?
This whole "situation" is getting way out of hand. It was originally about Jesse Jackson being a hypocrite and has turned into another arguement about blacks vs whites. ENOUGH with the racism on BOTH sides.
I think it's funny that black people scream equality, and yet, here is a perfect example of why they will never get it. How can white people treat black people the same when black people refuse to see themselves as the same? It's a catch 22 for whites. Wrong if they don't aknowledge the differences of blacks, and wrong if they do
Get the F*CK OVER IT………..The people talking sh*t were NOT slaves……DO YOU SEE Indians…and other races CRYING aobut it???????? GET OVER ITTTTTTTTTT
It's just funny how white people are upset they can't use the word without getting a beat down. Really white america just leave it allow. Diggs is right we took your hateful word and flipped it.
Re: sweet –
Sooo true!
"Hey, Bitch!" is a fun greeting, but if a guy says it, no way!
How come its not okay to call blacks that word but it is okay to call whites derogatory names?
Re: w – Oh yeah, you're gonna say it–to your computer screen where you are anonymous to everyone. Say it to a black person's face…I would LOVE to see you get that urge. Damn, I'd pay good money to see that.
FUCK BEING POLITICALLY CORRECT! IF I WANT TO USE THE N-WORD…THEN I WILL. IF IT OFFENDS YOU…FUCK OFF! THIS IS WHY THERE WILL ALWAYS BE RACISM…BLACKS WILL NOT LET IT GO AWAY!!!! FINALLY YOU GET A WHITE PERSON (ELIZABETH) TRYING TO BE THE WAY BLACKS WANTED WHITE PEOPLE TO BE SINCE THE BEGINNING AND NOW THAT IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH?? GO FUCK OFF AND STOP BEING SUCH PUSSIES!!!!!
he has a point, but i am white & it isn't my word. i didn't make it up or call anyone by it. i take offense to being associated with the people responsible for slavery & other atrocities. blaming all whites is just as racist as blaming any other group.
Re: jacki – I was thinking the same thing. To me equality means that everyone is the same. We should all be treated the same. So, how does it make any sense that one group of people is allowed to use a certain vocabulary when others are not? I dont use the N word, I dont use the F word or the Q word. Theyre not nice words, no matter who is saying them. There will never be a time when the N word is taken back or changed to a point where people do not find it offensive.
So it's not ok for white people to use "the N word" but black people can call white people names? that doesn't make sense at all. I also don't understand why black people can have all black universities and such but if white people have a university for only white people we're being racist. Get over it people really so black people hold grudges because of slavery, but didn't a white guy let you all go free? Yes I believe so. Stop bitching and move on with life.
Re: sweet – Finally! Someone who gets it! You must be black.
Re: lisah –
Is that right??!
Maybe if you people learned proper English language to better yourselves you would'nt have to live in a 'hood'!
Re: Miche – and white people haven't felt racism? that is ridiculous. How about all those scholarships for minority only students? How about the pipeline jobs and mining jobs in Alaska that are for "native preference only" WTF
racism is alive and well in Amerikkka! It is just against poor whites now. The way to FIX racism isn't with MORE racism.
i hate when people say "you gave us that name" no, our ancestors used that word. and our ancestors called your ancestors that awful name. it's just all bitch, honky, wetback, porkchop, white trash etc. they are all words that we could do without.
I'm black and I can't stand the vast majority of black people. Most of my friends are white (no I'm not a kid). If white people had any idea just how incredibaly racist a large percent of black people are, you would be astounded. I have heard blacks sit around and trash talk whites using the most hateful names so many times it would make your head spin. My long time white friends have told me many times that they rarely, if ever, hear racial things from other whites. And I know they are being honest with me. My friends and I are all clean, respectable, responsible people with honest steady jobs who have a lot more important things to than sit around and grip about social injustices. And the same goes for the few black friends I have.
why do we keep trying to create racism over and over again? get over it america. its an issue because we make it an issue. i'm asian and i don't throw around the word "chink" to my asian pals as if it were some kind of right. sickening. w
I am Jewish and I wouldn't want my family and friends to start calling other Jews "k*ykes" just because we were supposedly "taking it back" and "making it ours." It is offensive either way and it is just another way to continue segregation. If everyone wants total equality, then let's start by putting everyone on equal terms.
ALL IDIOTS……its a damm word, whats this WE HAVE TAKEN THE WORD BACK???? hello, we all speak english, WHO OWNS WORDS???? lets be serious….everyone wants equal rights……RIGHT? SO, I SAY….IF YOU CAN SAY IT, SO CAN I !!!!! if you dont like me saying, then dont use it either…..END OF STORY!………….i cant believe a culture/race can take back and own a word……WHAT A JOKE!!!!
I don't understand his point. And i'm not "white".But I was taught by my mother that the n word was bad. Not like a curse word, but demeaning and wrong. Now it's used in music and everywhere else. I don't understand why any African American would want te be called a n. They own it. I don't get that either. I wonder what Martin Luther King would think?
I think he needs to get over himself, one he was not the one being called the N word for so long, and we didn't take their word from them. I think that if they didn't like that their "ancestors" not the generation now, were called that word why would they take it and try to make it cool.
If it was such a bad word for us to say to the black community then why do they turn it into a good word? Its like taking the word fuck and makin it a "good" word you jsut dont use it as a "happy" way i guess u would say…. I think NO ONE should use the "N" word
Re: openm – I bet you wanna secretly say it all the time. Its ok you know its true.
Re: Kionn – Get your timeline right before you open your mouth. I recommend a little research!
This country was built by many people, not just slaves, as you claim, I am sure you have heard of the word IMMIGRANTS?
Also, stop whining about the injustice that was done to your people in the past and show some respect for those whose land was forcefully taken from them. Consider those who were betrayed and who are now living in large reservations all over the US. They live in parts of the country where nobody else wants to live. Not in posh suburbs of LA, or NYC, or Washington, DC, I could go on. The majority of their descendants don't get scholarships to every college and university in this country. I am sure you have heard of the Native Americans! Show some respect!
Is Taye Dig's kidding? the word is disgusting and if he wants it to be used then EVENYONE can use it, Don't get made at white people calling you that. No double standard here. sounds like race card to me. And byt hte way, had the African's never been brought over to the U.S. they would still be hunting squirrels with a spear. American has afforded a whole differnt world then what their paths would have been.
All or nothing. If they can say it, then so can I, if I so choose.
That is just the most retarded thing I've ever heard.
White people just don't know? WTF?
So white ppl have never been discriminated against?
I'm SO freaking tired of white people having to walk on eggshells when it comes to black people.
Just UGH….
"don’t take a word that you created and called me for many, many years".. uh, earth to Taye Diggs. YOU WEREN'T ALIVE WHEN BLACK PEOPLE WERE CALLED THAT WORD FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.
So don't say "you called me"….. GET OVER IT.
By the way - I have a history degree and maybe you should all read up a little bit. SPAIN was the first to import slaves from Africa, and BLACK MEN were the ones selling them. YOU SOLD YOUR OWN PEOPLE. So go after the ancestors of the BLACK MEN who sold you to begin with.
Re: LizCH –
I don't think men should have anything to say about abortion unless it's his baby. I understand where Taye and Whoopie are coming from, but I feel that we as African Americans should not be calling each other that word. It really is stupid when you think about it.
This is so fucking stupid, I've heard tons of people say "What's up my nigga" WHITE PEOPLE TO WHITE PEOPLE.
Why is it when BLACK people use it it's to be friendly.
But if a white person uses it, it's definitely to be racist.
When a white person says it to another white person, IM PRETTY DAMN CERTAIN!!!! They do NOT mean, "Hey, what's up my black slave?" FFS.
Why aren't we allowed to use it?
It's either a word for white people to be racist, or it's a word for EVERYONE to be friendly to each other?
And so everytime black people say they can use it but not white people, people will be confused, so we don't know what is acceptable. And we just come across as racist for fucking everything, whereas black people make white racist jokes all the time and we laugh it off cause we carry some fucking guilt.
WHY THE HELL SHOULD WE!?!
WE DID SHIT ALL.
do ya'll think cristiano ronaldo hates white people as much as taye diggs? because if not, im thinking about moving to Portugal and becoming his mistress
Here's my thing about this word. I do not like it. I have never liked it, and I never will. I hate hearing it come from people's mouths, it's an ugly, hateful word. I understand the argument about taking back the word, etc. However, by saying to someone of a different race that they cannot use that word because of their race is racist. No one should be restricted on a word because of the color of their skin. Telling me that I cannot say a word because of my race (sex, hair color, eye color, sexual orientation, any reasoning) is prejudice. Whoopi's, Taye's, and Sherri's (I'm pretty sure I heard Sherri tell Barbara that she didn't want to hear the Nword come out of B's mouth) argument is racist. I am not saying that they are racist (because I don't think they are), but their reasoning is causing division amongst people.
I really think that the word either needs to die out and not be used by anyone (doubtful this will ever happen), or the power that is in this word needs to go by the wayside.
This is just upsetting…
I for one am offended by Taye Diggs generalising of all white people. I have never used that word to describe/offend anyone and slavery was a disgusting thing that happened in world history. It has nothing to to with me or anyone alive these days so why make out that all white people have marginalised black people. Ranting like him and the others on the show did just widens any gap between the two races
This statement is what irks the crap out of me: "take a word that you created and called me for many, many years".
When did I create a word to call you by? It wasn't me, and I don't think we should perpetuate the word or the sterotype associated with it. Double standards don't have a place in today's society.
Re: denve –
And you will get your teeth knocked out saying that in front of the wrong person.
Just another shining example of why black people will not rise above and join the other minorities in achieving progress in our society. Want a job? No? Want to go to school? No? Want to put a condom on? No? Want to be a father? No? Want to emulate rappers and basketball players? Yeah?
Black people can bitch and moan all they want, but every oppurtunity exists for them to come up in our society and make a name for themselves. But their "culture" basically demonizes it. If black people actually had the first clue about their "culture" they wouldn't dare use the N-Word either.
Peace.
If we are all equal, then no one or everyone can use it. What's good for the goose is good for the gander.
"Don’t try to take it back now. Now it’s ours." He's kidding right? Whatever makes you feel better. The entire world uses this word as a deragatory word for African Americans. If the word was truly "yours" as a culture, you wouldn't get so pissed off when everyone else uses it when referring you.
I literally had a conversation about this the other day. Being mixed, and actually have been called the "N-word" I feel like i have the "right" to make judgments. This word is a bad word, point blank. Get rid of it. If only black people can use it, then it only creates more of a divide. If white people use it, then emotions and history will be brought up and problems will arise. Just get rid of it, there is no need to use it in any conversation. oh and that goes the same for the slang version that ends with an -a.
It is sad that a word that degrading is being used by the community it was targeted at. If there should ever be any progress in america with certain ethnic groups, they should change their ways in new directions, and not dwell on the past. The word is not positive.. I mean, would a black college professor or a lawyer use it?
Just some thoughts from a non-american
Everyone wants equality and to be treated the same way but only certain people can use certain words. "I" did not do anything to "them." Just as we don't know what its like to black-they don't know what its like to be white! I am taking back "cracker"- it is no longer a crispy treat! I can use it whenever I want- its mine!
As a white female, I completely agree with Taye Diggs and Whoopi Goldberg. It just isn't a word that white people get to use, or restrict the black community from using. It's similar to the word bitch. I can tell my girlfriend she is such a bitch, joking — but if some guy calls one of us a bitch, it has a completely different connotation.
I think T. Diggs is right.
I'm white and, of course, have no idea what it is to be black.
To say that injustice to African Americans ended with the Civil War is ridiculous. It took another 100 years for the civil rights movement, which finally got rid of the virtual slavery of Jim Crow, and there is no way that all prejudice suddenly disappeared because some of our unjust laws were finally remedied.
People still say the N-word in hateful ways. It's still hurtful and used in a derogatory manner. It's still wrong, and I think it will always be wrong for white people to use it. Even if you don't mean it hatefully, it still shows disregard for a time when it was used to lower African Americans to a less-than-human status.
I also agree with Diggs that I think it's alright for black people to appropriate the word and make it their own. I think that's a way to hopefully neutralize it. But saying African Americans using it is the same as white people using it is ridiculous.
Read "Black Like Me" or simply look at the difference between sentencing for crack users and cocaine users. Racism isn't yet gone, but we can still fight it by opening up dialogue like this, having open minds, listening to the opinions of others, even if we disagree, and remembering that once we get lax, we can backslide.
My son was called the N word several times a day at school in the fifth grade. When I spoke to the principal about it and expressed my concern that my son might get frustrated and say it back to the kids that were teasing him I was told that he would be suspended. I was also told that my son was not allowed to use the word but the other children were allowed because they had earned the right. I do not swear as a rule but I remember thinking "WTF" but did not express this. I think at that particular moment I had earned the right to say what I was thinking! I thought we had progressed in this country past the one way privileged way of thinking.
Black people are the ones that keep the N word alive and then they bitch when a white, hispanic or asian person uses it. I am tired of this shit, if they don't like the word then they need to stop using it!!!!!!!!!!
African Americans need to make up their freaking minds. The white people didnt sell them into slavery.
they cant have their cake and eat it to.
Get over it.
Go Elisabitch!
Then why can't we have The White Entertainment Awards?????
i dont think any of us white people want to use the word i think we are jsut having a hard time understanding as to why black people would want to use a word that was such a mean word to describe their ancestors. idk i guess i jsut always think for example, this isn;t even equal in comparison but just an ex. its like someone calling me a slut and me being mad at them but then going around and saying hey im the slut. idk thats probably a horrible example but its kinda like that to me. idk if someone can jsut make a clear example as to why it is okay to say it maybe i would understand more. cause my opinion is its jsut a bad word and no one should say it, we should just get rid of it 100%.
I think the word is not necessary but if some choose to use it…fine. Elizabeth is a nice girl and all but she being a white person doesn't have the right to tell blacks they can or can not use a particular word. To me there are bigger fish to be fried out there!! Why put so much time and energry into something like this!! Black people use the word, white people use the word…it is what it is…
and 1 last word………THE RACE CARD BEING PULLED ALL THE TIME NEEDS TO STOP !!!! i am white, and if i, god forbid say anything against another race, ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE….but yet, black, african americans (whatever is politically correct today) are offensive, especially by comedians, ALL IS OK….its accepted and NO BIG DEAL…..WHERE IS THE FAIRNESS HERE…..HELLO, ITS 2008, you are no longer slaves, MOVE ON !
Isn't a black person using the N word the same as YOU, Perez, referring to gay people as either "dykon", "lezbot" or "fagalicious" ? A straight person wouldn't get away with using that to refer to a gay person, but a gay person can use it to refer to other gays.
I think it's bullshit.
I think the word should be eliminated from our vernacular. There's no need for it on either side of the fence.
And it also bothers me that he said "you created and called me…"
My family hasn't been here for hundreds of years. It hasn't even been here for 100. So we had no part in "creating" it, nor have I EVER used the word.
It's foul, and just teaches children how to be ignorant and that it's an acceptable word to use "just because you're black."
JUST BECAUSE ELIZABETH IS WHITE DOES NOT MEAN SHE CALLED YOU THAT! OBVIOUSLY SHE NEVER WOULD! I DIDNT CREATE IT AND IM WHITE AND THINJK THAT IT IS ONLY A WORD THAT DOES MORE HARM THAN GOOD.
It is like a girl saying to her friend what up skank but then i guy calls her a skank and gets mad. If you dont want others to call you that dont call yourself that.
"now it's OURS"
..wow taye, way to create even more racism and division.
sigh whatcha gonna do with the blacks. They want it all their way. yawn my ancestors had nothing to do with your enslavement brother. just move on
I can't believe that white people or black people can debate on the use of this word anymore. White people know that they shouldn't say it and it's up to them if they say it in certain company and get their ass beat. I know if I was hanging out in my local barbershop where it is about a 50-50 mix I would never say it. I might when hanging out with my freinds let if fly but not with a racist connotation. Black people have the right to say it whenever they want. Get over it already.
How can famous black people expect kids to imitate every aspect of their careers from what they wear, the songs they sing, the movies they make and adore them enough to buy everything they sell and treat them like gods yet not say that one word… thats just plain STUPID… if you want people to idolize you like a god, then you'll take all aspects of that adoration… good or bad.
If I was part of a group and we called ourselves and each other "idiot" friendly or unfriendly, I would expect others outside of my group to begin calling myself and my group, "idiots." I don't feel the gray area on this one, it should be all or nothing. Drawing lines around black people to say it's ok for black people to use the word, only further separates races.
no one should say it
Re: DEP –
You said it exactly right!! I'm so fed up and sick of this BS!
This is why a black man will NEVER be president…..we don't need or want this type of racism in the White House!
And Barack Obama and that lovely wife of his are 2 of the biggest racists there are!!
Re: K – Good point…..and you know the Jews had it way worse than the blacks.
I think that blacks calling themselves the "N" word is akin to women calling themselves "fat" or "bitches"…acceptable, but completely inappropriate to self-esteem and growth within a larger culture and society. Yes, a skinny girl may be joking as she says she's "fat" but she's joking with a inner spectre of what she fears may be true of herself some day. It also desensitizes other people to the term and the tossing about of such an epithet.
I think either everyone should be allowed to use any word to truly desensitize it and rob it of it's true power, or everyone should refrain and allow kindness to rule the day. Blacks who make the argument that it is acceptable for blacks to use it and not whites are essentially still giving it power over them, by allowing one group of people to have an undue emphasis upon an antiquated word.
Re: Lbean – he shouldn't be cutting off others in traffic. How rude!
he's obviously clueless and ignorant towards other racial comments in the world.
Does he know how to feels to be asian?
Perhaps white?
maybe Spanish?
I get the fact that blacks were treated wrongfully in the past, but what about the Asians and other races? They weren't treated right, and it's not like they keep on complaining about it.
IS THERE A ASIAN HISTORY MONTH?
NO.
IS THERE A ASIAN HERO IN AMERICA?
NO.
there's only movies made about completely bashing them, like Kim Jong Ill.
Ghandi, Buddha, every one of them are made fun of, but are blacks made fun of the way asians, whites, europeans leaders are?
No, they're not.
because the black society would go in outrage.
When Rosie fatass odonell made that whole asian remark, the asians were outraged.
But it went down in about a week.
so, that guy could just shut the fuck up.
because it's already been said before.
what the heck is it with that word. either it is a word to use by all or not at all. you can't have it both ways when blacks want equal rights yet this is somehow showing prejudce toward other races. are all other races not suppose to have the same rights? you cant have it both ways.
Fine…No more "N-word"! Just never, ever let me hear the word "cracker" again! Oh, and I guess that means no more black comics makin' fun of "whitey"!
Re: openm – Thank you! Great explanation. I think anyone who sees it any different than you, just doesnt want to acknowledge that it makes sense to them. They want to use the word and then they will say, "You used it." It's just another way for them to be racist and try to be logical about being that way.