There was an episode of Boston Public a few years ago about this very subject. In that show the argument that was presented about why black people use the word was, in a sense, to make it commonplace in an attempt to remove some of the 'power' the word had in denigrating black people, it was kind of an empowerment thing. Like the way homosexuals proudly refer to themselves as 'queer'. I'm not sure that this tactic is necessarily working. It's sticky subject for sure. I think context is everything in this case. If it is used in a 'racial-hatred' sort of way then that is bad and not appropriate. There are other uses of the word (like in a rational discussion about race) that I think are appropriate and people need to lighten up when they hear the word used in that way.
I get not wanting a word used in a racial context. That's not cool. But let's say you're standing next to two black guys and that's what they call each other as a term of endearment. I can't say it as the same... Because I'm white. It's a double standard. If black people don't want the words used at all, just stop using it alltogether. It's simple. It almost seems as if it's a baited trap.
I agree 100%. In fact, as an aside, it was that exact same situation that started the episode of Boston Public--two white kids calling each other that word and being overheard by a black kid who took offense. I think it will be a very, very long time before it is acceptable for a white kid to use the n word as a term of endearment towards a black kid. But as far as Dr. Laura goes, I think she totally missed a golden opportunity to initiate and lead a good public discussion about the use of this word and racial sensitivity. Her approach lacked a certain amount of tact. It was as if she punched the caller in the face, the caller saying please stop because it hurts, and Dr. Laura saying let me punch in you the face a few more times to desensitize you to it. If, instead, she would have explored her sensitivity to the word in a more tactful way instead of beating her over the head with it, she could have cashed in and started the exact public discussion that she wanted. It really is a shame.
It will never be ok for white kids to use it near, around, or towards a black person. Bottom line. It's always gonna be racist because a white person said it. Doesn't matter.
Now you do realize that was exactly the point Dr. Laura was trying to make, don't you? BTW, use of that word by black "entertainers" is hardly a new phenomenon. Go listen to any Richard Pryor recording. After a few minutes, you will realize that in his lexicon, that word meant "black people."
i thought that she was talking about the double standard, but unless i missed it, i dont remember hearing her say it should just die out completely. because its seems more than just the double standard. if a word is that offensive, i dont understand why it isnt offensive across the board. i mean why would you call a friend something that has connection to violence and injustice? that part i dont get either.
Separate but non equal semantic status for black and white? As white comedian Andrew Dice Clay might have said if he had been into racial as well as sexual: jokes: Sticks and stones might break my bones but a n***ga might really hurt me"
My Cajun grandparents both spoke English as a second language well enough to communicate with anybody. Mawmaw could read but she rarely read anything but the bible. Pawpaw couldn't read at all but he could sign his name. Once a month when his social security check came in he would put on a suit and drive the block and a half to the bank so he could sign his check and cash it. He supplemented their meager income the summer by trawling for shrimp and selling it to his neighbors. In the winter he would trap muskrats, nutria and whatever for extra money. Whenever one of his traps caught a coon he would skin it and sell the meat to some of the black folks he knew would love to have it. Both my grandparents would sometimes use the now dreaded N word in casual conversation, but they didn't hate anybody. They had lots of good friends both rich and poor, black and white and young and old. My Pawpaw told me one time that if all your friends are the same age as you then if you live long enough you won't have any friends. One of their daughters (my aunt) was married to an Italian guy. Pawpaw and my uncle would always mess with each other. Pawpaw called him dago or wop and my uncle called him coonass. All in good fun. No harm no foul. Now everybody from Jimmy the Greek to Don Imus to Dr Laura stands to lose millions for a single slip of the tounge. I am not a radio or TV talk show host but it must be a fine line to walk in order to maintain the cutting edge day after day after day to try to keep their viewers and listeners interested enough to maintain their ratings yet never once cross over the PC line.
