NationStates Jolt Archive

The Debate About Racial Slurs

Recently Trio ran a program called The N Word looking at the usage of what might arguably be called one of the last truly profane words left in the English language. The documentary seems to break down into two camps:

1) Those who believe common use of the word "******" (although some distinguished it from "nigga") is a way to de-mystify the word and drain it of its power and hatred. This group is further broken down into those who feel use of the word should be limited to Blacks only and those who feel anyone can use the word as long as it is not meant in a racist or insulting way.

2) Those who believe that the use of the word "******" (in any form) is always derogatory, whether used by racists or by Blacks as a symbol of empowerment

I myself am of the old school and believe that symbols have meanings and this particular word has such a history of hatred and bigotry that it should never be used by thinking, feeling people. Not that it should be officially banned, but just that people of good manners should know better.

I understand the point of view of those who say the best thing to do is rob the word of its meaning through common usage. However, I don’t think it should be robbed of its meaning. It is part of our history and to change its meaning is a kind of cultural revisionism, not unlike those who attempt to make the Confederate flag mean something other than what it does.

There are other racial slurs, some of them quite humorous (see the Database of Racial Slurs http://www.rsdb.org/), but none that evoke the emotions of this one word.

Word Games
Trio's The N-Word investigates the history of America's most ambiguous racial slur.
By Dana Stevens
Updated Wednesday, July 7, 2004
http://slate.msn.com/id/2103077/

The Black community had a chance to throw a racist slur back on the faces of white supremacists by turning that word into a badge of honor. Sadly, they decided to merely add a definition with a racist criterion (if you're black, it's acceptable; if you're white, it's not.), which still allows white supremacist groups to use it for its original purpose.

The Black community had a chance to throw a racist slur back on the faces of white supremacists by turning that word into a badge of honor. Sadly, they decided to merely add a definition with a racist criterion (if you're black, it's acceptable; if you're white, it's not.), which still allows white supremacist groups to use it for its original purpose.
True ... example of badge of honor ... queer ... once started being used by gay community not neerly the insult it used to be

It is just a godforsaken word. It only hurts people who want to be hurt. I don't use it, but it's just ridiculous if people get all offended at things like that.

I bet that Hitler will post in here, and be really offensive.

When you use phrases like "The N word" it only empowers it.

So how is it Mungie Cake or Muppetfucker have not caught on as a term for whites?

Mungie Cake - White sponge cake found in Europe.
Muppetfucker - Backwoods inbred rednecks of the U.S. south are called muppetfuckers because they look like Muppets.
http://www.rsdb.org/

Having had to deal with the word almost breaking off a friend's wedding (me being the maid of honor running back and forth between the bride and groom), I would say that it should never be used.

Having had to deal with the word almost breaking off a friend's wedding (me being the maid of honor running back and forth between the bride and groom), I would say that it should never be used.
No one is arguing that it does not have emotional content … but rather wondering if the emotional connotation can be changed over time so it no longer becomes a slur (ideally people wouldn’t want to use any words to hurt others … but people will be people)

No one is arguing that it does not have emotional content … but rather wondering if the emotional connotation can be changed over time so it no longer becomes a slur (ideally people wouldn’t want to use any words to hurt others … but people will be people)

What's the point? If we do away with this particular word as a racial slur - others will take its place.

What's the point? If we do away with this particular word as a racial slur - others will take its place.
(consequently my argument against word wondering due to PC …) I’m not sure how to change people but if we can remove most of the easy to say slurs maybe people will be just to lazy :P

Who votes for "Let's use it more"? It might demistify it, but you're still offending people in the mean-time.

If it's just abandoned, the only people who use it will become seen as outmoded, frowned upon, and the word will become even more unacceptable, and so used a hell of a lot less, thus not upsetting people along the way. Sure there'll be a minority of old gits still using it, but people will say they don't know any better.

Who votes for "Let's use it more"? It might demistify it, but you're still offending people in the mean-time.

If it's just abandoned, the only people who use it will become seen as outmoded, frowned upon, and the word will become even more unacceptable, and so used a hell of a lot less, thus not upsetting people along the way. Sure there'll be a minority of old gits still using it, but people will say they don't know any better.

I saw the program - The N Word - and many people, especially young hip hop artists (black and white) argued in favor of using the word with frequency in order to take the potency out of it. Many seemed to think "******" was an insult, but "nigga" was a perfectly acceptible, even appealing, description, with "gangsta" overtones.

So how is it Mungie Cake or Muppetfucker have not caught on as a term for whites?

Mungie Cake - White sponge cake found in Europe.
Muppetfucker - Backwoods inbred rednecks of the U.S. south are called muppetfuckers because they look like Muppets.
http://www.rsdb.org/

Oh, that's easy.

Mungie cake actually tastes quite good; so people wouldn't mind being called a tasty food. For example; calling Black people, "My chocolate flavored friend" sounds quite intimate and friendly.

I know of at least one comic who wanted to make "******" into a snack food; thus whenever you went to a party you could ask, "Where's all the Niggers? Its not a party without the Niggers!"

And as for Muppetfucker; it is used, but its used to describe Furries who are into the Plushie scene. If you don't know, don't ask. If you do know, my condolences.

I myself am of the old school and believe that symbols have meanings and this particular word has such a history of hatred and bigotry that it should never be used by thinking, feeling people. Not that it should be officially banned, but just that people of good manners should know better.


^^My position exactly :)

^^My position exactly :)
Me too

The Black community had a chance to throw a racist slur back on the faces of white supremacists by turning that word into a badge of honor. Sadly, they decided to merely add a definition with a racist criterion (if you're black, it's acceptable; if you're white, it's not.), which still allows white supremacist groups to use it for its original purpose.

I'm not sure what you mean by "a badge of honor." Also, all Blacks are not in agreement about whether the word should be used or by whom.