white people have this misconception that the n-word is a term of endearment. it's not.
babycakes is a term of endearment.
sugarpie is a term of endearment.
nigger is not.
slavery might not be happening anymore and jim crow might be gone—but when a white person uses the n-word casually, it's a reminder of the powerful oppression that once was (and still is, to a lesser extent).
the n-word is the only thing in our culture over which Black people have exclusive domain. all Black people know (and damn near all white people understand) that any use of the n-word by any other race other than Black people (Hispanics have been given somewhat of a pass with using the word) is socially unacceptable simply because the n-word has historically been used as a term for power and oppression over an entire population of people which literally lasted hundreds of years.
the use of the n-word amongst Black people is really a reminder to the dominant society that all the power that word once had—the dehumanization of an entire population for hundreds of years—has now been completely stripped away. using that word is the one thing a Black person can do that a white person cannot do in a social setting.
babycakes is a term of endearment.
sugarpie is a term of endearment.
nigger is not.
slavery might not be happening anymore and jim crow might be gone—but when a white person uses the n-word casually, it's a reminder of the powerful oppression that once was (and still is, to a lesser extent).
the n-word is the only thing in our culture over which Black people have exclusive domain. all Black people know (and damn near all white people understand) that any use of the n-word by any other race other than Black people (Hispanics have been given somewhat of a pass with using the word) is socially unacceptable simply because the n-word has historically been used as a term for power and oppression over an entire population of people which literally lasted hundreds of years.
the use of the n-word amongst Black people is really a reminder to the dominant society that all the power that word once had—the dehumanization of an entire population for hundreds of years—has now been completely stripped away. using that word is the one thing a Black person can do that a white person cannot do in a social setting.
"humanity is just genetically racist, it's not until someone is demeaning a particular
group or person that people take notice of it"
You can't be "genetically racist", racism is a dogme, an ideology claiming people that look differents are not from the same "race" and people from "different races" (ie. not looking the same), behave according to his/her race... the ideology also claims that some races are superior to others and shouldn't mix.
Racism is fundamentally stupid, we're not genetically pre-disposed to stupidity ; racism is a social matter, not a biological one, and the main cause is ignorance.
group or person that people take notice of it"
You can't be "genetically racist", racism is a dogme, an ideology claiming people that look differents are not from the same "race" and people from "different races" (ie. not looking the same), behave according to his/her race... the ideology also claims that some races are superior to others and shouldn't mix.
Racism is fundamentally stupid, we're not genetically pre-disposed to stupidity ; racism is a social matter, not a biological one, and the main cause is ignorance.
Originally Posted by HiPower
the use of the n-word amongst Black people is really a reminder to the dominant society that all the power that word once had—the dehumanization of an entire population for hundreds of years—has now been completely stripped away. using that word is the one thing a Black person can do that a white person cannot do in a social setting.
So the power the word has has been allegedly stripped away, but it's wrong for anyone but black people to use it?
Anyway, I don't really think that referring to white people as "the dominant race" is really help the whole race scene. Everyone is equal.
Not all black people were slaves, and not all white people owned slaves. Please read what I wrote earlier in response to slavery.
Originally Posted by Grohenbird
So the power the word has has been allegedly stripped away, but it's wrong for anyone but black people to use it?
Anyway, I don't really think that referring to white people as "the dominant race" is really help the whole race scene. Everyone is equal.
Not all black people were slaves, and not all white people owned slaves. Please read what I wrote earlier in response to slavery.
not the power of the word, slavery (is what he said).
white people are literally the dominant race though. probably not the right word though, maybe most prominent? we're of course referring to america.
what does someone not owning or being a slave have to do with racism/the word in question being offensive? going back to your example, you make it seem as if you've been through the situation where you literally said "black people were slaves" and someone get offended and angry at you for it. if this is the case that person is objectively stupid. but, if this is not the case then what you are saying does not happen often at all. I can't think of anyone who would be offended by that statement unless the context is that you brought up that statement for no reason but to be an asshole. that's not a topic that comes up in casual conversations.
Originally Posted by mwah
what does someone not owning or being a slave have to do with racism/the word in question being offensive? going back to your example, you make it seem as if you've been through the situation where you literally said "black people were slaves" and someone get offended and angry at you for it. if this is the case that person is objectively stupid. but, if this is not the case then what you are saying does not happen often at all. I can't think of anyone who would be offended by that statement unless the context is that you brought up that statement for no reason but to be an asshole. that's not a topic that comes up in casual conversations.
I'm this discussion, there seems to be a correlation between slavery and the word nigga being offensive. I was addressing that.
I agree that the subject matter I was referencing is not common, but I've had that or a similar conversation with a few black counterparts. I was bringing it up more to point out the ridiculous connotation my counterparts have assumed. It might simply be a viewpoint accepted in my small corner of Arkansas, but it's the only experience I can use.
