Is "dropping the n-bomb" racist?

[Johnny Novgorod]

Of course it's racist. '******' specifically singles out race. I don't think the word itself - or any word for that matter - should be taboo'd, but that's largely an American thing.

 

[GundamSentinel]

Context, context, context!

That's really the most important thing. It's perfectly possible to use any offensive word in a non-offensive way. It matters how you use it, when you use it and who the audience is. But then again, most languages are rich enough that you can easily avoid the use of any particular word, so why bother using it in the first place?

Yes, calling someone a '******' is racist. No, just saying the word is not. This obsession with calling it "The N-word" is not healthy.

Also, this.

 

[Dizchu]

Why use it at all? I am not seeing why using it in private is any better than using it in public, when there are plenty of words to use that are not offensive, why use it at all? No one is forcing them to use an offensive term. Being an asshole in private isn't much better than being an asshole in public. I guess that would make them a "closet asshole"? LOL

People like to use offensive language, and the "n-word" is pretty much seen as the most taboo in communities where racism is frowned upon. On the internet people make jokes about 9/11, the Holocaust, ideologically-driven murderers like Anders Breivik and Elliot Rodger, Islamic extremism, etc. It's not because they support such things, but because they want to ridicule them. Maybe it's insensitive? Sure, I get nervous around excessively offensive humour.

The frivolous use of the "n-word" partially comes from "African American" culture (music, comedy, social media, etc.) There's a certain irreverent or sassy tone that comes from a style of humour associated with black Americans that appeals to many. It's a very new phenomenon, even 10 years ago people were much less comfortable with it. I'd probably attribute this to the rise of social media (especially avenues for mini comedy skits like Vine).

I'm not sure calling them "closet assholes" helps much. These are people who interact with black friends on a regular basis and share these kinds of jokes with each other. I'd say that it's closer to a mockery of stereotypes than it is an expression of racism.

 

[Lil devils x_v1legacy]

On a related note, is Oriental a slur word?

Well seeing as "westerner" isn't a slur, I can't imagine how oriental, which means "from the east" can be.
It's referring to a person or thing's origin and even the USA with it's odd insistence of using African American instead of Black and Caucasian instead of White is specifically referring to origin with those descriptions (though it's odd that since we all hail from Africa if you go back far enough, we're not all given that moniker).

Yes oriental is usually considered insulting, not the same as " westerner" but more like when They call people of European descent "Hairy barbarians".
Though some may not take offense to being called a hairy barbarian, it doesn't make it any less insulting. LOL

Where exactly is "oriental" considered insulting?
Given it historically refers to Turkey and the middle east or north Africa, but the more modern description would include eastern Asia, those to whom it refers have changed greatly.
Certainly some of the more modern "wild west" films have used the description to refer to Chinese immigrants to the US (usually with an attached f---ing), but I was under the impression that it was well known that was a poke at the general lack of education or level of ignorance of the typical frontier type of the time.

Also, hairy barbarian is frankly the kind of drivel a pre-school child would come up with, who uses that?

Next thing you know, people will be complaining that "stupid person" is a slur of some sort...

From my understanding " oriental" became a racial slur due to the usage that developed during the Vietnam war. The promotion of the "US vs orientals" made it very difficult for Asian Americans who were segregated and chastised for their race.

"Hairy barbarian" is a racial slur used by Japanese to describe Europeans. The racial stereotype of Europeans in Japan was they were ignorant, undisciplined, unsophisticated, sloppy, uncivilized hairy barbarians and people feared them.

 

[ObsidianJones_v1legacy]

Frankly, I do not understand why so many people are obsessed with the word. There seems to be this Jones to use it for some reason. To have the ability to share in a shared centuries long pain and discrimination for funsies...? Doesn't make sense to me.

So? Blacks use it. And? We all know you should never call a Woman a ***** unless you actually want to feel what it's like to have Woman Fury all over you. We never question it. We never have tv shows devoted to "I'm a guy! Why can't I say it?!". Even though we know there are quite a few women who do use it. Go to a bar sometime. But we understand that not only is it highly offensive to females, it's derogatory.

So why isn't the male gender trying to reclaim it? Why isn't there this push to have the ability to say an offensive thing and not get in trouble for ***** as there is for the N-word?

If you're not black, I mean. From what I've seen most African American people are completely fine with their community using it. But I have never interacted with a black guy, I'm from Asia, where you being black means that you are Michael Jordan or Oprah (just kidding, that only happens in China). Anyway, when I was young, my elders often told me that if I ever went to the States, I shouldn't use the n-word or the black community would beat the shit out of me. This was almost a decade ago, and looking at society now, is ****** still really an insult? You're bound to hear it in any rap song, and the guys on Vine use it all the time.

Being African American and middle class (back which such a thing was even feasible... THANKS OBAMA) growing up, I'm going to assume you're thinking about the phenomenon that a lot of people have on confusing our "Lower Class" which somehow represents the entire black community.

It does not.

It's like looking at rednecks and thinking "well, this sums up the white culture."

Or if when you think about Latinos, your mind doesn't stray from from Cholos.

What we have is a catch 22 here. A lot of people say "Well, media wouldn't show them like this if they weren't that way". And then when we have a positive, human normal portrayal of the literal millions of other ethnic families who are just like everyone else's... it's called 'White Washing', and no one wants to watch it because that's 'not how they are!'.

What we have is a global case of societal blindness. On a day out, You will notice the tight jeans, underwear showing black guy who is wearing his sunglasses and trying to look like whatever the rap videos say he should be like. You might notice me walking around in a Polo and jeans that fit. The same as the other dozens of so other black guys dressed normally on that day. But when it comes time to draw up an image of a black guy... Those dozens and I disappear, and you immediate go back to those Rap Video wannabes and say "Well, that's all I see."

I do not use the word. It has no place in vocabulary. There are literally millions others like me. If you see a subset of a blacks do it, don't think they represent all blacks.

Sometimes I wonder why people say "The N Word" all the time, I mean children probably aren't reading this and we all now what word you're talking about.

Respect. The F-bomb is just a curse. It has no significance. It doesn't mean anything other than an expletive. But we say F-bomb because we know there might be some people who doesn't want to hear a curse, or we're in mixed company and it just might be low-brow.

The N-word has a lot of meaning and weight to it. It's a power attack that everyone knows they have, but wants to de-value it because X, Y, and Z. You just respect that there might be some who don't want to see it, even if it's common knowledge of what it is.

catpcha: Rack and Ruin.

... I like your style, Catpcha.

 

[Lil devils x_v1legacy]

Why use it at all? I am not seeing why using it in private is any better than using it in public, when there are plenty of words to use that are not offensive, why use it at all? No one is forcing them to use an offensive term. Being an asshole in private isn't much better than being an asshole in public. I guess that would make them a "closet asshole"? LOL

People like to use offensive language, and the "n-word" is pretty much seen as the most taboo in communities where racism is frowned upon. On the internet people make jokes about 9/11, the Holocaust, ideologically-driven murderers like Anders Breivik and Elliot Rodger, Islamic extremism, etc. It's not because they support such things, but because they want to ridicule them. Maybe it's insensitive? Sure, I get nervous around excessively offensive humour.

The frivolous use of the "n-word" partially comes from "African American" culture (music, comedy, social media, etc.) There's a certain irreverent or sassy tone that comes from a style of humour associated with black Americans that appeals to many. It's a very new phenomenon, even 10 years ago people were much less comfortable with it.

I'm not sure calling them "closet assholes" helps much. These are people who interact with black friends on a regular basis and share these kinds of jokes with each other. I'd say that it's closer to a mockery of stereotypes than it is an expression of racism.

Liking something that is offensive to others doesn't make it any less assholish to do in public or private, even among friends. It is like when women joke about rape of other women. Simply because they are women too doesn't suddenly make it any less assholish to do. yes they would still be considered a closet asshole regardless.

It became prevalent due to gangsta rap, which is in itself offensive by nature and intended to be offensive. That doesn't suddenly make it less offensive.

 

[Cartographer]

On a related note, is Oriental a slur word?

Well seeing as "westerner" isn't a slur, I can't imagine how oriental, which means "from the east" can be.
It's referring to a person or thing's origin and even the USA with it's odd insistence of using African American instead of Black and Caucasian instead of White is specifically referring to origin with those descriptions (though it's odd that since we all hail from Africa if you go back far enough, we're not all given that moniker).

Yes oriental is usually considered insulting, not the same as " westerner" but more like when They call people of European descent "Hairy barbarians".
Though some may not take offense to being called a hairy barbarian, it doesn't make it any less insulting. LOL

Where exactly is "oriental" considered insulting?
Given it historically refers to Turkey and the middle east or north Africa, but the more modern description would include eastern Asia, those to whom it refers have changed greatly.
Certainly some of the more modern "wild west" films have used the description to refer to Chinese immigrants to the US (usually with an attached f---ing), but I was under the impression that it was well known that was a poke at the general lack of education or level of ignorance of the typical frontier type of the time.

Also, hairy barbarian is frankly the kind of drivel a pre-school child would come up with, who uses that?

Next thing you know, people will be complaining that "stupid person" is a slur of some sort...

From my understanding " oriental" became a racial slur due to the usage that developed during the Vietnam war. The promotion of the "US vs orientals" made it very difficult for Asian Americans who were segregated and chastised for their race.

"Hairy barbarian" is a racial slur used by Japanese to describe Europeans. The racial stereotype of Europeans in Japan was they were ignorant, undisciplined, unsophisticated, sloppy, uncivilized hairy barbarians and people feared them.

Interesting, I was completely unaware of the use of the word in 1950s USA. I imagine the majority of the rest of the world would be as well, but I can't say for certain. I reject your notion that it is an insult however, that would be you reading into it, something that simply isn't there, we are not in the 1950s any more and speaking for myself, I am not in the USA. Context, as with most things, is everything.

Gaijin in Japanese is often translated as barbarian, but again, context is key. I hope you would agree that "foreigner" is rarely used as an insult, more as a description, and that is arguably the better translation in any context except where someone is screaming it at the top of their lungs.

 

[Reiper]

It's like what Dumbledore said to Harry about not saying "Voldemort"
When you refuse to say a word, you give it power.

Heck, some of my friends call me a "******" all the time. It doesn't offend me, I know they're not even referring to black people when they say it.

 

[Dizchu]

Liking something that is offensive to others doesn't make it any less assholish to do in public or private, even among friends.

But people get offended by very different things. Some are offended by graphic depictions of violence, some are offended by profanity, some are offended by gay people existing, some are offended by secularism, some are offended by depictions of sacred people (the prophet Muhammad for example).

Sure, some things are more worthy of being seen as offensive than others. Some are not suitable for children or may be unwelcome to family audiences (like violence, sexual themes and strong language), others are based on ideological differences, some which might be harmful themselves.

It became prevalent due to gangsta rap, which is in itself offensive by nature and intended to be offensive.

I listen to a lot of rap music and yes, some of it is intended to cause as much offense as possible. However, I don't see anything wrong with that, it's expression. Now sure, if a rapper explicitly advocates misogyny, homophobia, violence etc. that would be a bad thing. But merely writing about them is not only fine, but in my opinion necessary.

But use of the n-word isn't limited to only gangsta rap. It appears in less "offensive" forms of rap too, sometimes for comedic purposes, sometimes for deeply serious purposes (see Public Enemy and Kendrick Lamar).

 

[Lil devils x_v1legacy]

On a related note, is Oriental a slur word?

Well seeing as "westerner" isn't a slur, I can't imagine how oriental, which means "from the east" can be.
It's referring to a person or thing's origin and even the USA with it's odd insistence of using African American instead of Black and Caucasian instead of White is specifically referring to origin with those descriptions (though it's odd that since we all hail from Africa if you go back far enough, we're not all given that moniker).

Yes oriental is usually considered insulting, not the same as " westerner" but more like when They call people of European descent "Hairy barbarians".
Though some may not take offense to being called a hairy barbarian, it doesn't make it any less insulting. LOL

Where exactly is "oriental" considered insulting?
Given it historically refers to Turkey and the middle east or north Africa, but the more modern description would include eastern Asia, those to whom it refers have changed greatly.
Certainly some of the more modern "wild west" films have used the description to refer to Chinese immigrants to the US (usually with an attached f---ing), but I was under the impression that it was well known that was a poke at the general lack of education or level of ignorance of the typical frontier type of the time.

Also, hairy barbarian is frankly the kind of drivel a pre-school child would come up with, who uses that?

Next thing you know, people will be complaining that "stupid person" is a slur of some sort...

From my understanding " oriental" became a racial slur due to the usage that developed during the Vietnam war. The promotion of the "US vs orientals" made it very difficult for Asian Americans who were segregated and chastised for their race.

"Hairy barbarian" is a racial slur used by Japanese to describe Europeans. The racial stereotype of Europeans in Japan was they were ignorant, undisciplined, unsophisticated, sloppy, uncivilized hairy barbarians and people feared them.

Interesting, I was completely unaware of the use of the word in 1950s USA. I imagine the majority of the rest of the world would be as well, but I can't say for certain. I reject your notion that it is an insult however, that would be you reading into it, something that simply isn't there, we are not in the 1950s any more and speaking for myself, I am not in the USA. Context, as with most things, is everything.

Gaijin in Japanese is often translated as barbarian, but again, context is key. I hope you would agree that "foreigner" is rarely used as an insult, more as a description, and that is arguably the better translation in any context except where someone is screaming it at the top of their lungs.

Me reading into it? In US universities, it is taught to be a racial slur.

"n. often Oriental
1. Often Offensive An Asian, especially a South Asian, Southeast Asian, or East Asian.

Usage Note: Oriental is now considered outdated and often offensive in American English when referring to a person of Asian birth or descent. "

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/oriental
I didn't make it a racial slur, I was TAUGHT it was a racial slur. I am not the one inventing this,just letting you know how it is being taught here.
I did not invent the Japans racial slurs as well, only educated about them.

 

[MonsterCrit]

Racist? key to a happy life. Ignore it. Don't worry about it. Speak your mind and convey your emotions as unambiguously as possible. If that means calling someone of darker complexion a nappyheaded cotton picker of a ****** throwback. Do so.

Unspoken racism is still racism, the trouble is if it is unspoken it is unseen , unknown and cannot be addressed. Everyone is some kind of 'ist because everyon likes to feel better than someone else.

Racists feel better than another because of race Which is amore of a cultural as opposed to a genetic construct.
Theists go by religion.
Sexists based on gender.
Moralists basically because they like feeling as if they are morally superior to another (lots of folks like this)
Nationalists based on nationality
Classists base it on your social class
and the list goes on.

There is always a construct by which we divide ourselves into them and us. So my opinion... in the words of a great song "

You got to Shout! Shout!
let it all Out!

Be honest with yourself and be honest with the world. The world is so diverse that no matter hat your ist there's always likely at least one more of your kind that will approve of you and at least one person of a different 'ist that will hate you and feel offended.

If your goal is to insult or demean or make someone know just how much you islike their presence... well you might as wellbe very clear about it. If the feeling is about a group of people well then Lay the cards on the table. At the very worst they'll feel the same way about you as you do about them. They won't want to be around you and since you don't fancy being around them.. well.. it's Win-Win.

 

[ObsidianJones_v1legacy]

Heck, some of my friends call me a "******" all the time. It doesn't offend me, I know they're not even referring to black people when they say it.

I'm not a hundred percent sure using a word that was meant to de-value a broad section of human life as being less than human, subhuman can be used without referring that that group of humans.

I mean, the word wouldn't exist unless if there wasn't the need to debase those humans, right? It's like if I start calling my non Jewish friends the 'K'-word. How do you separate the meaning and history from just "I want to be fun and irreverent?"

 

[Lil devils x_v1legacy]

Liking something that is offensive to others doesn't make it any less assholish to do in public or private, even among friends.

But people get offended by very different things. Some are offended by graphic depictions of violence, some are offended by profanity, some are offended by gay people existing, some are offended by secularism, some are offended by depictions of sacred people (the prophet Muhammad for example).

Sure, some things are more worthy of being seen as offensive than others. Some are not suitable for children or may be unwelcome to family audiences (like violence, sexual themes and strong language), others are based on ideological differences, some which might be harmful themselves.

It became prevalent due to gangsta rap, which is in itself offensive by nature and intended to be offensive.

I listen to a lot of rap music and yes, some of it is intended to cause as much offense as possible. However, I don't see anything wrong with that, it's expression. Now sure, if a rapper explicitly advocates misogyny, homophobia, violence etc. that would be a bad thing. But merely writing about them is not only fine, but in my opinion necessary.

But use of the n-word isn't limited to only gangsta rap. It appears in less "offensive" forms of rap too, sometimes for comedic purposes, sometimes for deeply serious purposes (see Public Enemy and Kendrick Lamar).

It would be intellectually dishonest to attempt to compare people being offended by gay people existing and one being offended by the word " ******."

People have died, been beaten, physically and emotionally abused under this term, in this day, not even in the past. This hasn't stopped, the KKK still parade around shouting "kill the niggers!" even now. They do advocate those things, as that is what should be understood about gangsta rap, it is not just an expression of words, but a promotion of lifestyle. Those who look at gangsta rap from the outside do not understand that. It is meant to be reality, not fiction. This was created as an outlet to show the outside world what inner city life was really like. It was never meant to be considered fiction.

 

[Lil devils x_v1legacy]

Heck, some of my friends call me a "******" all the time. It doesn't offend me, I know they're not even referring to black people when they say it.

I'm not a hundred percent sure using a word that was meant to de-value a broad section of human life as being less than human, subhuman can be used without referring that that group of humans.

I mean, the word wouldn't exist unless if there wasn't the need to debase those humans, right? It's like if I start calling my non Jewish friends the 'K'-word. How do you separate the meaning and history from just "I want to be fun and irreverent?"

Even worse if they are not referring to black people with the term, that means they are referring to the MORE offensive meaning, referencing behavior.

 

[Zhukov]

Though some may not take offense to being called a hairy barbarian, it doesn't make it any less insulting. LOL

For the record, as someone of European descent, I'm pretty sure I'd laugh myself silly if someone called me a "hairy barbarian" to my face.

It's like if I start calling my non Jewish friends the 'K'-word.

Wait, there's a "K-word"? What on earth is the "k-word"?

 

[Lil devils x_v1legacy]

Though some may not take offense to being called a hairy barbarian, it doesn't make it any less insulting. LOL

For the record, as someone of European descent, I'm pretty sure I'd laugh myself silly if someone called me a "hairy barbarian" to my face.

It's like if I start calling my non Jewish friends the 'K'-word.

Wait, there's a "K-word"? What on earth is the "k-word"?

Yes, it does sound funny, as do most of Japanese insults.. but they certainly do not find it amusing to be called one. HAHA

scroll down to the first one under " k"
http://www.rsdb.org/race/jews

 

[visiblenoise]

Typical usage isn't racist when it comes from a place of innocence, but it sure is kinda icky if you're using it seriously.

Not a big deal, but if you're a stranger and I hear you calling your friend that, I'd be slightly less inclined to get to know you in that moment.

 

[Dizchu]

It would be intellectually dishonest to attempt to compare people being offended by gay people existing and one being offended by the word " ******."

I said in my response that some instances of offense being taken are more legitimate than others. Me bringing up homophobic people wasn't an attempt to equate them with those that are offended by the "n-word", I was trying to point out that in order for something to be offensive, someone has to be offended by it. In public, things like profane language are not advisable. In private, amongst people who know your intentions and you know theirs, it's a much different matter. People are free to say and do anything in private as long as others aren't hurt. One could argue that private discussions influence attitudes in public, but that's a different discussion entirely.

People have died, been beaten and physically and emotionally abused under this term, in this day, not even in the past. This hasn't stopped, the KKK still parade around shouting "kill the niggers!" even now. They do advocate those things, as that is should be understood about gangsta rap, it is not just an expression of words, but a promotion of lifestyle.

Which is why I would not advocate the use of the n-word in public, because of America's troubled past (and present).

And in terms of gangsta rap being a promotion of a lifestyle? Sure, much of it can be seen that way. That doesn't mean it's not a valuable part of culture, even if it does promote hedonism, misogyny, violence, greed, etc. You don't need to share those ideals to appreciate the music. I like black metal, some of the bands I listen to are actively racist and have anti-Semitic lyrics. But I still listen to it, I might even appreciate the lyrical content even though I find the inspiration to be abhorrent.

On the same tangent, generally the same thing goes for all the kids saying "fag", "******", "trap" and other slurs like that.

This is interesting as I used to identify as a "trap". Not so much anymore though, but I can see both why one would be offended by the word and why one would regard it as a compliment.

I used to perceive it as a form of validation, "You can look indistinguishable from a biological female". But I understand that it is kind of a cheap "compliment", as it suggests that there's a specific way that men and women should look, it treats me like a novelty and it also treats me as a deceiver. It's weird. I never use the word anymore though, and I was always careful not to use it to refer to others.

 

[RedDeadFred]

Words are just words. Context is everything.

If the word ****** on its own is considered racist, then so should saying the "N-word". As Louie CK said, if you say the N-word, everyone knows what you mean. You're still putting the word "******" in the listener's mind.