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.
Is "dropping the n-bomb" racist?
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Is calling someone a ****** bad? Well, yeah, it's an ethnic slur so unsurprisingly it's bad, it's a way to refer to a group of people in a derogatory manner. It's something that implies that group of people are inferior. Is using the term ****** when just talking about the use of the word itself a problem? No. It's also fine to use it in fiction, there is a difference between character in fiction being racist and that piece of fiction itself being racist.
Sometimes I wonder why people say "The N Word" all the time, I mean children probably aren't reading this and we all know what word you're talking about.
Sometimes I wonder why people say "The N Word" all the time, I mean children probably aren't reading this and we all know what word you're talking about.
Yeah, this pretty much sums it up.Knight Captain Kerr said:
Don't use the N-word when talking to someone in real life. It's a slur. It may not have started as one (If I remember correctly, it started as a varitant of "negro", which means black in...Spanish, I believe? Though you shouldn't use that word either when talking about people...), but it's been used as a racial slur for so long that it kinda has negative implications nowadays. People are generally not going to like it if you call them that.
In certain circles of the internet, though, I mainly see that word being used jokingly, like this:
Well context is everything if you ask me. Attacking someone with it? Yeah pretty racist. Quoting something, or talking about the word not the people it refers to? I wouldn't call it a good idea but I wouldn't say it's racist. And even then there is wiggle room with acting and the like.
Basically I would say more often then not, but sometimes no.
Basically I would say more often then not, but sometimes no.
Well it looks like it's meant to be a joke at the expense of the word not the people. So I guess? Although I guess that depends on how you take it.Twintix said:
Mostly.
There might be the odd exception, friend of mine was into "the rap music" and hung around with a few black people and they used to greet each other and call each other "my nigga" all the time, but that's pretty much down to being good friends with a specific group of people and being accepted into a specific social circle and therefore being able to use language that would be offensive from someone outside of that group. He said to begin with he held off calling any of these friends "my nigga" until one of them made a joke of pretending to be angry that he wouldn't return the greeting, indicating that they weren't worthy of the accolade.
So yeah, there might be some specific circumstances where it's ok, but if you're in those circumstances, you'll know. Don't just walk up to some guy you don't know and greet them with "Yo my nigga, how's it goin?"
There might be the odd exception, friend of mine was into "the rap music" and hung around with a few black people and they used to greet each other and call each other "my nigga" all the time, but that's pretty much down to being good friends with a specific group of people and being accepted into a specific social circle and therefore being able to use language that would be offensive from someone outside of that group. He said to begin with he held off calling any of these friends "my nigga" until one of them made a joke of pretending to be angry that he wouldn't return the greeting, indicating that they weren't worthy of the accolade.
So yeah, there might be some specific circumstances where it's ok, but if you're in those circumstances, you'll know. Don't just walk up to some guy you don't know and greet them with "Yo my nigga, how's it goin?"
Of course, a lot of people seem to have a very difficult time making that distinction.Knight Captain Kerr said:
Some people may just feel uncomfortable using it at all. If I could remember them all, I could probably count the number of times I've said it in my life on my hands and I might not even need both of them. I take a similar position with "The C-Word" (though I've said that one a few more times).
Context matters but america seems to be pretty psychotic about this, constantly referring to it as the "n-word" to keep the adult sized babies souls clean or something so maybe do the same just to be safe.
Personally, I don't see how blanket self-censorship helps.
In germany, people talk about nazis and don't refer to them as the "n-word" too.
Personally, I don't see how blanket self-censorship helps.
In germany, people talk about nazis and don't refer to them as the "n-word" too.
Well, it's not like you go can go around shouting the word in public without likely facing huge problems for it. In a circle of friends, though, I tend to use it a good bit. Not so much the -er variety of the word, however. Unless I'm doing my whole "I'm a racist" comedy routine.
All about context and keeping it in the right environment. I'm white and have no qualms with using the word around friends. Its usage alone isn't some magic action that immediately poisons my heart with racism.
All about context and keeping it in the right environment. I'm white and have no qualms with using the word around friends. Its usage alone isn't some magic action that immediately poisons my heart with racism.
Well seeing as "westerner" isn't a slur, I can't imagine how oriental, which means "from the east" can be.inu-kun said:
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).
Depends on the context, really. The "n-word" might have originated as a slur against black people, but now it is frequently associated with hip-hop culture and internet culture. It's like the word "******". Like the "n-word" it is a slur against a particular group of people, but its use doesn't necessarily make the user bigoted. It could be used ironically or to playfully rile someone up (if the person on the receiving end isn't gay or black).
But I would strongly advise not using either of those words in public. The nuance of banter between friends relies on a mutual understanding of the terminology used. Dropping the "n-word" or "******" without the necessary context will result in a bad time for everyone.
But I would strongly advise not using either of those words in public. The nuance of banter between friends relies on a mutual understanding of the terminology used. Dropping the "n-word" or "******" without the necessary context will result in a bad time for everyone.
You should listen to your elders. It is better to not use the word at all, there are plenty of words that are not offensive that can be used, why choose to use the ones that are? When I hear people using racial slurs and profanity, it just makes them sound ignorant, insecure and desperate. Like they are not confident enough to say something intelligent and have it stand on it's own accord, but instead have to try and " prop" it up with insults and desperate language that they think it makes it sound better when in reality it just shows weakness and insecurity. I see the most common use of such words as a weak and desperate act.Bob_McMillan said:
I guess look at it this way,Bob_McMillan said:
as someone from Asia would you be offended if someone called you a *****? Which is arguable less offensive than the N word(What's more offensive than another is a totally different argument. Just saying the word is not racist, it's all in how you say it. If you're an actor playing a racist biggot and you shout the word no it's not racist. If you're in a mall and see a black person and say it to them, that's quite racist. I stay on the easy side and don't use it at all.
Yes oriental is usually considered insulting, not the same as " westerner" but more like when They call people of European descent "Hairy barbarians".Cartographer said:
Though some may not take offense to being called a hairy barbarian, it doesn't make it any less insulting. LOL
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"? LOLDizzyChuggernaut said:
I agree that it would be better to just use the actual word than acting like you are in harry potter and afraid to say "Voldemort". There is no reason it should be used to reference people or behavior however, that usage is completely offensive.Major_Tom said:
The way the word is typically used is racist. Now depending on context any word can mean anything, but in this case, a lot of people still remember the word being used in a derogatory way by people in favour of segragation. It's hard to get that association out of their heads and a lot easier to use different words. If you are asking, 'are there people that will either literally or metaphorically jump down my throat for using the word '******'?' then the answer is yes. It depends on the context whether they are justified in this.
Thing is, some people are really sensitive about this word (understandably so, given it's usual meaning) so if you are in doubt whether it will offend somebody, it probably will. In almost all cases I can think of 'black person' will suffice if the subject of skincolour needs to be brought up at all.
Thing is, some people are really sensitive about this word (understandably so, given it's usual meaning) so if you are in doubt whether it will offend somebody, it probably will. In almost all cases I can think of 'black person' will suffice if the subject of skincolour needs to be brought up at all.
Where exactly is "oriental" considered insulting?Lil devils x said:
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...