my sister-in-law is mexican and we call her lil beaner and wetback. she doesnt mind and she usually laughs at it. : /
we are a strange family, though

You never know who's feelings you will hurt in the process of trying to be funny.

Just don't use them. I read this whole thread, and I must say, it is disturbing.

People are still being killed because of racism, so I don't think it is right to use either of the words.

It may seem old-fashioned to take offence at such words words, but words can lead to actions and using '******' or 'nigga' will upset people, no doubt about that.

Hm.. It depends on the context really.. I mean, don't people in certain black communities use the word "******" between eachother in a friendly way?
You know, like "Whut'z crackin', my ******?". I don't find this offensive because I know that if I was indeed the "******" being refurred to, I wouldn't mind.

If, on the other hand, a group of white youths surround and old black woman shouting "YOU ****ING ****** AHAHA!", it would be deemed offensive both by myself as an onlooker, and obviously if I were the black woman in that situation.

So yeah, c o n t e x t .

We started writing that one as "nigga" (such is our cultural richness!), but what you mentioned is the main issue I have with people considering the word to be outright offensive. If you say the word is always offensive, then it means that the word is always offensive when people in those black communities say it to each other. The context has to be key here, because if you outlaw the word point-blank then you're saying that their use of the word is also inappropriate.

I also have a bit of an issue with the strong resistance to accepting and integrating african-american speech patterns by some parties, which I've seen in parallel with their keen use of other new speech patterns on this board. But that's a bit too complicated to post here and I'm not sure how to communicate my thoughts on that at the moment (somebody just thrust three bits of work upon me as I started that last paragraph!)

Sorry, I'm not all that intelligent so much of what you said there went right over my head.

I'm pretty sure that I agree though.

i little bit of salty language is ok, but racial slurs are unacceptable

Saying "What's up nigga" is not a racial slur.

nigga isnt a racial slur?


what word does it derive from?

You're right, all those urban kids are f*cking racists.:rolleyes: