Paedantic Basterd

It's a cultural thing.

#shortanswer

s_k

That sounds a bit hypocritic. They don't want to be discriminated, but they can use words we can't use because we're white?
Or am I getting this wrong?

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storymilo

I think you have it right for the most part. I definitely know a lot of black people who call each other nigga all the time but would be offended if, for instance, I called them it. The word means different things when said by different people (in different contexts). I don't think it's particularly hypocritical.

Paedantic Basterd

I don't think I can explain this without saying something politically incorrect, but here goes. The black community has reclaimed the word and re-purposed it as a cultural identifier and acknowledgment of history and hardship. I had a black companion who was from an upper-middle class family, and his use of it was unacceptable, given that he had no concept of hardship in his upbringing whatsoever. It's not about race so much as class standing, I suppose.

This is what I learned from discussions about a class taken on the matter, mind you. I definitely don't know anything first hand, and I can't pretend to either.

Farfisa

I don't ever use racial slurs against another person. I've been called a "cracker" or some other variation used to make me feel bad for being white. My mom constantly gets called a "white bitch" at the hospital she works at, and it's just wrong. The way I see it this, fuck ignorant people of any color. There's no use in trying to educate people about this sort of thing because everyone is just too stubborn and stupid. I've been beaten up for speaking my mind, there's no way I'll take being called something because of the color of my skin. I'll just call them an ignorant piece of shit, get punched in the face (or worse) and be done with it.

Janszoon

Why do you assume "we" are white and they are a "they"?

Like I said earlier, "the black community" is not a monolithic entity. Some black people feel that it's a case of reclaiming the word, some don't. Some are appalled by other people using it.

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Paedantic Basterd

Fair enough, like I said, I figured I'd say something un-PC there.

Astronomer

Ha, was about to ask the same thing...

Sansa Stark

I think it just shouldn't be said out of respect for other people.

That and I instantly lose respect and stop listening to anyone who says it. It's really low class and tacky.


/haughty

Howard the Duck

all the blasted software training on sat gone to waste

can't even bloody access the consarned software

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