The Usage of Language and social impacts.

[Graillik Tur]

Now let me preface this with 2 statements. 1. I am not racist in any way. 2. I am not racist in anyway.

So we are drinking on the patio the other night at the PX and and someone is drinking Negro Modelo. Someone next to me says "N" Modelo with the "N" being that imfamous word. So I look at them and say "N" Modelo? This sets into motion a massive discution on being 'sensitive' to others feelings since there was an African American sitting right infront of me.

Now, I was raised so believe that word meant that you were either no good, or that you worked all your life and never got ahead. Never once did I here it used in a context of race.

This brings me to my question. Is it our responsibility to continue to let this word be used as a slang term and let it bother everyone or...is it time to let things go and just let that conitation fall away and use the word as it was meant to be used.

Also, as a personal inquiry...do you believe it is the word that holds power, or is it the intention of the word and when or how it is used?

Discuss.

P.S. I was informed very quickly that there are 2 camps on this specific word. One, mostly of one ethnic background that feels it is offensive, and the other, mostly of another ethnic background that just believe it is a word and has nothing to do with race. Why do you think that is?

[Silver Adept]

If it was conceived of as derogatory slang, it would be best to let the word die. Failing that, co-opting it to another purpose that then becomes accepted to the exclusion of the other would do.

It's not the word that holds the power, it's the meaning and delivery behind it that makes it an insult slung around. I could say something as simple as "stupid", but depending on the way I say it, I can be talking about a computer program that has no learning capability or I can be insulting someone's intelligence.

With this word, it's the delivery that produces most of the antagonism and is the common association. If that association dies, then the word could probably be used again.

[Graillik Tur]

Alright so far so good

[Excel Zero]

Personally I think there is too much discussion on it. I think we need to just let it be.

Also, no I don't think that the word has power. No word has power to me. It's all in meaning.

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Excel

[reaper]

I am ganna go out on a limb and guess that if you never heard the "N" word used in regard to race there weren’t allot of black people around lol. That’s neither here nor there though.
My point is the usage you grew up with is incorrect, well inaccurate at best.
Since we are all adults here I am just going to come out and say it. The root word of nigger is Negro which originates in Spanish and translates to black.

The word Nigger itself originated as slang for Negro used by slave traders.
And is defined in the dictionary as follows - n. Offensive Slang 1) A- Used as a disparaging term for a Black person. B- Used as a disparaging term for a member of any dark-skinned people. 2) Used as a disparaging term for a member of any socially, economically, or politically deprived group of people.
However the second came around though only as a result of the degrading meaning of the main definition. Which is why I say the usage you are familiar with is inaccurate.

Regardless it is not a matter of taking back the word so to speak to its original meaning. It is and always will be a vial, disgusting, and offensive word that we should be ashamed is even a part of the English language. As it is a reminder that America the "leader" of the free world was one of the last nations to end the enslavement and degradation of a "race" of men simply because they have more pigment in their skin. Not to mention the pervasive racism in this country that to this day still a problem, though it is better than it used to be.
Personally it's more a matter of respect than anything else.

[Excel Zero]

wow.... am gonna have to reasses my statement. Thanks for opening that up Reaper

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Excel

[RivaOni]

theres also alot of double standards in this country with regards to racism, a white person can be arrested for calling out the word negro or nigger in an argument but no "black" person has ever been arrested as far as i know for racism although it obviously happens (i have no examples but each race has issues which each other where ever you go).

also young black people refer to each other as nigger as praise of some sort so in this day and age its confusing in that words have so many different meanings now that dont and wont appear in the dictionary because the people that add the new meanings/words dont recognise them.

[Graillik Tur]

Well I would agree that it is a bad term, but I've heard it used for a white person many times. Also I believe that the continuation of that connitation is up to the society. My society doesn't use it as mearly a racial slur. In fact the only times I've heard it used were either in the phrase "I'm not your nigger" or "You don't have to be black to be a nigger". Also, would you use the term "wigger" infront of a black person?

Me personally, I don't see what the big deal is. I can't honestly think of why 60 years after desegrigation the word still holds that meaning. I also don't understand why other races that were treated as bad or worst then the African American aren't raising Cane.

Those races are:
Chinese
Japanese
Italian
Irish
Middle Eastern
Far Eastern
and last but not least my people
Native Americans

If all of these people can just suck it up and let it be, all the slang terms and derogitory comments just slide away, why is it that one race, that has a whole month dedicated by law to their history, still be upset?

Just a thought

Also I was told by a reliable sorce that the word originated from a seperate meaning all together to mean indentured servant and that the slang wasn't made until the tobacco fields of the south, meaning South America, and was brought to America. Because the English were trading slaves long before 1776 so profitable Spanish Families in the South for sugar and tobacco. So...you might wanna do some more research...ya I'm saying the definition in the American Dictionary is wrong. The word origionated from another word entirely...but thus is the acceptance of society.

[Excel Zero]

Well uhhhh...actually I have met quite a few of the above races you've mentioned who haven't gotten over any of the names. That's why I am always griping. I have to say I agree with the folks here who say we should get over it. But it isn't just a certain area of population. I can think of loads of people from different races who need to relax.

Eh, if you ask me, it's all pathetic. Every bit of it is sad. It's sad that we have derogatory names for each other, and it's sad that we let it bother us.

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Excel

[Ultrawolf]