Topic : 09/12 The N-Word Debate

Well said

yeah....i read and indenture servants we given freedom in 7 years , they often were friends with the families they worked for, they were never beaten, raped, lynched for there skin tone, and for the record we don't feel sorry for ourselves its just that it people like yourself that try to downplay the injustice

Words are tricky.  Many words offend some people and not others.  If you try to outlaw usage of various words, others will replace it - even if they have to make them up.  You will spend all your time chasing down feathers fluttering away in the breeze.  The real problem lies with respect.  If I am aware that a word is offensive to someone, I should not use that word around them.  The word "stupid" is forbidden in my sisters' home.  Out of respect for her, my family and I do not use that word around her and her children. 

 

I also feel that if someone is really trying to improve public opinion and quell stereotypes of their race,  they should set an opposing image to the public eye.  In other words,  I would not become outraged, offensive, intimidating  and throw insults around, as happened on todays' show.  Rather, I would try to present a calm, educated and reconcilliatory image.  Personally,  I find it offensive when someone uses the Lords' name in vain around me, however, I will either try to ignore it or will politely ask that they please not do so around me.  I do not lash out at them and try to insult them back. 

 

Anyway, basically I think that if any word is offensive to someone, we should refrain from using it around them.  It's just good manners.

Words are tricky.  Many words offend some people and not others.  If you try to outlaw usage of various words, others will replace it - even if they have to make them up.  You will spend all your time chasing down feathers fluttering away in the breeze.  The real problem lies with respect.  If I am aware that a word is offensive to someone, I should not use that word around them.  The word "stupid" is forbidden in my sisters' home.  Out of respect for her, my family and I do not use that word around her and her children. 

 

I also feel that if someone is really trying to improve public opinion and quell stereotypes of their race,  they should set an opposing image to the public eye.  In other words,  I would not become outraged, offensive, intimidating  and throw insults around, as happened on todays' show.  Rather, I would try to present a calm, educated and reconcilliatory image.  Personally,  I find it offensive when someone uses the Lords' name in vain around me, however, I will either try to ignore it or will politely ask that they please not do so around me.  I do not lash out at them and try to insult them back. 

 

Anyway, basically I think that if any word is offensive to someone, we should refrain from using it around them.  It's just good manners.

I understand where you are coming from however I dont think that it is right that just because of the color of your skin you should get special privieges. For example when I was in high school on our cheerleading squad we had to have at least one black person on the team, she may not have been the best but we had to have one so therefore she got the spot just because she was black. Is that right? Just like on a job it should be the best man or woman for the job not he/ she gets it because we have to have a black person on our payroll and vice versa. I dont have a problem with the black people who try to better themselves and make a positive difference in US, and not just someone who is trying to take all the free help they can get. I dont associate myself with white people who are the same way so would that make me racist against my own race? It is just that statistics show that more black people are that way.

Does anyone live in 2008? I mean SERIOUSLY, does anyone live in 2008. We, and I say we as African-Americans, should be well pass the N-Word. Yes, it has a history of being derogatory. But if you were to approach well over 70 percent of the African American race, and ask them if they still use the word or get mad if someone else uses the word towards them, they will tell you NO. My points is any and everybody can be a N****r. In 2008, it's not derogatory, it' doesn't mean you're black, it means ignorance. And anyone who still uses the word with derogatory meaning is simply ignorant.

 You are in "The Land of the Free". I know several Black Americans who are very successful in life. They have nice homes and have sent their children to college. Like I have always taught my children that there is nothing standing in your way to become a success in life other than yourself. As long as you put everything you have within yourself and believe and love yourself you can be anything you want and you will be strong enough to succeed no matter what anyone else thinks. You can not wait for things to happen for you, you have to make things happen.  I get tired of hearing about people do and say certain things because they had a bad childhood. HELLO, who's really was great? Overcome!!!!! This is a powerful word that if was used and practiced more the world would be a better place. Want better than you had as a child. Want more for your family than you had as a child. Make sure your children don't grow up the way you did. Take only the positive and want better because of the negative. Don't play victim !!! Overcome and make yourself a better person .Show the people who wronged you that you still made it despite them, instead of pitying yourself and wanting things done for you and excuses for wrong choices you have made.

I am so glad that this topic was discussed. I use the N-word myself, and after watching the show today I will no longer use it. I didn't use it to put blacks down or  to say their  'less', but for the simple fact that I hear it from my family, songs, every where so I felt like it was ok to say, but not ok for whites to say. Where I'm from, racism is still strong and where I work majority of the whites don't like blacks. I work for a country club called Canongate Golf Club, which is in a subdivision called River Forest. Majority of the members and home owners are white. My first week was hell, they treated me different from the other waitresses. I was and still the only black waitress who works for canongate. The other two blacks are cooks. I honestly, feel that I was hired because of my looks, my complexion. I honestly think If I  was two shades darker I wouldn't have gotten the job. They hired this one lady who was black and I think she got the job because she was related to one of the cooks, but they (whites) treated her so bad, they ended up letting her go. But, I've heard the N-word at work from a waitress who was training me. 'she said, my husband has a n***** butt'. I was highly upset I actually left and went home because I felt like it was not a place for me. I told my manager how I felt when she said it and she was suppose to apologize to me, she did'nt. The managers did, but she didn't. As a matter of fact, they didn't even write her up. I was written up for being late and im not complaining about that, I just don't think it was fair. Don't get me wrong I have met people at my job whom I love dearly, (their white) I know their not racist, their the reason I go to work. They have encouraged me, and wants the best for me. I know it, I feel it. I'm a loving person, I love to meet new people of all races. People are my passion and I guess I expect for people to think and feel as I do. I grew up hearing about how whites do blacks and how they look out for one another, and i was taught this from a child until now, and I still feel different. I still love everyone, I still treat everyone equally.  But, what about when I don't get that same treatment on my job. Knowing that I'm waiting on them and deep down they don't like me. I worry about when I walk out of that bar how many of them will call me a n*****. It's to the point where I absolute hate going to work. I hate it with a passion. I have headahes all the time, but I'm not sure what to do. With how things are now in America a job is sometimes hard to find considering my school schedule this job works for me in every way, but I'm so miserable. I try not to let people get the best of me, but for some reason I can't stop thinking that I'm begging them for tips. Everything about my job is racist.  What can I do to feel better? I know I can't change how people think and feel. should I find another job?