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Topic : 09/12 The N-Word Debate

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Created on : Thursday, September 04, 2008, 12:16:52 pm

Author : DrPhilBoard1

This two-syllable expression is arguably the most divisive word in society. Dr. Phil tackles this touchy topic with help from a panel of outspoken luminaries: civil rights activist Rev. Al Sharpton; legendary comedian and writer Paul Mooney; CSI actor and author Hill Harper; comedian Sheryl Underwood and conservative radio talk show host Michael Graham. First, is there a double standard that allows African-Americans to use this sensitive word, while non-blacks are forbidden? The debate heats up when Rachel, a white guest, says she calls her husband the N-word all the time. Then, should hip-hop artists be censored or fined for using the N-word in their songs? Becky says rappers promote negative stereotypes with their lyrics, but find out who Rev. Al Sharpton thinks should face the music. Plus, does tone or intent make a difference when using the N-word? See what Dr. Phil thinks and share your thoughts here.

Find out what happened on the show.

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lovemusic47

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September 12, 2008, 1:16 pm PDT

09/12 The N-Word Debate

Quote From: lostfanatic

I can't believe what I'm watching. This Paul Mooney guy is nuts and is still harboring alot of pent up anger about things that happened a long time ago. I would like to know why it is ok for him to demean a Mexican woman but not be able to take the heat himself. Slavery is PAST history. Unless you move on, you can't heal. I am sick of African Americans playing the race card constantly. There is a black TV station, black radio stations, black beauty pageants, black awards but if white people did that, we would be called racists. I agree with the Rev. Sharpton (first time I ever made that statement!) that the word should not be used at all by anyone or it can be used by all.

My son and his friends, (black, white and mexican) use the n word when talking to each other. I think that shows that this generation has moved past the negative meaning of the word.

Before critizing Paul Mooney, you need to understand and know where he came from. At least it is being talked about and blacks are getting white people's attention.

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hopefloats75

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September 12, 2008, 1:17 pm PDT

The N word

I only have a few things to say about this. Paul Mooney WAS the most racist person in the audience. He did not want to hear that he was wrong. Another thing, he was NEVER a slave. Unless he is 200 years old and has broken the age record he really needs to get over that. Maybe just maybe some of his ancestors were slaves but not all that were working were slaves. Maybe his term of slaves are the ones who were beaten and chained but there were many who were not. I cannot and would not even begin to figure out his meaning of that word.
Also, you want to talk about racist and discrimination. Why is there a Black Miss America when we have a mixture of whites and blacks in the "regular" Miss America pagent? Why do we celebrate Martin Luther King day and the blacks take off work to remember him. No problem with that whatsoever at work but you let a white person take Presidents day and it is "not in our culture to do so" I think there will always be discrimination and it is up to each individual to stop it.
I personally have great black friends and grew up in the 60's when you were "not supposed" so socialize with the "coloreds". I however did and was called by a black girl a white soda cracker b**** and told me to stick with my own kind and I looked at my friend Johnny and said" Johnny are you not a human" We both laughed but the black continuously had a problem with me and my friendship with other blacks. I am a professional in the medical field and I have many friends both white and black I am faired skinned and when a black person says to me , "girl you can tell you are white chick" Does it offend me? No..
In closing, to me the "N" word does not stand for blacks. It can be used to describe a low life scum sucking bottom dweller which can be white, black, hispanic, it does not have to be used as a word of color.

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aamonkey

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September 12, 2008, 1:17 pm PDT

09/12 The N-Word Debate

Quote From: cuddles05

YOU KNOW WHAT I DONT CARE ABOUT THIS N-WORD,.WHAT ABOUT BLACKS CALLING US WHITE HONKIES.OR PEOPLE WHATEVER COUNTRY YOUR FROM PEOPLE HAVE NAMES FOR ALL OF US.FRENCH THEY CALL THEM FROGS.WHAT DO WE HAVE TO DO TO STOP ALL THIS STUIPTY.BIG DEAL THEY GET CALLED A NAME SO DO ALL THE REST OF US.GET OVER IT

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand the history of the word and the malicious intent with which it was created. Honkie, Frog, whatever other names you come up with do not hold the same sting. I don't think anyone should have to get over being offended by that word, but there is a responsibility to teach our future generations about this.

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dymondm

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September 12, 2008, 1:17 pm PDT

09/12 The N-Word Debate

Quote From: aaaaaa1258

Paul Mooney is one of the biggest hypocrytes I have ever seen. He is saying that he has had it so hard and he was a captured african american. That's the dumbest thing I have ever heard, he wasn't captured he is from america. He needs to shut up. Black people are some of the biggest racits ever. He is saying how hard black people have it. If you take a civil service exam you obtain extra points which raise your score if you are a "minority" Tell me how that is fair? If you live in america now you have the same rights as everyone else. Slavery ended a long time ago so get over it and stop making excuses. If you look at the news you see mostly black people on it because that's how it is. You say you want to be treated equal well then start holding yourself up to a higher standard than you are now. If you think that "white" people are holding you back because they aren't allowing you to do something your an idiot. Me calling you the N-word is the same thing as a black person calling someone a cracker. Tell me how its fair for a black person to call someone the n-word but no one else is allowed to. If you want to call yourself that then you are just giving everyone else the right to use it. There is a huge difference between black people and the n-word. It's all how you display yourself. Paul mooney needs to take a good look at himself considering he said he used to use the word all the time in his act, what is he a born again black person? I'm not saying one race is better than the other but how about you have an equal number of each race on the debaters. So all of the people who get offended by it need to shut up take a look at yourself and evaluate on how you up hold yourself. Slavery was over a long time ago. Also isn't mooney being a racist saying "the white doll is the serial killer and the white doll is the one who will go to the mall and shoot everyone" "he learned from the best the white people" he needs to shut the f*** up and get over it!

Ok, you sound like a person who would use the N word or used it before. Black people have alot of strugles they deal with daily. Paul Mooney did not said he was captured african american, he said he foreparents were, get it right. I go to school and bust my A.. working, idont need no one to feel sory for me. You see alot of black people on the news because the news station does not put as much white people as they do black who comit the same crime. Its a hush hush situation when it comes to white people and crime. think about that! Its easy for you to say get over it because you are not black. Yes slavery ended a long time ago but racism still exist. It bother me that you are so angry as to why a white person can't use the N word! Why would YOU want to call a black person the N word. There is no difference between black people and the N word, You sound so ignorant, because you just dont know. Go read a book about black History and not the foolish crap they put the history book. How about you get over the fact that it's not right to use the N word.

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avastjames

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September 12, 2008, 1:17 pm PDT

09/12 The N-Word Debate

We are debating whether the n-word is okay? Just watch the show and look at all the anger and hurt that swirled around the discussion -- there's our answer. Not in the carefully worded arguments "for" or "againt." The power of that word reveals itself so quickly! And in an age where we are one the verge of electing a black man president, in a time when so many of us seem want to come together, this word divides us. The fact that only one race can say it -- divides us. Like the good old Confederate flag, it carries a history from which we cannot extricate it. Even its origin as an "acceptable" word in parts of the black community was born of anger - albeit justified anger. It was an understandable F-you to the white people who tried so damn hard to use the word to degrade. But again, its origins were dark and full of pain and so, even when it is used in this way - a/k/a "appropriately," it divides us.

Some people care about that, some people don't. On this we can disagree. But to think the word can be used without there being a consequence to the social fabric of this country, is wishful thinking.

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bloodykisses

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September 12, 2008, 1:18 pm PDT

09/12 The N-Word Debate

I saw the show today on using the N word. I'll put it on the table. I'm 26, female from NJ and I'm white. I don't think anyone should use that word. Black, White. It don't matter. There nothing good coming from that word. It's stupid for people to say, That person can use the word.. So why can't I. You know you shouldn't use the word. Life would be better if people didn't use that word. That's like calling a gay person the f word. As I said and I'll say it again. Nothing good will comes from that word. Don't matter who you are. It still not OK.

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yeahwhat

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hopeful

September 12, 2008, 1:18 pm PDT

YES!!!

Just what needed to be said!!!Get over it!! We all have to live here so we should all just get along!!! They act like slavery just ended yesterday..We dont owe them anything at all.Thank you

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smalltown2

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September 12, 2008, 1:19 pm PDT

Slavery

Quote From: missbanks1231

Remeber, YA'LL stole us & we ended up here-from AFRICA!...Watch yourself!...We deserve to be here, we are here, & were not going anywhere! You said you parents were born in Australia-you just ans your own question! They werent born in America! Think before you say things...you need a prayer!

We did not steal you. All this happend with our ancestors. The chip on the should needs to fall off.

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helpmetooo

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September 12, 2008, 1:20 pm PDT

n- word

Quote From: ryeclan

It seems to me that when there is conflict with an African American and a white person that the white person gets attacked that they are racist. Could it be the other way around? Just wondering if anyone else feels this way?

I just have to say is that i live in Alabama and the n word is thrown around by black people that it is bad. You go into walmart and you here it. I am a native american and i do use the word cause there is a difference between a n and a black person. A n is the ones that where there cloths to there knees and have no respect for anyone or anything. They are the ones killing and shotting each other. and the black people are the ones that are a good citizen. they do what is right and obey the law. and the slavery stuff we arent the ones that did it and it aint being done to you know so why is slavery a issue. I figure if the blacks can use the n word then why cant we. all i have to say is if ya dont wnt to be called it then dont act like it. i think people are equal and it just depends on thier attitude and there actions and that is how i feel. like it or leave it

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steffee711

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September 12, 2008, 1:20 pm PDT

who is the real victim?

I'm a bit upset with today's show with the african americans using slavery as a means to use the N-word. Stating it's what the white people instilled. What about all of the jews who died in the holocaust? wouldn't they rather have the option to be forced to work then lose their lives? Slavery would have been a means to stay alive for those folks.

Paul Mooney was someone I admired, and watched on TV through the Chapelle show. His actions and behavior today was quite obnoxious and he is clearly showing his racism. I can't say I will be staying a fan of his any longer. It's nice to be able to see people upfront and not behind a script. Now we can see everyone's true colors. Good show Dr. Phil

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