Topic : 09/12 The N-Word Debate

Do you feel that you are being denied a great privilage? Leaving this one word out of your vocabulary shouldn't be a hassle.

The adults is the ones who passed that word onto the young blacks who really don't know what is behind that word . The white slave owners is the ones who gave that word to black because they put blacks as the lowest thing on earth. Blacks are so stupid that they call themselves what the white slave owners already said what they were. including the KKK. What bothers me is that the blacks are trying to justifiy it and that is because of their ingorance. If a white call them the n-word so what they already saying they are less than human. Blacks wake up and start teaching the young  people who they are and how stupid they sound saying the n=word. Teach the young blacks how to have respect for themselves.

I think that many people lack a real understanding regarding the N-word. This is partially due to the lack  of experience and/or sensitivity. People who say the N-word means nothing or they see nothing wrong with it, have no clue regarding its origin or connotation. People are determine to do what they what to do regardless of the fact that it is offensive to many people. This is offensive to me no matter who uses it. My experience of growing up in the South and being called nig.... was horrible then and it is horrible now. The younger generation refuses to listen and embrace the feelings of those who have endured much in this society. They did not grow up being demeaned because of t heir race.  They are enjoying the benefits of the fight and struggle of their parents and grandparents.  We should not have to experience negativity to know its impact.  I don't have to be shot with a gun to know that they can kill, because I have seen too many people die as a result being shot with one.  The same principle applies to the use of the N-word, it is hurtful to the people who have been called one over and over again.

I'm a little late in joining this discussion, due to the fact that I just saw the episode tonight.

Well, as a Black woman, I feel that the word should not be used. To say that it sholuld be taken away is wishful thinking. But the less that it is used, the less the subject will keep coming up.

The word is ignornant no matter who says it (blacks, whites, rappers etc.) If this is the only word that can be used among friends as a term of endearment, then there is really a problem here. Why someone would want to be addressed as N**** instead of honey, sweety, homey, baby, girlfriend, is totally beyond me? Regardless if you are in your home and your husband or wife is calling you that while "kidding around." I have to say as a 38 year old woman I have never had a boyfriend, a friend nor my now husband call me the N word, whether playing or being in a heated argument. So I'm a little confused how this word can be justified by anyone?

As far as the word is concerned and it's history, it does bring back a lot of pain. As much as people may say, "get over it" "that was the past" this is "2008." It doesn't matter. Ironically, I'm noticing that the ones who are trying to justify the word, and feel that anyone should say it, are the ones who were not there to fight the struggle. They weren't there when the word was written on their homes, their cars. And most of all they weren't there when that person was called the N word to be cruel and mean. So those who say to get over it, don't really know  the true affect unless they went through it. No, I did not go through it, but I can definitely sympathize, adn respect their wisher. It's not fair to tell someone to get over something that you have no clue about...that you cannot relate to. Regardless of any situation.

I have never been told that it's okay to use the word among "us" I may have heard it, in a relatives home during a family funtion; but just like I heard other bad words, I knew not to say it. And I teach my 12 year old son not to say it. It's not cool and it surely isn't a term of endearment.