Comments on: Etiquette of the N-word

By: James Dylan

James Dylan — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 07:40:01 +0000

As long as black people use the word freely so will every other group. That ideology of "do what I say not what I do" doesn't work, especially in a free country. We must all have the same rights and view the profane to actually be profane or not. If I called myself an idiot, allowed a select few to call me an idiot, then pretty soon everyone would call me an idiot; it would be out of my control. I would be viewed by all as an idiot.
By telling some that they are not able to call me a name would only promote a certain type of inequality. Similar to be called a nickname by some friends then not allowing a new friend to call me the same name. The new friend would never fit in. A continual separation. Truly this way of thinking promotes racist feelings. I've found many unable to grasp this. The bottom line, if you don't want anyone to call you a name then don't call yourself or let anyone else call you the name.
Often I've heard the notion that by using the word it somehow removes the power, or better said, negative overtone. It is painfully obvious this way of thinking has failed. As with all language, the words chosen to use say more about the user then the one whom it is spoken to. So when ever I here that word spoken I can't help but think the person whose mouth it came from is a fool; regardless of their race.

By: Mohammed Ali

Mohammed Ali — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 06:54:25 +0000

Here what everyone askes, So how do you like Your Boy! Obama.
than starts to ask, Oh did you hear about the Rev. Jackson, and the 'N' word is now back again with the same people again. Mostely used to make a statement that someone is totally good bad the word "N" made him the BAD man. That bad word here is a '"BAD" word. only ones who are used for making a custome of an image the personallity here is the ""N"'. So they ask in the way of It still exsicites we are here again still making that same statetment.

That was wrong, there is always the wrong time. It is not so causual to be talking about a person and describe him as a "N" which is wrong where it happened. Again man tries to use his own state of mind freeley but then it makes him go back. Man never stand for the right side of a good image, that word made some happy and many people mad even eager in a lot of ways. But it goes back in time and if you look that word is Over. Some still think NOt so possible. Okay
Obama is the reason, lets speak about the main reason.

He brings the right mind the right words the right background, also the right wrong reasons why the main media coverage and words said over this conflict. but it is always said in tv and places where it is divided. And we are United.

Godblessall..

thank you

By: Emma in Houston TX.

Emma in Houston TX. — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:39:41 +0000

Let's face it....there are certian words used and ways of acting when people of the same race are together. This goes for ALL races..not just African Americans. However, NO ! It is not all right for people of another race to do the same. We all need to admit and respect this.!! Jesse Jackson was wrong in getting caught.

By: Paula from Georgia

Paula from Georgia — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 18:04:56 +0000

Rev. Jackson was expessing what he acyually thinking out loud–Not a whisper. If you get right to what people do really think. You can pretty well tell by sitting in the breakroom at lunch. From blacks to blacks. Whites to Blacks. I've seen Blacks say certain things to one another- depending on what kind of day they were having like the rest of us. their reaction could be good or bad. Don't say things out loud. The old adage No longer applies. It's best to be silent. We can no longer tell who people are, what they really think? From Hate to love, it's a toss of dice. Hopefully, they are who they appear to be.

By: zius

zius — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 11:41:24 +0000

it seems that there are many racist here trying to take advantage of this
I AM WHITE.. if AA don't want me to use the word because its offensive and reminds them of their days of slavery theni will respect their whish and won't use it.. if their using it among eachouther I DONT CARE i will not use that word and be sensitive to their feelings

By: Selena , Canada

Selena , Canada — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 07:06:59 +0000

I thought that Whoopie Goldberg was completely out of order and who does she think she is , to tell people what they can and cannot say.
The " N " word has never been in my vocabulary and I certainly never had any wish to use it.
Black people have to stop playing the victims , life is tough and a challenge to all of us , regardless of colour.
One can't change history and one can't make this generation pay for the sins of our fathers.
I watched Obama and his campaign pull the racecard on Bill Clinton and it was disgusting. This is a President who did so much for Blacks and Hispanics and never had a racist bone in his body.
Sorry , but that is when I realised that Blacks will exploit their race and play victims for whatever reason.
We live in a free world and life is short , therefore enjoy what you have and give thanks and show some respect to the brave people who have fought so hard to give us freedom of speech and expression.

By: Matthew

Matthew — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 01:42:21 +0000

It is the implications behind the word. The word can be used without even stating. There is a cause for saying it and why it is used to identify or relate in a given state or situation. For a non black person to use the word, it has much meaning and backing to their real impression for speaking it. For a black person to use it, it only credits and approves the creator or signifier of the term or meaning. Blacks use it only because it has been called to them more than once in their life by someone aggressively. The most I was called the word as a black man was in elementary school, so where would a five year old child learn the word. So the use is by what dictates and follows the meaning. In actuality it will never go away as long as there is hate and discrimination based on the color of skin.

By: Lamont austin

Lamont austin — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 00:53:49 +0000

Mike in nyc, just your attempt to bring up those statistics tell me you know no one black, some of americas greatest achievements have been from black people, not to mention the only race that has tried to the highest degree to achieve equality are black people, just goes to show you, if "your" not effected by a problem you dont really care about what happens. I also hate that non black people try to comment about the black race when you know nothing at all about black people (except your stereotypes) but of course all i've seen in america is pro white things, advertisements, shows we know all about you, you only know about 1/3 if that about black people..

By: Lamont austin

Lamont austin — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 22:34:07 +0000

Its our word and now only we can say it. from what we went through we deserve it. have people forgotten what a race of people went through. now your trying to say no one can say it.

By: Joe Gakenheimer

Joe Gakenheimer — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 15:18:47 +0000

My feeling is that everyone should be treated the same, that is my philosophy in life. Race should not matter when speaking to someone. I can't remember the last time I heard an Asian person call another Asian person an "Oriental." I have heard quite frequently the 'N' word used by black Americans talking to other black Americans and it makes others, especially children, think that it is not such a bad word. Thus, when I hear that from a black person, I only think down on that one individualm about not being civil not being educated; though that is just one person, I don't judge others of any race based on one person. I feel this is the only way to view it. Joe Columbus, Ohio

By: THOMAS HOWARD

THOMAS HOWARD — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 06:43:38 +0000

ANYONE who uses a word that has a different meaning from one race to another should NOT use that word. This is no different than people taking e-bonics. We live in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and are supposed to be civilized but we know that by reading some of the above comments there are a lot of uncivilized in this country.

it is obvious that this country is full of people who hate their self and in turn want to me everyone around them as miserable as they are.

I used to be opmistic about the future of this country but it's clear that this country is more racist now that anytime in history. While this county is dividing itself on racial lines, foreigners are slowly taking over this country.

By: Craig

Craig — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 05:45:53 +0000

It seems that every other black comedian on HBO or Showtime is "allowed" to use that word but no one else. Same goes for rap "music". If that word is so offensive than maybe people should not say it at all. I don't. It's a simple matter of self control.

By: shanda bennett

shanda bennett — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 05:19:16 +0000

Mike your numbers forget to mention that police have discretion on what actions they take regaurding arrests. If you believe for one mintue that the majority of Blacks are criminals just because of what numbers say you clearly are not logical. Here is a prime example, since meth has hit the streets it has majorily affected the white rural and urban communities so much so that they have had to lock up over the counter and household products and in some cases keep tabs on who buys them. Yet and still the white prison population has not risen an ounce but the black prison population keeps rising. Hummm wonder why that is? Also we can even take it to a small level such as speeding tickets more blacks get written speeding tickets than whites do but for some reason more whites get pulled over hummm. Check the stats on that one my friend. You don't understand because you live in a world of white privaledge without even realizing it. You take for granted what many have fought and died for and i am speaking for all other races now. It's is not a matter of crime but a matter of economics. Proverty created crime, people are not born criminals their environment creates the behavior. Why, do you think crime in poor countries is high it's not their race it's their economic condition.

By: THOMAS HOWARD

THOMAS HOWARD — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 04:22:36 +0000

i am a 70 yr old BLACK MAN who can't believe that supposedly intelligent black people try to convince white people (and black people) that it's alright to say the N-word when talking to a black person but it's not alright for the white person so say the N-word to a black person. This kind of thinking is the most ignorant I've ever heard in my life.

in my whole life, i've NEVER had anyone BLACK OR WHITE say the N-word to me as word of endearment. To the contrary, the use of this word meant to be mean and degrading NO MATTER WHO SAYS IT.

The notion that black people's use ot this word gives them power and takes the power from white shows ignorance and only shows that racism is just bad in blacks and it is in whites.

I feel sorry for the families leaders such as Martin L King, Medar Evers who I feel died in vain, because blacks today just to get it when they feel that it's ok to use the N-word in any context.

By: Jill~MI

Jill~MI — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 03:16:33 +0000

I cannot believe what I heard when Al. Sharpton sat on AC360 and was arguing why this word that was a representation of this race, had to be subject to so many different meanings... As if, they would never release the ugly thing that happened to this race of people concerning this word. Forgive me, if I misunderstood what I heard, but Pleasssssse!!!

Some people have different meanings to it; the word united with evil, no matter how you look at it though, not a race, evil...

By: Jill~MI

Jill~MI — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 03:12:40 +0000

I personally don’t like being told I cannot say any ~ word(s) ~ in this, it is, my America also... as much as it is Blacks, Hispanics, Mexican’s, etc... My liberties are mine in this country, as well as any other human being. I want the same respect and acknowledgements in that as others want in theirs.

The double standard we are getting here from the black community, as this a cultural “thing” with what is acceptable for them, is not acceptable to all; is as much BS, racism and discriminating as when they were told. They could not sit in the front of the bus, had to drink out of different fountains, and not allowed in certain businesses establishment in this country, etc... I don’t want to sit in the back of the bus, not drink from the fountain of my choice or be admitted to any establishment I may choose to enter in either, just because I’m WHITE. And, metaphorically speaking, that’s exactly what they are saying to American’s when they say as Sherri Shepard did on the View ~ “ I DON’T WANT TO HEAR IT COME OUT OF YOUR MOUTH” in response to Barbara Walter’s asking, it’s then ok for blacks to say the word, but not for whites... Is there any word(s) that are banned from their mouths....

This word, has been embraced by the black community in the same way the southern culture was pre civil war days to southernism, who seen no wrong in how thy lived their lives at the time either. It was a way of live a culture united, until others pointed it out to them, slavery and bondage are just that no matter how you look at it. A double standard, intimidations, prides... This word does not belong to anyone, who would want it...

By: Kathi Z. Greensburg PA

Kathi Z. Greensburg PA — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 03:05:58 +0000

All races have offending slang words that refer to them, not just the Black Americans with the "N" word . All immigrants had a horrible time of it with discremenation against them when they came to America. So quit whinning about the "N" word. Grow up and deal with it.

By: lampe

lampe — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 02:42:43 +0000

Is CNN,going to have other specials like JEWISH or LATINO or how about WHITE IN AMERICA, seems only far to me.

By: Jo Anne Cummings

Jo Anne Cummings — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 02:15:55 +0000

I agree with Tom. If things are truly to change, the rules need to be the same for all the players

By: Teri

Teri — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 01:34:17 +0000

I'm amazed at the comments I've read and heard from both famous and not so famous people regarding this verbage. Having worked for the past 15 years in our elementary school system, it's no wonder the change in the young children I see entering our schools. With so many black adults defending the use of the "N" word "on TV, in their families, their homes, their lives", how are we to teach children whats "right and wrong". It's not just the "N" word and it's not just black. Look at our movies, TV, public conversations at the malls where "F" this, t'shirts and shorts with "B...." for teens etc, There are too many double standards for the good of all mankind. Would the "REAL" adults please stand up.