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[tkscz]

So if a white boy goes into a room of friends and says, out loud "Hey Niggas" and they are like wtf, but he says, "no, without the R", it somehow becomes very different?

I understand how it is used, but vocally it is the same. The 'new' word is in fact derived to have the same meaning, which is exactly why it exists in the first place. So to the people who are offended, it is the same.

Or how many people would it take to change another racial slur to having a nice sweet meaning? For as long as large and vocal black community finds either spelling racist all the same, it becomes bigotry to use it and tell them to not be offended because the spelling is different.

I would imagine people who casually say "Nigga" also have no problem saying "Nigger", mostly because they wouldn't even be able to differentiate the two.

"Carlos was my mate until after a couple of years of college, I added him on facebook. I realised he was say it with an -er this whole time!"

Oh for god's sake, IT'S CONTEXT. Of course if a white person does that, in context it will seem racist, but if he walked up to just one of them and went "what up my nigga", it would be taken differently. This is because just yelling in a room full of black people seems weird and suspicious, not even something the average black person would do, unless he/she was meaning to insult them.

 

[Izuna]

Oh for god's sake, IT'S CONTEXT. Of course if a white person does that, in context it will seem racist, but if he walked up to just one of them and went "what up my nigga", it would be taken differently. This is because just yelling in a room full of black people seems weird and suspicious, not even something the average black person would do, unless he/she was meaning to insult them.

Read my post again. It's pretty clear I am talking about the (lack of) audible difference, not context.

I should address your point anyway. You can say "racial slurs" in a context that doesn't offend anyone hearing it. It will never stop it from being a racial slur however.

My SO calls me a "stupid fucking bastard", laughing while we are playing Carcassonne. She's not saying it to offend me, but it doesn't stop it from being an insulting swear.

But again, I guess you actually agree with me that the two spellings make no difference.

 

[Mr.Swag]

The issue is that there can be a lot of power and hatred behind words, even if people don't intend those words to be powerful and hateful.

This is why the n-word is controversial.

I just disagree with that.
What I believe is that ideas can be hateful and powerful.
A word is not powerful, an idea is.
If you have a room of people saying: "Black people fucking suck and I hate them"
And you have another room saying "this nigga just got here" "damn nigga"

Which is actually offensive?
The first one of course, because they are attempting to spread an idea.
The only idea behind the second room is the acceptance of someone's arrival. Just cause they used a word dont change what they saying.

 

[Siegcram]

No I live in a world in which evolved animals have produced language as a way of communicating between each other. In language the point is to communicate your own thoughts to another person.
To get a meaning across.
A specific meaning in relation to whatever situation is going on.

Yes the word was used to demean persons before, but that's not how its usually used now.
Saying what's up to a person is NOT an attack on them.
It is not saying "slavery was cool"
It is not saying "I hate you"
It is saying hi.

You literally said a racial slur isn't a racial slur if you say "no (personal) offense" afterwards.

That's not how this works. Words mean things.

 

[Derwind]

I just disagree with that.
What I believe is that ideas can be hateful and powerful.
A word is not powerful, an idea is.
If you have a room of people saying: "Black people fucking suck and I hate them"
And you have another room saying "this nigga just got here" "damn nigga"

Which is actually offensive?
The first one of course, because they are attempting to spread an idea.
The only idea behind the second room is the acceptance of someone's arrival. Just cause they used a word dont change what they saying.

Yes, yes it does because the second is also absolutely unneccesary.

You do not get to decide how someone feels about a racial charged word, especially the marginalized group its directed to.

And yes, the black community will differ in their interpretation of the specific usage of these words, because the black community is not one giant monolith.

So if you don't want to offend, then cater to people as individuals and understand not everyone shares your opinion in that the word is neutral in context or meaning.

 

[Izuna]

I just disagree with that.
What I believe is that ideas can be hateful and powerful.
A word is not powerful, an idea is.
If you have a room of people saying: "Black people fucking suck and I hate them"
And you have another room saying "this nigga just got here" "damn nigga"

Which is actually offensive?
The first one of course, because they are attempting to spread an idea.
The only idea behind the second room is the acceptance of someone's arrival. Just cause they used a word dont change what they saying.

So...

If the racist KKK kid shouts a racial slur in a forest, and no one hears it, it isn't a racial slur?

I think you are talking about something else. People here are arguing if the word is defined as offensive, not of the people they say it to are offended or not.

When we call it a racial slur, it is because it literally is meant to mean "blacks", if you look at the origin of the plural, and it was used as a derogatory for many years.

It stops being a racial slur when it loses that meaning, but it hasn't. Whether used offensively or not, or when people don't mind being called it, it is always for the same meaning.

I have a friend who will casually say whatever offensive word he can think of because he thinks people shouldn't be hurt or offended. He is an idiot because people are. He isn't slowly breaking down social barriers, he is just deliberately winding people up when he could intend on saying different words with an exact meaning to his intentions and not offend people all the same.

So why the hell use the racial slur in the first place? I mean, does nigga just sound so attractive that you HAVE to say it to mean guy/friend/man/breh instead of those words to mean the same thing?

 

[HuskerDutheDu]

It's much easier to just not say it. Like why bother? Why are yall wanting to say it so badly?

 

[Valhelm]

It's much easier to just not say it. Like why bother? Why are yall wanting to say it so badly?

1. Imitation. It's used in a lot of pop culture.
2. It's a forbidden fruit. White people are also not used to being denied something because of their race, so a lot of white people think it's edgy and fun to use.
3. It scans better rhythmically than really any other noun in a casual context. It also has at least three meanings (black man, any man, or human being) so it's pretty useful.

 

[Mr.Swag]

You literally said a racial slur isn't a racial slur if you say "no (personal) offense" afterwards.

That's not how this works. Words mean things.

The wonderful thing about conversation is that it can keep going.
Like what we are doing right now.
Lets say we have a misunderstanding on GAF, someone quotes me, I quote them back and explain what I was saying, then they acknowledge the explanation and the conversation continues without the detour.

 

[Enzom21]

Not gonna lie, I'm pale as fuck and use "nigga" all the time IRL when appropriate. Mostly stuff like "shit nigga, what are you doing", or "this nigga". It's not used in racist context, so none of my friends mind or care, and that goes for all of us, not just me; even some of my friends who are black say it and don't mind me when I say it either because it is all about the context.

Personally, I think the tweet itself is dumb and racially insentive towards blacks and whites though. It almost makes it sound like she is saying that she is the end-all answer to how an entire group of people feel about the word and it also kinda downplays the importance of the context. George Carlin had a great sketch on the topic once, perhaps she should watch it before making claims like these. What is okay among the context of a social circle does not equate to an end-all with no context, specially with a term that can be seen as so close to another term.

Good for those black people. I can't wait for the day when you say that shit around black people who don't cosign such fuckery.
Since it is no big deal to you why don't you go use that around some older black people who were fed that bullshit from people who were "pale as fuck" and see if they think there is a difference. Report back your findings please.

 

[Aizo]

I remember thinking it was cool when my friends in high school said they didn't mind when I said "nigga" to them. Made me feel more included. Now, I just think I was immature for thinking that.

Makes me cringe when I hear white people say it.

 

[Mr.Swag]

Yes, yes it does because the second is also absolutely unneccesary.

You do not get to decide how someone feels about a racial charged word, especially the marginalized group its directed to.

And yes, the black community will differ in their interpretation of the specific usage of these words, because the black community is not one giant monolith.

So if you don't want to offend, then cater to people as individuals and understand not everyone shares your opinion in that the word is neutral in context or meaning.

Directed to?
When I speak, I speak to the person listening, not to all mankind..

 

[Siegcram]

The wonderful thing about conversation is that it can keep going.
Like what we are doing right now.
Lets say we have a misunderstanding on GAF, someone quotes me, I quote them back and explain what I was saying, then they acknowledge the explanation and the conversation continues without the detour.

A misunderstanding is the use of a racial slur out of ignorance of it actually being one.

Saying "nigga" to a black person you don't even know isn't a honest mistake, it's being willfully insensitive. Same goes for every known slur. If you don't mean to offend, just don't use it. Not that hard.

 

[mooooose]

Not gonna lie, I'm pale as fuck and use "nigga" all the time IRL when appropriate. Mostly stuff like "shit nigga, what are you doing", or "this nigga". It's not used in racist context, so none of my friends mind or care, and that goes for all of us, not just me; even some of my friends who are black say it and don't mind me when I say it either because it is all about the context.

this is the coolest thing you've ever said lol

 

[Derwind]

Directed to?
When I speak, I speak to the person listening, not to all mankind..

So what you're saying is you use in the surrounds of people that accept that crap. Okay thats cool. Not what I was saying or really care at all.

But good to know.

Now the word is still directed to the marginalized black community, regardless of how you feel about the word, that is my point and something that looks to be lacking in yours.

 

[Mr.Swag]

What is the ultimate end-game in this issue?
Is it getting the word banned?
Because words cant be banned..

Shouldn't the objective be to make the word not be used how it was back in the day?

And isn't using at as a greeting/exclamation/catchall word completing that objective?

 

[Izuna]

What is the ultimate end-game in this issue?
Is it getting the word banned?
Because words cant be banned..

Shouldn't the objective be to make the word not be used how it was back in the day?

And isn't using at as a greeting/exclamation/catchall word completing that objective?

I think...

For as long as a considerably large percentage of people are offended by such word, it is offensive to a considerably large percentage of people.

But you know, if anything, "nigga" and "nigger" are not different to those it offends. Saying otherwise is silly in my opinion. Whether you choose to use the word or not, whether depending on context, there is no vocal or audible difference so it's stupidly to expect people to someone know when you say one or the other.

 

[Derwind]

What is the ultimate end-game in this issue?
Is it getting the word banned?
Because words cant be banned..

Shouldn't the objective be to make the word not be used how it was back in the day?

And isn't using at as a greeting/exclamation/catchall word completing that objective?

No, the best outcome would be an understanding & remembrance of the roots of the word, acknowledged for what the roots are; a slur towards black people.

And then maybe, just maybe, people wont feel the need to introduce it to everyday vernacular. If its used well then so be it, you can look at it as YMMV.

But what it shouldn't be, is casually accepted. Thats my opinion though.

 

[Enzom21]

What is the ultimate end-game in this issue?
Is it getting the word banned?
Because words cant be banned..

Shouldn't the objective be to make the word not be used how it was back in the day?

And isn't using at as a greeting/exclamation/catchall word completing that objective?

So you think non-blacks using nigga "greeting/exclamation/catchall" will somehow stop racists from using it as a slur? Are you really that dense? Not all black people are okay with its usage. They don't want to hear it from anyone so people like you, who aren't trying to turn it into a "greeting/exclamation/catchall" is meaningless to them. If it is not offensive go up to an older black person that you don't know and call them nigga, and then see how they respond.

 

[Mr.Swag]

So you think non-blacks using nigga "greeting/exclamation/catchall" will somehow stop racists from using it as a slur? Are you really that dense? Not all black people are okay with its usage. They don't want to hear it from anyone so people like you, who aren't trying to turn it into a "greeting/exclamation/catchall" is meaningless to them. If it is not offensive go up to an older black person that you don't know and call them nigga, and then see how they respond.

I just don't see how me saying "what's up nigga" to my friend promotes racism in others.

What is the problem with racists, is it the words they use or the ideas they are trying to spread?

I am sure you all have experienced racism that didn't use the word. So the problem isn't the word, its the racism and the person behind it.

A racist will find a way to insult even if the word nigger didn't exist.

 

[Doctor Ironic]

I just don't see how me saying "what's up nigga" to my friend promotes racism in others.

Because other people hear you using it and assume it's okay to use it with everyone. Simple.

 

[DontBeThatGuy]

no interest.

 

[Izuna]

Because other people hear you using it and assume it's okay to use it with everyone. Simple.

Agreed.

no interest.

What else aren't you interested in?

 

[Mr.Swag]

Because other people hear you using it and assume it's okay to use it with everyone. Simple.

Are they gonna use it in the same way I used it?
If then, there's no issue.

If they use it differently, that's on them not me.


Edit: Its not like one day some guy with no pre-existing prejudice is gonna overhear me greet my friends and suddenly he is going to become a racist.
No, that guy would already have been a racist. And he's not gonna use it to greet people, he's gonna use it to talk about people.

Hughghhee fucking difference.

 

[Vicetrailia]

Despite this debate or technical breakdowns I'm pretty sure that black people understand when nigga is being used appropriately or not, or where it is accepted to be used. Context and behavior says it all, genuine is genuine. People of another race know if they're using it properly. If you are slimy about it, or bring the ignorant egging you damn well know what you are doing.

Because other people hear you using it and assume it's okay to use it with everyone. Simple.

I don't believe that people genuinely do this in practice.

 

[Izuna]

I don't believe that people genuinely do this in practice.

How else do people learn to use the word?

 

[Gr1mLock]

uh..well im glad we got that cleared up.

 

[Mr.Swag]

How else do people learn to use the word?

Wtf?

Probably from their racist parents that used it in a racist way?

And not from a random person NOT using it in a racist way.

 

[Izuna]

Despite this debate or technical breakdowns I'm pretty sure that black people understand when nigga is being used appropriately or not, or where it is accepted to be used. Context and behavior says it all, genuine is genuine. People of another race know if they're using it properly. If you are slimy about it, or bring the ignorant egging you damn well know what you are doing.



I don't believe that people genuinely do this in practice.

1. Regardless of what you may think, but there are people who don't think it should be said in ANY context. There is hate behind the word.

Kinda like if a child says "fuck" without knowing the meaning behind it. You get shocked and tell them not to, whether it offends you or not you know not everyone wants to hear it right?

2. Uh, how else do people learn this word and say it?

Wtf?

Probably from their racist parents that used it in a racist way?

And not from a random person NOT using it in a racist way.

Wtf? Wtf?

Whether they learned it to mean offensively or not, they learn the word. To be honest I think a kid with racist parents will probably learn even better that the word is a slur and shouldn't be used.

Now people are growing up thinking it is okay because, I suppose, guys like you are running around saying it casually. So now a lot of people will hear you and say it casually, and the those who are hurt by the word have to hear it on a daily bases from children, teens, and generally ignorant people and be told that their feelings are "outdated".

But REGARDLESS, you cannot say it in a non-racist/offensive way to a lot of people.

 

[DontBeThatGuy]

Agreed.



What else aren't you interested in?

I'm saying zero interest in using "nigga" because why the fuck would I ever do that?

 

[Zaraki_Kenpachi]

Not gonna lie, I'm pale as fuck and use "nigga" all the time IRL when appropriate. Mostly stuff like "shit nigga, what are you doing", or "this nigga". It's not used in racist context, so none of my friends mind or care, and that goes for all of us, not just me; even some of my friends who are black say it and don't mind me when I say it either because it is all about the context.

Personally, I think the tweet itself is dumb and racially insentive towards blacks and whites though. It almost makes it sound like she is saying that she is the end-all answer to how an entire group of people feel about the word and it also kinda downplays the importance of the context. George Carlin had a great sketch on the topic once, perhaps she should watch it before making claims like these. What is okay among the context of a social circle does not equate to an end-all with no context, specially with a term that can be seen as so close to another term.

What the hell did I just read?

And why are people still giving this woman attention, she's yet to say something of an importance. Every tweet is just a hate filled ball of ignorance.

 

[Booshka]

I really hate saying dude.

 

[kingkitty]

Not gonna lie, I'm pale as fuck and use "nigga" all the time IRL when appropriate. Mostly stuff like "shit nigga, what are you doing", or "this nigga". It's not used in racist context, so none of my friends mind or care, and that goes for all of us, not just me; even some of my friends who are black say it and don't mind me when I say it either because it is all about the context.

thank you for being so honest.

 

[DontBeThatGuy]

I really hate saying dude.

I used to say that a lot, we all did but It's pretty much been cut out of my vocabulary

 

[Mr.Swag]

We shouldn't let the past define our present.


We should make our own culture, and damn it, but trying to ban a word or give power to an old meaning is the backwards thing that should be happening.

Fuck the way it used to be used!
But more importantly, fuck why it was used!


Stop stressing about people singing along to songs, stop stressing about people reacting to shit, stop stressing about it!

Stop telling the racists it hurts when they use it, because that's what they want! They want to hurt. That's the whole point of their existence, to hurt.

Fuck them!

 

[Extollere]

I think...

For as long as a considerably large percentage of people are offended by such word, it is offensive to a considerably large percentage of people.

But you know, if anything, "nigga" and "nigger" are not different to those it offends. Saying otherwise is silly in my opinion. Whether you choose to use the word or not, whether depending on context, there is no vocal or audible difference so it's stupidly to expect people to someone know when you say one or the other.

Why you keep saying this? Are you British or something? There is clearly an audible difference between the two words.

 

[Vanpastel]

We shouldn't let the past define our present.


We should make our own culture, and damn it, but trying to ban a word or give power to an old meaning is the backwards thing that should be happening.

Fuck the way it used to be used!
But more importantly, fuck why it was used!


Stop stressing about people singing along to songs, stop stressing about people reacting to shit, stop stressing about it!

Stop telling the racists it hurts when they use it, because that's what they want! They want to hurt. That's the whole point of their existence, to hurt.

Fuck them!

How about you stop telling marginalized people how to feel about slurs.

 

[Izuna]

Why you keep saying this? Are you British or something? There is clearly an audible difference between the two words.

Demonstrate to us how it has a clear audible difference.

Or use that phonetic notation.

P.S. I know the different you say going to go with, and I can easily find examples of them being interchanged by the same people even in pop culture.

 

[Mr.Swag]

Wtf? Wtf?

Whether they learned it to mean offensively or not, they learn the word. To be honest I think a kid with racist parents will probably learn even better that the word is a slur and shouldn't be used..

What do you mean by that?
Isn't it better if a racist is open about it so they can be easier shunned/avoided?



Also, sorry but its not like 'nigga' is some underground word, its the fucking title to songs, hip hop being probably the most popular genre right now, it is a widely used word.

 

[Mr.Swag]

How about you stop telling marginalized people how to feel about slurs.

How about people stop telling me I'm being offensive when i am not?


I fucking hate racists and I find it offensive that I be lumped in the same category.


This is the weirdest race issue there is!
What is the end goal?

Is this "issue" not a distraction to the real issues?

 

[jim-jam bongs]

Nice, I'm going to head to the Bronx and use my newfound freedom. I don't mind not sounding cool.

 

[BKatastrophe]

I really hate saying dude.

Dude that's wicked

 

[Izuna]

How about people stop telling me I'm being offensive when i am not?

...

Is this "issue" not a distraction to the real issues?

People on the receiving end decide if you are being offensive. There are so many examples I can give where your logic doesn't work, but I somehow think it's pointless to point this out.

If this wasn't a "real" issue it wouldn't be brought up anymore. It is as real as society makes it, and unfortunately any argument that says it can be used disregards people who are hurt in favour of being free to say a word, to mean another word, because it used to have a bad meaning.

--

The end goal is that people learn to respect others and stop trying to be "cool" by making a racial slur some new swag slang.

 

[Captcha]

How about people stop telling me I'm being offensive when i am not?


I fucking hate racists and I find it offensive that I be lumped in the same category.


This is the weirdest race issue there is!
What is the end goal?

Is this "issue" not a distraction to the real issues?

You should take a nice, long look at yourself and ask WHY this is the cross you want to bear. You know the context of the word. This, gay (as a pejorative), and fag(got) are words I can't understand the attachment to. "Buh,Buh mah freedom of speech." Go ahead and say what you want, but don't be surprised when people lump you in with other ignorant fucks.

 

[Enzom21]

I just don't see how me saying "what's up nigga" to my friend promotes racism in others.

What is the problem with racists, is it the words they use or the ideas they are trying to spread?

I am sure you all have experienced racism that didn't use the word. So the problem isn't the word, its the racism and the person behind it.

A racist will find a way to insult even if the word nigger didn't exist.

Must be nice living in blissful ignorance, too bad black people don't have that luxury.

I also find it pretty telling that you completely ignored the part about calling older black people nigga. Quite a few of us black people don't see any contextual difference in the word's usage but you seem to want to ignore that and tell us how we should feel about the word.

How about people stop telling me I'm being offensive when i am not?


I fucking hate racists and I find it offensive that I be lumped in the same category.


This is the weirdest race issue there is!
What is the end goal?

Is this "issue" not a distraction to the real issues?

Oh joy, you're busting out the "real issues" argument. Good old diet racism in full effect.

 

[Booshka]

Dude that's wicked

Obligatory

 

[danm999]

How about people stop telling me I'm being offensive when i am not?


I fucking hate racists and I find it offensive that I be lumped in the same category.

Sure is awful when people use a word which you feel derogatorily lumps you into a negatively perceived group, isn't it?

 

[Imm0rt4l]

I don't care for her opinion on pretty much anything personally.

 

[toastyToast]

Thanks for clearing that up Azaelea

 

[Heavy's Sandvich]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yyD3pomSxko

Charlamagne tha God offered his opinions before