Interesting "N" word article calling to artists vs. athletes

[daflyboys]

Just read it......very well written:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2...nderson/061201

Thoughts?

[supremeslang]

Re: Interesting "N" word article calling to artists vs. athletes

I dunno. Maybe we should cut back on using it but I see it like calling someone a b****. You may joke around with ya boys and call each other that but don't dare call a female that word or no booty for you.

[Jackdog]

Re: Interesting "N" word article calling to artists vs. athletes

That was well written and I agree with the writer.

This really rings true.

But why do I and others insist on keeping it alive, as opposed to letting it die the way "mulatto" and "octoroon" fell from our collective social consciousness? We can continue to believe that it's OK for blacks but not whites to say it, but only three things come from the "do as I say, not as I do" approach to life: resentment, rebellion and worst of all, apathy.

"I've heard the word so much that it doesn't even bother me," says one of the white athletes. "I would never use it, but I'm used to hearing black people use it all of the time, so I don't think anything of it.

"I know it's hard for me to say this, because I'm not in that position, but if my people were the minority and oppressed for so long, the last thing I would want is for someone to call me that word."

I say kill it. Never use it again. I would rather call my friends "brother" then the "N" word anyday. I respect them. Why use a word that garners no respect? I remember watching " Antwone Fisher " and feeling so disgusted everytime the lady that raised him called him "*****". I still feel that way today. Bury it and never bring it back.

[Blzer]

Re: Interesting "N" word article calling to artists vs. athletes

I'm 18, bi-racial, and don't think I've included that word in my verbal vocabulary yet. Don't think I ever will, either.

Kill it now.

[MizzouBravesFan]

Re: Interesting "N" word article calling to artists vs. athletes

It's a stupid word in ANY form that shouldn't be used by anyone...whether they're black, white, latino, asian, etc.

Good article, agree with a lot of points it raises.

[SPTO]

Re: Interesting "N" word article calling to artists vs. athletes

I'm on a personal mission to not talk race issues for at least 6 months but I have to say I applaud anyone that advocates the elimination of the "N" word and some of the more vulgar uses of slang.

[daflyboys]

Re: Interesting "N" word article calling to artists vs. athletes

I dunno. Maybe we should cut back on using it but I see it like calling someone a b****. You may joke around with ya boys and call each other that but don't dare call a female that word or no booty for you.

Bad analogy. So as a white guy I shouldn't call a black guy the "N" word or else I get no..... um, what's the analogy here?

Start thinking with your other head, bro.

[rockchisler]

Re: Interesting "N" word article calling to artists vs. athletes

Its no different then when women call each other B..ches but men cant call them that. I cant lie I use with my friends ( Im Black) but I always wonder why white folks feel the need to say it as slang, Its like they watch BET and all of a suuden they think they are black. The word shouldnt be used but why dont we worry more bout the war in Iraq or something...

[CMH]

Re: Interesting "N" word article calling to artists vs. athletes

Just to raise the question - not necessarily because this is what I believe.

But, if you can take a negative word and turn it positive, isn't that great?

Why does it have to be negative forever?

Again, just asking to raise the questions.

[WTF]

Re: Interesting "N" word article calling to artists vs. athletes

Its no different then when women call each other B..ches but men cant call them that. I cant lie I use with my friends ( Im Black) but I always wonder why white folks feel the need to say it as slang, Its like they watch BET and all of a suuden they think they are black. The word shouldnt be used but why dont we worry more bout the war in Iraq or something...

But you use it? What's the difference if a white person uses it, if they're referring to their boys? I'm friends with a LOT of black guys, asian guys, and hispanic guys, and they say it all the time. Just because I'm white, there shouldn't be a double standard. Either eliminate it, or make it universal for all ethnic backgrounds.

This is 2006, it's so widely used, that if I hear it used, I don't assume anything about black/white or racism (and definately don't think of BET)... I hear it and I think that they're just referring to their boys... Either eliminate it, or don't be offended when another race uses it... BUt what do I know...

[WTF]

Re: Interesting "N" word article calling to artists vs. athletes

Just to raise the question - not necessarily because this is what I believe.

But, if you can take a negative word and turn it positive, isn't that great?

Why does it have to be negative forever?

Again, just asking to raise the questions.

Agree 100%... if it's positive when one person says it... it should be positive when all people say it. Get rid of the race issues people. Seriously. Good post Yankee...

[Blzer]

Re: Interesting "N" word article calling to artists vs. athletes

Just to raise the question - not necessarily because this is what I believe.

But, if you can take a negative word and turn it positive, isn't that great?

Why does it have to be negative forever?

Again, just asking to raise the questions.

Well, since the word still does have a negative connotation attached to it, there's no way to make it "just positive". It's the exact same way with how it's going to be impossible to kill it altogether.

[WTF]

Re: Interesting "N" word article calling to artists vs. athletes

I guess...

I don't think it should be used at all... but don't see really why if it's perceived as positive between two people of the same race, why it can't be seen as positve regardless as race... ?

[Blzer]

Re: Interesting "N" word article calling to artists vs. athletes

I don't think they really would think that it's positive if they actually knew what they were saying. Perhaps if they understood what their (and my dad's side's) ancestors went through when being called this word and actually comprehended it, I'm sure that they would eventually drop it altogether. There are other words out there... but it's just part of their common language and urban dictionary that they picked up where they were raised.

It's a shame, I know it. But, when I hear it, no matter whether it's positive or negative, it doesn't sound right.


I know this is a strange comparison, but what if I went around and had a group of friends that positively could say, "Hey, ****face!" to each other? Doesn't really matter whether it's positive or negative... it doesn't really spin out quite the way people would want it to.

[VanCitySportsGuy]

Re: Interesting "N" word article calling to artists vs. athletes

This is 2006, it's so widely used, that if I hear it used, I don't assume anything about black/white or racism (and definately don't think of BET)... I hear it and I think that they're just referring to their boys.

The word ****** is widely used? I hear it in various forms of entertainment (i.e rap music, stand-up, movies, etc..), but that's about it.

Who actually calls their "boys" ******s?

Maybe I just live in a different area, but around here, calling a Black person a ****** is considered racist.