Quote:
Originally posted by StephenNYMonster
Of course it is not right, but it being used. But if you want the word to stop being put in use, don't use it. Then the people around you won't use. And then maybe the people in that community you are living in won't use it. My problem is that people here are okaying the use of the word within the black community, where the word is still being use to degrade and endear. If you don't want anyone else using it, don't use it at all. If it is that much of a problem, stop saying it.
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Girl, no. That's the fairytale kindergarten version of how life works. If I stopped using the n-word (I already use it sparingly, and held the exact same position on it as you do until I was 18) that wouldn't influence anybody else to stop using it. The same way that my using it EXCLUSIVELY with Black people doesn't encourage anyone else to use it. I have plenty of Black friends and acquaintances who feel uncomfortable with it and
I don't use it around/towards them. Similarly, I am very clear about my boundaries with sensitive language.
For example, you and I are having this interaction. If I announced right now I would never say the word ***** again, would that make you agree to stop using it?
There is no 'one size fits all' solution to these complicated histories, no matter how neatly you attempt to package it. And the fact is there is both a historical and contemporary precedent (this video is an example of the latter IMO) for this word being used to condemn, shame, and oppress and an entire subset of people based on the color of their skin.
If the only reason a non-Black person insists that they should be able to use that word freely is "Black people do it too!!!!1" then that is childish and not good enough, I'm sorry.
