The N word.

TheBlueWolf

I've heard several reasons why black guys refer to each other by using the 'N' word but I'm pretty sure it's never cool for a white person to call them that. 

vasselmeyer

It's a pejorative that has been used by a minority community and taken on as their own, in the same way that "queer" is used in the lesbian and gay community. They feel they can use it between themselves, without fear of reprisal, but when used by anyone else it still has its original meaning. Personally, I'm fine with that...I would never use the N word or the Q word myself, even though it's just a word. It's because the offence it would cause, and I choose not to upset people in that way. Its association with people of my racial profile is prettty much 100% hate-related or discriminatory and, even though they're just words, I would not want to be thought of as that kind of person.

Drew_TNBD

I'll use what words I want to, thanks.

DrJazzTap

I've always thought the usage in rap music was in a negative infliction. And the word has been reclaimed.

As a white guy it makes me feel uncomfortable to listen to it. I love old wu tang, busta rhymes and Richard Pryor but I always feel awkward when that word is used.
I think because if I repeated a lyric or a skit i could get myself in serious trouble  (understandably). 

holnrew

To be fair Luke Cage objects when he is called one

Nunogilberto

Call it a simplistic view, but if it's such a bad word, nobody should be using it regardless of race. I don't buy the notion that one set of people can use it but not the other.

fretmeister

Nunogilberto said:

Call it a simplistic view, but if it's such a bad word, nobody should be using it regardless of race. I don't buy the notion that one set of people can use it but not the other.

Nunogilberto said:

Call it a simplistic view, but if it's such a bad word, nobody should be using it regardless of race. I don't buy the notion that one set of people can use it but not the other.

It is simplistic.

Reclaiming a word can reduce the negative implications over time. Many words have had their meanings changed slowly over time that way.

Drew_TNBD

fretmeister said:

Nunogilberto said:

Call it a simplistic view, but if it's such a bad word, nobody should be using it regardless of race. I don't buy the notion that one set of people can use it but not the other.

Nunogilberto said:

Call it a simplistic view, but if it's such a bad word, nobody should be using it regardless of race. I don't buy the notion that one set of people can use it but not the other.

It is simplistic.

Reclaiming a word can reduce the negative implications over time. Many words have had their meanings changed slowly over time that way.

Nice one fliddy!

agibbo

When I used to work in one of Birminghams less glamorous locations, one of the gang nominals used to drive round with a private plate displaying N16GA X - with the 6 made to look like a G so it read as "NIGGA X" - lovely!

Nunogilberto

fretmeister said:

Nunogilberto said:

Call it a simplistic view, but if it's such a bad word, nobody should be using it regardless of race. I don't buy the notion that one set of people can use it but not the other.

Nunogilberto said:

Call it a simplistic view, but if it's such a bad word, nobody should be using it regardless of race. I don't buy the notion that one set of people can use it but not the other.

It is simplistic.

Reclaiming a word can reduce the negative implications over time. Many words have had their meanings changed slowly over time that way.

So much so that you quoted it twice, eh?

BigBearKris

DrJazzTap said:

I've always thought the usage in rap music was in a negative infliction. And the word has been reclaimed.

As a white guy it makes me feel uncomfortable to listen to it. I love old wu tang, busta rhymes and Richard Pryor but I always feel awkward when that word is used.
I think because if I repeated a lyric or a skit i could get myself in serious trouble  (understandably). 

I'm the same.

Da mystery of chessboxin' Doc!

Sambostar

Anagram of the hard grafting people who built Great Britain and everybody hated.  Makes much sense.

holnrew

DrJazzTap said:

I've always thought the usage in rap music was in a negative infliction. And the word has been reclaimed.

As a white guy it makes me feel uncomfortable to listen to it. I love old wu tang, busta rhymes and Richard Pryor but I always feel awkward when that word is used.
I think because if I repeated a lyric or a skit i could get myself in serious trouble  (understandably). 

DrJazzTap

holnrew said:

DrJazzTap said:

I've always thought the usage in rap music was in a negative infliction. And the word has been reclaimed.

As a white guy it makes me feel uncomfortable to listen to it. I love old wu tang, busta rhymes and Richard Pryor but I always feel awkward when that word is used.
I think because if I repeated a lyric or a skit i could get myself in serious trouble  (understandably). 

haha that is me (apart from locking the Windows!).