The "N" word

[Schlich]

Never understood why we should want to "take it's power" or turn into "just a word." It's very powerful and represents so much more than the word itself.

When it's used like it was recently, it's a powerful reminder to white people of what horrible things we did with our cultural, racial and economic dominance. We robbed millions of people of their lives and cultural heritage. That's an important thing to not forget because there's still a lot of social inequality we need to work on and just "moving on" from a word that represents all of that would be to let ourselves off the hook. Let bum ass white wide receivers show their ass every now and then to remind us that the ignorance of our past isn't confined there. Every time they pop up, it's an opportunity to remind ourselves and our children that we have to be better than our past.

Simply put, I disagree.

Personally, I don't feel like I have wronged African Americans in any way. If you can point to something I have done wrong, I'd be more than willing to admit my mistakes, but I just don't see any.

Conversely, I see how I have wronged homosexual couples with my old bigoted views. I voted against allowing same sex couples to house foster children. That was wrong. I've admitted it was wrong and changed my point of view. Not only that, I will do whatever to amend the harm I have caused. I no longer appease bigoted views but will confront them whenever I see them, rather its family or friends or strangers on the street. My family and friends pretty much agree with me, but whatever. that wasn't always the case.

Getting back on point, I just don't see bigoted views or racism as this mega problem pushing African Americans into poverty....though I readily admit I could be wrong and would gladly admit it if presented with facts.... IMO, racism isn't ever going away, but it's also not keeping African Americans from working and being part of society.

It is just a word and if you want to turn it into something so much more than that, fine. But, there's a lot of people who use it everyday without a bat of an eye from anyone. So....it's just a word so long as certain people say it.

Can't help but wonder what a person of color would think of this post.

[ghostrunner]

I think we agree, maybe. People shouldn't forget. But, no one word should be the equivalent of a pile of hay covered in gasoline. That's what I feel the n word is right now. It's just way too combustible and has the ability to enrage people more than any one word should. I understand the history and where everyone is coming from. But, looking at the now, it has too much power.

As you mention, economic class begets financial success and social opportunity. So, ending on the short end of the stick has more to do with background than racism. That's my point and you put it together better than I did. To blame it on present day racism seems disingenuous.

What are you basing this on? Mobility is still worse for poor blacks than it is for poor whites. Poor black people have a harder time moving up, and they're more likely to be downwardly mobile relative to their parents.

Google "black white mobility" and you'll find plenty to back that up.

[go birds]

Riley cooper has been dismissed from camp and and will be seeking counseling.

This cracker thinks thing are getting a little out of hand.

[go birds]

And the only reason why it will never become just a word is because Jesse Jackson and al sharpton make too much money off the use of it.

Maybe when they pass on, we can finally move forward.

One love.

[AWvsCBsteeeerike3]

I think we agree, maybe. People shouldn't forget. But, no one word should be the equivalent of a pile of hay covered in gasoline. That's what I feel the n word is right now. It's just way too combustible and has the ability to enrage people more than any one word should. I understand the history and where everyone is coming from. But, looking at the now, it has too much power.

As you mention, economic class begets financial success and social opportunity. So, ending on the short end of the stick has more to do with background than racism. That's my point and you put it together better than I did. To blame it on present day racism seems disingenuous.

What are you basing this on? Mobility is still worse for poor blacks than it is for poor whites. Poor black people have a harder time moving up, and they're more likely to be downwardly mobile relative to their parents.

Google "black white mobility" and you'll find plenty to back that up.

And you think that's because of present day racism?

[thrill]

And you think that's because of present day racism?

I don't think anyone here is saying that as a rule. I'm sure there are tons of individual situations where prejudice has affected someone's economic reality negatively, but we're discussing present-day economic inequity as a result of the systemic racism of the past. We rigged the game and now people who won want to keep their money because of self-interest, not hatred.

When a Hip-Hop artist uses the "N" word he or she can makes millions.

I know you're just talking out of your ass here, Wart, but it's really dumb to correlate artistic success with saying [expletive].

Is it fair? Probably not, but it is a lot more fair than slavery was.

Fair has nothing to do with it. We're animals with high functioning brains. We should be able to understand nuance and subtleties. Small children cry about fairness. Adults understand that there are different rules for different people for different reasons that are justified.

[ghostrunner]

Mobility is as good a measure as any, because it removes class and history from the equation. Poor blacks are less likely to rise from their existing status than poor whites and more likely to drop from where they started.

[AWvsCBsteeeerike3]

Mobility is as good a measure as any, because it removes class and history from the equation. Poor blacks are less likely to rise from their existing status than poor whites and more likely to drop from where they started.

What race has the highest mobility?

I don't disagree or agree with what you're saying as I don't know enough about it. I find it not likely, but that doesn't mean it's not true.

I'd guess that Hispanics have the highest mobility upwards and would say in general there is more bigotry/racism/discrimination directed at Hispanics than blacks. Hell, some states are openly discriminating against them.

[wart57]

And you think that's because of present day racism?

I don't think anyone here is saying that as a rule. I'm sure there are tons of individual situations where prejudice has affected someone's economic reality negatively, but we're discussing present-day economic inequity as a result of the systemic racism of the past. We rigged the game and now people who won want to keep their money because of self-interest, not hatred.

When a Hip-Hop artist uses the "N" word he or she can makes millions.

I know you're just talking out of your ass here, Wart, but it's really dumb to correlate artistic success with saying [expletive].

Is it fair? Probably not, but it is a lot more fair than slavery was.

Fair has nothing to do with it. We're animals with high functioning brains. We should be able to understand nuance and subtleties. Small children cry about fairness. Adults understand that there are different rules for different people for different reasons that are justified.

Never mind. I don't know why I even bother sometimes. We all have a tough time in this world, the sooner the rules are the same for everyone the better.

[IMADreamer]

How ridiculous that he is leaving camp to go into counseling. My God this whole thing is stupid. You tube any rap video of the last 25 years and that word will get used more times in five minutes then Cooper has probably said it in his life. Call up Al Sharpton there's been an injustice against the entire black race. A white guy said the same word that will get said a million times today and no one will throw a fit about it.

How do you counsel someone on the use of the N word? Is this guy gonna lose his job over this? Jesus Christ this is dumb.