[quote]Professor X wrote:
[quote]DoubleDuce wrote:
[quote]DBCooper wrote:
You know, this whole N-word thing is totally ridiculous. Think about it: sure nigger is an offensive word and whites who use it in reference to blacks sound like uneducated racists, but the same isn’t said if I call someone a wop or a kike if I’m joking with them. If I were to jokingly call SteelyD a wop, it wouldn’t be that big of a deal. But if I called Prof X a nigger in a joking manner, the shit would hit the fan!
When it comes the word “nigga”, it’s even more ridiculous! How many words can you think of that are only socially-acceptable for one particular ethnicity and totally unacceptable for other ethnicities to use? There aren’t any, except for nigga. I’m white, so I’m not “allowed” to use the word. I wouldn’t use it anyways because it is just a shortening of an offensive word and also because I would sound fucking retarded throwing that word around.
I’m not too crazy about tossing racial slurs around in a joking manner because I never quite know how certain people are going to react and to me it personally sounds a little “uncouth”, but if we ARE going to be throwing them around, then why is it that nigger has to be the one that gets excluded? Yeah, yeah, I know that blacks were enslaved here and all that, but let’s be honest. Go back throughout history and you’ll see that literally every race, color and creed has been enslaved at some point.[/quote]
good post.[/quote]
No, it wasn’t. I saw two kids who looked white (one may have been half hispanic) who used that word loudly between themselves last night at the gym. No one even reacted. This is 2011. Who the fuck is throwing a tantrum because it is used JOKINGLY between friends? If you are using it in a racist manner, then you deserve what you get.
Also, if you fit the profile of “the nerdy white guy” and use it, expect a much different reaction than if someone more “urban and white” used it.
Some of you seem about 15-20 years out of touch with the world around you.
If your exposure to any black people comes from what you see on tv and you say this word, don’t act surprised when people around you react in a different way.
People can usually look at you and see if you are the type who is a wannabe or someone more legit. It isn’t a secret.[/quote]
I’m refreshed by your responses to this thread and you’re on point.
Words are just words. Words DO carry meaning but meaning is contextual. The same word can have different meanings depending on context and intention.
The word is a hateful ugly word when used in a certain context. I think everyone here is aware of when it is used in that context and there is no mistaking it when it is. Whether you agree with it or not, the word IS and has been used in popular culture and HAS crossed context and color lines. I say it from time to time and I don’t do verbal gymnastics to use it. I might say “nigger” I might say “nigga”. And no one blinks. No one has ever said…whoa there BG, did you say “nigger” or “nigga”. If you have to ask, my context, intent, or audience was inappropriate and if there is any ambiguity, it’s a troublesome word.
Talking shit with a close black friend (nature of friend goes to context again), “nigger please”, “nigga please” - don’t much matter to me or him whether there is an ER on the end or an “a”. And they return the “nigger” or “nigga” in kind and no one is mistaking me for black even though I can dance and at one time run real fast and jump real high 
LOL. We are not discussing or describing race. Nigga or nigger would be used interchangeably with “motherfucker” or any other such word used for poetic emphasis. “Motherfucka” kiss my ass. “Nigger” kiss my ass. Said to a friend, it’s a friendly jab. Said to a stranger, it’s a prelude to engagement.
The point is, where context is not unambiguous (assuming everyone within ear shot will “get” context), the word is now pretty harmless (it probably does offend some older people, but again, that’s context and audience). To give it unintended meaning in this day and age is to go backward in my opinion.
There is no doubt at all the word can still be used in its ugly context…but I think all REASONABLE people understand when it’s being used as such. And if you tell me, “fuck you white boy”…I’m likely to reply “motherfuck you nigger”.
If you’re in doubt, and have to give it so much thought, simply don’t use it. Is there still a perceived double standard there? Of course there is. Get over it. The word is pregnant with a minefield of contextual connotation and emotion - and you don’t want to get it unintentionally wrong. If you think you might, lose it from your vernacular.
