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thedeadhaji
39489 Posts
N***er is undoubtedly one of the dirtiest, most despicable words in the English language. The only time I really ever encounter it is in print form: old prose, social commentary articles, or generic morons online.
I have been fortunate enough to have never witnessed the world being used in a direct, personal, derogatory manner against someone. I do think I've seen it be used in jest, in fraternal terms amongst young men and women of color, but even that kind of use always made me feel uneasy.
I had never actually mouthed this word myself in my life (I have all my wonderful childhood teachers to thank, who instilled some decency in me through those years) until sometime last year. I can still remember the occasion, since I debated in my mind for a good 30 seconds whether I should say the word or not. You see, I was quoting a tongue and cheek passage from "Breakfast of Champions" by Kurt Vonnegut that I found very powerful. But even when I was direct quoting a literary passage, I had to think hard about whether I wanted to go through with this. This was the word -- the word I wasn't supposed to say, ever.
In the end I went through with it, quoting the passage to my fellow Vonnegut-fan friend. As soon as the word left my mouth, I felt uneasy and sick to my stomach, which I guess must be a good thing. I honestly don't think I can say this word again, even when quoting a book. It just feels terribly wrong even in this literary context when it's transplanted to my own vocal chords.
He came to work for him when the agency was right on the edge of the Nigger part of town. A Nigger was a human being who was black.
-- Kurt Vonnegut, "Breakfast of Champions"
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Crosspost: http://www.hkmurakami.com/blog/
  
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A word is a word; it in itself holds no weight or value. Its weight is what is given to the ones who use it, and only implied to those who hear it.
Your dislike of the word "nigger"; is because of how heavy you value the word. Yet, those who use it regularly (especially in African American ghetto culture) put no weight on the word. The issue isn't the word, it's the amount of weight you place on it.
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Of all the racial slurs that exist in this language, why do you choose to dwell on this one?
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In and around where I grew up in sub/urban Ohio, the word nigger and it's related forms were not altogether that uncommon; my suburban high school was primarily white and it certainly wasn't common there, but amongst my friends from Toledo (some of whom were black), it was a common greeting and term of endearment. I can hardly tell you how many times I've heard phrases like "nigga you crazy" exchanged, even to this day when I go back and visit old friends.
That being said, the word must certainly be treated with caution in a public space, for it has been used to subjugate and harm many. I agree with wei2coolman to a degree; these words only have what power we give them, but in communication, power determination comes from multiple parties. It would be selfish to insist that a word like "nigger" hold no weight over a stranger whose experiences one is unfamiliar with.
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i'd like to one day be able to use this word without risking that someone goes crazy
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Korea (South)17174 Posts
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Doesn't everyone have some colour on them? even white people are actually just shades of pink and olive etc. The whole people "of colour" thing is too PC for me. Just say black.
If you didn't use it in the way that is full of hate, why were you sick to your stomach? To be sick of words without their meaning is to be as superficial as those who ban their use.
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You come off as someone who did not grow up around black people. You become part of the problem when you give so much power to a simple word
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I believe that its a racial slur that should not be used, but then I see black people calling each other that in a friendly way. I can understand to some degree the logic that using it in that way takes away its power. However, when they get uber offended when a white person uses it, that gives the "power" of the word right back, which is really confusing.
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Wow, so much fear of a word. I think mattbarry is right on you not growing up around black people ( ofcourse could be wrong). What's the big deal honestly?
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When you're quoting directly from a text in front of people I don't understand your fear in saying nigger. What, do you think people are going to berate you for choosing to read word-for-word instead of substituting it with "negro" or "N-word"? I'm sure they wouldn't care one bit and would probably think more into it if you were to substitute the word.
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It's just a word, until recently we had chocolate here called "neekerin suukko" that translates to "niggers kiss". Then they changed the name to just "kiss".
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I felt a bit sick to my stomach when I read "of color". Be careful not to write too offensive content yourself.
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United States33505 Posts
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I never take your blogs seriously, but this one is by far the funniest. Your fear of a word is pathetic.
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EPT
