More inappropriate use of the n word

[Mursilis]

http://www.insidenova.com/news/staf...cle_25b09f12-7e6d-11e5-9b68-7be113aab9e7.html

My first thought was really?!? These kids obviously weren't raised in a cave - they knew about Instagram, at least. Yet they still didn't think this wouldn't be a huge controversy? Or maybe they did know, and didn't care - hard to know what they were thinking. Maybe it's true what some have said - to the younger generation, it's not nearly as much a 'charged' word, and kids today think you can use it casually like this.

 

[Rakehellion]

Zero black people go to that school.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

Why does a school have to come out and say "Stafford County Public Schools does not condone or approve of the type of language implied in the photograph of students from Mountain View High School. This incident has been investigated and appropriate actions have been taken." and turn it into a media circus?

Some stupid girls did something completely stupid. Yet the school has to devote time to explain this, call and talk to multiple people, go through interviews, etc... A school isn't an employer. They aren't responsible for the kids and their stupid actions.

And a response I saw on Facebook for a black gentlemen I completely agreed with - Things like this are the result of a generation that grew up with hearing the word blasted on the radio constantly, hearing black people say it all the time, etc... It will naturally integrate into their vocabulary when used in daily talk.

 

[Mursilis]

Why does a school have to come out and say "Stafford County Public Schools does not condone or approve of the type of language implied in the photograph of students from Mountain View High School. This incident has been investigated and appropriate actions have been taken." and turn it into a media circus?

Because thanks to social media, it's much easier to tell the entire world you're a complete idiot. Without Instagram, these girls and their ill-advised shirts wouldn't be national news.

And a response I saw on Facebook for a black gentlemen I completely agreed with - Things like this are the result of a generation that grew up with hearing the word blasted on the radio constantly, hearing black people say it all the time, etc... It will naturally integrate into their vocabulary when used in daily talk.

I've often wondered about the "we can say it but you can't" rule of racial epithets. It's certainly confused millennials, apparently.

 

[Ackmed]

And a response I saw on Facebook for a black gentlemen I completely agreed with - Things like this are the result of a generation that grew up with hearing the word blasted on the radio constantly, hearing black people say it all the time, etc... It will naturally integrate into their vocabulary when used in daily talk.

I agree. It is a disgusting word that I don't think should be said by anyone. Yet it is in songs, movies, etc all the time. Kevin Hart is hilarious, uses it so much they made a skit out of it. In my opinion, it has no place and shouldn't be said.

These kids are just really ignorant, or thought they could get away with it. Disgusting.

 

[highland145]

Drake (who ever that is) sang it, I'm sure it's popular on hip hop stations. What's the problem?






You already know our stance on this.


esquared
Anandtech Forum Director

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

Because thanks to social media, it's much easier to tell the entire world you're a complete idiot. Without Instagram, these girls and their ill-advised shirts wouldn't be national news.

And responding is part of the problem. If you respond, you are acknowledging that you would normally be responsible. Tell them to fuck-off (in a nice way) and go about business as usual.

I've often wondered about the "we can say it but you can't" rule of racial epithets. It's certainly confused millennials, apparently.

That's what logical people call 'hypocrisy'. Whatever. I could careless.

 

[Ackmed]

That's what logical people call 'hypocrisy'. Whatever. I could careless.

The idea that it is ok for some people to use the word, and not others is silly. And yes it is very hypocritical.

 

[realibrad]

The idea that it is ok for some people to use the word, and not others is silly. And yes it is very hypocritical.

How is it silly? Are you trying to say that people should be allowed or not allowed to do something based on the color of their skin? Poppycock!

 

[umbrella39]

Oddly enough LEO apologist and but, but, but I should be able to say n#@@*& too go hand in hand...

 

[Ackmed]

Oddly enough LEO apologist and but, but, but I should be able to say n#@@*& too go hand in hand...

Where did I say that I should be allowed to say the word?

It is a disgusting word that I don't think should be said by anyone.

Stop lying, I never said or insinuated anything of the sort. That is what I actually said. It shouldn't be said by anyone. It further creates problems.

 

[HomerJS]

Why does a school have to come out and say "Stafford County Public Schools does not condone or approve of the type of language implied in the photograph of students from Mountain View High School. This incident has been investigated and appropriate actions have been taken." and turn it into a media circus?

Some stupid girls did something completely stupid. Yet the school has to devote time to explain this, call and talk to multiple people, go through interviews, etc... A school isn't an employer. They aren't responsible for the kids and their stupid actions.

And a response I saw on Facebook for a black gentlemen I completely agreed with - Things like this are the result of a generation that grew up with hearing the word blasted on the radio constantly, hearing black people say it all the time, etc... It will naturally integrate into their vocabulary when used in daily talk.

Perhaps a more accurate conclusion is a generation that grew up ignorant of history.

 

[thraashman]

Kids are stupid. I don't think we need social media to tell us that. And even though this is stupid, I think it should be relegated to the parents and school educating these girls and disciplining them if necessary. It really didn't need to go viral or become a news story.

 

[HomerJS]

Where did I say that I should be allowed to say the word?



Stop lying, I never said or insinuated anything of the sort. That is what I actually said. It shouldn't be said by anyone. It further creates problems.

Its a little simplistic to say everyone should just stop saying n word and all the problems go away. Especially since Republicans created an entire set of euphemisms designed to disparage black people without saying n word. Hell, they taught classes in how to do this.

Using the n-word is like operating a gun. You'd better know how to do it correctly. And no the rules of engagement aren't the same for everyone.

 

[momeNt]

Its a little simplistic to say everyone should just stop saying n word and all the problems go away. Especially since Republicans created an entire set of euphemisms designed to disparage black people without saying n word. Hell, they taught classes in how to do this.

Using the n-word is like operating a gun. You'd better know how to do it correctly. And no the rules of engagement aren't the same for everyone.

So black people are basically the police of racial epithets? Laws for me and not for thee?

Oh the irony.

 

[Ackmed]

Its a little simplistic to say everyone should just stop saying n word and all the problems go away. Especially since Republicans created an entire set of euphemisms designed to disparage black people without saying n word. Hell, they taught classes in how to do this.

Using the n-word is like operating a gun. You'd better know how to do it correctly. And no the rules of engagement aren't the same for everyone.

When did I claim that "all the problems go away" if the word stopped being used? I didn't, so stop claiming that is what I said. What I claimed, was that it "further creates problems". Do you disagree with that? Claiming that different shades of people can say this or that versus other people is part of the problem.

 

[michal1980]

quoting black artists is now racist.

 

[DrPizza]

quoting black artists is now racist.

Seems to me, they're making a mountain out of a molehill. Should the girls have done it? No. But, it's almost like people are going out of their way to condemn this as a horrible action - they're using the lyrics of a very popular song. Should they have known better than to use those lyrics? Yes. Is any and all use of that word racist, even in the context of the lyrics of a song? Apparently. But, there are degrees of racism; of all the racist things that happened yesterday, this one is trivial compared to even one person who was discriminated against for a job. This shouldn't make the news - it's a side show. What should make the news are instances where real, tangible harm are being done.

 

[highland145]

quoting black artists is now racist.

Crap. Am I going to get an infraction?

 

[esquared]

Using the asterisks to defeat our censor is not allowed, Next time it will be an infraction.


esquared
Anandtech Forum Director

 

[HomerJS]

So black people are basically the police of racial epithets? Laws for me and not for thee?

Oh the irony.

The target of said epithets are the primary judge along with society. We happen to be discussing the n-word. Same discussion applies when discussing the Redskins.

BTW - I've never advocating banning of the word. If you are going to use it know what you are doing.

 

[HomerJS]

When did I claim that "all the problems go away" if the word stopped being used? I didn't, so stop claiming that is what I said. What I claimed, was that it "further creates problems". Do you disagree with that? Claiming that different shades of people can say this or that versus other people is part of the problem.

That's the underlying inference. Like when righties say we don't have a race problem any more because the country elected Obama.

I'm not saying some people can and some people can't but black people do have far more leeway with its use. Part of the history of coopting. I've heard white comedians use it in their standup and it was very funny but context is everything. Another example gay people call each other queer. I wouldn't call a gay person queer. I'm not going to get upset because I can't.

Personally I don't use the n-word in normal conversation because I think its ignorant and I'm black.

 

[Ackmed]

That's the underlying inference. Like when righties say we don't have a race problem any more because the country elected Obama.

I'm not saying some people can and some people can't but black people do have far more leeway with its use. Part of the history of coopting. I've heard white comedians use it in their standup and it was very funny but context is everything. Another example gay people call each other queer. I wouldn't call a gay person queer. I'm not going to get upset because I can't.

Personally I don't use the n-word in normal conversation because I think its ignorant and I'm black.

No it wasn't the underlying inference. I said exactly what I meant. I never once said all problems would go away. I said "it further creates problems", which I believe it does. I do believe if it was so not widely used it would help issues that we have. I don't understand how anyone could think not using a seriously derogatory word towards someone couldn't help. I think it is probably the single most offensive word in our language. Same as saying Redskins? They why can you say one and not the other on these boards, and elsewhere in life? Doesn't appear to be the same.

Yes different people have more leeway using it, my argument is that nobody should use it and it is hypocrisy. And saying so and so can use it, but someone else can't leads to problems. Mostly because our world is not as black and white as it once was. Black*ish had an episode on this exact subject last month. One cast member said it during a school talent show. Which brought up the entire argument who can, and should be able to say it. While funny, pretty realistic too. I'm not upset that I can't say it, I could if I wanted. Same as anyone else. I don't and wouldn't because its deplorable and would do nothing but make things worse.

 

[Mursilis]

Using the asterisks to defeat our censor is not allowed, Next time it will be an infraction.


esquared
Anandtech Forum Director

My use of asterisks wasn't to defeat your censors - it was merely to avoid using a clearly offensive word (which I did not use). How is there a difference between saying "the n word" and "the n(bunch of asterisks) word"? Neither one is the actual word. This is a serious question - it's unclear to me how one usage might get someone an infraction, and the other might not.

 

[HomerJS]

No it wasn't the underlying inference. I said exactly what I meant. I never once said all problems would go away. I said "it further creates problems", which I believe it does. I do believe if it was so not widely used it would help issues that we have. I don't understand how anyone could think not using a seriously derogatory word towards someone couldn't help. I think it is probably the single most offensive word in our language. Same as saying Redskins? They why can you say one and not the other on these boards, and elsewhere in life? Doesn't appear to be the same.

Yes different people have more leeway using it, my argument is that nobody should use it and it is hypocrisy. And saying so and so can use it, but someone else can't leads to problems. Mostly because our world is not as black and white as it once was. Black*ish had an episode on this exact subject last month. One cast member said it during a school talent show. Which brought up the entire argument who can, and should be able to say it. While funny, pretty realistic too. I'm not upset that I can't say it, I could if I wanted. Same as anyone else. I don't and wouldn't because its deplorable and would do nothing but make things worse.

If the word were banned tomorrow things may seem more outwardly civil but the underlying problems would still exist. People who consider me a n word would continue to treat me as such. Eventually they would come up with another euphemism and we are back to where we started.

An example of when its appropriate to use the word by all even in school is teaching history. If you were telling the story of Muhammad Ali and get to the part of his life when he refused to be drafted and sent to Vietnam. In order to complete the story in context you need to quote his answer.