Should the words ni--er/n-gga be universally punishable?

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pontifex

Lifer
Dec 5, 2000
43,804
46
91
to the people who say, no, why do you say no?

why is one person allowed to say it but another person isn't?
 

jdoggg12

Platinum Member
Aug 20, 2005
2,685
11
81
Originally posted by: bum
Absolutely not. IMO, that would be wrong on more than way.

Wow, almost 50/50? Do you people honestly believe we should ban a WORD?

And without even getting into a debate about that, would it really do any good to ban this type of word from school/work? I don't know of any schools/employers that feel that word is appropriate anyway.

If you havent noticed, the word is pretty much banned already... for whites. This poll is asking if it should be universally punishable, despite your skin color. If there IS NO PUNISHMENT then make that TRUE FOR ALL RACES!

This isn't about whether the word is bad, its not about whether the word should be banned... its about holding ALL RACES accountable for any punishment ONE race gets for saying/using it
 

moshquerade

No Lifer
Nov 1, 2001
61,504
12
56
Originally posted by: jdoggg12
After the recent spat of people getting in trouble for saying "racist" stuff like n-gga... Why should it be allowed at all?

If its bad for one race to say it (regardless of context) then why not ban it from all races so theres no double standard.

The context of this applies to the school/work environment. I know there's no way to get passed the social aspects of it, but in school/work, if you can punish one for saying it, why not all?


Discuss. Please no flame wars, debate pros/cons of this only.
i'm not so sure you meant universally punishable, but the person who says it should be chastised no matter what their race, creed, color, sex, etc.
 

jdoggg12

Platinum Member
Aug 20, 2005
2,685
11
81
Originally posted by: moshquerade
Originally posted by: jdoggg12
After the recent spat of people getting in trouble for saying "racist" stuff like n-gga... Why should it be allowed at all?

If its bad for one race to say it (regardless of context) then why not ban it from all races so theres no double standard.

The context of this applies to the school/work environment. I know there's no way to get passed the social aspects of it, but in school/work, if you can punish one for saying it, why not all?


Discuss. Please no flame wars, debate pros/cons of this only.
i'm not so sure you meant universally punishable, but the person who says it should be chastised no matter what their race, creed, color, sex, etc.

There you go, good call. :thumbsup:
 

spacejamz

Lifer
Mar 31, 2003
10,935
1,592
126
Originally posted by: deepred98
how about upholding freedom of speach and not punishing anyone for saying anything?

Freedom of speech does not give you the right to say anything you want.

 

imported_bum

Golden Member
Jan 15, 2005
1,402
1
0
Originally posted by: spacejamz
Originally posted by: deepred98
how about upholding freedom of speach and not punishing anyone for saying anything?

Freedom of speech does not give you the right to say anything you want.

Actually, under the law it does.
 

FoBoT

No Lifer
Apr 30, 2001
63,084
15
81
fobot.com
Originally posted by: bum
Originally posted by: spacejamz
Originally posted by: deepred98
how about upholding freedom of speach and not punishing anyone for saying anything?

Freedom of speech does not give you the right to say anything you want.

Actually, under the law it does.

you can't yell "FIRE!" in a crowded theatre
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schenck_v._United_States

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shouting_fire_in_a_crowded_theater
 

yowolabi

Diamond Member
Jun 29, 2001
4,183
2
81
Originally posted by: pontifex
to the people who say, no, why do you say no?

why is one person allowed to say it but another person isn't?

Note: this isn't directed just at you.

Everyone is still allowed to say anything, and that's the way it should stay. However if you deliberately set out to offend a group of people, there will be repercussions when you succeed. That's the way of the world, it's not changeable, and I wouldn't change if I could.

This entire argument is total BS seeing how there is not and never has been any rule against racist slurs. This isn't Germany where you go to jail if you deny the holocaust. If you feel your speech is being restricted by not being able to slur others, go the f*ck ahead and say it and please just stop the incessant whining. Go in your basement and scream it, go out in times square and scream it, nobody gives a damn. You won't even get fired, because nobody cares about you. However if you scream something offensive directly to a group, you have no control over how that person will react. This is another universal rule that is not confined to n****r. Deal with it.

Are people really whining because you can't have a world without repercussions? Where's your threads about not being able to kick babies, and shoot anyone you don't like. At least there are laws stopping you from doing that stuff. There is nothing preventing you from being a racist asshole if it's important to you. Apparently people are too chickenshit to go ahead and exercise their right to be offensive, because they're scared of the repercussions. So instead they want everyone to have the same limitations as them, totally ignoring the fact that those people get away with it because they're not offending many people.
 

Vonkhan

Diamond Member
Feb 27, 2003
8,198
0
71
ni--er can say ni--er weneva ni--er feel like it ni--er, wass wrong wichoo cra--er ?
 

Excelsior

Lifer
May 30, 2002
19,047
18
81
Originally posted by: FoBoT
Originally posted by: bum
Originally posted by: spacejamz
Originally posted by: deepred98
how about upholding freedom of speach and not punishing anyone for saying anything?

Freedom of speech does not give you the right to say anything you want.

Actually, under the law it does.

you can't yell "FIRE!" in a crowded theatre
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schenck_v._United_States

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shouting_fire_in_a_crowded_theater

Right. You can still say anything you want, but it is the context that determines what is ok or isn't.
 

mugs

Lifer
Apr 29, 2003
48,920
46
91
Who cares what the words are? What matters is how you use it, your intent.

When a black guy calls his friend his "n-gga," he's not using it in a hateful way.

When the Grand Poo-bah of the KKK refers to black people has "n-ggers" it's pretty clear that he's using it in a hateful way.

When Michael Richards repeats "You're a n-gger" about 15 times, who the hell knows what he was thinking. Bad attempt at a joke? Maybe? Hateful? I don't know.
 

sisq0kidd

Lifer
Apr 27, 2004
17,043
1
81
No.

Those words are more complicated than ATOT makes them out to be. It's not a black and white issue (pun intended) where words have one single context and universal meaning so stop pretending like it does.

Among your friends and family members, you use certain language, have inside jokes and rib each other about things you know you can get away with because you guys have that certain connection.

This is the same principle that some people adhere to, but on a larger scale. Certain groups of people feel they bond together whether it be sex, religion and in this case, race. Let it be and stop whining at the fact that you can't use a racial slur in the same context others can.
 

meltdown75

Lifer
Nov 17, 2004
37,548
7
81
Originally posted by: yowolabi
Originally posted by: pontifex
to the people who say, no, why do you say no?

why is one person allowed to say it but another person isn't?

Note: this isn't directed just at you.

Everyone is still allowed to say anything, and that's the way it should stay. However if you deliberately set out to offend a group of people, there will be repercussions when you succeed. That's the way of the world, it's not changeable, and I wouldn't change if I could.

This entire argument is total BS seeing how there is not and never has been any rule against racist slurs. This isn't Germany where you go to jail if you deny the holocaust. If you feel your speech is being restricted by not being able to slur others, go the f*ck ahead and say it and please just stop the incessant whining. Go in your basement and scream it, go out in times square and scream it, nobody gives a damn. You won't even get fired, because nobody cares about you. However if you scream something offensive directly to a group, you have no control over how that person will react. This is another universal rule that is not confined to n****r. Deal with it.

Are people really whining because you can't have a world without repercussions? Where's your threads about not being able to kick babies, and shoot anyone you don't like. At least there are laws stopping you from doing that stuff. There is nothing preventing you from being a racist asshole if it's important to you. Apparently people are too chickenshit to go ahead and exercise their right to be offensive, because they're scared of the repercussions. So instead they want everyone to have the same limitations as them, totally ignoring the fact that those people get away with it because they're not offending many people.
:thumbsup:
 

Raduque

Lifer
Aug 22, 2004
13,140
138
106
Originally posted by: mugs
When a black guy calls his friend his "n-gga," he's not using it in a hateful way.

Yes, OK, that's all well and good. But if a white or other non-black calls his friends (of any color, but blacks are usually the most offended) "n_gga", he'll get punished in some way. What the OP is asking, is why is it OK that a black person can call his friends "n_gga" and it be OK, but a white person can't do the same?
 

sisq0kidd

Lifer
Apr 27, 2004
17,043
1
81
Originally posted by: Raduque
Originally posted by: mugs
When a black guy calls his friend his "n-gga," he's not using it in a hateful way.

Yes, OK, that's all well and good. But if a white or other non-black calls his friends (of any color, but blacks are usually the most offended) "n_gga", he'll get punished in some way. What the OP is asking, is why is it OK that a black person can call his friends "n_gga" and it be OK, but a white person can't do the same?

You really can't understand why?

Try calling your friends assholes and then a stranger an asshole and think about it again.
 

Vonkhan

Diamond Member
Feb 27, 2003
8,198
0
71
Originally posted by: sisq0kidd
Originally posted by: Raduque
Originally posted by: mugs
When a black guy calls his friend his "n-gga," he's not using it in a hateful way.

Yes, OK, that's all well and good. But if a white or other non-black calls his friends (of any color, but blacks are usually the most offended) "n_gga", he'll get punished in some way. What the OP is asking, is why is it OK that a black person can call his friends "n_gga" and it be OK, but a white person can't do the same?

You really can't understand why?

Try calling your friends assholes and then a stranger an asshole and think about it again.

:thumbsup:
 

pontifex

Lifer
Dec 5, 2000
43,804
46
91
Originally posted by: yowolabi
Originally posted by: pontifex
to the people who say, no, why do you say no?

why is one person allowed to say it but another person isn't?

Note: this isn't directed just at you.

Everyone is still allowed to say anything, and that's the way it should stay. However if you deliberately set out to offend a group of people, there will be repercussions when you succeed. That's the way of the world, it's not changeable, and I wouldn't change if I could.

This entire argument is total BS seeing how there is not and never has been any rule against racist slurs. This isn't Germany where you go to jail if you deny the holocaust. If you feel your speech is being restricted by not being able to slur others, go the f*ck ahead and say it and please just stop the incessant whining. Go in your basement and scream it, go out in times square and scream it, nobody gives a damn. You won't even get fired, because nobody cares about you. However if you scream something offensive directly to a group, you have no control over how that person will react. This is another universal rule that is not confined to n****r. Deal with it.

Are people really whining because you can't have a world without repercussions? Where's your threads about not being able to kick babies, and shoot anyone you don't like. At least there are laws stopping you from doing that stuff. There is nothing preventing you from being a racist asshole if it's important to you. Apparently people are too chickenshit to go ahead and exercise their right to be offensive, because they're scared of the repercussions. So instead they want everyone to have the same limitations as them, totally ignoring the fact that those people get away with it because they're not offending many people.

no is talking about banning the word. no one is talking about removing the freedom of speech.

here's an example: I'm white. I have a radio show. I call someone a n****r over the airwaves. I get in trouble by 90% of the nation. I'm supposedly a bad person.

example 2: you're a black. you're on the radio too. you call soemone a n****r over the airwaves. no one even blinks an eyelid.

why? if a word is offensive to the black population, why do they continue to use it themselves?

or to go one step further, why is a black man allowed to be racist against a white man? isn't that racism? isn't racism wrong?

why are only white people getting fined and blasted for it?

again, this is mostly about people who say this over the media, whether is radio, tv, or newspaper.
 

jhbball

Platinum Member
Mar 20, 2002
2,917
23
81
Another typical ATOT reverse racism/double standard thread. I love white people.
 

sisq0kidd

Lifer
Apr 27, 2004
17,043
1
81
Originally posted by: jhbball
Another typical ATOT reverse racism/double standard thread. I love white people.

Seriously, all I hear on ATOT now is whine whine whine. I see a lot more of the reverse racism card now than the actual race card!
 

Vonkhan

Diamond Member
Feb 27, 2003
8,198
0
71
Originally posted by: sisq0kidd
Originally posted by: jhbball
Another typical ATOT reverse racism/double standard thread. I love white people.

Seriously, all I hear on ATOT now is whine whine whine. I see a lot more of the reverse racism card now than the actual race card!

when do I get to play the religion card?