Katie price using the 'n' word

[smileyhappypeople]

This is a very genuine thread/question so please be nice.

Im not ignorant in the fact that I understand that it is an extremely offensive word to call someone, all though I do sometimes wonder why it's considered more offensive than other racist names. However, I do know that is probably lack of research into the history of the word on my part.

My question is (and I may sound extremely uneducated here) why is it not ok for KP to use the word in the context that she did and why is it such a taboo word, yet in films etc it is often and freely thrown around by black people?

Genuine question, it's not a word I ever use or would use and I am certainly not a racist person.
I am expecting a few 'if you don't get it, you are part of the problem' comments but I just want to learn more.

[MommaGee]

Because that's a movie and she's real?

[GwenQuinn]

It would have been fine to use in that context if it wasn't live on tv in the middle of the day.

[MrsTerryPratchett]

Marginalized groups have a long history of reclaiming offensive words. For example, "we're here, we're qu**r, get used to it" and similar. The n word has been treated the same by many Black people.

This does not equate to it reentering language as an acceptable word for daytime TV.

[9unctured6icycle]

We live and breathe racism, none of us is free of it. Knowing that and wishing to learn more are good ways to make progress. How handy, there is a guide: www.goodreads.com/book/show/449506.The_N_Word

It's an American book but I don't think the discussion is limited to an American audience. This interview might also be helpful as a potted version: www.salon.com/2007/04/25/asim/

I think we need to think about what we mean when we say it's 'ok' to use the word. It's everyone's right to self-define, and there are some people of colour who use the word in an effort to reclaim what was once used against them. It is an identity one claims for oneself in a chosen context with chosen comrades. There are black people who don't say it and feel that its current use does nothing to take the sting and historical baggage from the word.

Is it 'ok'? White people who say it can expect others to object. I think the KP thing is a bit unusual because her point (as I read it) was that it is an awful, offensive word. Perhaps there is a case to be made that it is only uttered in full as a term of abuse and others quoting it would not say the actual word.

[iloveeverykindofcat]

As Terry says, its a reclaimed word which some Black people choose to use as an expression of solidarity. It has a completely different meaning in that context, which is why some Black people are happy for members of other oppressed racial minorities to use it or will use it to address their friends from other minorities. It's like some women call themselves and their friends bitches, and it has a totally different meaning than a man saying to a woman 'you bitch'.