If you're not black do you say the 'N word'...

[McGruff]

When singing along to songs?

So many mainstream songs have it in now. I don't sing in public or anything but I will sing along with it in the shower, tidying up etc.

But what if its karaoke?

It's not a word I'm comfortable saying in any context out of my own mouth, ever. But when it's part of a song I love and I'm singing along. Should I censor myself?

No absolutely wouldn't cross my mind to do so.

Never. I grew up listening to US hip hop in the 90s with the N word used a lot. Never use it in everyday life or when singing along to tunes. It’s not my word to use. If some black people want to reclaim it, that’s their choice. It’s still not a word I think should ever come out of my mouth.

Of course not. Because I'm not an ignorant racist cunt

Never used that word it’s vile

Absolutely not! I'd be horrified if anyone I knew did.

Me and my SIL are both white. She has spent her whole life in predominantly white, rural England. I spent most of my adult life in South London.

She happily sings all the uncensored words to songs we both like. It made me inwardly shudder. I don’t know if she realises what an ignorant racist hick she looks.

but I also take the view if a word is considered too offensive for me to use it should also be offensive for others to use.

Why can't they use their own judgement based on their own experiences?

Oh gosh no. I'm absolutely unwoke and I've never uttered the word.

But I don't listen to rap, really.

No

K word - do you mean Kaffir? What happens when you want some Kaffir Lime Leaves?

I identify as black so I can use the N word, y’know what I’m sayin’?

I never say it

I simply don't listen to music with racial slurs.

For the people who don't listen to songs made by black people reclaiming the word does that mean you are denying them their right to reclaim it? I

I listen to a lot of music with it in, but I never sing it when singing along - what’s wrong with censoring yourself?

No. I'd just miss it out when singing.

I've read two books this year (Stephen King and Dean Koontz) and was a little shocked to hear the word used so freely.

Well made points that if you just start saying "the X word", others might not even know what word you mean.

In the originally-mentioned context of songs, on reflection I'm quite likely to hear the radio edit anyway. (It was years between the first time I heard Gold Digger and the first time I heard the uncensored version).

For the people who don't listen to songs made by black people reclaiming the word does that mean you are denying them their right to reclaim it?

That's a bit of a bloody stretch. I just don't like rap / hip hop music.

We were walking down the road and a car pulled up to the lights with the windows down and the music blaring.

The driver was Middle Eastern, probably 30s and he was howling along to a song that, yes, had the n word and he merrily sang along. No, just no.

The K word is kaffir. Of course you can use the word to order the food - just not as an insult to someone.

@TheSandman - why would you say the D word except in the context of dry stone walls? Surely not to refer to lesbian women?

No and it kinda shocks me when black people call each other by the n word ...

No, never.

@Fannia hopefully not , I would be surprised if someone needed me to listen to their music so they can claim a word and I would hate to have to listen to music that isn’t to my taste.

I get that they are reclaiming it ... but it is such a taboo word for me to say it shocks me when I hear it.

Words do change meaning over time and credit to them for doing what they do, but as a white person I feel I am not allowed to say that word.