Do you think comments such as those of MP Anne Marie Morris should be overlooked because they were once typical parlance?

[VladmirsPoutine]

I haven't come across a thread regarding this and it's made me wonder.

She was recorded using the N word in a conversational manner.

www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/10/tories-urgently-investigating-after-mp-uses-n-word-at-public-event

She's apologised for the offence caused, oddly enough not because she actually caused it. And May is looking to suspend her.

But some of the comments I've read have said that the term she used is a typical idiom that used to be common parlance. Does that render it ok? I mean it was once acceptable to also own slaves and for men to rape their wives... so surely that's no excuse.

Good lord no! No excuse for this!

It's a difficult one. I'm 65 and of an age when Enid Blyton and Robinsons jam had much loved golliwogs. A we said "eeny meeny miny mo, catch a nigger by his toe...". Thankfully these things are now recognised for the rudeness and racism they are. But I still can't get too worked up about what she said.

Age is no excuse. If you're white you do not get to use the n-word. Period.

Fuck. No.

Anyone who doesn't know how utterly offensive that word is has absolutely no place in public office.

Annandale: I heard it twice used in staff meetings. This was back in the early 90s. I was shocked on both occasions, but to my shame didn't say anything.

Was also present at a work away weekend where the head of department concluded by saying, "Many thanks to Wendy and Chris, who have worked like blacks to make this a success."

Sorry, what's a piccaninny?

I think I know the song, but I was taught it was piccalilli. Which makes no sense.

Age is no excuse. If you're white you do not get to use the n-word. Period.

So it's ok to be racist if you're not white? That seems a bit odd to me. If a black person chooses to use the word, then it's up to them, but anyone else should steer well clear.

A small black child according to the dictionary.

Yes. Black people have reclaimed the n word. Rap music is full of it.

My OH's GM doesn't seem to know any idioms that aren't quite racist. I've never bought that she just struggles to keep up with cultural change and acceptable language- she's just quite racist, and most people are too scared of upsetting her to pull her up on it.

I don't even know how anyone in 2017 could use that term and stand hp to represent a constitution. I mean, we really don't need anyone this ignorant in parliament even if some are using age as a defence.

No. No. No.

I think not really is getting at the fact quite rightly that no one from any ethnicity, unless they are black should ever use the N word. There is a lot of debate as to whether anyone black or not should ever use the N word anyway as so many people find the term offensive even from a black person.

She has a law degree and originally worked in the legal profession. She knows it is unacceptable to use language like this.

That's what I meant nowt, as a white person I have no right to tell a black person what words they should and shouldn't find offensive when they are using them. But it isn't just white people who use racist terms, and there are more races than just black and white is what I was clumsily trying to say.

That word has only ever been 'common' parlance for racists. Era unimportant.

It was just less frowned upon to be racist in public.

I actually had to look up the meaning of the phrase yesterday not having heard it before.

I'm almost impressed that you can take a word as horrible as that and make it worse.

OP in that case since it was common back in the day, let's also revert to using homophobic and racist words and phrases towards other groups e.g. Jewish, Gay, and white people. Mmm let me think?

It seems like it's ok to be racist as long as it's towards Black people, I'm p**sed she has only been temporarily suspended

People need to say when something is wrong wether it's racism, sexism, fatism etc etc If you don't then you are no better than the person making racist comments. While the n word is a particuly offensive word even slight comments should not go unchallenged.

It's disgusting. I'm 58 and it was wrong when I was young.
They used to set light to woodpiles if a slave had escaped, hence the phrase...

I don't understand why she used it. Clearly she's racist but has she not learned by now to hide it in public?

She's a stupid racist clearly - sorry tautological. Having the whip taken away for a bit means nothing - they should be able to fine them from their salary and she should have to write a reflective piece on why the phrase causes ( not might cause) offence. The reflective piece should then be published ( preferably in the DM) on the front page.

Judgement and integrity are the most important qualities in public servants, and using that word calls both into question.

I haven't heard of this parlance before but find the "n" word very offensive so can't see how the phrase itself can be seen as anything but offensive...at worst she's racist, at best just plain stupid...

Genuine question & not related to this incident other than the word used...it has always confused me is that it does not appear to be offensive for black people to use the "n" word...why is this? Is the word itself not just plain offensive?