To think the n word needs to be completely banned

[LardLizard]

Rodrigo removed from the B.B. house

I think the meaning of the word has a different meaning in these current times

I personally hate the term and thinknit should be totally banned

But can see why it’s confussing for younger people with it in so many pop songs

But I'm bisexual so I suppose I get away with the first two right.

I also song lyrics about killing bitches and strangling them while you fuck them. Doesn't mean I go around saying it in real life.

Do you think the state should intervene regarding lyrical content you don't like ?
Another over dramatic suggestion.

I've said artists and the media shouls take responsibility for their content.
I've said I have an issue with promoting misogyny and homophobia.

You're still going on one like either of these views are particularly radical views and determined to make some sort of censorship scandal.

@CecilyP I do not buy that in the year 2018 there are people who "aren't aware" that using the n word is offensive.

I don't personally know anyone who would use it! Even those who listen to rap music which I am grateful I no longer have to. But we we are part of the general mumsnet demographic which tends to be intelligent, generally university educated. OTOH, if she's not the sharpest tool in the shed, how would she know it's offensive if she hears it over and over again in the records she listens to.

Why do you think she didn't know better?

It’s bizarre that it’s apparently ok to enjoy listening to music including the N-word, and sing-along to it, but even in the privacy of your own home you mustn’t dare utter it if you’re not black.

No. I just think it's weird to enjoy saying the n word when it has those connotations, and that wouldn't change for me just because nobody else is there.

No. I just think it's weird to enjoy saying the n word when it has those connotations, and that wouldn't change for me just because nobody else is there.

Why does anyone enjoy rapping about anything, selling drugs and shooting people. Raping women. Etc. Is it weird to sing along to that too?

I'm mixed race and never say the N word, although I have no issue with black/mixed people who use it themselves - they are maybe creating their own meaning. But, it's not for me.

I don't think it should be banned. White people can use it, but they have to accept there may be consequences, like anything else. I have to say, I find it a bit weird that some white people online seem to be upset that they can't use it freely without consequence. Why would you want to? I'm mixed and I don't even want to.

I wouldn't sing along to a song saying the N word in private because for me the weight of the word and it's meaning doesn't go away just because I am in private. Maybe I feel that more because I experience myself racism often.

It's all about context.

I was once asked in an internal interview what I'd do if employee A was displaying racist behaviour to employee B (who was from the Indian subcontinent in the case study)

To illustrate my answer, I said as part of my reply 'If he had called him a paki I'd have suspended for gross misconduct'.

Next thing I know I'm being hauled into the head of departments office for using racist language at work.

As I say, all about context.

@RoseWhiteTips
@Sophia99
Like most black people in my circle I have no wish to reclaim the word but I’m not 20 year old rap artist.
But you seem more concerned that you’re not allowed to use the word rather than the fact I find it painful due to hearing teenage skinheads shouting this at me when I was in the first year of secondary school. I was one of around five or six children of colour in a large comprehensive.
Focus on combatting racism from the majority rather than moaning about your right to offend the minority’s in society.
I suspect you won’t change your views because you would rather maintain your privilege.

Focus on combatting racism from the majority rather than moaning about your right to offend the minority’s in society.

Yes, I agree that this would help.

Why does anyone enjoy rapping about anything, selling drugs and shooting people. Raping women. Etc. Is it weird to sing along to that too?
I think it's highly weird anyone would enjoy rapping or creating any sort of product that glorifies sexually assaulting women, shooting people etc. Why anyone would want to perpetuate the idea that to be a successful man is to have guns to shoot and whores to shag is entirely beyond me. It's not exactly the making of a terribly nice person.

Why does anyone enjoy rapping about anything, selling drugs and shooting people. Raping women. Etc. Is it weird to sing along to that too?
I think it's highly weird ...

Glad it's not just me then!

Well, I enjoy it. Some of my favourite songs include lyrics about rape and abuse.

cherry
I don't doubt the songs may sound good. But would you like the song less if the topic wasn't abuse?

If not, then there's nothing added to the song by the topic of abuse.
If you would like it less then I'm afraid i would find it concerning that someone felt only liked a song because it was about abuse.

But would you like the song less if the topic wasn't abuse?

Of course I'd like it less. Just like if Eminem - Kim wasn't about Kim stabbing her repeatedly. That's the songs content and the lyrics are part of the reason I love them.

The whole time and feel of the song changes when you change the lyrics.

*tone not time

As a 37 year old white woman I've never wanted, needed or tried to use the word. It's never been part of my vocabulary and never would be. The difference between calling someone a cunt and using the 'n' word is that cunt is universal and could apply to anyone in any situation regardless of skin colour; the n word has such cultural and dismissive undertones that it can only apply to certain people, so it's far, far worse than cunt for me. I also just don't listen to music with the n word in; Radio 2 has a surprising lack of 'n' words in it's programming.

My 12 year old asked what it meant not long ago; he'd been to a football match at the Villa and read it on a toilet door in the context of a player being called the n word. I was honest and explained to him how important it was never to use or 'try out' that word, and to my knowledge he never has and hopefully never would.

It's hardly as though you're missing out by not being able to use it. It's perfectly easy to go through life knowing there are just certain words you never say; it doesn't diminish your enjoyment of life (and if it does, you're doing it wrong).

@Ghanagirl

I suspect you won’t change your views because you would rather maintain your privilege.

100% correct. Yes indeed..... I choose to maintain my white privilege,

You know something....., because I am white, I have SUCH a blessed life! I have never been bullied, or goaded, (or depressed, or sad,) I have never been made redundant from any job, or struggled with money, or had any relationship problems, or suffered any prejudice of any kind, never had any family problems, or health issues, and I have always got every job I applied for because I am SO privileged. I didn't even have to have an interview; I just walked into each place and said 'I'll have that job please!' And because I am white, they gave it to me!

You know when I was born, I was given a card that lets me in free to everything; all theatres, and theme parks, and attractions, and I also get half price train, bus, and air travel because I am white.

When I go into a store, I get offered free gifts and I always have an assistant offer to me to carry my stuff for me. And they often let me have the stuff for free,...... All because of my lovely white privilege.

I also didn't have to work to get my A levels or degree: I got someone to do them for me. AND, I have never paid a single rent or mortgage payment; the 'white privilege society' has always paid it - and my gas and electric bills too, AND my water rates and council tax. They paid all my student debt off for me too. I have no student debt. ALL because of my white privilege!

I have just had the easiest life because of my white privilege....

Never had to work at ANYthing, and things have just come soooooo easy to me. Lucky, lucky PRIVILEGED me!

That's not what white privilege means calm the fuck down and actually engage your brain

It doesn't mean your life isn't hard because you're white. It doesn't mean you won't have problems. Your privilege means that the problems in your life will never or hardly ever be caused by the colour of your skin. People can act like fucking idiots sometimes when people suggest that they have advantages over others

Raping women. Etc. Is it weird to sing along to that too?

I personally don't know anybody in real life who is happy to sing along to lyrics about raping women because rapists are disgusting and it feels like singing along to a song about it condones it somehow. And also because it's fucking rape why would anyone want to sing along to stuff like that

Cherrygardenst

I also use faggot/queer/cunt/slag/whore/ fucking anything if I'm alone and it's in the lyrics.
Wow. How utterly charming those lyrics are

Sorry @Taco99

I can't hear you because the huge cloud of white privilege covering me

HELP!!!!!!!!

@Tacolover sorry ^

Not taco99 LOL!

Surely enjoyable lyrics are attractive and perhaps clever - not vile for the sake of it?