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

“I can’t help being white and so in turn privileged, I don’t use the N word and wish no one did and it disappeared from use.

Children today don’t understand this and when they listen to music with everyone other word being that they think it’s an ok word to use. If they’re white they still think it’s ok because they don’t realise they have the privilege of being born white IMO. If that makes any sense... “

This ^^

You can't ban words - but I agree it's a horrible one to use (by anyone). It's not the worst I hear though and there are plenty of derogatory terms for various races, religions, women (not so many specifically for men as 'you're such a willy' isn't all that offensive), people with glasses/red hair/speech impediments...

Children today don’t understand this and when they listen to music with everyone other word being that they think it’s an ok word to use. If they’re white they still think it’s ok because they don’t realise they have the privilege of being born white IMO. If that makes any sense...

No white person can help having white privilege. What we can do is recognise it, teach our children to recognise it, and listen when a BAME person explains why something is offensive and not dismiss, minimise or worse, tell them they’re wrong!

YABU, you can’t ban words. It’s all in context, but as a white woman, who isn’t a fecking racist I would NEVER ever use that word. Ever. Not even as a quote, or talking about someone else using it. I say ‘n’ word
It’s preety clear to me why it’s okaynfor a black rapper to use it’if they want to - tho I still hate it- but no for me to.

I think kids who have been talked to properly about racism understand completely - I know my 8 yr old does, and that it’s not a word he’ll be using regardless of the type of music he listens to later

Exactly postcards!

it is your double standards to think that you can call whites racist terms and that is ok.

Don't be fucking stupid please. Both terms are considered offensive but the difference is that white people haven't been fighting against the slur for centuries. White people haven't been called white trash whilst being enslaved, killed, attacked. When black people want to reclaim that word they did it so that it didn't have the same oppressive power anymore; it's less oppressive when black people use it amongst themselves as it isn't being used to dehumanize and belittle them any more. Complaining because 'you can't say that word' is just ridiculous, because a white person using the word would strengthen the power of the word over black people, not dismantle it.

Don't be fucking stupid please. Both terms are considered offensive but the difference is that white people haven't been fighting against the slur for centuries. White people haven't been called white trash whilst being enslaved, killed, attacked. When black people want to reclaim that word they did it so that it didn't have the same oppressive power anymore; it's less oppressive when black people use it amongst themselves as it isn't being used to dehumanize and belittle them any more. Complaining because 'you can't say that word' is just ridiculous, because a white person using the word would strengthen the power of the word over black people, not dismantle it.

This.

sayinggoodbye

Words should never be banned. The n word is for the most part horrifically offensive when said by White people. HOWEVER I disagree that this is always the case- a boy in dds year got suspended for singing the word - he sang with his two best friends, who are black- he was deemed offensive because a teacher logged a complaint hmmshock. His friends were not punished in any way . He has a school record of hate speech. Of racism! . He sang an -offensive to women , black and white popular song with his friends ffs!! It wasn't hate speech. Young people are often genuinely "colour blind" and to race as well as many other things, youths are often ignorant. Not malicious, just young. Education is the answer of course. But try telling young people that.
^^ this is also the kinda craziness I mean

And I disagree that words should never be banned, many terms are solely perjorative and offensive, and having had my children subjected to disablist abuse using words which have no place in a civilised society, I think there are some words which should be made so socially unacceptable they become as good as banned.

It’s not for white people to decide about the word this thread is about though.

And also white people telling black people that they're not allowed to reclaim a word that has oppressed and still oppressed them because it's 'unfair' that they don't get to say it is just...well, smacks of white privilege doesn't it. Your experiences and knowledge of racism is so limited that you can't see the difference between white trash and the n word.

By as good as banned I meant not used because it’s socially unacceptable to do so.

It’s all very well writing it down on an anonymous forum, would you be so keen to use the word out loud, in public even if you weren’t aiming it at someone? If you thought everyone in the vicinity would be horrified and disgusted?

It should be for everyone to decide - you can't decide that a word can't be used by some but not others.

It's social convention that means that some words are used by 'us' but not by 'them' - but some are deemed worse than others (but not less hurtful, offensive or upsetting).

I've never used the n word. However my sister has had plenty of racist abuse hurled at her alongside abuse and threats for being female, gay and having red hair.

But thanks for telling me I’m being silly. Nice of you to say that to a Mum who has had her children called all sorts of horrendous names because people are happy to defend their right to continue to use words which cause very real distress and pain.

But aye, anyone saying so is being silly

Actually I’ve just noticed your username, should have known better than to engage.

YeTalkShiteHen

I have used it, in class, like I am using it here, to illustrate that it is a word, that it has a specific meaning and that that meaning is unacceptable. It is already socially unacceptable to use the word in most contexts, and obviously I don't.

YeTalkShiteHen

This is a debate about what constitutes acceptable use of a word. If I think your argument is silly, I am going to tell you so. Don't get into a discussion of you are so absurdly sensitive that you can't handle ordinary conversation within the parameters of the points raised.

Start with Music companies

But to be fair, I didn't call you silly. I said banning the word outright would be silly.

Anyway I’m off now as people keep saying that white people want to say that word when they don’t
They don’t even want to hear that word!!
is driving me crazy as it’s like arguing with a drunk person !!!

It isn't for some black people to speak for other black people either though is it. The f word is deeply upsetting in a similar way. My son gets very upset if he hears it but other gay people do use it as a joke.

The op word becoming more widely used is a concern. My dd's best friend is black who uses the word and sings along to the songs. Dd fortunately mentioned it as horrified and we had a conversation a while back. Just discussed it again on the back of this thread and apparently other white friends are singing along and saying it. Now I'm sure if their mothers knew they'd be horrified and tell them not to but out of touch parents won't always know as won't have heard the songs, I certainly haven't. Also sadly some parents may not be that bothered.I am slightly concerned that some of today's generation are thus going to hear the word more and think it's ok.

It should be discouraged by all. And ‘mother fucker’ as both originate from horribly racist times

The word can't be banned, but I don't think it should be on the telly.

If BAME people wish to reclaim the word and use it themselves then fine. I'm not going to say thry can / can't say it.

Music companies and the media need to be aware that they are setting the tone and by choosing to use the n word they are setting the message that it is ok to use.

(Wasn't there a thread on here recently where a rapper invited a white woman up on stage to sing with him, she sang with him and then a big deal was made over the fact she used the n word whilst singing his song, with him, at his request? Or am I imagining it?)

Situations like that and the school one above for the child singing a song with his mates are the types of situations which fan the flames of 'but there's a double standard here'.

I'm sure most black people would be understanding about a young child who had heard the word in a music video or something. Just as we would understand if they said a swear word or something. Schools need to have a bit of sense in this situation and just do what they are supposed to and educate the child on why it is not appropriate. In fact freaky Friday is a good song to use to explain it. The white rapper, Lil Dicky, can't use that word even though he clearly admires the black singer Chris Brown who can. Point that out, then you can explain why.