Jesse Jackson uses the "N word."

[Amby 490]

don't use it if you're white or brown or red or purple or pink or whatever. no arguments needed.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I don't think it really matters what they mean...

We'll have to agree to disagree. I think it does matter. Language changes over time, intent does matter. JMHO.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I don't think it really matters what they mean...

We'll have to agree to disagree. I think it does matter. Language changes over time, intent does matter. JMHO.

Language does indeed change over time - but the difference in this specific example is that the meaning is determined by the speaker and not the intent behind the word. Specifically meaning is automatically inferred by who you are (I couldn't get away with saying it, for example) and not by what you actually meant by saying it.

I've forgotten a lot my linguistics stuff - but I think its pretty unusual (in English anyways) to have a word where a specific meaning is exclusive to a particular group - the only remotely similar example I can think of are the different dialects used in societies which have caste systems, but that's not quite the same. The point is that even if the word has become acceptable to be used within a specific subculture (as colloquial slang), the meaning has not changed for the rest of society. Its clear where the word is derived from - and if the distinction is really that clear, then in theory the meaning applied to the word shouldn't be dependent on who is saying it.

[panamania79 2]

ok so ummm...I thought it was ok to use the "n word" if you were that color, no? I'm so confused!

It's not. in my opinion.

[Ban Hammer 13,678]

ok so ummm...I thought it was ok to use the "n word" if you were that color, no? I'm so confused!

It's not. in my opinion.

i don't think it's right for any color to use it as it just perpetuates the life of the word.

[panamania79 2]

ok so ummm...I thought it was ok to use the "n word" if you were that color, no? I'm so confused!

It's not. in my opinion.

i don't think it's right for any color to use it as it just perpetuates the life of the word.

Exactly.One day I saw some Asian kids calling each other the "N" word,I just couldn't believe it.

[pedroh 21]

oh eric is back

[panamania79 2]

Nigg-ar Nigg-ar Nigg-ar the poor black man cant handle that word i hate black people myself. Blacks all they do is collect unemployment.

Really ? So why am I working 60+ hours a week ? Let me know where I can sign up for a permanent unemployment check because I need a vacation.

oh eric is back

Quien es ese marica ? (Who is that ** ? )

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

don't feed the troll!

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I see we have classy noob contributors as always.

[Ban Hammer 13,678]

time to see a bunch of posts go invisible.

[pedroh 21]

hahaah he's to skeered to go to the hood..

[panamania79 2]

hahaah he's to skeered to go to the hood..

I know,that's why I invited him

[Nessa 23]

no arguments needed.

I totally agree. If poeple just got used and accepted the word there would be no issues anymore.

[Asante Maroon 0]

He probably said the ghetto-hip version '#######' and not the racist version that ends with the -er.

Free speech for some.

Even the racist -er version of the word is not illegal to say. You're free to say it.

This isn't Europe.

I disagree there is a distinction in meaning between different spellings of the word. I also think its a mistake to class it as free speech - "they can say it but I can't". The point should surely be the word itself has a pejorative meaning which is clearly racist and which can't be removed or "taken back" no matter who is saying it. In some respects I think its actually worse for blacks to use this to describe each other as it is part of the language of slavery.

I agree with you...it all means the same #######...I don't like it no matter who says it and no matter what context it is used. That word really pisses me off....I don't believe that word could ever be "cleaned up" or made positive....