I'm serious. I dislike generalizations in almost all its forms and view racism as one of the worst kinds of generalizations.
That said, should we really stop using the word "Nigger"? Why? How come it is okay to say "You're a stupid-ass Negro" but you can't say "Nigger"? I know, I know, I KNOW what it is supposed to represent and how it came about. MLK, the civil rights movement, trying to get away from years of oppression, not wanting to keep derogatory terms from that era alive, all good and great but why that word? This brings up the philosophical question: Can censoring a word mean anything? Does it mean ANYTHING at all to a racist person, not to be able to use that term in public? Does it change ANYBODY's mind on any opinion they have? In my view, it makes no difference. It is a token action, that simply creates an exaggerated chip on society's shoulders.
On top of that there is the question on why blacks are allowed to call each other "niggas" and "hos" but if non-blacks do that there is a major uprising. Just enforcing double standards, that is RACIST IN ITSELF. How do you define racism? Preferential or exclusive treatment based on race. Our society ALLOWS blacks to call themselves niggers and hos in every other rap song AND in public. Tell me why that is not racist. This is like that Seinfeld episode where a friend converts to Judaism and starts telling Jewish jokes? The inference is, of course, that if he wasn't Jewish he would be labelled anti-semite.
So why can't I tell Jewish jokes? Can I tell blonde jokes? What about gay jokes? Do I have to be a blonde, gay, jewish, black person before I can do standup comedy?
All I am saying is:
- There is no point making it illegal to use a word. Law should not be stepping into this territory. Society already infers much about a person from thier speech, whether public or private. Let people say what they will, and let society pass judgement on thier motivations in speech, as they do with thier actions.
- If something is considered socially taboo, then make it consistent across racial/class/sex lines. A black person should not be able to call blacks niggers either.
A little consistency, too much to ask?
