I'm sure this has been done before so sorry if someone made a similar topic really. Also sorry if this is in the wrong section. I'm sure this place is a better fit than the politics board though.

Well earlier I was hanging out with some friends, and some kids called my friend a bitch for no reason and she called them niggers in return. It was really unnecessary, but that's beside the point.

After that happened I've been thinking on how offensive the word really is. The reason it's so powerful is because of the history behind it. It was used for decades during slavery. But then again, during the holocaust the word kike was used all the time so it has the same amount of history behind it. The thing is, people don't think the word kike is nearly as offensive as the word nigger. I think it's just as bad though, but I'm jewish and if someone called me one I would probably laugh at them so I really can't say I'm offended by the word nigger either. Do you think people think people put the word nigger to a way higher standard then it should be?

Apparently, very.

Well obviously it depends on how offensive the person being called a nigger thinks it is. I personally think people get too worked up over shit like this, and need to get over it and move on with life. But then again, I'm just a white cracka, so what do I know.

It's largely lost it's historical significance because of the idiotic cultural trend for people to overuse 'nigger'.

Think, black people appropriate it as a "gesture of brotherhood" (for lack of a better term), and middle-class, non-racist white people use it purely for shock value.

It's like hearing 'fuck' over and over. Eventually you don't even notice it until someone less attuned to the word points it out.

Moving to Cunning Linguists.

When used by anyone except a black person , really, really fucking offensive.

When used by anyone except a black person , really, really fucking offensive.

Is wigger ever appropriate then by anyone?

Is wigger ever appropriate then by anyone?

To describe a white kid--particularly some soft upper-middle class kid-- who affects the clothing and speech of inner-city black folks, I'd say yes.

Depends on context.

When used by anyone except a black person , really, really fucking offensive.

That's such bullshit. Why would it be hurtful out of the mouth of someone of another skin color, a word is either hurtful or not, it shouldn't depend on who says it.

When black people started saying 'nigger' constantly, they can't expect white people to still think it's that offensive. Then again I'm not american and the black people here don't call each other retarded names.

Offensive is in the eye of the offended, first of all. I think it matters how you say something, not so much what you say. How you say something totally alters your meaning. Think of how much can be conveyed by one word. By saying 'shit', you could be incredibly angry, surprised, excited, frightened, happy, etc.

It's not as offensive as you might think. And I'm white, so I know what I'm talking about. :rolleyes:

Nah, but seriously, it may offend black folk more than they let on, but I've never seen anybody actually flip out at the use of the word. The one time I said it around a black person (note: I was quoting somebody else and didn't know he was around), he just said 'wow, nice choice of words'.

Other times I've heard other people use it around black folk, they usually just say 'don't say that' or something along those lines.

Still, not really a word you want to pepper conversation with regularly, unless talking to close friends!

[QUOTE=static_void;9932879] The one time I said it around a black person QUOTE]


There is the answer right there; we all need to go out and start casually slipping the word nigger into inter-racial conversations. We can post our injurys in a special "racewars" thread TBA later on..

It's not as offensive as you might think. And I'm white, so I know what I'm talking about. :rolleyes:


+1. :)



Nah, but seriously, it may offend black folk more than they let on, but I've never seen anybody actually flip out at the use of the word. The one time I said it around a black person (note: I was quoting somebody else and didn't know he was around), he just said 'wow, nice choice of words'.

Other times I've heard other people use it around black folk, they usually just say 'don't say that' or something along those lines.

Still, not really a word you want to pepper conversation with regularly, unless talking to close friends!

I think South Park's "With Apologies To Jesse Jackson" summed it up pretty well. If you aren't black, then you just don't get it.

I don't know what it feels like for a Jewish person to be called a "kike". I don't know it feels like for a Chinese person be called a "chink". That doesn't mean they somehow aren't supposed to feel a certain way when they hear such words.

But anyways, just so you guys know, being called a "nigger" is truly the most hurtful thing that you can say to a black person. Faggot, cunt, bitch, asshole, fuckface, dickhead...those are practically compliments in comparison to the n-word. I personally don't like hearing the word from anyone, though there is a significant emotional difference depending on who says it. Whites coined the phrase and used it while we were enslaved, oppressed, and murdered. Is it really a surprise that it is extremely offensive for a white person to say it?

I think South Park's "With Apologies To Jesse Jackson" summed it up pretty well. If you aren't black, then you just don't get it.

I don't know what it feels like for a Jewish person to be called a "kike". I don't know it feels like for a Chinese person be called a "chink". That doesn't mean they somehow aren't supposed to feel a certain way when they hear such words.

But anyways, just so you guys know, being called a "nigger" is truly the most hurtful thing that you can say to a black person. Faggot, cunt, bitch, asshole, fuckface, dickhead...those are practically compliments in comparison to the n-word. I personally don't like hearing the word from anyone, though there is a significant emotional difference depending on who says it. Whites coined the phrase and used it while we were enslaved, oppressed, and murdered. Is it really a surprise that it is extremely offensive for a white person to say it?

Why do black people say it then?

I wouldn't use it around a black person, but if he/she said it around me I would have no qualms to use it. I might be white, but I had no part in slavery, I'm not going to feel guilty about something that happened 200 years ago in another country.

Why do black people say it then?


Because they do. There are anthropological theories about it, but it doesn't really change the fact that it has a different effect when a white person says it.

Just to give you an analogy though...consider insults like "asshole" or "son of a bitch", or even the Greek "malaka". Among friends (or countrymen, in the case of Greeks), these can be affectionate terms. Used by a stranger, they can become quite offensive. I would say usage of the n-word is similar.


I wouldn't use it around a black person, but if he/she said it around me I would have no qualms to use it. I might be white, but I had no part in slavery, I'm not going to feel guilty about something that happened 200 years ago in another country.

You can be as rebellious as you want, but it won't change the fact that 1) a white person saying it is highly offensive and 2) there are many blacks that would beat you half to death if you said it.

Have fun.

Good thing that I don't plan on ever visiting the States or Africa then.

I was called a nigger by my best friend not too long ago, the immediate reaction was angry but that was replaced with weird lethargic view on people that lasted for the next few days.

DerDrache covered it pretty well, I'm sure the feelings no different for any race/ethnic group that gets hit with a slur.

Shit happens.

Good thing that I don't plan on ever visiting the States or Africa then.

We've gotten a bit further than the borders of the US and Africe these days.

We've gotten a bit further than the borders of the US and Africe these days.

The laid back attitude of the dutch rubs off on the people who immigrate here. The black people I know are too intelligent and cool to beat someone up over a word.

The laid back attitude of the dutch rubs off on the people who immigrate here. The black people I know are too intelligent and cool to beat someone up over a word.

To date, I haven't gotten violent with anyone over it either. The few times that a white person has said it to me, they basically said it just to see if they could get away with it. Kind of like the Totseans that throw the n-word out there and then say "Lol wut? Who cares?". Such people lose my respect (assuming I have any for them), and instantly go on my shitlist.

If it persisted to the point where they were legitimately taking advantage of the fact that I let it slide, then I might gleefully give them what they were asking for. For instance, I went to a party once, and for no reason whatsoever, this guy constantly kept making racist remarks to me. He didn't even say the n-word...just constant insulting, snide remarks related to me being black. At the time, I didn't really care (it was a party after all), but if he kept it up I might have broken a bottle over his head. But then again, I did feel good that I took the high ground by basically ignoring his remarks and treating him like everyone else at the party. It's a trade-off.

I'd punched him if I were you.

I'd punched him if I were you.

That momentary satisfaction usually isn't worth it, usually.

That momentary satisfaction usually isn't worth it, usually.

That's what I tell myself, but goddamnit some people deserve it.

It's offensive as the reaction that you would receive if you used it in front of one who would be offended by the word.

has anyone outlined the hypothetical difference between nigger and nigga in this thread?

has anyone outlined the hypothetical difference between nigger and nigga in this thread?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_S-Word_(The_Boondocks)

Meh I never really got called that word in my whole life.

I guess I'm lucky.

I have a funny story though, last weekend I went to my friends house (first time over there) and his sister had her friends over.

Well all of a sudden she said, "Well Josh just told me this really funny black joke"

Then all of a sudden she turns to me and say's, "Is it ok if I tell it?"

I didn't care so I gave her the ok, and after she said the same ole "nigger joke" that we've all heard a million times but apparently it's new to her, she turned to me again and said, "Oh i'm not racist or anything I have black friends!"

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x6/Crack_Man07/Facepalm1.jpg

as long as black(African American so people dont get pissy) people say it like its not big deal, so shall i (im white) but i dont use it as a bad word such as "your a stupid nigger" i usually use it when quoting someone or just as a greeting "whats up nigger?" to my friends (regardless of race) but if someone black asks me to stop i will to respect them, but if someone other than a black person asks me to stop i will not as they have no right to tell me to

Protip: Being greeted with "What's up, nigger" has the same effect saying "You stupid nigger."

I again want to outline there is a "difference" between the word ending in ah and er.

as long as black(African American so people dont get pissy) people say it like its not big deal, so shall i (im white) but i dont use it as a bad word such as "your a stupid nigger" i usually use it when quoting someone or just as a greeting "whats up nigger?" to my friends (regardless of race) but if someone black asks me to stop i will to respect them, but if someone other than a black person asks me to stop i will not as they have no right to tell me to

As I told someone earlier, you can stupidly claim that you "should" be allowed to say it, but it won't make a lick of difference in terms of the consequences.

Stop being an ignoramus.

I again want to outline there is a "difference" between the word ending in ah and er.

Possibly. But if you're white, seriously, just don't use the word. It's really not that important a part of your vocabulary. It's not hard. Even if you have black friends that are fine with you saying "nigga", someday you'll get yourself into some sort of trouble if you pepper conversation with the word regularly.

As I told someone earlier, you can stupidly claim that you "should" be allowed to say it, but it won't make a lick of difference in terms of the consequences.

Stop being an ignoramus.


im not saying that i "should" be allowed to say it, im just saying that i do regardless and its not like a go around the hood yelling "whats up niggers!?" i only say it around my friends who know the context that i say it in

I again want to outline there is a "difference" between the word ending in ah and er.

If you aren't black, then it might be the difference between a "shut the fuck up" and a beating, but...as I said, don't say it.

You might call a friend of yours a "fuckin' homo", but go call a gay person that and it becomes offensive. You might call say "bitch" to a male friend of yours and no one will think much of it. Say it to a woman and she'll go crazy on you. I suppose if some white kids like to call each other "nigga" in the privacy of their own home, feel free. But start calling them "nigger" or letting such nonsense get out in public, and you'll have problems.

There's nothing new about various things being taboo for different groups of people. You know why black people can say it and whites can't? Because that's the way it is. Of course, slavery and hundreds of years of white-on-black racism certainly helped as well.

I wonder if the Cote D'Ivoireians said "tough luck nigga!" as they sold the neighbouring tribes to nasty whitey. Oh well man, it's black on black, that's ALLLL cool.

I reckon "nigger" is offensive, definitely. Then again, i also think it's not that shocking, and blacks cant expect it to be a total tabboo as some people do throw it around left right and centre. Of course, that's a minority, and it's a thoroughly different usage to some fat old white man sneering "nigger!" at someone, but still. Work on your own life/vocab, first... before you judge.

I say "nigga/nigger" with friends sometimes, in a jokey way, and hey that makes me a lame white kid i'm sure, but really it's just banter. I don't say stuff like "nigger" to black people, or in public generally, well.... because I have no reason to? I don't look down on blacks, and I have no reason to try and offend/hurt people by throwing words around. I don't call chunky old women "fat cunts" either - it's plain unnecessary.

To me, the actual word though? Pffft. Sure it's offensive, but it's a WORD, and just like all words, intention and audience are the main factors. I've called a half-black friend a "nigger" before and wound him up in jest, I'll admit, too. Hey, it was probably wrong, but at the time it was amusing and he didn't go ballistic, because he knew well my intention wasn't to shove shit in his face and make him feel terrible. There's a tabboo with nigger that just craves to be broken, as terrible as that may sound. In the real world though, I keep my thoughts about such matters to myself, and my words too. More out of respect than some dick coming to beat me up.

There are plenty of offensive words that have been chucked around at all races and groups of people, and everyone in the world has gone through shit. This needs bearing in mind, by some people, at times...

...crap...

Words are words? Ingenious insight, Ray Charles. Does that change the effect they have on people? Are we not "supposed" to be affected by words?

Words are words? Ingenious insight, Ray Charles. Does that change the effect they have on people? Are we not "supposed" to be affected by words?

As I said...

"Just like all words, intention and audience are the main factors"

And I wasn't trying to "convince" anyone, I don't really give a shit. I know what I think, and I know not to be a total asshole to people over topics like race, generally. To me, it's simple as, and perpetuating the "omg unsayable word" is only giving racists more bait. No, I can't say creating a "blacks only" version, reclaimed a la "queer" makes a whole lot of sense to me either, so whatever.

I don't live in a town where blacks call each other "nigga" in public, and most people don't use racist abuse (in public at least), so whatever, this is more how the whole American situation comes off to me. Suck it up, like you refuted or debated any of my points anyway.

As I said...

"Just like all words, intention and audience are the main factors"

And I wasn't trying to "convince" anyone, I don't really give a shit. I know what I think, and I know not to be a total asshole to people over topics like race, generally. To me, it's simple as, and perpetuating the "omg unsayable word" is only giving racists more bait. No, I can't say creating a "blacks only" version, reclaimed a la "queer" makes a whole lot of sense to me either, so whatever.

I don't live in a town where blacks call each other "nigga" in public, and most people don't use racist abuse (in public at least), so whatever, this is more how the whole American situation comes off to me. Suck it up, like you refuted or debated any of my points anyway.

My previous posts covered everything there is to know about the n-word. You not being black pretty much makes your opinions insignificant. You can speculate, sure, but at the end of the day, it doesn't matter.

I can speculate on British or Russian culture, or what it's like to be gay, or what it's like to be a Chinese-American, but at the end of the day, my opinion on their life-experience doesn't matter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HAGc521SAo

My opinion from the late George Carlin RIP.

Protip: Being greeted with "What's up, nigger" has the same effect saying "You stupid nigger."

How about "What's up, negus"? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGdCeMayUjk&feature=related) ;)

Tupac once said that sayying nigga meant saying like brother or friend, but sayingniggeris horribly disrespectful for the slaves and shit

Protip: Being greeted with "What's up, nigger" has the same effect saying "You stupid nigger."

Maybe to some people, but not to others. When I was in high school, I would always greet one of my friends, who is black, with "What's up my nigga?" and he would greet me the same way. He rarely called me my name, but instead called me Nigger John. We used the word around each other all the time, and it didn't matter, because it's not like I was offending him or he was offending me. Though he did offend me somewhat with his constant talk of wanting to fuck my mom. So, I wouldn't go up to any random black person and say, "What's up my nigga," but with Krys I would because when I say it to him it isn't offensive, it's just saying "hi".

I think American blacks need to get over themselves. It is fucking ridiculous the amount of shit they say just to claim 'discrimination'. America is the only country where you will see a group of people go to such great lengths to be politically correct; they can't even decide on the 'proper' way to address their own race (black,negro,nigger,colored etc..). Enough with the 'African-American' shit, they are black, they should accept it. Seriously, Caucasian people are called 'white' and no one makes a scene, a black man is called 'black' and people panic; when is the last time you have heard a white man called 'European-American'? My point exactly, never. Nigger is not racist, it is nothing more than a dated way of referring to a black person. If you are offended by a word do not use it.
I am not 'racist', I have just lived in other cultures, mostly Eastern Europe, to know how ignorant the world views of American blacks.


The Agency.

I think American blacks need to get over themselves. It is fucking ridiculous the amount of shit they say just to claim 'discrimination'. America is the only country where you will see a group of people go to such great lengths to be politically correct; they can't even decide on the 'proper' way to address their own race (black,negro,nigger,colored etc..). Enough with the 'African-American' shit, they are black, they should accept it. Seriously, Caucasian people are called 'white' and no one makes a scene, a black man is called 'black' and people panic; when is the last time you have heard a white man called 'European-American'?

Blacks don't demand to be called African-American.

Nigger is not racist, it is nothing more than a dated way of referring to a black person. If you are offended by a word do not use it.
I am not 'racist', I have just lived in other cultures, mostly Eastern Europe, to know how ignorant the world views of American blacks.


You're an idiot. "Nigger" was a term used to designate blacks as being less-than-human. Sure, if a person is socially ignorant enough to think that "nigger" just mean's "black person", then it technically isn't a racist term. However, the accepted definition is one full of racist hatred.

You can decide that you want "slut" to be an affectionate term for a woman. It won't change the result when you use it though.

I almost get knocked the fuck out daily for calling people "niggers".

If someone black bumps into my shoulder intentionally, I say, "Hey, what the fuck, you fuckin' nigger?".

Works every time.

Okay, here is my two cents on this subject.

First of all, I am white, and hence, what I say is only from my point-of-view. But, basically, if black people can say nigga(er), and go around and call us crackers, and expect us NOT to get offended, yet get offended when we call them nigga(er), that is really lop-sided, in my opinion. And I know we used to have a very racially divided society, but, now everyone has equal rights, so, using the "We are singled out" arguement.

Also, to the white folks, if they are allowed to call eachother "Nigga(er)" then we should be calling eachother "Cracka(er)" and get really offended when black people say it.

Now, to some people who will state that they are singled-out for being black, I believe that is because you allow yourself to have this image of "doing drugs, causing crimes, and whoring out women". I have black friends who are nothing like that, but, suffer due to the mainstream black culture accepting these images and allowing them into the media. We do know that a lot of you all come from the "ghetto" and had to work your way up society, but, seriously, to dress and talk the way you do, to the point of idiocy, and expecting anything more than being singled out is pretty idiotic on itself. And to the reasonable black people out there, I am sorry that certain people have caused your race to have a poor image.

(On a side note, would jewish people call each other kikas? :D Just a thought.)

[[ If my thoughts or notions offend you, I do not want to hear about how much you hate me, please. I've dealt with that shit my whole life, doesn't phase me. ]]