Intellectual Free For All: Reclaiming Racial Slurs
Today's discussion is about the appropriateness of the use of racial slurs, specifically "the N word" (which I will not spell out today; use Google if you don't know what word I am referring to).
- Who is and is not allowed to use this term, in your opinion?
- Is it ever appropriate to use this term?
- How do you feel about the use of other slurs, such as "spic"?
- Do you use racial slurs in private? (Feel free to take advantage of the anonymous feature.)
- How do you feel about double standards that are in place surrounding the use of certain slurs?
- What is your take regarding the televised incident I mentioned below?
A recent exchange on the television program The View regarding the appropriateness of whites vs blacks using "the N word" sparked some controversy. Two co-hosts, Eilsabeth Hasselbeck and Whoopi Goldberg had clashing opinions about the matter.
Hasselbeck's view was that black and white Americans live in the same world and should not be held to different standards. As someone from a Polish family, she would have been offended if someone referred to her as "a dumb Pollack" and could not imagine using that word to describe herself as a term of endearment* because it would "promote stereotypes and hate" and essentially insult her heritage. Isn't that the same thing as the N word? She wondered how society was supposed to "move forward if we keep using terms that bring back that pain" [referring to the historic mistreatment of people of color, specifically black Americans].
Meanwhile, Goldberg admitted that there was indeed a double standard when it came to the use of the N word, but implied that the double standard was necessary. Black and white Americans did not live in the same world -- physically, yes, but it is still "unbalanced" in that there is still a racial disparity in this country. She shared an anecdote about her mother's being unable to vote due to being black, and that black Americans still have a number of challenges to face. The N word, she said, has followed African Americans around for generations; it was a word that whites used to degrade blacks, and now black Americans are taking the word into their own hands.
*Co-host Sherri Shepherd previously said that she used the N word as a term of endearment among family.
I know that this issue is part of a much larger issue when it comes to race in America, and if any of you want to expand on that in the comments, go right ahead! I also want to take this opportunity to point out that, as the footer says, you ought to read the guidelines before participating in any IFFF debate. I bring this up now because this is a hot/sensitive topic, and while everyone is free to express whatever opinions they have, I draw the line when it comes to bigotry and hate speech on my blog. Respectfully disagree; listen to each other; try to understand each other. Don't be hateful. And as usual, if you are going to take advantage of the anonymous posting feature, remember to leave some sort of identifier.
Want to participate in this week's discussion? Be sure to read the guidelines!
**A REMINDER: Remember to tune into 20/20 on August 1, 2008 to see my friend johnnyboysriot's segment on eating disorders. There will be an IFFF topic based upon the topic, and it may be helpful to watch the show. I'll be posting more reminders obnoxiously! :) **