Denigrating, derogatory language regardless of who speaks it is denigrating and derogatory. Plus raises someone’s hackles.
There is no reason to use it. It is possible to make a point or communicate with others without it. We should all show each other respect regardless of their views.
I have no tolerance for imbeciles who cruise down the road with their windows down and their bleeep blasting out at 145 decibels. Talk about air pollution.
If I use a self-depricating ethnic slur then I am taking its power away. If someone else directs a slur at me, then the motivation or interpretation is not to take its power away but to offend. It’s then my choice whether to be offended, but the intent of the word will have a vastly different interpretation depending on whether it is uttered by an in-group or out-group speaker. In other words, a black person using the n-word is not the same a non-black person using it. You still have free speech, but the effect and consequences of your speech are different depending on your ethnic or racial identity. With respect to Huck Finn, I don’t quite understand the editing.
pirate227 over 13 years ago
^ Well said.
vatonaught over 13 years ago
I say it’s right on.
cjr53 over 13 years ago
Denigrating, derogatory language regardless of who speaks it is denigrating and derogatory. Plus raises someone’s hackles.
There is no reason to use it. It is possible to make a point or communicate with others without it. We should all show each other respect regardless of their views.
Bluejayz over 13 years ago
I have no tolerance for imbeciles who cruise down the road with their windows down and their bleeep blasting out at 145 decibels. Talk about air pollution.
leerab78 over 13 years ago
If I use a self-depricating ethnic slur then I am taking its power away. If someone else directs a slur at me, then the motivation or interpretation is not to take its power away but to offend. It’s then my choice whether to be offended, but the intent of the word will have a vastly different interpretation depending on whether it is uttered by an in-group or out-group speaker. In other words, a black person using the n-word is not the same a non-black person using it. You still have free speech, but the effect and consequences of your speech are different depending on your ethnic or racial identity. With respect to Huck Finn, I don’t quite understand the editing.
dannysixpack over 13 years ago
“congress shal make no law…..abridging the freedom of speech”
it’s not up to anyone to decide what speech anyone says, so long as it isn’t screaming “fire” in a crowded theater.