Should racist and prejudice slurs like the n-word and whitey be banned?
By dextrophobia
@dextrophobia (155)
United States
January 14, 2007 12:01pm CST
In music, in public, in everything, should racial and religous slurs be banned? I believe that there are many instances where people are too easily offended, but also times where people are offensive and vulgar just to raise temper and cause a scene. I believe many n-wordss exist. White n-ers, black n-ers, tan n-ers...Any person who disregards another person's being and disrespects human life is a n-word, whether you're caucasian, african american, latino, middle-eastern, whatever. I am white, and I try to keep an open mind in regards to slurs. I am not offended by being called any name that I know I am not. I do not support derragatory remarks, but I think people shouldn't pay attention to them and be so quickly offended. I can call another white person a cracker or whitey and it's acceptable, but as soon as someone who isn't white says one of those the context suddenly transforms to that of a racist tone. And the same for many african americans and the N-WORD. Comedians like Dave Chappelle blur the lines and poke humor at every race, which I feel is a good thing. He exploits everything people are far too sensitive about, as well as serving as an embodiment of many stereotyes.
How do we go about dealing with racism and prejudism without censoring ourselves?
9 people like this
18 responses
@misskatonic (3723)
• United States
14 Jan 07
I don't believe in banning words. I'd like to think that people are raised to know what words are okay to say and what words need to stay in the realm of fiction and historical quotation. Since you can't write a book or story taking place in, say, the 1940s or so without using certain terms in dialogue. But that's fiction and the words are directed at real people.
I'm all for taking words back and shifting the connotations so the words don't carry the same weight anymore.
3 people like this
@dextrophobia (155)
• United States
14 Jan 07
I agree. Words can never be truly banned, as we are all free to express ourselves. But I think definitions exist in the mind, and we need to try and learn contexts better. Dark can mean shadow, it can also mean scary, but can also mean heavy.
Discourse is the only true way in which we can learn from others, and learn from anothers' mistake, before it's too late and we make it ourselves.
@thewatchlist (653)
• United States
15 Jan 07
Banning words would be completely pointless. Language is constantly evolving. New words or phrases would fill the void in expression left by the removed words.
The issue is context.
bah... I hope this doesn't post 2 times... It gave an error when posting the first time saying "unable to post content, please try again... thank you!"
@dextrophobia (155)
• United States
15 Jan 07
Sorry, I wasn't aware, and assure you I wasn't copying your ideas!..but yes, I doubt anyone can make ANY word disapper. It seems the more attention something gets, especially negative, the more is it discussed. And look, how ironic I am discussing it right now!
@cisco1 (539)
• United States
14 Jan 07
to me i dont think so even though its wrong and very disrespectful but shouldnt be banned. it what called freedom of speech and by banning that takes away. I am a mexican american and i heard alot from people using racial slurs against me. Before it will anger me and want to kick some booty. but now im older, i disregard it just laught at the person.
1 person likes this
@dextrophobia (155)
• United States
14 Jan 07
Haha, I agree with aging and how perceptions can change. I think humor can make anything better!
@patootie (3592)
•
14 Jan 07
I really hate all this stupid 'PC' behaviour .. I actually think it makes things worse as we have to use other ways to describe people many of which are patronising ..
However, whilst I will call a spade a spade (the shovel kind of course) .. I would not call people of other ethnic groups by 'slang' names ..
Banning the words surely just draws attention to them .. I think we all need to be adult about this and use acceptable words to describe people from any race ...
1 person likes this
@dextrophobia (155)
• United States
14 Jan 07
I agree. To label an entire people by a word you can describe one of it's members with does no good. Do african american N-words exist? yes. Do white ones exist? Yes. Why do we, as a society, automatically associate it with black people?
@hassanchop (820)
• United States
14 Jan 07
No, I don't think they should be banned. Freedom of speech means freedom of both the good speech and the bad speech, and we have to take the good with the bad unless we don't want free speech. As for how we go about dealing with racism and prejudism, we have to learn all we can, open our minds, don't hate what we don't understand, and increase our own understanding.
1 person likes this
@dextrophobia (155)
• United States
14 Jan 07
Very good response. I'm glad you see that remaining open and no flying off the handle is a good way to counteract the negativity of the remarks.
@renascent (35)
• Canada
14 Jan 07
I don't think anyone or society benefits from the "N" word or any other racial slur. It should not be in our vocabulary, it serves no purpose other than to offend and put down another's race. It's negative and we have enough negativity in this world. We all should be treated with respect and understanding no matter what race. I know, easier said than done.
1 person likes this
@dextrophobia (155)
• United States
14 Jan 07
A word is a word, and the meanings exist as what we make them to be. The n-word means ignorant to me, and if someone is being ignorant, they are indeed an N-word. But I don't see it NECESSARY to call them that, as there are plenty of other things I could do to open them to the truth that who they are should be re-evaluated.
Good response.
@akumei1269 (1749)
• India
14 Jan 07
When you speak in public you should avoid using n-words . In person to person conversation the case may be different.
But you are right that we become too reactive when such words are used to us by a person from other race which we have some types of complex .
Equally right are you in that the comedians should not be debarred from using slurs if they are neutral in using going above their personal bias.
1 person likes this
@dextrophobia (155)
• United States
14 Jan 07
as I stated in a previous response, I think we should just focus our attention on the intention of what is being said. We should be able to say whatever is on our minds so long as it is not intended to put down another. And if it is intended to hurt, we also have the same right to be smacked. I do not support physical violence, but sometimes it is the only way people respond.
I'm not saying lynch someone for using a racial slur, just focus on their intent by using the word.
@baileym11 (887)
• United States
15 Jan 07
I believe anyone with good taste would NOT use the n word. It has much too long and painful a history for us to be throwing it around the way we do. I never use it and I never will. I know some people like Derreck Bell believe that if we use it enough, we will take away the meaning, but I don't buy it, not with that word.
@sharon613 (2321)
• United States
15 Jan 07
This society has gone way out of hand with these horroble ghetto type music. We could start a petition and send it to the white house.
@jricbt (1454)
• Brazil
15 Jan 07
I can't see the point in banning words when you don't change the mentality of people that use these words with prejudice.
Instead of banning words (new ones will be created) we should try to change the mentality of people like that, and they should be prosecuted by law once they break any (which, invariably, racists do)
@Randync (544)
• United States
15 Jan 07
I am a firm supporter of free speech. I don't think we should ban any words. Besides when people use these words it makes it much easier, to see what morons they are. I think education in the home and in school is the way to deal with racisim. If kids are taught in the home to not be biased, it goes a long way towards ending racisim.
@imranwajid (741)
• Germany
15 Jan 07
I also believe they should be banned. These things can be changed through education only. People should be told that everyone is equal and its only his or her deeds that matter at the end of the day.
@Gruzzle (294)
•
15 Jan 07
Banning words is like banning books. It's a step away from abnning thoughts and that is Fascism. I agree however that there are artist out there whose use of vulgar language is designed to shock and therefore raise their profile. It would be nice if people could express themselves without offending others but I would defend anybodys right to express themselves (lawfully and without racism)
@itsjustmeb (1212)
• Canada
15 Jan 07
I think there are FAR too many artists out there who toss these two words around like they are nothing. I think they should limit the amount of times that artists can use these words in movies and on TV.
@moneymaka (492)
• United States
15 Jan 07
Im offended when white people use the "N" word but when black people come up and say it to me i could careless.
But i say the n word to anybody, i remember last time i accidently said it to my father he whipped me :S
@everybodylovesleah (244)
• United States
15 Jan 07
I do not agree with banning the words, but I do believe that if you say a derogatory term, you should be prepared for the backlash that may come with it. Certain terms have a history of pain behind it.
Anybody has the right to use those words if they please, but other people have the right to be angry about it.
Also, let's not forget that some people say those terms angry or in a derogatory way. If I call myself a "bish" (which I don't, but if I did) that's one thing, but if someone else was scowling at me and saying "That's a stupid dumb bish", it's going to be totally different.
