Way to go #21!! DPOY

[sheepshead]

Why get so riled up about black culture's use of the word "nigger"? What is offensive is not the word itself but the social context of deeply engrained racism in which it was used. When a black person refers another black person using that same word today, the intent as I understand it is not to bring up old wounds or play up racial divisions but basically to claim ownership over the word rather than allowing yourself to be defined by how other groups talk about you. Or, if you want a medical analogy, it's like a vaccine in which you voluntarily inject yourself with a virus in order to develop immunity to it.

What is so offensive about this? Is it because many of us have become comfortable with the idea that we're living in a post racial society, and little things like this keep bringing race back into the picture?

My apologies to whoever started this thread for having taken it even further off topic.

How do you know he's black? Should you know he's black? Does the owner of this place want to invite new posters?Or keep the same ol' boys club? You cannot possibly have separate sets of standards for people on here. There is no way of knowing and there should be no way of knowing anyones age race religion or sexual preference. I dont say this casually either.

[MOBB DEEP]

Why get so riled up about black culture's use of the word "nigger"? What is offensive is not the word itself but the social context of deeply engrained racism in which it was used. When a black person refers another black person using that same word today, the intent as I understand it is not to bring up old wounds or play up racial divisions but basically to claim ownership over the word rather than allowing yourself to be defined by how other groups talk about you. Or, if you want a medical analogy, it's like a vaccine in which you voluntarily inject yourself with a virus in order to develop immunity to it.

What is so offensive about this? Is it because many of us have become comfortable with the idea that we're living in a post racial society, and little things like this keep bringing race back into the picture?

My apologies to whoever started this thread for having taken it even further off topic.

How do you know he's black? Should you know he's black? Does the owner of this place want to invite new posters?Or keep the same ol' boys club? You cannot possibly have separate sets of standards for people on here. There is no way of knowing and there should be no way of knowing anyones age race religion or sexual preference. I dont say this casually either.

makes sense

[Zool]

Much ado about nothing. I do think that everyone should be able to say it or no one should. Better not let me catch you talking about crackers Mobb.

[hoosier]

Much ado about nothing. I do think that everyone should be able to say it or no one should. Better not let me catch you talking about crackers Mobb.

That's cracka to you, whitey.

[MOBB DEEP]

When a black person refers another black person using that same word today, the intent as I understand it is not to bring up old wounds or play up racial divisions but basically to claim ownership over the word rather than allowing yourself to be defined by how other groups talk about you.

Pretty much acurate and i sincerely felt that was known

Cant believe IM defending my use of it and feeling some guilt lol

You all jus make sure u dont use it. A few posters may actualy use this as a free opportunity to type the word on this forum...hmmmm....like madtown bean-eating tail lol...I blackend many an eye in undergrad as a result. public enemy had my mad radical

again, sorry

but try to remain light hearted

one love

[MOBB DEEP]

Much ado about nothing. I do think that everyone should be able to say it or no one should. Better not let me catch you talking about crackers Mobb.

[MOBB DEEP]

i love all yal!

Yeah, this thread went way off course

wish i knew how to post that one "thread jacked" emoticon

[hoosier]

Why get so riled up about black culture's use of the word "nigger"? What is offensive is not the word itself but the social context of deeply engrained racism in which it was used. When a black person refers another black person using that same word today, the intent as I understand it is not to bring up old wounds or play up racial divisions but basically to claim ownership over the word rather than allowing yourself to be defined by how other groups talk about you. Or, if you want a medical analogy, it's like a vaccine in which you voluntarily inject yourself with a virus in order to develop immunity to it.

What is so offensive about this? Is it because many of us have become comfortable with the idea that we're living in a post racial society, and little things like this keep bringing race back into the picture?

My apologies to whoever started this thread for having taken it even further off topic.

How do you know he's black? Should you know he's black? Does the owner of this place want to invite new posters?Or keep the same ol' boys club? You cannot possibly have separate sets of standards for people on here. There is no way of knowing and there should be no way of knowing anyones age race religion or sexual preference. I dont say this casually either.

I don't know for certain whether the person who posts as Mobb is black or not, just that his online persona is convincingly "black"--in contrast, say, to Ty's. But I was really responding to MPF's view that the word is inherently offensive regardless of what context it is used in--which would include blacks calling other blacks "nig" or "nigga" (thanks to Mobb for the clarification). I have a hard time understanding why others would take offense at that.

[Zool]

Much ado about nothing. I do think that everyone should be able to say it or no one should. Better not let me catch you talking about crackers Mobb.

That's cracka to you, whitey.

Oh no thats the common misconception. Only WE can say cracker. Everyone else better say cracka.

Now pass the Sunchips.

[MOBB DEEP]

AWESOME my ###

Mobb,

You know I like you as a poster, but a person doesn't have to be African American to find that term highly offensive. That post has bothered me since I read it yesterday. We're supposed to progress as a society and terms like that, regardless of context or intent, are anchors to extreme hatred. I can think of no usage of that term that is not highly derogative. By all means be real, but leave the hate in the past.

Mich, I know how you feel about this because we've discussd it in the past. So i extend personal apology to you; didnt think to send PM and gotta go!

[MichiganPackerFan]

Why get so riled up about black culture's use of the word "nigger"? What is offensive is not the word itself but the social context of deeply engrained racism in which it was used. When a black person refers another black person using that same word today, the intent as I understand it is not to bring up old wounds or play up racial divisions but basically to claim ownership over the word rather than allowing yourself to be defined by how other groups talk about you. Or, if you want a medical analogy, it's like a vaccine in which you voluntarily inject yourself with a virus in order to develop immunity to it.

What is so offensive about this? Is it because many of us have become comfortable with the idea that we're living in a post racial society, and little things like this keep bringing race back into the picture?

My apologies to whoever started this thread for having taken it even further off topic.

How do you know he's black? Should you know he's black? Does the owner of this place want to invite new posters?Or keep the same ol' boys club? You cannot possibly have separate sets of standards for people on here. There is no way of knowing and there should be no way of knowing anyones age race religion or sexual preference. I dont say this casually either.

I don't know for certain whether the person who posts as Mobb is black or not, just that his online persona is convincingly "black"--in contrast, say, to Ty's. But I was really responding to MPF's view that the word is inherently offensive regardless of what context it is used in--which would include blacks calling other blacks "nig" or "nigga" (thanks to Mobb for the clarification). I have a hard time understanding why others would take offense at that.

In general, I don't view this as a "White" world and a "Black" world, where there are separate rules for each. History cast separation, but society's evolution continues to draw together. While I completely understand the position that it can be used within a defined group, I still believe the term is used way too liberally. I believe we should be constructing a culture of progress and equality. Regardless of how people try to evolve the term, it still is inherently tied to hate and racism and those factors will never be separated from the word. I think there are far better words in the expansive English language that can be used to express comradery and brotherhood without embracing a symbol of racism and hate. Maybe it doesn't injure me directly, but there are people who are very close to me who have worked so damn hard for progress and achievement that do not deserve to be continually associated with that term because a subgroup thinks it's acceptable to fling that carcass around. Let's find more positive ways to express ourselves that lend to moving forward not backward.

Anyway, that's my opinion...

[MichiganPackerFan]

Mich, I know how you feel about this because we've discussd it in the past. So i extend personal apology to you; didnt think to send PM and gotta go!

Saw this when I got off my soapbox. I guess "teachable moment" (even though I'm pretty sure those require beer!) for something I feel is important. I wasn't so much calling you out or seeking an apology as I was expressing my position.

I really don't want to instigate any Pack on Pack crime here either!

[hoosier]

Why get so riled up about black culture's use of the word "nigger"? What is offensive is not the word itself but the social context of deeply engrained racism in which it was used. When a black person refers another black person using that same word today, the intent as I understand it is not to bring up old wounds or play up racial divisions but basically to claim ownership over the word rather than allowing yourself to be defined by how other groups talk about you. Or, if you want a medical analogy, it's like a vaccine in which you voluntarily inject yourself with a virus in order to develop immunity to it.

What is so offensive about this? Is it because many of us have become comfortable with the idea that we're living in a post racial society, and little things like this keep bringing race back into the picture?

My apologies to whoever started this thread for having taken it even further off topic.

How do you know he's black? Should you know he's black? Does the owner of this place want to invite new posters?Or keep the same ol' boys club? You cannot possibly have separate sets of standards for people on here. There is no way of knowing and there should be no way of knowing anyones age race religion or sexual preference. I dont say this casually either.

I don't know for certain whether the person who posts as Mobb is black or not, just that his online persona is convincingly "black"--in contrast, say, to Ty's. But I was really responding to MPF's view that the word is inherently offensive regardless of what context it is used in--which would include blacks calling other blacks "nig" or "nigga" (thanks to Mobb for the clarification). I have a hard time understanding why others would take offense at that.

In general, I don't view this as a "White" world and a "Black" world, where there are separate rules for each. History cast separation, but society's evolution continues to draw together. While I completely understand the position that it can be used within a defined group, I still believe the term is used way too liberally. I believe we should be constructing a culture of progress and equality. Regardless of how people try to evolve the term, it still is inherently tied to hate and racism and those factors will never be separated from the word. I think there are far better words in the expansive English language that can be used to express comradery and brotherhood without embracing a symbol of racism and hate. Maybe it doesn't injure me directly, but there are people who are very close to me who have worked so damn hard for progress and achievement that do not deserve to be continually associated with that term because a subgroup thinks it's acceptable to fling that carcass around. Let's find more positive ways to express ourselves that lend to moving forward not backward.

Anyway, that's my opinion...

Fair enough and very eloquent. Thanks for the clarification.

[Smidgeon]

You all jus make sure u dont use it.

Just an observation: It seems unfortunate that our American language has words that from a person of one skin color is endearing that coming from a person of another skin color is deeply offensive. Further enforcing and defending the use of such words doesn't help ease the racial barrier but instead further striates it, even if the striation is much more subtle than the gregarious sins of the past.

[gbgary]

Apologies....Im certainly black (actually pro-black) and regardless of the obvious demographic on this forum i thought the vast majority of posters understood that in our culture the word is OFTEN used as term of endearment...

i took it in the spirit that you intended and didn't give it a second thought. don't stop being mobb.