Activism: Retiring the N-word

Modern Conservative ^

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

I think they are suggesting retiring that word as a matter of etiquette, not by law.

I was a very naive young boy and remember reciting the children's choosing rhyme, "Eeny, meeny, minie, mo, catch [an n-word] by the toe..." and my mother slapped me across the face and told me never to use "that word" again.

I innocently inquired which word, "Eeny", "meeny", "minie" or "mo".

[Edgar3]

I can re-jigger my vocabulary, if I want to.

[Loud Mime]

[Caipirabob]

About this little thing, called the "First Amendment". It's still protected speech, stupid, offensive, regardless.

Bans such in this fall in line with totalitarinism. We already have a party you can participate to share like philoshies. They are called democrats. As a matter of fact, one of their candidates, John McCain is running as a republican. He hates freedom of speech too. Look into it.

[sirchtruth]

They’re asking private individuals to support a change in behavior.

I beleive you're right, it does not direct involve the first admendment. However, I don't see the word "behavior" being used anywhere. My point is simply no word should ever be striken by force, fiat, or given syntaxual change by a group.

Do your realize the abridgement of free speech already taking place in this country right now under the guise of Political Correctness? That's what I object too. There is no question people should not use this word because of it's offensive nature and disrepectful "side" meaning, but don't you dare try to take away my constitutional "right" to use it anytime or anywhere in this country I choose!

[iopscusa]

Yeah it is a slow newz day...let’s ban/send to re-education; smokers, bad words, repubs, fattys, skanks and every thing that offends anyone.

[netmilsmom]

>>Is Negro OK?<<
I sure hope so!


"Nicest Kids in Town"

CORNY
Hey there, Teenage Baltimore!
Don't change that channel!
'Cause it's time for the Corny Collins Show! Brought to you by Ultra Clutch Hairspray!
CORNY (& COUNCIL MEMBERS)
Ev'ry afternoon
When the clock strikes four
(bop-bee-ba, ba-ba-ba-ba, bee-ba)
A crazy bunch of kids
Crash through that door
(bop-bee-ba, ba-ba-ba-ba, bee-ba)
They throw off their coats
And leave the squares behind
And then they shake it, shake it, shake it
Like they're losing their mind
You'll never see them frown
'Cause they're the nicest kids in town
Every afternoon
You turn your T.V. on
(na, na, na, na, na, na-na-na-na)
And we know you turn the sound up
When your parents are gone, yeah
(na, na, na, na, na, na-na-na-na)
And then you twist and shout
For your favorite star
And once you've practiced every step
That's in your repertoire
You better come on down
And meet the nicest kids in town
Nice white kids
Who like to lead the way
And once a month We have our "negro day!"
And i'm the man who keeps it spinnin' round
Mr. Corny Collins
With the latest, greatest Baltimore sound!!
So every afternoon
Drop everything
(bop-bee-ba, ba-ba-ba-ba, bee-ba)
Who needs to read and write
When you can dance and sing?
(bop-bee-ba, ba-ba-ba-ba, bee-ba)
Forget about your algebra
And calculus
You can always do your homework
On the morning bus
Can't tell a verb from a noun
They're the nicest kids in town
Roll Call!!
COUNCIL MEMBERS
I'm Amber!
Brad!
Tammy!
Fender!
Brenda!
Sketch!
Shelley!
I.Q!
Lou Ann!
Joey!
Mikey!
Vikki!
Beckie!
Nick!
Jesse!
Karla!
Polly!
Noreen!
Doreen!
And I'm...LINK!
(All of the girls scream.)
CORNY (& COUNCIL MEMBERS)
So, if every night you're shaking as you lie in bed
(corny-corny, ooh, corny-corny)
And the bass and drums
Are pounding in your head
(pony, pony, ooh, pony, pony)
Who cares about sleep
When you can snooze in School?
They'll never get to college
But they sure look cool
Don't need a cap and a gown
'Cause they're the nicest
Kids in town
They're the nicest. Nicest
They're the nicest, nicest
They're the sugar 'n' spicest,
The nicest kids in...
Kids in town!

[mtbopfuyn]

The use of “committee” in any context is a lot worse.

[airborne]

I wonder if Bill and Hillary have used it lately to describe anyone??

[Tax-chick]

I think you’re massively overreacting. If you can point to some intention on the part of this group to limit speech by law, then I’ll change my mind. Otherwise, I think this is pointless moral grandstanding, but has nothing to do with anyone’s rights.

Run outside and shout “N*ggers!” if you think you have to, though.

[sirchtruth]

I think they are suggesting retiring that word as a matter of etiquette, not by law.

I agree, and maybe this is a way for people to get back to a more mannered time. Sort of a reverse PC act. You can not dictate morals or etiquette, but what you can do is say "we" will recognise this as an offensive word and "choose" not to use it.

My only problem though is liberals try to do this same thing with other "words," which they deem offensive. PC is a direct avenue to the abridgement of free speech. You have to tread very lightly with this issue.

[sirchtruth]

Otherwise, I think this is pointless moral grandstanding, but has nothing to do with anyone’s rights.

You're so off base it's comical. Do you not recognise what's going on in this country with speech, PC, and the absolute insanity of deeming words offensive?

Wake up and understand eventhough, I can see this group righteous, and morale attempt to instill good manners, I think it' important to reiterate what constitutes free speech. Especially with this issue.

I'm sorry you're clueless about the nature of word games being played in this country.

[Rome2000]

I thought it was spelled H-O-N-K-E-Y.

[connell]

They’re asking private individuals to support a change in behavior. What in the world does that have to do with the First Amendment?

THANK YOU, Tax Chick!

This has nothing to do with law. It is an exhortation by private citizens to other citizens asking them to support a change in behavior that they believe would be beneficial to society.

When my son is old enough, I'll want to take him to a ball game. Once there, he's going to have to hear how coarse our society has become in terms of its use of language. He's going to hear so-and-so "s#cks" and F-this and F-that. People are using such filthy language at sporting events these days, seemingly unconcerned that there are children about.

If I, as a private citizen, were to circulate a petition asking that people reconsider their use in public of certain words, would that not be a reasonable use of my rights and God-given American freedom? Isn't it, in a way, completely CONSONANT with the spirit of conservatism? After all, I am not asking my government to do anything, I am an individual taking personal action, exhorting my fellow Americans to choose to make a change on their own, with no government coercion. Asking people, without government involvement, to make certain changes because we believe those changes would be better---be they considering attending church, avoiding drugs, considering marriage as opposed to co-habitation, etc.---that is the heart of conservatism.

[TomGuy]

My only problem though is liberals try to do this same thing with other "words," which they deem offensive. PC is a direct avenue to the abridgement of free speech. You have to tread very lightly with this issue.

It is little more than an attempt to create control by intimidation. Ban this, ban that, yada yada yada. Then they can accuse the opposition of hate speech, etc. They get to play their various social-conscience cards (race, ethnic, gender, age, etc.).

It is much more than dis-using a certain word. It is a method of control by intimidation.

Watch the similar methods being used against sports teams that use Native American tribal names, etc..

[rbg81]

Use the N-word hurts the person who utters it a lot more than anyone esle. If you don’t want to use the N word, don’t use it. Freedom means that you don’t legally ban words. They can shove their petition.

[Shortwave]

The concept of activism against expression or discourse should be a silly one. In the past, these types of things would be brushed aside as attention getting silliness; however, we don’t live in the past.

In the modern era in which our culture is being assaulted on all fronts, movements like these should be seen as direct assaults on our right to free speech, period. The erosion of our rights is a result of the same template of “doing something for the good of humanity” yet punish the greater sum of the whole" being used over and over again.

And what of other words? The word “niggardly” sounds like the “N-word” but has a completely different meaning. Negro, nigrescent, and nigrous are also words whose etymology goes back prior to southern slaves.

Our discourse is as intrinsic to our culture and customs as our pastimes and professions are. And although the word “nigger” invokes memories of a sad period in our history, it also requires us to never forget it so we don’t slip backwards. Just because you ignore something, doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Erasing the use of word nigger would have about as much impact on reducing racism as quitting smoking when you already have stage three lung cancer.

Carpenters and writers are much in the same, they build and craft things with their tools. If I were a carpenter, I wouldn’t chose to throw away my pair of “dikes” because it is offensive to lesbians - why would we demand a writer throw away words, the tools of their caft?

[OldSmaj]

They are looking for 1000 signatures. Let's get 'em more!

Yeah, sure.

I'll notify Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Richard Nixon and a few more that I know that always show up to sign meaningless, mindless, PC crap such as this is.

A waste of bandwidth.

[Pusterfuss]

Controlling what people say is a step towards controlling what people think.

You voluntarily sign and voluntarily agree not to use that particular word. (Or you do neither) Now how is this "controlling what one thinks?"

[sirchtruth]

If I, as a private citizen, were to circulate a petition asking that people reconsider their use in public of certain words, would that not be a reasonable use of my rights and God-given American freedom? Isn't it, in a way, completely CONSONANT with the spirit of conservatism?

Yes, you're right it is. What you need to understand though is using this tactic in today's PC world inwhich any WORD can be deemed offensive, needs to be made perfecty clear. Liberal society is trying it's very best to change the original meaning of words to fit their agenda. I'm pointing out, eventhough we can agree a word is offensive and we want to consider whether or not it's appropriate to use in public has NOTHING to do with whether or not we have the right too use it.

If I was to walk down the street to the center of Harlem and say the "N" word I should expect to be protected from being assulted by the public and government sectors. Yes, It would be extremely offensive, but we need to be clear the constitution affords me the right to use the word anywhere!

I think it's vitally important to really understand this distinction in today's world, especially those children who seemingly have no clue about what free speech is really all about!