The "N" word - a discussion

[tonyreddevil]

i thought it was the cat

[adruml]

How about in a discussion about language? You know, like this one. So instead of having to dance around writing The "N" word, we could actually write the correct word without fear of being punished or censored.

Or, apparently, when two people of the appropriate ethnic or cultural background say it to each other?

I can't imagine the N word being used in a conversation about language. When the N word is used doesn't it refer to a specific race/ethnicity?
The word as slang has many different meanings but it's origins are as defined in a previous post.
I use the word to describe a certain "type" of person regardless of race but it is the word in it's slang form not true definition.
As an example, Pink posted "Ns calling them Ns". Not all what is referenced as Ns are considered Ns in the slang meaning.
A term I have heard here referencing a lighter persuasion of race whom are rather at the bottom of the socially accepted groups replace the N with a W and it is perfectly acceptable.
If the blacks wish to use the N word I say go ahead. I find it hilarious when they do.

[tripledragon]

My tuppence worth, for what it is worth. If I have the right 'N' word, then it appears perfectly fine for Snoop Doggy Dogg to refer to his friends as such, but not okay for you and me to use. (Not that I would)

It puts me in mind of my Aunty Brenda. She was from Birmingham, and her daughter's husband 'Our Brian', was, by his own admission, a 'P' word.

At Aunty Brenda's funeral last year, my Mother and I were just leaving, and needed someone to see us out of our parking space, (my driving is shocking by the way, you could refer to me as a 'woman driver' and I would not be offended, or require you to use a 'WD' abbreviation), but anyways, 'Our Brian' guided us out of our parking spot shouting.. "don't worry if you hit anything, we are all "'P' words" around here anyways".

In other words, it is not the people of African or Indian etc. origin that are offended by these terms, they happily use them as an almost endearing term for each other, it is the politically correct white man on a mission who has decided that these terms are derogatory.

I haven't a racist or sexist bone in my body, but I do detest the 'politically correct brigade' who seem intent on causing conflict where there is no need. I honestly always thought that the 'N' word referred to people from Nigeria, and the 'P' word to people whose origins are in Pakistan. For me it all went bananas when you couldn't refer to your childhood cuddle toy as a 'Gollyw*g' and a 'Manhole cover' had to be renamed a 'Personnel Access Whatever'.

I am Welsh, and am happy to be labelled a Taff or whatever, I am also a female working in a very male orientated environment. Racism and sexism to me are the domain of the 'politically correct' and without them kicking up a fuss, it would never occur to the 'non racist, non sexist, member of the human race in general', to redefine their vocabulary to suit.

Anne.

[burgyeb]

Well spoken Anne.

[suesjools]

IMHO it's all to do with context; if a friend jokingly calls me a b---- I'll call him one back or laugh it off, if it's a stranger, on the other hand, I'm likely to be rather upset/offended. It's pretty obvious when certain words are meant as a joke and when they're not, at least I think it is.

Best wishes for many sales to all,