Can We Still Speak Our Thoughts Openly?

[tamarin]

Words are interesting. Certainly, 'nigger' is not as taboo as you think. Many young people use it and not at all pejoratively - at least in its original sense. Just as slut and bitch are no longer pejoratives, so it is with the great N word. "She's my 'nigga'" or "'nigger'" is another example of the power of co-opting. The phrase is meant to affirm a special attachment between two people. I've even seen it on t-shirts this summer.
I don't really get it but it's happening.

 

[I think not]

When I was a little boy, my parents taught me that "Sticks and stones can break my bones, but names could never hurt me". Now why would they do that? Because it was important for me to realize that the belief in myself was more important, compared to what others thought about me.

Today, when I wish someone a Merry Christmas, I'm automatically a Christian fundamentalist, completely insensitive to someone elses religion. Why? Because I wished someone to be happy on a certain day? So something I believe in and am happy about, I can't spread around? I've had Muslims say God be with you. Who's God? Theirs or mine? I have NEVER been insulted by a Muslim telling me that. If he or she believes in it so strongly and wished me all the best in saying so, why should I get offended by it?

I can't call a black man "nigger", but the black men call each other "niggers" every day of the week. Why is it when I say it, I'm a racist pig and when black men say it, it automatically becomes a term of endearment? Did i ever enslave anybody? Last I checked I didn't.

To answer your direct question WC; Can We Still Speak Our Thoughts Openly? Yes, but anti-discrimination laws have run amok and soon we won't be able to say hello, without someone getting offended. Political correctness is slowly making its way into the law books. The only saving grace is the First Amendment, but I fear the resources to constantly fight the PC crowd are dwindling.

 

[hermanntrude]

RE: Can We Still Speak Ou

i think PCism IS silly, BUT it could be replaced with one guideline for everyone:

THINK about what you say, and try not to offend people unneccesarily

 

[Andem]

Apparantly blacks are free to use words like "Cracker" on us, but we're not allowed to use anything race-related on them. Screw PCness!

These so-called minority communities liberally use anti-white terms but for us to use similar words are expressly forbidden.

I don't subscribe to PCness or stupid rules unless it's a gang of them.. which isn't uncommon.

I have no problem calling a spade a spade. If I'm called a cracker, then I'm not going to sink to the typical inherit racist values of that particular community, but I would have no problem with someone who did.

 

[Curiosity]

Andem

There is no guarantee being politically correct in most situations is going to be reciprocal.

Once we put it out there - "consideration for others regarding a personal descriptive which may be offensive to some".... we often experience the fact that not all others practice the same consideration for ourselves.

Minorities have greatly benefited as we have realized being labelled or called derogatory names is insulting to many, but it has gone beyond that where we now hear epithets being called out against the majority in defiance for no reason whatsoever.

Whereas we are now victims of our "new societal laws" which seeks to keep some silent while a few ignore and challenge what is a mandate for all.

Either politically correct is a two way street or someone should take down the signs and let equality become reality in our own way - clumsy perhaps but at least honest.

We could also inject some humor too as I have had to do all my life with the litany of dumb blonde jokes. Smiling in return often deflates the cruelty of the moment if any was intended and gives power over the
taunt.

 

[jimmoyer]

Yep this is Blonde Saltine Cracker Cyber Land.

Smile all you homies.

The cool cats aren't even online.

 

[Kreskin]

Yesterday a guy I work with used the the term "in a coon's age" during our meeting. I haven't heard that one for years.

 

[Curiosity]

Hehehe JimMoyer his "early feisty" working overtime...

Being a dumb blonde has its advantages - when negotiating for high ticket items such as appliances or cars - not being able to add past fingers - unless equipped with an electronic gizmo.... thinking "colors" are "pretty" rather than how many years does the warranty cover........ya know those drudge things of life?

"Oh gee I don't know" becomes a mantra.

Know what makes me laugh? Why white people knock themselves into melanoma every summer trying to darken their skin ...

 

[Kreskin]

Does everyone still refer to negotiating a good deal as "jewing down" the sales clerk/rep?

 

[Curiosity]

Kreskin - lost me on that one....

I'm blonde so it's not expected that I know.

 

[Kreskin]

Kreskin - lost me on that one....

I'm blonde so it's not expected that I know.

Jewing down, that was "being cheap", referring to being cheap like the jewish. My parents used that term constantly although I don't think they ever understood what it meant. "I jewed him down" was referring to acting like a cheap son of a gun during deal making.

 

[Curiosity]

Ha Kreskin -teasing only

I was born and grew up in Winnipeg before moving to Vancouver - I heard many statements such as the one you pointed out and others even in my own parents' group of friends. There were many Jewish families as neighbors and friends in Winnipeg.

I think people in those days did not realize the hurts they delivered and for that reason having it brought out for us to understand is a good thing but having PC "legislated" and "forced" I think is way over the top. Most people are willing to curtail their words realizing they are hurtful (except on forums lol).

People will do what they believe is ok in their world.

My Black girlfriend often uses the "n" word about an uncle of hers who drinks too much ... even then she says is with a kind of affection which was missing before we realized PC was something we should think about.

So...I thought of something.... when I negotiate in my purchasing moments.... I can say I "blonded them down"???

 

[hermanntrude]

RE: Can We Still Speak Ou

tamarin what you say is true. But I think it's BECAUSE the term is considered offensive that it's used to confirm a bond. My friends can call me a twat or a �����¢unt or whatever they like because the bond is strong and I know they couldn't possibly mean it. The stronger they word it the stronger the bond must be. But I wouldn't be impressed if a stranger started coming out with that. So the word still has its offensiveness

 

[Kreskin]

I don't see alot of legislated PC, but then again I live in a small fishing village on Vancouver Island.

 

[Curiosity]

Kreskin

Lucky you - my sister lived in a fishing village because she married a commercial fisherman ... they moved finally to Victoria... but she loved it....shhhh don't tell anyone....the village will not remain small....

 

[Sassylassie]

LOL Kreskin do you have Cows in your fishing village. When I was house hunting we rented an apartment in a rather seedy area and it wasn't uncommon for black males to call each other the N word. I was called a White Bitch on several occasions, just for walking past a group of thugs with their pants down to their knees and their asses showing. Some of the youth today have vulgar and degradration down to a fine art, yet I couldn't get away with two of the words they use to describe me. PC gone amok.

 

[Kreskin]

Re: RE: Can We Still Speak Our Thoughts Openly?

LOL Kreskin do you have Cows in your fishing village. When I was house hunting we rented an apartment in a rather seedy area and it wasn't uncommon for black males to call each other the N word. I was called a White Bitch on several occasions, just for walking past a group of thugs with their pants down to their knees and their asses showing. Some of the youth today have vulgar and degradration down to a fine art, yet I couldn't get away with two of the words they use to describe me. PC gone amok.

I wouldn't base our standards on a group of thugs with their pants down to their knees.