Should it be ok for minorities to use slurs that were originally used against them?

Question

For example, would you have a problem with a black person using the "n" word? With a g*y person using the word "f*g"? Or with lesbians using the word "d**e"?

Answer 1

the n word is SOOO different from f*g or d**e... they're not even in the same playing field...

Answer 2

I guess so

but it might offend some people  

Answer 3

I don't really agree with it but I see why they do it.  Minorities are trying to take back words that insult them for their own empowerment.  I think it really doesn't have that effect though and backfires because everyone views them as degrading themselves.  I don't think it is ok because of what it does to their reputation but they can do what they want and in a society protected by free speech we don't have the right to stop them.

Answer 4

the n word is used all the time by black people because

It's not offensive that way it's like saying mate but only black people can say it but f*g and d**e are offensive if they are ever used as insults but I don't think they're ever used as a compliment

Answer 5

Yeah for sure.

Because obviously they aren't trying to offend anyone...

Look at like 50 cent and all those rappers who repeatedly say nigguh in their songs..

If its clearly not meant to be offensive then I think it's fine.

Answer 6

The answer is no. It is not right for them to use the word either, but, there is a reason they do keep such words alive. The words are antagonistic and incite anger and division. Blacks use the "n" word and complain when others do. This is called hypocrisy. Intelligent and well developed people who have some formal upbringing refuse to use the word or accept anyone who does.

Being Jewish, the members of my tribe don't go around calling each other "Kyke, Blood Sucker, Yid, and a host of other epitaphs used to refer to Jewish people. We do refer to each other as "Meeshpooka" which is "family".  You don't see it among the Asian community either. They don't go around calling themselves, Nips, chinks, and other epitaphs.

In the g*y community totally amoral g**s are often times referred to as "f*g" which is also an epitaph. It's seemingly contradictory for people who complain the most about being called names, turn about and use the names they claim are offensive. It's called hypocrisy. This is the excuse used by those who continue using these words to keep it going so they can play the victim. Changing their lives for the better and showing respect has not yet entered their minds it seems.

Dr. Martin Luther King stood against the use of such words in the world and even in the black community itself. They have forgotten his words and the sacrifice he made to rid the world of such foolishness. I have not forgotten him nor will I ever.

If you want respect, earn respect and show respect. If not, then keep alive your bigotry and foolishness and in so doing, blame no one but yourself.

I hope this has helped...

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Answer 7

Being g*y myself and having had the "q***r" word hurled at me, I understand how empowering it is to re-define such insults.  By using such words only as an insider, the power or the outsiders to hurt is totally defused and so in this sense, yes, it is OK for us minorities to turn such slurs into badges of self-identity.

Answer 8

Slurs are only offensive if they offend you. If blacks aren't offended by the word "ni---r" in casual black style conversation...then they arent offended by it. Why should they stop using it? Its not offending them. Its not the words people should stop using... its the OFFENSIVE CONTEXT people should think twice about. Its the CONTEXT of the words that offend. Not the words themselves.

I knew many urban blacks and hispanics bussed to my school growing up.

The word "ni---r" was common.

It is used in a non offensive casual context.

I noticed that even hispanic ghetto guys say things like "yo n-word! thats my boy yo" and its ok with blacks. But... if a white says "ni---r" there is going to be a problem because it will conjure images of a slave master saying "get to work ni---r".

A  white wigger born and raised in the ghetto and has lots of black friends and lots of black girlfriends... can probably get away with it too around his circle of black friends but not as well as hispanics can. Its the context of the slurs that offend. Not the slurs themselves.

If a white southern guy goes up to a black inner city gang member and says "you ni---r"... he's a gonner. The context isnt right.

Answer 9

Words have power, take the word for yourself and you take it's power.

Answer 10

A slur is a slur.

But we all need a little self expression now and again

Answer 11

In theory, it should be because it's all in good fun.

But it always spins out of control and people start using it offensively once again. And ultimately it is just keeping the slur "alive", so to speak.

So I think it should be avoided.

Answer 12

If I could be charged with a "hate" utterance, either vocal or written, for using any of those words, then my answer is no it is not okay for anyone to use the words.

Answer 13

ugh i dont see a problem if a g*y person says f*g.

ive been made fun of ever since i came out.

if i want to call someone a f*g, im gonna call someone a f*g.

lol

but thats the thing.

when kids say "thats so g*y" or "you're such a f*g"

they dont mean thats so homosexual and g*y people are bad

its just what they say.