Family Guy was right!!! : D

If you don't have anything nice to say then don't say anything at all =P

Really? That's how it is when white people use the word? The meaning/connotation/feeling/implication of every word depends on culture and SUB-culture. So I would not be surprised if what you say is true in Tennessee, and I would expect it to be true for people over 40 or 50 - but before you generalize about this word for 'white people', maybe you should visit your nearest well-integrated urban environment and spend some time with the 20-somethings at the clubs - clubs where whites, blacks, and everyone else hang out, relaxed, enjoy each other's company and show respect for each other, all while using the 'evil n-word'.

Of course, the deliberate variations in inflection are sometimes so great, some people insist its a different word.

I guess you wouldn't like my Uncle then.

That's interesting. I don't know any black people that like it when white people say that word - even when the white people are joking around.

"That's interesting. I don't know any black people that like it when white people say that word - even"


First of all, in the environments of which I speak the white people are NOT "joking around" - they are sincerely expressing their affection for other people, regardless of race.

I understand that you are speaking the truth about your experience, and I also see that you live in Missouri - have you lived in many different parts of the country?

"I would never ever use the F word to discuss gay men, I find it purely used to demean gay men and that infuriates me. Maybe I am too sensitive..."

I don't think you are 'too sensitive' at all, neither on the f-word nor the n-word. If you have several decades of experience seeing a word used a certain way, it is only -right- for you to feel how you feel!

I see your point.

No I have only lived in Tennessee for 3 years. Before that I never lived small towns really, so I know both, though at my age now I am not accustomed to hanging out with 20 somethings in a bar, so I admit that I might be missing what's going on in that setting today.

If in that setting people can use the word with out being insulting, fine, but I have never heard it said when it was not insulting, even when said in a matter of fact way. Maybe the this generation finds it appealing, and I am just old..

You say people can use it with out meaning anything by it, but would you use it in any situation?

I'm sure it varies with region, also. I didn't socialize in clubs, but one of my previous jobs required me to interact with club-goers. In some places, almost all the 20-something girls refer to their friends as 'their *****es'! Also, I asked several of them their opinions on words referencing mammary glands, and their opinions were exactly the -opposite- of my generation. Craziness.



I'm really keen on emphasizing this point, so please forgive my nit-picking, but I wouldn't say "without meaning anything by it", they DO mean something by it, but its entirely positive.



No, but I'm not in my twenties, so my feelings on words is not the same as theirs. I hope all those young people have the sense to use greater caution if they, say, visit the South.

Also, just because everyone they know uses a word in a certain relaxed, positive manner (appropriately inflected), doesn't mean someone at the next table over, from a different generation or a different part of the country, feels the same way, so they could offend people without meaning too.

Thanks, that was interesting. But kinda sad in a way that we are so seperated by geography, by attitudes, age, gender, etc. I don't think we nessessarily need to all think the same way, but it sure would be nice if people understood eachother better, not sure how that can happen in an increasingly more uptight world.

Thank you again, I appreciate the frankness.

not all straight folk use that language

ok...like it or not....people are entitled to their opinion...this is a debate forum

i have heard MANY black people use that word....i still won't though...but if it is disrespectful.then no one should use it

my dad calls em "twinkies"

cause they are way too sweet and full of white creamy filling

I'm a Democrat who doesn't like Condi straight or gay. It's irrelevant. I also grew up in very integrated area where the "n-word" was used frequently. Sometimes derogatory and sometimes not. You knew what was what when it was said. So it all depends on the context, who said it and who they said it to.

WHO CARES????? SERIOUSLY PEOPLE

ummmm Rose?

you're yellin again

ya think???? sorry but this is stupid...WHO CARES

Yea, Rose, why you yellin at us?