Duck07 Thread

[Tray Dub]

Warning: I'm going to use the N-word below repeatedly. If that's difficult for you, don't read this.

So, here's my unpopular opinion of the day: I think the criticisms of Matt Barnes are unfair. The word is in fact used all the time these days among young black people. It's a part of the culture, like it or not. He shouldn't get s*** on for using it in the same way millions of Americans do. If there's a problem, it's not with Matt Barnes, it's about that word.

So, as difficult as it is for us to do, I'm gonna consider the N-word. So two things about this: One, I think what's important to consider is the role of context. 'Nigga' used in the way it's used today does not mean the same thing as what 'nigger' used to mean. They're related but separate words. Furthermore, my usage of 'nigger' in this post is very different than that of a white person using it to refer to a black person, because I'm using it in an academic way so that I can discuss a cultural conflict. Context matters a lot with words in general and with these two words in particular. Two, how to deal with the racial double standard regarding 'nigga'. I don't think all double standards are created equally. Some are more reasonable than others. How reasonable is this one? Well, partially. There really are racial divisions in this society. This dates all the way back to our country's origins; whites and blacks began separated, and there has never been a event when that was totally overcome -- some great progress, but that goal just has never been reached. Black people tend to hang out with black people, white people tend to hang out with white people (though obviously there is a lot of crossover nowadays, which is progress). Because of that actually-existing racial division, and because the history of the two racial groups is essentially one of white oppression of black, black people wanting a word that only black people can use is not the most irrational thing. I can understand it, anyways.

With that said, however, it is a problem. Double standards, regardless of their justification, are divisive and breed resentment. Some white people are not gonna like being told that they can't do something that other people can just because of the color of their skin. So white people are unhappy, and rather than say "I want to use the N-word!" (great way to sound like an asshole) they say "if we shouldn't say it you shouldn't either." That's also pretty reasonable. So, black people have reclaimed an awful word and made it their own, and don't feel comfortable with white people using it. What to do? I really don't know. I don't like the idea of white people policing black culture. I also don't like that there is a double standard, not because I need to use the word but because it makes some young white kids resent black people when they hear 'nigga' in their favorite songs but can't say it themselves. The whole thing sucks and I don't know what to do other than remember that people on both sides have legitimate feelings and frustrations and remember that we're all in this together, that we're all Americans and we should try to understand each other rather than get pissy over things. That's my attitude about the N-word.

[Duck07]

Allowing one group of people to say a word but not another is akin to trying to justify segregated restaurants. Maybe its because I walked by the MLK mural in the EMU everyday in school that the words "content of their character" resonate with me. To me what is most disgusting about all of this talk about whether one group can use a pejorative or not (think about how dumb that sounds) is that it is catering to the lowest level and separating people rather than bringing them together.

[Tray Dub]

Allowing one group of people to say a word but not another is akin to trying to justify segregated restaurants. Maybe its because I walked by the MLK mural in the EMU everyday in school that the words "content of their character" resonate with me. To me what is most disgusting about all of this talk about whether one group can use a pejorative or not (think about how dumb that sounds) is that it is catering to the lowest level and separating people rather than bringing them together.

I see you're not a big fan of nuances...

It's also not just a pejorative. If you don't even understand that I don't see how you can have a sensible opinion on this. Nigga is not a pejorative. Nigger is. When black people use nigga they aren't insulting each other. And frankly, that's obvious.

But here's the main point: saying black people calling each other nigga and not wanting white people to do the same is equal to whites prohibiting blacks from participating in American society is moronic and offensive. I'm surprised at you, 07. I respect you and find your posts pretty astute. I didn't think you'd fall for the simplistic notion that all double standards are equally harmful and equally unjust. I'm not saying you're wrong -- I do get where you're coming from -- but I'm surprised you can't see the other side of this issue at all. (And that surprise does come out of respect for you, for whatever that's worth.)

Like I said, I don't like this double standard either, but I think it's considerably more nuanced than you and people on your side of this issue make it out to be.

[Duck07]

Allowing one group of people to say a word but not another is akin to trying to justify segregated restaurants. Maybe its because I walked by the MLK mural in the EMU everyday in school that the words "content of their character" resonate with me. To me what is most disgusting about all of this talk about whether one group can use a pejorative or not (think about how dumb that sounds) is that it is catering to the lowest level and separating people rather than bringing them together.

I see you're not a big fan of nuances...

It's also not just a pejorative. If you don't even understand that I don't see how you can have a sensible opinion on this. Nigga is not a pejorative. Nigger is. When black people use nigga they aren't insulting each other. And frankly, that's obvious.

I understand that for some they feel it is term of endearment. For this to be true it would seem then that when the former is used by anyone else, there shouldn't be any outrage right? An old white guy from Oklahoma should be able to say "That n'ga boy Mayweather sure can fight!" right? Are you qualified to speak for every black person that N'a isn't offensive? Of course you don't, but isn't that part of the problem too, that for some people who actually lived through the Jim Crow era feel disrespected by young people using its derivative? I've also seen black people claim that a white person has used the word against them when in fact it was outright lie, too. This is why I brought up MLK's quote, because I think it is poor character to use it. Now if others feel that continuing to use N'a because it helps them feel pride, I'd sure like to hear those reasons as they seem short-sighted to me.

But here's the main point: saying black people calling each other nigga and not wanting white people to do the same is equal to whites prohibiting blacks from participating in American society is moronic and offensive. I'm surprised at you, 07. I respect you and find your posts pretty astute. I didn't think you'd fall for the simplistic notion that all double standards are equally harmful and equally unjust. I'm not saying you're wrong -- I do get where you're coming from -- but I'm surprised you can't see the other side of this issue at all. (And that surprise does come out of respect for you, for whatever that's worth.)

Like I said, I don't like this double standard either, but I think it's considerably more nuanced than you and people on your side of this issue make it out to be.

I think everyone understands that the word is double-edged, and I think this is part of a much larger shift that needs to happen, is that people need to be more optimistic in our dealings with each other and less pessimistic. I've got to run and will expand on that later but I just don't see it as an optimistic word, if that makes any sense at all.

[Duck07]

So bad its good!

[Duck07]

[Duck07]

Since we don't see enough Bill Hicks on this forum...

[justducky0]

In culture there is a huge difference ...right or wrong between "nigga" and "nigger" . Im not saying either way if its right or wrong, thats just the way its evolved.

[Duck07]

[Duck07]

Jackson County Oregon voted to ban "genetically-engineered" plants. While it is only a county referendum, last year MonSATAN and others attempted to get a bill passed in Oregon that would have "banned the banning of GMO's."

https://www.co.jackson.or.us/page.asp?navid=4051

[UOducksTK1]

banning bans, sounds like inception.

[duck55]

Jackson County Oregon voted to ban "genetically-engineered" plants. While it is only a county referendum, last year MonSATAN and others attempted to get a bill passed in Oregon that would have "banned the banning of GMO's."

https://www.co.jackson.or.us/page.asp?navid=4051

The State powers that be did pass the bab-ban, Josephine County will challenge the State after passing their own ban contrary to State law.

[Duck07]

Jackson County Oregon voted to ban "genetically-engineered" plants. While it is only a county referendum, last year MonSATAN and others attempted to get a bill passed in Oregon that would have "banned the banning of GMO's."

https://www.co.jackson.or.us/page.asp?navid=4051

The State powers that be did pass the bab-ban, Josephine County will challenge the State after passing their own ban contrary to State law.

My understanding was that it was the state becoming the only seed regulator because iirc Josephine County is doing something similar and that Jackson is technically grand-fathered in.

Big Agra can argue that GMO foods have no discernible difference from natural foods and even if you buy that horse puckey, it still doesn't address the issue that the countries we export our food to do not want to buy GMO food.

[Quietduck]

Just to cause issues Every person who has eaten an ear of Corn has eaten a GMO food. The original corn was the size of a head of wheat and just as hard. You can say you don't like the way we currently modify our our food, but we have been genetic altering our food and animals for thousands of years.

Quietduck

[maxduck]

Just to cause issues Every person who has eaten an ear of Corn has eaten a GMO food. The original corn was the size of a head of wheat and just as hard. You can say you don't like the way we currently modify our our food, but we have been genetic altering our food and animals for thousands of years.

Quietduck

I think you are confusing hybridization with using biotechnology to artificially alter the genome of a plant.