But we're aren't talking about my usage. I never use the word, except in the kind of context I gave at the top. It's mainly the usage of young black teens, like mine were. I don't think they're at all ignorant of how hurtful the word has been and is still. It's their rebellion against that state of affairs, and they are absolutely on…
But we're aren't talking about my usage. I never use the word, except in the kind of context I gave at the top. It's mainly the usage of young black teens, like mine were. I don't think they're at all ignorant of how hurtful the word has been and is still. It's their rebellion against that state of affairs, and they are absolutely on track, IMO. But it really doesn't matter what we think. We are, as always, supplanted by the incoming generations who will define their own world. That IS what is becoming of that word, whether we like it, understand it or not.
Well, to be fair, we're talking about your suggestion for how the word should be treated and your "refusal to be censored" in your usage of it:
"I say, beat the motherfucker to death. Use it to describe your pencil. The family dog. The weather. Get creative, like my child."
This is what I'm disagreeing with.
And the trend in usage of the word seems most definitely to be in the opposite direction to what you're suggesting here. In the 70s, 80s and even 90s, the n-word was used, uncensored, in primetime comedy TV shows. Reporters, including white reporters, could use it in context with no fear for their jobs. Teachers could teach Huckleberry Finn. Joe Biden used it in a Senate hearing. All of this is more or less unthinkable today.
I'm advocating for removing the taboo of the word. I think we agree there. But I still feel very strongly that that should be done sensitively. I feel like your framing misses that second part.
But we're aren't talking about my usage. I never use the word, except in the kind of context I gave at the top. It's mainly the usage of young black teens, like mine were. I don't think they're at all ignorant of how hurtful the word has been and is still. It's their rebellion against that state of affairs, and they are absolutely on track, IMO. But it really doesn't matter what we think. We are, as always, supplanted by the incoming generations who will define their own world. That IS what is becoming of that word, whether we like it, understand it or not.
"But we're aren't talking about my usage."
Well, to be fair, we're talking about your suggestion for how the word should be treated and your "refusal to be censored" in your usage of it:
"I say, beat the motherfucker to death. Use it to describe your pencil. The family dog. The weather. Get creative, like my child."
This is what I'm disagreeing with.
And the trend in usage of the word seems most definitely to be in the opposite direction to what you're suggesting here. In the 70s, 80s and even 90s, the n-word was used, uncensored, in primetime comedy TV shows. Reporters, including white reporters, could use it in context with no fear for their jobs. Teachers could teach Huckleberry Finn. Joe Biden used it in a Senate hearing. All of this is more or less unthinkable today.
I'm advocating for removing the taboo of the word. I think we agree there. But I still feel very strongly that that should be done sensitively. I feel like your framing misses that second part.