Overly PC to the point where it's almost NOT PC. Offended by black people using a word to essentially identify with each other? In any case, this is good news to shove in the face of my "indie" acquaintances who worship this dude.
Huh so a black person finds it offensive if a white person says the N word but it's ok if a black person calls another black fella the N word? I don't get it. Well, Jack White was rather Indie Alternative Blue Grass (seen Cold Mountain? Thats him on the banjo) to begin with. The Dead Weather project to me was a fail.
Yes, because it's a derogatory term for black people USED by white people, so it holds zero meaning when black people use it amongst themselves. Probably a bad explanation, but I actually have no idea why I'm explaining this in 2011.
Just saying that there were black slave owners too. I'm sure they used the same language as white people and I wonder if their slaves thought that that word didn't mean anything since they were the same color as their "owner." My point is that it's still offensive and saying one person can use it but the other cannot is discriminating.
Well, at least now you have a retort besides "HURR STOP TRYNA BE A STAFF MEMBUR" for when you can't think of anything else.
And how, in what way does that make it any bit appropriate for a black person to call themselves a "nigga" or a "nigger"? I have many black friends, and none of them are "niggas" nor do they refer to themselves as that among themselves. To be honest, I kinda don't appreciate you coming at me for a personal opinion. I am not politically correct (far from it). I just think the double standard for that word is ridiculous. And Casey/Dean, seriously give it a break.
Well I'm sorry. I still don't think it's a double standard though. I highly doubt that if a white rapper referred to themselves as a "cracker" you would feel offended (just putting it in a different perspective, not pointing out race differences). As far as I'm concerned, most of the world has moved on from overt racism, and with that the word "nigga" is an entirely different concept to its historically roots. By which I'm saying that the use of the word isn't a kind/promotion of self-hate, if that's what you're referring to by its appropriateness.
That should be able to be true if a white person says it too though. If we moved on from overt racism, it should not matter whose mouth it comes out of.
Not to confirm what you said in the beginning, but "cracker" is different because "cracker" and "nigga/nigger" are not even close to being in the same type of category. "Nigger" was used back in the 1860s during slavery, and during the 1950s when the United States was segregated. I absolutely would not be proud to use that if I was black, knowing it's roots and it's past. Where was cracker used, apart from being said in response by a black man to being called a "nigger"? It's history isn't even remotely near as offensive.
Look you can't throw a word like black people throw the word nigger/nigga and get mad when other people use it.Its so hypocratic, you can't use it as a term of endearment and but hate when other people use it. And anybody who uses it that way is ignorant (which is exactly what it means) so if use it, then you are it.
As far as I can see, the main arguments here are 1: Black people shouldn't be proud to use the word nigga, 2: White people should be able to say nigga. 1. In some ways the word can represent black strength in getting past the days of slavery, and it also probably reminds us of those times - and I don't think it's a good idea to forget the worst parts of history at all. In another argument I don't think it's really right for someone to decide what another should be proud of. 2. It's one word in an entire language, bad luck. It's a thread about an overrated guitarist and some clowns, I don't think anyone really cares. Also, am I really the ONLY person on this side of the argument? :/
For me it boils down to one thing: It's just a word. The only reason it has power is because people give it power. And the more people dance around the issue and say "N word" like a bunch of superstitious children, the less progress can actually be made. I can't speak for anywhere else, but it's nigh impossible to have a frank discussion on race in America because everyone is so bitter and resentful. And that goes for white and black people. No, I don't think white people should use the word much, if ever. It is important to be respectful, after all. But I do think in certain contexts, like this one, people should look past skin color and focus on the intent. There's a huge difference between some bigoted asshole calling a black person "nigger" and a white person reciting rap lyrics, for example. All that said, this is a very complex issue with a ton of history, and as a white person, I can't say I could ever truly empathize with black people on this matter. This might be a little too heavy for an ICP thread, huh?