I read earlier about the 'N' word (referring to be who are Black), and about it being a 'Hateful' word.
I don't think it is a 'hateful' word. Like the man (Will Shakespeare) wrote, 'A rose by any other name....'
It's all subjective ....as some people refer to clothing as 'sexy.' Clothing cannot be sexy or sexual as it is simply inert material.
People are not 'hot' without someone having this as their perception of that person. This perception likely tells us more about the person seeing, and not necessarily about the object of their perception.
Cross Rock (a Black American), himself says the "Black folk don't like living next to 'N's' as they bring trouble with them (and so lower the real estate values of their properties)."
It's is the attitudes of people which are the probably the greatest problems we have ~ along with the ability to express themselves without the inability to not descend into simple-minded child-like 'name calling.'
2006-07-09 12:57:28 · 15 answers · asked by sashtou 7 in Social Science ➔ Sociology
I believe that words become hateful in the context within which they are used. Many people and cultures use slang between each other, but when someone from a different culture uses the very same word it becomes derogatory. One day, people will see the value in diversity. One day people will come to know that we are all more similar than we are different. We all share the same dreams, aspirations, and fears. One day...
2006-07-09 13:07:10 · answer #1 · answered by cptdrinian 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Since words are intended to convey ideas rather than simply meaning, they get tagged with emotion.
Consider the word 'gay'. Before the early 20th Century it meant solely "carefree", "happy", or "bright and showy". It appears that, beginning around the 1920's, it gradually acquired the usage of "homosexuality". I think that at first it was a somewhat clandestine usage - a kind of 'in' word amongst homosexuals, since there are some slightly ambiguous instances in the writings of Gertrude Stein and Noel Coward. Personally, I don't recall understanding the word to mean "homosexual" before about the late '60s. Now it is almost impossible to use the word in its original sense without being misunderstood or, at least, drawing a few sniggers.
"N i g g e r" used not to be a word with any bad connotations. Black people themselves used the word, I believe almost with pride, sometimes. It is only more recently that it has come to be regarded as highly derogatory.
I'm afraid that it impossible to divorce words from their emotional overtones, since one of the main purposes of language is to convey emotion. Nor is it possible to revive a word which is in the process of dying from overuse - "nice", "lovely", "terrible", "juggernaut", "awesome" are all words which are more or less moribund as regards their original meaning.
2006-07-09 13:21:07 · answer #2 · answered by Owlwings 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes I believe some words can be hateful,depending on what state of mind you are in when you say them!! For example: if you are hurt,mad,upset, or whatever the case may be. To most people the N word is bad,because it reminds them of a bad time in history,when people use to call other people that out of hate,so it would be logical that people would consider this a bad word!!!
2006-07-09 13:23:01 · answer #3 · answered by luvouhellen 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
same situation... I read To Kill The Mockingbird... did not know 'n' is a bad word. Said it, got corrected by my teacher, got stared at by my friends... I think my teacher actually considered me as racist after that.
Word can definitely be hateful, especiallyif that word is established as a bad word, or it is worked into a sentence as a negative element. Words help us express ourselves. And people do set trendy words, like you mentioned, sexy, hot, cool, filthy, ... It also depends on the culture. Like from where I come from, pig is cute. But in the US, call somebody 'pig' and they punch the heck out of you.
2006-07-09 13:08:42 · answer #4 · answered by Mercii 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not the word in and of itself which is hateful. Words do not have any value. It is the intent behind the word, from the person expressing it. It is the emotion behind the word.
However, certain words are simply associated with certain emotions and it is impossible to separate them.
2006-07-09 13:21:25 · answer #5 · answered by LindaLou 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately, most people prefer to be simple minded and child like. Look at the state of our world. We are not all going to grow up to be adults, but I like your' attitude!
2006-07-09 13:05:44 · answer #6 · answered by Rebecca C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
words can be hateful. Well I think it depends on what u mean by hateful. Or who says it. Like if my younger sister says "I hate you" I wouldnt care and if someone that i liked said the same thing I would feel hurt.
2006-07-09 13:01:53 · answer #7 · answered by angellingirl14200 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They can be as hateful as the person who said them wants them to be
2006-07-09 13:01:29 · answer #8 · answered by sudbury girl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
word cant be hateful it people who uses this word ...can be hateful..but it depend on the person in which sense did the person uses that word..the word can be use in positive and negative ways..depending how u use it...
2006-07-09 17:04:28 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
PLEEZE, do not be an apologist for a racist misfit. and please do not posture high-minded 'intellectual' drivel as a means to that end.
2006-07-09 13:07:35 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋