michael richards- Why is ok for a black person to use the "N" word. Politically correct is BS!!!?

Question

I want to know why its ok for black people to use the word and it is acceptable, but when white people use it is wrong...If the black people want to stop others from using it maybe they should think about using it themselves.....

Answer 1

I still wonder what people's fascination with this word is and attempting to justify its use because someone else uses it. Its alot like if somebody jumps off a bridge, are you going to follow?? Also, I grew up in NYC and their are alot of ethnic groups that use words to describe themselves that are exclusive to them, why no big question as to why Irish, Italians, or any other group call themselves micks, or guineas? Would you go up to a group of Italian gentleman and start dropping the "g" word, or go to an Irish bar and begin calling everyone the "m" word, I think not Why?? It has nothing to do with political correctness, it has to do with doing something foolish that could get you physically hurt. So, like I have heard a thousand times today you do have freedom of speech and if you want to call someone the "n" or any ethnic or racial slur, go right ahead, but chose your choice of location wisely.
One more thing about us calling ourselves African American why is their so much discussion about this, if this is what we chose to call ourselves, so be it. If you don't like it ---tough! Now go to Little Italy and ask why they fly Italian flags, or step up on St. Patty's day and pull down the Irish flags. Go to any big city and you will see flags from all over the world flying, so before you question what I chose to call myself go ask them why they arent flying American flags. Their is such a double standard applied in matters like this it really makes me wonder why people act like their is a raging race war going on in this country. No, last time I looked their wasn't just a bunch of racists hiding behind "I just want to know why...." questions. It truly makes me sick.


P.S. Karasi, rebel gurl and sufi are right on point with their answers all from different perspectives.

Answer 2

It's funny how caucasian people justify M.R.'s actions by saying, "Black people call each other the N word." Yes, some of us do. However, it is not used in the context in which M.R. and the other bigots use it. In the African American culture, the N word is used as a substitute for the word friend. However, there are times when African Americans use this word in the harmful way, keeping in mind that the N word, when used in the derogatory context, is used to describe an ignorant person.

Those of you who feel that the N word is just a word, or that we're over reacting, you need to get a grip. He said those words in order to hurt African Americans. He knew the history and the pain that's behind that word, however, he still used it...he used it to make himself (at least try to) look good while hurting us. He's wrong and what he did was unforgivable.

Answer 3

Honestly... You can't use Richards as a very good example to prove this point...

Richards is NOT a racist... He has a problem with rage and doesn't have feelings that back up the crap that he shot out of his mouth in a situation most other people probably would not have delt with any better than he did.

Just as the Black people are using this situation to jump on the slavery bandwagon, now white people are using it to jump on the N-word bandwagon. This was an unfortunate situation that all involved would like to forget ever happened im sure, not a soundboard to vent every other race related issue in the known universe!

It is an ignorant word... No one should use it PERIOD! Decent educated moral people all know that... anyone of any color that uses it lacks a socail conscience, either as a direct result of plain old ingnrance or in the case of Richards... using something equally as hurtful as what he felt those men were saying to him to hurt them in return. EVERYONE HAS DONE IT! Time to just move on and get over it!

Lets find something else to talk about okay... This is blown way out of context and it should have been over by now!

Answer 4

Well, does the BET [BLACK Entertainment Television] channel make them mad too? Africa is a CONTINENT. So if a Pharaoh from Egypt came here, we have to call him "African American"? Or would we call him Egyptian? The answer is Egyptian. From now on I will be called European American after the CONTINENT of Europe. If I am called white, I will raise hell, carry on, and make an @ss out of myself. You are correct: we are all just people. Some feel the need to ride the gravy train and complain about things that need and should be left alone.

Answer 5

It's all so pathetic. Who gives a rats @$$ if he called a n*ggar a n*ggar!?! I get called a fat ***** now and again too, you don't see me boo-hoo-ing over it. All people are entitled to say whatever they wish rather it's right or wrong. And believe it or not, there are worse things that a person could be besides a "racist" like a mass murderer or a child molester. People need to get over it!!!

I mean, what was the guy in the audience behaving like? And there you have it.

Answer 6

in regards to "richards" or krammer...THERE IS NO EXCUSE IN ANY BOOK FOR HIS ACTIONS......

No matter how pissed off and on the verge I am...I never go into racist, derogatory rants! I will go off about something I feel strongly about....Since I am not a racist and dont hate or feel that way towards any group it will never come out of my mouth!

He is a racist! Period! And so are a lot of other people...Thos e who smile and are "polite" to minority races on a daily b/c you are supposed to be "polite" in today's society...When really behind closed doors...they're pretty much all racists!

Answer 7

If you had ACTUALLY SEEN the clip you wouldn't have asked such a silly question.

Richards not only used the n-word but said some other things as well. I am not going to repeat them here. Go watch the clip for yourself and re-think this.

Answer 8

Its not politically correct BS, its just the way things are. Take a black friend and the two of you go out. Let him walk up to a white man and say "hey cracker" and see what happens.

THEN, you (I assume you're not black) go up to a black man and say "hey ****.er". You'll know why you can't.

Why can't I walk topless without someone trying to touch me??? Society baby, thats why.

Answer 9

the only thing blacks are doing is making it worse,if they can use it and whites cant,that is putting more distance and more race anxiety between the two,no one should use that word,if it offends so much,i agree everyone should stop using it,but blacks being the only ones able to use it are just alienating other races.its like claiming they have the right to use that word when they know well and good how degrading it is when used by someone else,while using it themselves,it does not make sense to me.

Answer 10

I don't like the word either, no matter who uses it! It goes along with a whole group of words that people just shouldn't use.......