Are racial slurs acceptable when Blacks insult whites?

Question

What about the ugly commentary from people like Whoopi Goldberg and so many others who make nasty comments about whites? Is this socially acceptable?

The first such nasty comment that I ever heard was Whoopi's comment in the movie Ghost where she said that Patrick Swayze's character (Sam Wheat) was cute--for a white boy.

Whoopi, how many white lovers have you had?

Answer 1

I'm guessing that you heard of that guy from Seinfeld and what he did to some black guys during his show at the laugh factory? Well watch the full clip on TMZ.com those black boys were throwing out just as many ant-white slurs as him its not right i mean the media is only covering one side ya he should not have done that but that does not give them the right to do it back and they need to own up to it.

Answer 2

I have absolutely nothing against humorous usage of racial slurs as long as it doesn't put down someone or a race. I don't see how the Ghost quote puts down the white race in a significant way. If you can demonstrate how white people will suffer becuase of it (even emotionally), do tell.
However, I am against racial slurs of any kind when they are damaging. I have been called a white ***** for no reason at all. To me, that is what fosters racism. When one side is racist the other will respond with their own racism as well. I'm sure most people will agree with me on this as well.
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JUST ADDED: on NPR the other day, a black professor was on and said this: he's michael richards, what do we get if a b list actor apologizes to us? does it mean he has seen the light in 2 days suddenly and is no longer racist? no! of course he's sorry (richards apologized on letterman) that he said it, it screwed up his reputation a little. the wise professor added, basically, what does it matter if he apologizes or not.....
--SO I CONCLUDE THIS:
to say racial slurs arent acceptable AT ALL to be spoken does two things that you cant argue:
it inhibits our freedom of speech (in some cases it may be more damaging and then it may be acceptable to censor)
and it does not change someone's racist attitudes, it only makes it more hidden and they will adopt a false character!
why not just attack racism directly, not the slurs!!!!

Answer 3

Of course it's acceptable, they're black! (Allow me to elaborate, since nine idiots out of ten will read that and immediately call me a racist).

There was all this to-do about Michael Richards calling someone a "n*gger," but that same guy called Richards a "cracker-*** white boy," and that's just fine. WHY? It seems like it should either be acceptable or not. And what's funny is that he said that after telling Richards that his racism was "uncalled for." That guy lost ALL rights to complain about someone using a slur against him at that point. It's just a textbook example of a double-standard. And you can't accuse a black person of being racist towards white people because you'll sound like a white supremest everyone will automatically call YOU racist. It's just the way things work. It sucks that in 2006, people can still use the color of their skin as an excuse for everything.

Answer 4

The truth of the matter is that racial terms are CULTURAL. When used in a mean and hurtful fashion, it is just plain wrong. However, there are terms on the street and in the public that are acceptable with the intent to joke or even "bond" with others.
I am white, and some people call me "n!gga" as a slang term that is acceptable in the area I live in. They also know I am an accepting person, and in a way, I have earned that trust from my peers of all races who joke around with me. I joke with them in certain ways too, but I would NOT call someone a derogatory racial name with the intent to hurt them.
I may be outspoken, but I keep it pretty real and do not hurt others in the process. Some people need to lighten up and take a joke, but INTENTION is what rules the force behind any joke or slang used in all situations.

Answer 5

No form of racism is acceptable but maybe you're being a bit over-sensitve. Oda Mae Brown's comment was funny and also reflects a starting point for the changes the character goes through by the end of the movie.

Answer 6

Unfortunately, this is because apparently (or so it feels like) it's our time around perhaps? I think that everyone is just simply saying "ok, it's the white guys turn". But don't worry! One of two things WILL happen....1. (hopefully) all that nonsense will stop where it really matters, and people will stop taking things so seriously, and we can jokingly feel free to use whatever language we like.......or 2) all of this is a big cycle, and some other race will get chosen as the one who "can't make comments", and then another race will get chosen, then another, then another.

Either way we're all gonna end up as one race anyways, so I just wish everyone would pull their thumbs out of their asses and we can finally be free to say whatever we want! =)

peace and love
rob

Answer 7

Racial slurs shouldn't be accepted in any form. It offends and hurts people no matter what race/ethnicity they are. Before making a racial slur, put yourself in that person's position. How would you feel? When someone makes a racist comment towards you, the best thing to do is express how it made you feel. If you feel offended by racist comments, it doesn't give you the right to be hateful in return.

Answer 8

You are using a movie as a reference however, if you are a yahoo answers user regularly you will find racial slurs and insults on a daily basis and the majority come from caucasians! If you look through history you will see the hate crimes are predominately from caucasians. I can pick 10 incidents from caucasians for every one that you can bring up from another race against caucasians. And yes Whoopi Goldberg only dates caucasian men. That's her choice.

Answer 9

It depends totally on the context, though I do think there is a double cultural standard in a lot of areas, not just surrounding racial slurs. That said, racism is to be frowned upon, regardless of the source.

Answer 10

racist slurs shouldn't be practiced by any ethnic group. we have enough problems in the world. it's naive to believe all ppl are going to get along, but as i taught my children, hate the deed, not the person. it can be as simple as that. they put up with a lot of racism, being native american in an all anglo small town school system. they did their best to educate rather than be hateful and bitter.