Are we really banning the "N-word"?

Question

just found out that rev jesse jackson is calling for a ban of the n-word.

don't get me wrong, i dont' use it and i fully understand the meaning.

but isn't it one's right to use whatever words in speech as protected by the 1st amendment of the constitution?

what would happen to album sales of the rap artists who use it frequently? it's their right under freedom of expression to use it. the same right is given to every citizen of the US.

if you want to use it, then use it. there should not be a ban on it. people should just use a little common sense when using it.

anyone agree?

Answer 1

Oh, I agree with you 100%! People should be allowed to use whatever foul, tasteless words they want. They should also have to face the consequences. I never use the n-word. I find its use disgusting, the way I do every racial epithet. If I want to insult someone, I think of better, more creative words to use than that.

Still...while the good reverend is thinking about it, why stop at banning the n-word? Why don't we ban other racially inflamatory words? I get tired of being called "cracker" and "honkey". (Not that those really offend me much and my black friends are being affectionate when they use them, but hey, when in Rome, do what the Romans do, right?) And after we've gotten rid of words that insult race, let's get rid of words that insult medical problems? Won't it be great to live in a country where no one can be called "fatso", "four-eyes", "zit-face", "pea-brain", "slim", or "stupid"? Why stop there? Let's get rid of every adjective. They really don't matter anyway and they just clog up the dictionary. Oh, heck! Why don't we just ban speech altogether and go back to grunting! Sure, we won't have conversations anymore, but at least no one will be offended.

Answer 2

I heard this story, too. It's so absurd that I hardly gave it a thought. I went through the responses and was a bit surprised nobody saw the obvious. Of course it won't happen! It's totally unconstitutional! You simply can't ban a word. The lawmakers know that. It was purely a political statement geared toward generating them attention. Rather then debating the use of the word, we should be debating whether or not the moronic "lawmakers" that came up with the idea in the first place should hold office. Do you really want somebody in office who wants to dictate what words you can use?

Answer 3

The implicit meaning of the "N" word is a person of African American decent who is lazy, doesn't do anything to help themselves or their race and uses others as a stepping stone for their own personal satisfaction.

Other races have derogatory names that aren't banned, but apparently arent used as much as "N" and therefore arent in the national spotlight. For instance, black comedians say cracker and honky regularly but arent really reprimanded for it. So if we consider banning "N", then it would only be correct to ban all racially charged words. Instead we just need to encourage the disuse of these words and hope future generations catch on.

Answer 4

How on earth do you ban a word? Will we have word-police? Will you get a ticket if you say it? I agree, it's a negative word, but there are so many hateful words - will they all be banned? Jesse Jackson should stop stirring up racial tension.

Answer 5

I think we should ban Jesse Jackson, what a bigot, and I will use whatever word I feel like using ban or no ban

Answer 6

I agree. I don't like the word any more than I like B***h, honkey, cracker, ho etc. But to ban one, you have to ban them all right? Impossible.

Feel free to contact your state representative about how rediculous this is.
Use this link to find YOUR reps federal or state. The info is toward the bottem on the right.
http://ndp-in.org/

Answer 7

the n-word is not going to just disappear because some political person wants it to go away. black ppl now at days use it frequently. i think this is bcuz we kno it was negative but we want it 2 b a positive thing. thats how i look at it. he can't control ppl's mouths either so he mineaswell quit while he's ahead.

Answer 8

Your absolutely right about us using our words freely as Americans...BUT the word ******* is just used in the wrong way by White people especially and black people. I also think that black people shouldn't use it..especially if we don't want white people using it. I personally prefer not to have that word on my tongue.

Answer 9

That term is arguably the single most offensive racist slur in the English language.The fact that Black people and other people of color sometimes uses that word in reference to themselves doesn't excuse it's present-day use by members of other ethnic groups.Those who persist in using it should remember their use of the word reflects directly upon them,the users.There are racial slurs for other ethnic groups too,so why not banned them all.

Answer 10

No. The word shouldn't be used by anyone. Its history really bad and there is no need for the word.