Why is it OK for Blacks to call Whites Pinky, Honky etc, but not OK for Whites to call Blacks the 'N' word?

Question

And why is it OK for Black people (like some of my Pals) to call other Blacks the 'N' word ?

And why is the 'N' word considered to be SO bad?

***** is acceptable after all......

Good to see that most of you are Tolerant of others.
A plea for that is well made at www.artprojectworld.com.
Have a look.....
And when I said it was ok for Blacks to call Whites Honky etc. I really meant we didn't get angry and upset when they did, in the way that Blacks do when called the 'N' word......

Answer 1

Back in the times of slavery the whites called the blacks the "n" word and so it upsets them which is understandable.I still don't see why blacks can call other races mean racial names and get away with it,maybe in some twisted way it's payback for what happened to them along time ago even though that's not our fault,it's our ancestors' fault! All I can say is i'm not a racist and I just wish everyone would get along and see that no matter what color we are,we're all humans,all equal!

Answer 2

Why does anyone need to call anyone negative names? First of all, there is the history of what whites did to blacks and I feel still do to blacks. *I'm white.* One doesn't have to surf very far, say the yahoo news boards, to see the "n" words used or such vile remarks made. When Katrina happened, the remarks made about blacks was awful, shameful and embarrassing. Personally, I don't see how any parent could raise their child to behave this way. Blacks have been treated differently than whites, I am not going to go into all the reasons why nowadays but one only has to open their eyes what is going on in this country and you can see it. If fact, the poor and middle classes are starting to be treated this way also....everyone should stick together instead of fighting, name calling, falling for the chaos. We should all work together for peace and solutions to the problems in this country.

It is very simple, treat others how you would like to be treated. We have big problems in this country to solve. Stop the chaos in its tracks so the diversions and divisions cannot happen.

Answer 3

Who said it was OK? Not me. Racism is ignorance epitomized, no matter the source.

As to your second question, when a black person calls another black person the 'N' word, he is insulting himself as much as he is insulting his pal, so it can be taken in stride without offense. He is not placing himself 'above' his Black pal, but a white person calling a black person the 'N' word is putting himself above the black person.

As for your third question, the origin of the word 'N', as a variant of *****, was used derogatorily, ie in an insulting manner, by it's originators, and that demeaning connotation still stands today.

Now, I agree that word only has the power a person chooses to give it. A truly wise black man would not be offended by being called a 'N', but rather would smile and shake their head in disgust at the ignorance and rudeness of the person issuing the epithet. If black people ceased to be bothered by being called a 'N', the word would lose it's potency and no longer give the white racist any pleasure or satisfaction from using it, and eventually it would fall out of 'vogue'.

Answer 4

Because there is no historical / social stigma attached to 'Pinky, Honky etc.. '

Historically the 'N' word represents a painful time in history for the Black people in America. Coming from a fellow black person they are almost using the term 'tongue in cheek' - the same word coming from a white person just holds too much history and reality.

I don't necessarily buy into all the Political Correctness crap - but I completely understand the dichotomy there.

Answer 5

Somehow calling each other that word has become cool. A lot of rappers have started doing it I think for the shock value and their fans picked up on it. I really don't think it's OK. In my high school there was a lot of sensitivity about it. For the N' word a person would get in big trouble, however, there was once the word "cracker" written on the wall and there was nothing said. (In my area cracker is slang for a white person.) It's just not right but it's happening anyway.

The best thing I can relate it to is one time I was at a variety show and a guy was MC'ing and he was like I'm going to tell a blonde joke. There was some moans but he was like "It's ok, I'm blonde. It's like talking bad about your mom, no one's allowed but you." And he did get away with the joke, because he's blonde. I guess it's kind of the same thing here, they get away with it because they're black and they're saying it.

Answer 6

If Urkle called Hulk Hogan a Pinky Honky he would laugh. It is all situational. If one was to say a black joke. The bar set for the level of humor for it to be acceptable is extremely high. A comedian would have to be a veteran in the zone. Even then it is still dangerous. The reason for the is slavery is still fresh in people's minds. Especially black people.
Honky's aren't even sure why they are called that. It is hard to get insulted with things you have no psychological connection with.

Answer 7

Who said it was ok for blacks to call people whites Pinky? Any racial slur is bad, no matter what race you are. The "N" word used to be an insult to the blacks back when MLK was alive. Now they used the term as a friend...why, i have no idea.

Answer 8

The 'N' word is considered to be bad because, back in the day when the whites and blacks were considered not to be equal in any way, that's what they called black people.

In my opinion, double standards are not okay. I don't call them the 'N' and expect the same respect.

If they don't want it said, they should dish anything to the sort out.

Answer 9

after groups like the black panthers which glorify aggressive behavior to fight prejudices whites are less inclined to get into a verbal confrontation with a black man. they have established themself in this modern age as a group that will not be messed with. Also there are some pretty big black dudes out there i wouldnt mess with.

Answer 10

Personally, I don't think it's okay for blacks to call whites those names, just like it isn't okay for whites to use the "N" word. Racism exists in other races, and anyone who thinks otherwise is a racist themselves.