Why is it OK for 50 cent to say "the N word", but not Michal Richards? Isn't THAT racist??

Question

I have yet to understand how this is not pure racism, that a black person is treated differently than a white person for saying the same words.

Answer 1

In my opinion Racism in general is one of the stupidest things to have still in existence to this day. A word is a word regardless of who says it and what color that persons skin is. People need to let go of the fact that there are different cultures and different skin colors in this world and just accept people as people. How often can you walk down the street or thru the mall without seeing anyone that is a different race then you are? This world is a melting pot of blacks, yellows, whites, browns, purples, blues, greens, etc etc. Whoop di doo your race was made to be slaves 200 years ago! We are sorry! We stopped it! Let it go! Stop crying about something that hasnt affected you personnaly. Just because your white doesnt mean anything either! You burn easier in the sun (inferior) your weaker (inferior) your slower (inferior) your stupid as hell for thinking that your better then someone else just because your skin is white (inferior). People need to let it go, move on with your lives and start treating everyone equal. It should be legal to beat someones *** if they use a racial slur REGARDLESS OF THEIR SKIN COLOR.

Answer 2

It's the meaning behind the word and the way it is said that matters. That word is seen as a sign of hatred when used by white people because of its negative use during the times of slavery when white "masters" would use it as a term to denote ownership of, and superiority over, black "slaves". Today, it is seen as a term of endearment when used between some black friends because it represents a type of comradery and solidarity (when using it in this way, black people will usually drop the "er" at the end and change it to an "a"). When said among black friends, the word loses its hateful connotation. It's just like two female friends calling each other b*tches in a friendly way. It's a sign of their closeness, their sisterhood. Now, if an unfamiliar guy or girl were to call another girl they didn't know, or that they were mad at, a b*tch, it would revert back to its negative meaning. When the word is spoken amongst friends and in a playful or endearing manner, it doesn't represent the same hateful message. Words that can be perceived as derogatory in nature towards a certain group of people should not be used to describe that certain group if you don't personally belong to that certain group because it will be perceived by that group as a sign of hatred and ignorance. People of that certain group can call each other by the term because it is understood to be non-threatening since you interact with and are a part of that group. It has a lot to do with our societal structure and our interpersonal communications. That's one of the main reasons why the english language is so difficult for non-native speakers to learn, cause it has so many nuances and exceptions.

Answer 3

The answre is simple
50 cent usses the word ***** in a sentence michael richards called the heckless ni%%ers

its like if i saw hey look at those crackers
when black people use it their nevr insulting each other
lets be honest when was the last time you saw a white person use the word ****** in a non rasict way
i mean comon even if most dont admitt it white people are rasict you people dont like anything that doesnt have everything in commen with you thats why you guys dont like jews

Answer 4

The N word was used to degrade blacks by whites for hundreds of years. That should explain it all in essence. Not to say that it is right for anyone to use that word yet when a white person uses it towards a black person it reaps a whole new different connotation. Slavery was not that long ago in US history, also Jim Crow laws were in the 1960's so my mother remembers when blacks could be arrested for sitting in the wrong seat because they were not white. So imagine yourself in those shoes and think how it feels. Besides not all blacks agree with 50 cents nor what he says, one African American man is not the representative of the whole race, open your eyes and view the whole picture, it is not as one sided as one lone white man. Besides he said more than just ****** he used it in a slavery context and had said back in his day they would tie a N up with a blanky blanky up his blanky blanky, that is inexcusable!

Answer 5

Yes indeed, it is! Just like the double standard in political correctness where it's always the fault of the man for anything that happens:
-like, if some woman comes up to you in a bar while you're having a good night and drags you away and decides to tell the world that this man is at fault for having sex with her, it's considerd his fault!! If he complains, it's because he's drinking too much or any number of other excuses!!
Furthermore, if it were the other way around, this could be considered taking advantage of a women because she was drunk!!!
What a pile of BS!!!

Answer 6

first of all when a black person uses the " N " word they say it with the A at the end
not the "er" not that this is an excuse but its reality. they call each other that, also blacks and puerto Ricans call each other the N word, as long as they know each other.
but thats not the case when a white person says it, its a hole different story!!

Answer 7

The word is wrong no matter who says it. I understand what you are saying. I guess it comes down to if you believe free speech should include racist language? Perhaps that should be the question here?

Answer 8

It is a weird thing. It seems to be okay if you keep these things in the family. I know of white guys that call each other red necks, Italians that call each other dagos etc. It doesnt make sense to me at all and apparently to you either.
Anyhow, I have never heard of an ethnic comedian doing this type of humiliation to white hecklers.

Answer 9

Because the "N" word was used negatively against black people during slavery by the white people. So since the black people who are the ones who are associated with the word they should be the only ones to use it, if anybody should.

Answer 10

The difference is the "a" and the "er" and also the fact that Michael used it out of hate and anger in an attempt to make people of another color feel inferior. Whereas, 50 cent calls his friends and love ones the n word as a term of endearment and would not be upset if another african american refer to him in that manner.