Should it offend a black person if a white person called another white person the "N" word?
103062
Offense takes place when someone FEELS offended. Whether someone "should" be offended is impossible to know. And deciding from a third-person perspective that someone else SHOULDN'T be offended is an exercise in futility.\n\nThat being said, from history and experience, it seems to be the case that the 'n-word' offends a great many people for a variety of different reasons. And reactions to it vary even for a single individual depending on context. If someone were to call me the n-word to my face, I'd probably giggle, since I'm a middle-aged white geezer. If the same person were to use the n-word in anger to an African-American friend, I'd be offended. If Eddie Murphy riffs on the n-word, I laugh. If a white person were to refer to Murphy with the n-word, I'd be offended. \n\nThe weird thing here is that my offense isn't confined to what affects me personally. We can take offense - and probably SHOULD - when we, precisely, are not the focus of racism, sexism, or prejudice. Being offended in that situation has to do with exercising the empathy and compassion that are absolutely essential to getting along in a difficult world.
1114950
Yes, You are racist. And who cares about the word??? If they want to use it , let them. It is derogatory for a white person to use it...And ,in my mind, It's derogatory for a black person to use it too. but, like I said...If they do...Who fucking cares? People say a lot of things I don't like...I don't lose any sleep over it.
951908
White people are the only people banned from using it. White peoople are TRYING to offend someone by saying it, while hispanics and blacks are using it as a term of endearment for lack of a better word!
1064247
Absolutely not...I can tell you that I have never said a cross or mean thing about a white person, as a matter of fact a majority of my friends are white. It's funny, some people in society assume that whites should hang with whites and blacks with blacks, but in my eyes I don't believe that should make a difference, and no I don't resent or hate white people, nor have I ever and I hope I never will, but that goes with almost anybody in life. You shouldn't assume that everybody that's black is racist or mean to white people or vice versa (sometimes black people can get on my nerve but hey, that's life)...my point is you shouldn't judge a whole race by some ignorant people's actions. There are some intelligent, sweet, kind, and loving black people out there and I hope you get a chance to meet and talk to somebody like me...
222244
Well, usually it depends how you use it in a sentence.  I comeplete agree that you could easily get offended if someone calls you a jew, putting the emphasis on the word "jew".  People make it sount like an insult don't they?  But it probably wasn't their fault;  they couldn't have known that it would hurt you.  You just have to give people a second chance, though give them a warning.
1184547
Tell that to most black people who called each other the "n" word as a term of endearment.  But yet if any one outside our race uses that word, "look out".
1000049
I hate the way the word is misused as well.  Seems people think it's acceptable to be insulting to people with developmental disabilities...but using the word in the way that you mention is no less offensive that using the "N" word or other racial slurs.\n\nAnd a NEWSFLASH for Elronhubbabubba.  You're reply is simply moronic and hateful.  My son has a clinical diagnosis of "mental retardation" as he has Down Syndrome and he is most definitely NOT stupid.  Assuming (and it's a stretch) that YOU have at least an average IQ, I would say that based on your reply, you are the stupid one.
868584
You do know that when you say "I'm not a racist, I have black friends" it makes people a tad suspicious.\n\nAnymoo, as an African American I must say...\n\nBoth are offensive and idiotic. I wish all those words would not be used anymore. News flash, it isn't cool.
738163
unless you are close to someone I would think it would be offensive,no matter what color they are.
135888
They have gone through the same struggle for racial equality  and are making fun of a degrading word. Others that have not experienced the same history of racism, discrimination,and degradation have no right to use that word.\n Especially from people that was doing most of the degradation  in the first place.
755814
I've seen whites call each other the c-word, but I don't call white people that word. That's up to them. Yep, whites reserve the right to use that word and all though by definition it cannot be used derogatorily towards a white person, I will continue NOT to use it towards white people. It's just out of respect and common decency to just let it be.\n\nI wish white people will look at the n-word in the same light as I do, because if we start nitpicking we're going to start getting into freedom of speech issues. \n\nBlacks and other subcultures of the United States (i.e., Italians, Latinos, Irish, Polish) also reserve the right to use their respective racial epithets within their respective groups. \n\nNow if everyone agrees to accept this and not use racial epithets against other groups of people we will all be able to move on with our lives peaceably.\n\nI have a sub-question and I hope you can answer it:\nWhy are whites offended by blacks using the n-word amongst themselves? \n(A) Is it a "I don't want to hear it used in public"-thing? \nOr\n(B) Is it a "I feel that if they can use it amongst each other, I should be able to use it towards them, too"-thing?\n\nIf it's B, tough noogies, no one black person in their right mind is going to co-sign that BS.\n\nGood day!
849573
Absolutely!  Anytime someone refers to another based on physical appearance due to features inherent to a persons race, color or greed, it is racist.  The only feature that should be taken into consideration is whether his fastball is blinding and whether his curve ball drops off the table!!
520414
I don't think it necessarily is, however, I do think that the word used above (starts with N) should not be used by anyone.  Black or white, it is still a racial term.  Sy what you will, the simple fact that it's groundings are where they, says it is not a word that should be used anywhere, by anyone.
949667
I think it's because the "n" word has historically been such an oppressive, negatively-charged word... it was used in a very derogatory way back when slavery and segregation were a normal part of life.  For white people to use the word in modern times is like giving a nod of approval to the way black people were treated back then.  Black people using racial slurs to refer to white people is still a bit unpleasant, but it doesn't have quite that same historical undertone to it.
1181306
DUDE ARE YOU SERIOUS?  if you are white you shouldnt be calling anyone nigga. anyway a nigga is a word some african americans use to refer to their friends
441320
black ppl sayin "n" is like white ppl saying dude.. it doesnt work when theyre switched
803062
It depends. If a person is offended because of a what the person says in a different group or situation then someone should step in and voice with reason and not with anger.\n\nShalom