in the context of the article maybe it wasn’t wrong, in that instance. if you can argue that someone’s idea of normal references, considering their environment and lack of exposure (education) to other environments is, as acceptable, then the magistrate’s probably right in his ruling.
><
there are communities in the US, where the n word is a perfectly acceptable word to call someone. if needed, they could argue the same stance but probably won’t ever need to as the n word is derogatory to their own race…
><
so a white guy who was brought up in a community/environment not ever learning that referring to a black person as a n----- is wrong should be persecuted for using it?
><
it IS hard to believe that in 2010 there are adults in australia who haven’t had a great deal of any racist tendencies chased out of them but he was obviously able to argue his point to tilt the balance of doubt - ahhh the law.
><
no doubt he’s lived a sheltered life and it sounds as though he’d have a tough time if he did step out of his own community and try to assimilate but i don’t think the magistrate has set a precedent here. the argument needs to be kept in context.
><
i’m not advocating the use of the n word at all. i don’t believe anyone should be persecuted for being born as they are - brown, black, white, etc…
><
i just think it’s another media beat up i.e. sensationalism!
I get Sef’s point Poppla, not challenging his right to voice his opinion at all. I’m challenging the fact that people may still feel it necessary to use that kind of language. I don’t understand it and I guess I don’t have to, perhaps just exercising my right to voice that I think it’s wrong.
Lao hu – I get where you’re coming from, but to me it’s not about the defendant it’s about the judge. While I don’t think the old man meant to offend, I just can’t think of one good reason for that judge to say it’s OK. He should be the last person to make those comments, particularly if it’s an issue of education. It’s people in his position that contribute to formign social norms.
like i said, i have never directed any racial comments towards anyone to make them feel like shit, im smart enough to know what to say around people without hurting them.
-
i just dont want the clueless idiots in our government or anyone out there telling me what i can say or cant say
-
im a very open person so if it ever did come out then i would be quick to correct myself
-
at the end of the day i dont care if people agree with me or not bc i wont be losing any sleep about it
“Honky” is a racial epithet used for white people. It was made popular by a man named George Jefferson in the 1970s. You see, he and his wife, Weezie, owned a dry-cleaning business, so they moved on up to the east side, to a deeeeluxe apartment in the sky. They finally got a piece of the pie. Convoluted story I’ll admit, but the point is this… that in the future, all black people will be FREE!
What about african Americans referring to each other as N....?
Racist? Offensive?
B-Love
I think they’ve earnt the right to throw the term around as they please but personally I don’t feel it does much to advance their people.
I call my friends bitches, dickheads and sometimes there’s a “how’s it goin’ c*nt!?” if appropriate. Doesn’t mean I actually think this of my friends. Same logic applies to racist terms, intent is everything.
However, I don’t feel that it’s as easy as that when it comes to terms/names like the one you mentioned simply because it’s just bad taste to begin with but insensitive considering history’s damage is still felt today and that applies to friendship circles too.
Some people don’t care, others do so I maintain that anyone with a brain and a bit of class would adjust to their audience accordingly.
At the end of the day, everyone CAN and most likely will say whatever they want but they should be prepared for the consequences and negative reactions. Can’t have your cake and eat it.
Maybe it is all in the intent of the word or how its used- but certainly if I feel someone is voicing with racial intent, then their ‘free speech’ should end abruptly.
