In my english class we're currently reading To Kill a Mockingbird. If you didn't know, it's a novel based in the south in... the 30's or something. And they use the "N word" a lot. I was wondering if it offends you when you read stuff like that. I guess it makes the characters seem more realistic, but still.

I'm not offended, really. The whole novel was based around a time and place where that was a common, everyday thing. As long as it's not directed to the reader, I don't think it's very serious.

I'm not African American or anything but if they used the word chink I wouldn't really mind much. If I start reading it, I guess I'll get used to it.

There's actually a book whose title IS the n-word which discusses the usage and history of the n-word.. it's an interesting book.

I'm not offended by the n-word in that context, because it's in keeping with the historical standpoint.

Well, I am not offended by it when I read To Kill a Mockingbird. There are many other books that mention the n-word as well, for example: Of Mice and Men and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

Well, yeah, they use that word in To Kill A Mockingbird, but it definitely carries a negative meaning. Atticus tells his kids not to say it.

Just because something's taboo to say, doesn't mean that we should censor ourselves in order to hide what's really being said.

I don't say it.
I hate it when other people say it.
That's it.

Yeah, I totally agree.

It's okay, because it's in keeping with the time period. Actually, our History teacher is allowing us to use the n-word (although I don't really plan to) in these plays we're doing in class. I'd feel awkward using it in front of people.