Double Standards?, what do you think Options

[katherinee]

Since my dad just took the control from me, i have to watch the news. haha Anyways, you all might have heard of DJ talk show host Don Imus saying that the Rutgers Girls basketball team are "Nappy Haired Hos".

So here's the issue: news casts like CNN, MSNBC are saying that what he said was wrong and out of line, but the certain words out there used by rappers is hypocrisy. Meaning, they say that society is influenced by the "hip-hop culture" to use the "N" word, Ho, and all other provacative language. Moreover, they also say that certain words that are accepted by African Americans creates double standards in society. Furthermore, words like Ho, also bring up an issue about the degrading of Women.

I think this is issue is deep, and i really want to hear what our generation has to say about it.
So what are your feelings about it?

[Simba]

Society is what determines those specific words as "bad" or "inappropriate." I say it's all about what essential message you're trying to convey using those words.

More on this later.

[katherinee]

i totally agree with you. but i think news casts truly cut too deep on this issue that it cannot heal/mend easily. I just think that yea its a double standard but could it also be an issue of how sensitive we all are?

[Simba]

I suppose this would cut into censorship, somewhat.

[kimmytree]

I feel like there HAS to be a double standard. I know when blacks call each other the n word, they arent using to mean the same thing it used to. But still, even if they are joking, at one time it was a horrible word. I dont understand why its okay to use.

If black people can call each other that, then why cant I call my East German grandmother a Nazi? Not that I ever would, but she'd probably shoot me for it. Just like the N word, Nazi is just as offending, if not more so, because people who lived through those times are still alive. If its not appropriate for a German to call another German that, then how is it right for a black to call another black something like that? I remember way back when I was like 13, my sister lied and told my dad that I joking called her a Nazi. I didnt, but my dad literally beat the crap out of me for it. He was born and raised in Germany, so it's very offensive to him. Even though I never actually said it, it's taught me that you can't use words like that.

So what I'm trying to say is, a black person calling another black person a N shouldnt be any different than a white person calling them that. And not just with that word, but with any other racial/offensive slur. NO ONE should do it.

[lostgrl16]

i kinda been havin the same thought, maybe a little differing though.

why is it ok that within that race, it's ok to say certain words but when someone outside of it call them that, its completely offensive? i completely understand the whole controversy with imus but if one African American said it to another, its perfectly fine! why is that??

just for the record, please correct me cause apparently it was pointed out that i was wrong, nappy is directed toward the african american population? at my hs it was so im sorry in advance -=/

[alysaphobia]

To put it in perspective, I guess one who is African American may feel more comfortable joking around with the 'n' word to another African American, because they are both of the same race- so it's unlikely that the word had been used in a racist context; whereas if someone else were to call an African American the word, it wouldn't be okay; because you'd probably assume that person was using it in a racist context. People who are of the same race may believe they could use such words in a joking manner, because they both know they don't MEAN it.

I myself, however, believe it's offensive to use words traditionally used in a derogatory fashion; even if the word is being used amongst people of the same race. For example, I am part Japanese and part American, and I'd never call someone Japanese a 'Jap'; I simply don't find it a jokey type of word to use, simply because 'Jap' was a derogatory term once used to insult Japanese people.

[Simba]

To put it in perspective, I guess one who is African American may feel more comfortable joking around with the 'n' word to another African American, because they are both of the same race- so it's unlikely that the word had been used in a racist context; whereas if someone else were to call an African American the word, it wouldn't be okay; because you'd probably assume that person was using it in a racist context. People who are of the same race may believe they could use such words in a joking manner, because they both know they don't MEAN it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVRwGCqLmsg

[Mystic Eyes]

No one should really use offensive words so lightly regardless if you have the same background because of the history and the context of how they were used.

There always will be double standards in society.

[Ington]

How about Jesse Jackson? He is such a great example its almost pure hypocrisy. While he slams Imus about his use of a racial slur, isn't he still the same racist Jackson everyone remembers? Jesse Jackson is racist against everyone other than blacks. He's also a raging anti-semite, and blames everything on Israel.

[alysaphobia]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVRwGCqLmsg

^ The video isn't loading for me...

[Simba]

^ Really? It still works for me...

[alysaphobia]

^Yeah for some reason only the first 20 seconds or so loads for me..
what was the video about?

[Simba]

Ah, oh well.

It was a video containing a reference to the Minstrel show.
Hm, try this video. I didn't like it as much, but it's conveying a similar message.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=1kc4EwD5hoA

[alysaphobia]

Oh I see...
in that case I'd really not find any use of offensive words appropriate, in music or among people of the same race, also because of the reasons Mystic Eyes had pointed out.

No one should really use offensive words so lightly regardless if you have the same background because of the history and the context of how they were used.

[Simba]

But words can have multiple meanings as well, which some people find more or less offensive than others - some meanings not being offensive at all. Several supposed "curse words" would fall into this.

[*kryogenix*]

Don Imus was misquoted. They took him out of context. He was describing firefighting equipment. Because of the riots of rutgers losing because they are losers.



You gotta admit, that's some nappy headed hose right there.

[katherinee]

^^ lol that's funny.

thanks guys for the opinions
and yeea i agree with everyone of you.

i feel that this issue brings up racism in a totally different view. Additionally, i think that negative words will always be negative words no matter what.