Obama uses "N" word

[Sister 9,907]

Look at the word in context: 

Obama: "Racism...we are not cured of it. And it's not just a matter of it not being polite to say n***** in public. That's not a measure of whether racism exists or not. It's not just a matter of overt discrimination. Societies don't overnight completely erase everything that happened 200 to 300 years prior." 

I don't understand what's the deal. Obama is black and he didn't even use it as a noun. In this context I think everyone would have been able to say the word.

In that context yes, everyone should be able to utter The Word, but we are well beyond that argument in America these days. Now everyone says that only black people can say The Word. Obama knows he was stirring this old pot, he even giggled after he said it and summed up his idea. That is what I am saying, there cannot be two rules of thumb for this one Word AND Obama, our President and everyone else in politics just keeps stirring this pot and keeps us divided on the subject of race and relations. It is a joke, no one should say it no matter the context or everyone should be able to say it. It has to be all or nothing or we keep on this thin line and keep hurting each other and staying separated.

President Obama embarrasses me with this speech, he does not speak correctly for every American, he is just playing to the dumbed down sensationalists.

This thread is a product of it.

[DrewStevens 5,249]

 

 

In that context yes, everyone should be able to utter The Word, but we are well beyond that argument in America these days. Now everyone says that only black people can say The Word. Obama knows he was stirring this old pot, he even giggled after he said it and summed up his idea. That is what I am saying, there cannot be two rules of thumb for this one Word AND Obama, our President and everyone else in politics just keeps stirring this pot and keeps us divided on the subject of race and relations. It is a joke, no one should say it no matter the context or everyone should be able to say it. It has to be all or nothing or we keep on this thin line and keep hurting each other and staying separated.

President Obama embarrasses me with this speech, he does not speak correctly for every American, he is just playing to the dumbed down sensationalists.

This thread is a product of it.

Well I disagree with you. I don't believe that it should only be one way or another and I think there can be two or more rules about anything. I don't think saying the word is offensive, but I think using it as a noun to describe someone is offensive and mostly when you are not black. In my opinion anyone can say the word as long as you are not using it to describe anyone and you are aware (and make it clear) that it's offensive for some people.

No one can speak correctly for every American. That's impossible because everyone has different point of view.

[Whispering 18,865]

 

 

In that context yes, everyone should be able to utter The Word, but we are well beyond that argument in America these days. Now everyone says that only black people can say The Word. Obama knows he was stirring this old pot, he even giggled after he said it and summed up his idea. That is what I am saying, there cannot be two rules of thumb for this one Word AND Obama, our President and everyone else in politics just keeps stirring this pot and keeps us divided on the subject of race and relations. It is a joke, no one should say it no matter the context or everyone should be able to say it. It has to be all or nothing or we keep on this thin line and keep hurting each other and staying separated.

President Obama embarrasses me with this speech, he does not speak correctly for every American, he is just playing to the dumbed down sensationalists.

This thread is a product of it.

Obama could say the word because he is black, and he wasn't using it in a derogatory way towards any person or group of people anyways. 

There are two rules when it comes to using this word in the U.S. 

Obama wasn't speaking for every American, (no politician...even the President ever does that) nor was he speaking for every black person. (Because there is no single member of any race that speaks for everyone included in that group) He was sharing his feelings on the subject of racism in America, and if you listened to his entire interview, you would understand that he said we've come a long way...but we still have miles to go in this country. 

[Sister 9,907]

If everyone keeps believing that way, then things will stay this same terrible way and we will keep circling the drain.

Here is a great video and I hope that future kids will not still be having these same weekly, monthly setbacks in their humanity.

We are all human beings and should be kind to one another, we all have to live here as long as our days are granted. We can not have separate rules for each other because of race. That is racism.

[Red 99,119]

People paying attention at a word and not on his point  

[Sister 9,907]

Obama and everyone can keep with this divide and soon we won't represent anyone, we will all be divided by hate, just because of what we are born into. Different groups.

[DrewStevens 5,249]

We can not have separate rules for each other because of race. That is racism.

No, that's not racism. If you really believe that we are all equal then you need a reality check because we are clearly not equal when it comes to privilege and oppression. I hate to be that person who tells other people about privilege but majorities should understand that oppression is still alive.

[Whispering 18,865]

Obama and everyone can keep with this divide and soon we won't represent anyone, we will all be divided by hate, just because of what we are born into. Different groups.

Or we can look at the divide that exists in this country, and value the conversations that are happening in communities and in the media. Due to recent incidents and evidence of police brutality that have been brought to the general public's attention over the last year, there is an uprising of citizens from all races and backgrounds, who are sick of the divide that exists in the U.S. There is a divide...because it is actually there! It is up to all citizens to look at this reality and start conversations and take action to change attitudes and policies for the future. 

[uo111 5,282]

He is held up to a higher standard than most and I find it disappointing that he would use that word to express his views on the whole matter. I never use the word and would have no problem expressing my thoughts on the subject of race and slavery. I am also against the logic that black people can use the word but everyone else cannot. The word is a disgrace and I am disgusted at even hearing it. Won't this also become a footnote in the timeline of events during his Presidency? Kids doing future history reports will note this and carry on this racial nonsense about this word and who is allowed to use it and not. This word and the battle flag / Confederacy flag should be thrown into history and be used only for the understanding and learning of the American past. We just keep opening our past battle scars and do not see how it trips us up at every third step of togetherness.

It's generally agreed upon that the idea is to learn from history, not censor it...

[PaperIz 7,354]

Doesn't bother me, but I'm not black so I guess it wouldnt. We can't be scared of using a word as long as it's not in an offensive and degrading way. Like I said, I'm not black so I suppose it's not my place either way. I don't use the word and don't like it though.

[Luiz 4,253]