Comments on: Is “Negro” a Slur? http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/04/13/is-negro-a-slur/ by Hemant Mehta Sun, 27 May 2012 18:43:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: john belway http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/04/13/is-negro-a-slur/#comment-310256 john belway Sun, 17 May 2009 18:12:45 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/13/is-negro-a-slur/#comment-310256 I have utilized the term "negro" unwittingly. I thought it was permissible, while the other "n" word was intolerable. I am embarrassed and will never use it again. I am an european-american who really does not have alot of contact or interaction with african-americans. I'm sorry if my ignorance hurt anyone. Yet, I have heard african-americans refer to one another as "niggars" and this seems odd and very ugly. I would never call my fellow europeans,"DP's", so it's hard to understand. I have utilized the term “negro” unwittingly. I thought it was permissible, while the other “n” word was intolerable. I am embarrassed and will never use it again. I am an european-american who really does not have alot of contact or interaction with african-americans. I’m sorry if my ignorance hurt anyone. Yet, I have heard african-americans refer to one another as “niggars” and this seems odd and very ugly. I would never call my fellow europeans,”DP’s”, so it’s hard to understand.

]]> By: Jim http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/04/13/is-negro-a-slur/#comment-286258 Jim Fri, 20 Mar 2009 03:32:47 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/13/is-negro-a-slur/#comment-286258 KneeGrow is a ointment you put on small knees, which ironically is a problem for many European Americans KneeGrow is a ointment you put on small knees, which ironically is a problem for many European Americans

]]> By: Jason Foster http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/04/13/is-negro-a-slur/#comment-153369 Jason Foster Wed, 16 Apr 2008 17:20:46 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/13/is-negro-a-slur/#comment-153369 I don't think of negro as a slur. I'm a white American from Alabama. Furthermore, I talked to one of my black friends, also from Alabama, who is very active in his community. His opinion is that "black" is the correct term these days, "negro" isn't a slur, and "African American" is incorrect, although not a slur either. I don’t think of negro as a slur. I’m a white American from Alabama. Furthermore, I talked to one of my black friends, also from Alabama, who is very active in his community. His opinion is that “black” is the correct term these days, “negro” isn’t a slur, and “African American” is incorrect, although not a slur either.

]]> By: valhar2000 http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/04/13/is-negro-a-slur/#comment-153287 valhar2000 Wed, 16 Apr 2008 12:26:09 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/13/is-negro-a-slur/#comment-153287 So, Sherman used a bad word while making a good argument, while Davis used a bad word while making a brutally bad argument. They both apologize for the word, but in the case of Sherman, it's not enough, while in the case of Davis bigotry get's a free pass, and she's a good old dear. Very good, people, very good! I am glad to see that you all know what's important! Hell, I'm sure that when black slaves were whipped years ago they didn't mind that so much as being called "the N-word"; that really must have hurt their feelings, right, Estes? Yeah, Hemant, you are surrounding yourself with some bona-fide geniuses here! So, Sherman used a bad word while making a good argument, while Davis used a bad word while making a brutally bad argument. They both apologize for the word, but in the case of Sherman, it’s not enough, while in the case of Davis bigotry get’s a free pass, and she’s a good old dear.

Very good, people, very good! I am glad to see that you all know what’s important! Hell, I’m sure that when black slaves were whipped years ago they didn’t mind that so much as being called “the N-word”; that really must have hurt their feelings, right, Estes?

Yeah, Hemant, you are surrounding yourself with some bona-fide geniuses here!

]]> By: Cafeeine http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/04/13/is-negro-a-slur/#comment-152950 Cafeeine Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:32:31 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/13/is-negro-a-slur/#comment-152950 <blockquote>Here is the crux of the problem. There is a lot of tension about race, and it is difficult to discuss. <em>That is why it is imperative that we be as sensitive as possible.</em> And I think this statement is likely to come across to many people as saying, “You know what your problem is? You don’t let me call you negro.” (this is how I first read it) I can accept that this is just an expression of your own frustration at our troubles with race, but it isn’t going to be perceived that way by a lot of people. In my experience, there is a lot of suspicion about people of other races (from every group), and to earn someone’s trust, you have to demonstrate that you aren’t stereotyping them.<em> Using a word that’s even potentially offensive is a bad way to do this.</em></blockquote> (emphasis mine) It is imperative to be as sensitive as possible <em>without abandoning our critical faculties or assuming the opposite number has abandoned theirs</em>. Mindless censorship (even self-censorship) cannot promote a non-discriminatory environment in the long run.

Here is the crux of the problem. There is a lot of tension about race, and it is difficult to discuss. That is why it is imperative that we be as sensitive as possible. And I think this statement is likely to come across to many people as saying, “You know what your problem is? You don’t let me call you negro.” (this is how I first read it) I can accept that this is just an expression of your own frustration at our troubles with race, but it isn’t going to be perceived that way by a lot of people. In my experience, there is a lot of suspicion about people of other races (from every group), and to earn someone’s trust, you have to demonstrate that you aren’t stereotyping them. Using a word that’s even potentially offensive is a bad way to do this.

(emphasis mine)
It is imperative to be as sensitive as possible without abandoning our critical faculties or assuming the opposite number has abandoned theirs.

Mindless censorship (even self-censorship) cannot promote a non-discriminatory environment in the long run.

]]> By: Nicest Girl http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/04/13/is-negro-a-slur/#comment-152912 Nicest Girl Tue, 15 Apr 2008 14:28:26 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/13/is-negro-a-slur/#comment-152912 I am mixed (half black and half white) and I didn't know that "Negro" was a no-no, personally. I don't use the word ever but... when I hear "Negro" I think of the word "Negroid" which is similar to "Caucasoid" and "Mongoloid" (the three main 'races' of people). I guess I learned something new. I also.... barely ever hear the word used so.. I suppose that is why I didn't know it was against the rules. I am mixed (half black and half white) and I didn’t know that “Negro” was a no-no, personally. I don’t use the word ever but… when I hear “Negro” I think of the word “Negroid” which is similar to “Caucasoid” and “Mongoloid” (the three main ‘races’ of people). I guess I learned something new. I also…. barely ever hear the word used so.. I suppose that is why I didn’t know it was against the rules.

]]> By: Christian (My Name Only) http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/04/13/is-negro-a-slur/#comment-152876 Christian (My Name Only) Tue, 15 Apr 2008 12:53:47 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/13/is-negro-a-slur/#comment-152876 More about Mike Estes...While education takes no precedence over reason I find it hard to say he would know more than me on the issue. <blockquote>Mike has a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from San Diego State University, is an Air Force veteran, and is currently taking time off from his career as a Quality Assurance Software Engineer, in part to spend more time on issues related to freethought and church-state separation. </blockquote> Why you would quote his as a voice of knowledge on this matter I have no idea. More about Mike Estes…While education takes no precedence over reason I find it hard to say he would know more than me on the issue.

Mike has a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from San Diego State University, is an Air Force veteran, and is currently taking time off from his career as a Quality Assurance Software Engineer, in part to spend more time on issues related to freethought and church-state separation.

Why you would quote his as a voice of knowledge on this matter I have no idea.

]]> By: Christian (My Name Only) http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/04/13/is-negro-a-slur/#comment-152872 Christian (My Name Only) Tue, 15 Apr 2008 12:35:19 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/13/is-negro-a-slur/#comment-152872 Also, I think, Mike Estes was silly when he said: <blockquote>At the time those organizations were founded, those words were the cultural norm; the norm has since changed, but the organizational titles were maintained for purposes of continuity, and historical connection.</blockquote> If the UNCF can use Negro for the purpose of continuity and historical connection, why can't Rob Sherman? Also, I think, Mike Estes was silly when he said:

At the time those organizations were founded, those words were the cultural norm; the norm has since changed, but the organizational titles were maintained for purposes of continuity, and historical connection.

If the UNCF can use Negro for the purpose of continuity and historical connection, why can’t Rob Sherman?

]]> By: Christian (My Name Only) http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/04/13/is-negro-a-slur/#comment-152871 Christian (My Name Only) Tue, 15 Apr 2008 12:27:25 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/13/is-negro-a-slur/#comment-152871 All words, like all gods, are myths. All words, like all gods, are myths.

]]> By: Friendly Atheist » Rob Sherman: The Worst Person in the World http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/04/13/is-negro-a-slur/#comment-152748 Friendly Atheist » Rob Sherman: The Worst Person in the World Tue, 15 Apr 2008 05:18:46 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/13/is-negro-a-slur/#comment-152748 [...] It had to come to this. [...] [...] It had to come to this. [...]

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