"Proud white man"

[Ann Chovie]

First, just a polite reminder... referring to someone Black as "well-read" plays into a lot of nasty stereotypes and implies that being "well-read" isn't the norm for Black people, when you'd never point that out about a White person. I'm sure you meant well, just saying.

To address the question... I'd probably have just said "the book" myself.

No I did not mean any offence and realise that the way I phrased it came out completely wrong and sounding patronising to say the least!!!

Big groans here when I re -read it . A lesson in why not to attempt posts in bed and half asleep!!! Sorry

What I meant was... She had read widely on the history of black culture and as such would not be likely to use inappropriate or offensive terminology

 

[ledboots]

No I did not mean any offence and realise that the way I phrased it came out completely wrong and sounding patronising to say the least!!!

Big groans here when I re -read it . A lesson in why not to attempt posts in bed and half asleep!!! Sorry

What I meant was... She had read widely on the history of black culture and as such would not be likely to use inappropriate or offensive terminology

Well, she did use inappropriate, offensive terminology.

 

[Clueless Git]

The lady in question cited the title of a book she had read.

A Google search for the book, 'The Brain of A Nigger', produces no results though.

 

[Clueless Git]

Side note:

Chovie and myself both have children from mixed race relationships.

Her ex-hubbie being a Sikh and the mother of my kiddies being Fijian.

We are both used to talking about racism and racist issues from a totaly 'colour blind' perspective.

That may, sometimes, cause a little bit of confusion.

 

[Envy]

If you're white, don't use the n word. You could just say "the book you were discussing" or just say "N" instead of the slur if you really have to. I've gone 55 years living in an integrated society and have never felt the need to say it.

Why not? It's a reference to a piece of literature, not a expression of your own values.

 

[Ann Chovie]

Side note:

Chovie and myself both have children from mixed race relationships.

Her ex-hubbie being a Sikh and the mother of my kiddies being Fijian.

We are both used to talking about racism and racist issues from a totaly 'colour blind' perspective.

That may, sometimes, cause a little bit of confusion.

Very true..

Being in a mixed race family means that in any discussion around race or racism with my children, either family, and even friends the fact that I come from a 'colour blind'perspective is a given.

This makes debate more frank and honest but may to an outsider -without this knowledge- appear questionable.

 

[Ann Chovie]

Why not? It's a reference to a piece of literature, not a expression of your own values.

Which reminds me of a lady on my course at University..

We were studying Feminism and one of our set readings was 'The zipless F***' .

She was a shy lady of advanced years who found herself completely unable to utter the word aloud and would use every technique imaginable to avoid doing so.

Tutorials were peppered with various students attempts to make her do so..'which book again?' and 'what was it called did you say?'

She did take it in good spirit and laugh along bless her but she never did say it!!

 

[ledboots]

Why not? It's a reference to a piece of literature, not a expression of your own values.

Because it is a hurtful word for a group of people who still face discrimination in this day and age because of their skin color. Many black Americans, especially those in their 50's and older, wince at the thought of how the word was used to make them feel lesser and at risk of violence against them.

It is because I have family and friends of different races and sexual orientations that I don't use words like that n word. Just seeing it typed out like you did above makes me sad.

 

[Envy]

Because it is a hurtful word for a group of people who still face discrimination in this day and age because of their skin color. Many black Americans, especially those in their 50's and older, wince at the thought of how the word was used to make them feel lesser and at risk of violence against them.

It is because I have family and friends of different races and sexual orientations that I don't use words like that n word. Just seeing it typed out like you did above makes me sad.

Because of contexts. Especially in this situation where the woman was comfortable enough to use the word herself and bring it up in a private argument.

 

[ledboots]

Because of contexts. Especially in this situation where the woman was comfortable enough to use the word herself and bring it up in a private argument.

In my opinion, if a white person uses the n word, it's unacceptable. Period. There's too much ugly history, and plenty of other words to choose from. I know it's common for some young black people here to say it, as I've heard my kids' black friends call one another (and my white kids) that word as a greeting or exclamation, especially in their adolescent years. Plus in the music lyrics.

I also have seen black Grandmothers smack a kid on the head if he says it when she's around! Maybe it's generational: in my youth I have seen black people called that as an insult, and I've seen "Whites Only" signs on drinking fountains and restrooms. In Georgia USA, the ER in a small town had separate waiting rooms for blacks and whites, which I didn't grasp until an older woman whispered to me that I was in the wrong waiting room.

Certain words have hidden spikes in them, and to me the N word is one of them.

 

[beancounter]

In my opinion, if a white person uses the n word, it's unacceptable. Period. There's too much ugly history, and plenty of other words to choose from. I know it's common for some young black people here to say it, as I've heard my kids' black friends call one another (and my white kids) that word as a greeting or exclamation, especially in their adolescent years. Plus in the music lyrics.

I also have seen black Grandmothers smack a kid on the head if he says it when she's around! Maybe it's generational: in my youth I have seen black people called that as an insult, and I've seen "Whites Only" signs on drinking fountains and restrooms. In Georgia USA, the ER in a small town had separate waiting rooms for blacks and whites, which I didn't grasp until an older woman whispered to me that I was in the wrong waiting room.

Certain words have hidden spikes in them, and to me the N word is one of them.

 

[ledboots]

Beancounter, your avatar freaks me out a little bit. :hides: