Out of curiosity why are blacks allowed to say the "N" word but whites are not?

What about if you have a black Dad and a white Mom, is the son or daughter allowed to say it?

In November 2006 Jesse Jackson wanted to ban the "N" word. Yet, according to reports he used the N-word during a break in a TV interview where he criticized presidential candidate Barack Obama, Fox News confirmed Wednesday.

So I ask if Jesse Jackson is going back on his word then it must be ok to say that word, but how is it ok for?

Everyone's allowed to say it. Which country do you live in?

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That's a tad disengenuous don't you think? Maybe you won't get put in jail for using it, but just try using it around the office and see how long you keep your job.

It would actually depend on the circumstances, no?

The allowed part just bugged me.

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I think he means why can some people say it without getting punched in the face.

I kind of view is as the family thing... I can say anything I want about my family, but heaven help someone else who thinks they can do the same. I've never been quite sure why this issue is complicated.

I think a lot of it also has to do with intent behind the word.

That said, I don't think anyone should use it because I think it's demeaning.

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"Trust none of what you hear And less of what you see" Springsteen

When the Founding Fathers protected our right to free speech, I think that meant we were supposed to use it.

Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi was the world's most unhinged lunatic. He's now dead. So that moves Ann Coulter up to first place - David Letterman

O, when she is angry she is keen and shrewd; / She was a vixen when she went to school, / And though she be but little, she is fierce. — Shakespeare

51 days left http://www.backwardsbush.com/

I don't know either. My best guess is that people that ask this question are looking for blanket approval to use the word.

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I agree. I also think in a lot of cases (though perhaps not all), there's a racist undertone to the inquiry.

BTW, I added to my post in an edit.

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"Trust none of what you hear And less of what you see" Springsteen

When the Founding Fathers protected our right to free speech, I think that meant we were supposed to use it.

Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi was the world's most unhinged lunatic. He's now dead. So that moves Ann Coulter up to first place - David Letterman

O, when she is angry she is keen and shrewd; / She was a vixen when she went to school, / And though she be but little, she is fierce. — Shakespeare

51 days left http://www.backwardsbush.com/

I go back and forth on that. The more you use a word, the less power it has to demean. Which is more than likely why blacks started using it to begin with.

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I don't know about you, but I've been conditioned to never allow the word to pass through my lips under any circumstance. And strangely enough, I've made my peace with that.

I think language is powerful. And while I'd never say "prohibit people from using the word"; I think that it's ugliness that doesn't need to be perpetuated. And I think it effects the self-image of people who do it.

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"Trust none of what you hear And less of what you see" Springsteen

When the Founding Fathers protected our right to free speech, I think that meant we were supposed to use it.

Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi was the world's most unhinged lunatic. He's now dead. So that moves Ann Coulter up to first place - David Letterman

O, when she is angry she is keen and shrewd; / She was a vixen when she went to school, / And though she be but little, she is fierce. — Shakespeare

51 days left http://www.backwardsbush.com/

Evidentally you don't live in the same country I do....

I never say it myself, but there are circumstances at work where it is said freely. My son and his friends also say it freely to each other...he and his black friends. They really have come to view it differently than we do. That's not to say they'd say it around anyone other than their friends.

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I know, I know, I am a racist now.... But is it because I asked a question about the double standard in this country or because I am conservative...

Everytime a conservative even mentions some racially controversial they are a racist.... I was hoping this site was different...guess not.

Yep, I believe that as well...like I said, I go back and forth.

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I guess I just don't see someone who calls themselves a "nigga" thinking higly enough of themselves to achieve at a high level.

Not sure which is cause and effect... but I hear ya about going back and forth.

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"Trust none of what you hear And less of what you see" Springsteen

When the Founding Fathers protected our right to free speech, I think that meant we were supposed to use it.

Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi was the world's most unhinged lunatic. He's now dead. So that moves Ann Coulter up to first place - David Letterman

O, when she is angry she is keen and shrewd; / She was a vixen when she went to school, / And though she be but little, she is fierce. — Shakespeare

51 days left http://www.backwardsbush.com/