Quote:
NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York City symbolically banned use of the word nigger on Wednesday, the latest step in a campaign that hopes to expunge the most vile of racial slurs from hip hop music and television.
Read full article here
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Let me begin by saying that I don't want this to become a discussion on the word "nigger" itself but rather a discussion on the "banning" of it in NYC and some thoughts on the controversy surounding it.
As a New Yorker, I have heard about this on the news for quite some time. I think this is pretty ridiculous for many reasons. I think the word is used for a reason and people are entitled to choose whatever words they want. I think it is utterly pointless to try to condone certain words because in essence all words are just meaningless sounds. It is the intended meaning that really matters.
It is understandable that people are afraid of a racial slur being so commonly used in modern vernacular, however I think what they should really be afraid of is actual racism/discrimination and not the byproduct of it.
Living in NYC has given me the opportunity to make friends from all races and walks of life. I grew up with black friends who call eachother "nigga" casually. Are they offended by the word? Not unless it is used in a certain way. They obviously have come to terms with the word.
Furthermore, you can eradicate a word from the dictionary but will it really stop another word from taking its place?
Thoughts anyone?