Maher

[jpx7]

Didn't see/hear the Maher comment. Anyone with a link?

This Sasse tweet seems reasonable to me:

"...The history of the n-word is an attack on universal human dignity. It’s therefore an attack on the American Creed. Don't use it.”

I hated hearing it growing up and still do. Glad I don't hear it as much. Can people say it? Sure. Should they? I don't think so. Hey, but that's just one old white guy's opinion.

I totally agree with this. I'm no fan of Maher—I've never found him funny, and I just don't really like his style—but I do think some of the speech-policing has gotten way out of hand, so I'm sympathetic to some extent. On the other hand, with a word like the n-bomb, maybe just, like, don't say it. In all but a few instances, it's probably not necessary to your point—even if your intention is not racist, even if your intention is explicitly anti-racist—so just consider whether it's really worth it.

 

[jpx7]

Really a shame that free speech is effectively being outlawed in this country.

Does anone actually support these tactics used today to silence people? When does it cross a line then?

As goldy alludes, you need to parse your terms a bit better.

I've made it clear many times that I find these mad rushes to mob condemnation to fall somewhere between inane and chilling, and I particularly don't like or approve of the extent to which universities have allowed student groups to dictate the size and scope of open discourse (with the recent case at Evergreen State an especially sad and irony-tinged example).

Having said that: free speech is by no means "effectively being outlawed in this country", and to say so is simply alarmist. Yes, there's been hypercorrection in the public discourse vis-à-vis what we as a culture deem "permissible", but there are always going to be repercussions to saying stupid ****. It's not illegal—and it never should be—to call your boss a fat, donkey-f–cking turd-licker, but you probably shouldn't be surprised when she fires you, and you damn better not think she infringed on your rights by doing so.

 

[Runnin]

Didn't see/hear the Maher comment. Anyone with a link?

This Sasse tweet seems reasonable to me:

"...The history of the n-word is an attack on universal human dignity. It’s therefore an attack on the American Creed. Don't use it.”

I hated hearing it growing up and still do. Glad I don't hear it as much. Can people say it? Sure. Should they? I don't think so. Hey, but that's just one old white guy's opinion.

He actually didn't say the word in the way most people thing, he said "I'm a house-ni**er". It was regrettable.

 

[BedellBrave]

The only white person I'm willing to cut some slack on this is the late Flannery O'Connor. That was an awesome short-story.

 

[Dalyn]

The only white person I'm willing to cut some slack on this is the late Flannery O'Connor. That was an awesome short-story.

She's one of my favorites.

 

[Dalyn]

Just got to see the episode where he deals with his mistake. He handled it about the best I've seen. Good for him.

 

[Dalyn]

The only white person I'm willing to cut some slack on this is the late Flannery O'Connor. That was an awesome short-story.

Twain

 

[goldfly]

[video=youtube;dF1NUposXVQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dF1NUposXVQ[/video]

 

[Runnin]

Just saw the original clip. Can see why sensitive African Americans would not like to hear the word, but the way Maher used it seemed appropriate to me. There really is no other word for that term. House slave?

edit - I'll try again. Americans who want to live in a free country need to develop thicker skin, even those who have been unfairly treated.

 

[Krgrecw]

Maybe a hip hop guy with over 20 years of homophobic slurs isn't the best to lecture someone for an insensitive joke.

 

[AerchAngel]

Just saw the original clip. Can see why sensitive African Americans would not like to hear the word, but the way Maher used it seemed appropriate to me. There really is no other word for that term. House slave?

edit - I'll try again. Americans who want to live in a free country need to develop thicker skin, even those who have been unfairly treated.

Dane, exhibit "A" on how Liberals can by hypocrites. If this was gays, transgenders or any other he would never utter this. This is why I don't trust white people, especially Democrats (thank you parents for telling me this when I was young). Smile in your face with a knife hiding behind their back. At least a Republican will f*ck you and do it in your face.

I wouldn't put it pass them to call me the N-word all day everyday, especially 57 because I am not a house n*gger to them that obeys their every command.

 

[mqt]

Just saw the original clip. Can see why sensitive African Americans would not like to hear the word, but the way Maher used it seemed appropriate to me. There really is no other word for that term. House slave?

If only there were some third option available where he says none of the above... Call me overly sensitive but I feel like if you're in a position where you need to choose between calling yourself the n word or a slave, you might have picked the wrong joke.

 

[Runnin]

If only there were some third option available where he says none of the above... Call me overly sensitive but I feel like if you're in a position where you need to choose between calling yourself the n word or a slave, you might have picked the wrong joke.

He didn't choose anything. It popped out of his mouth before he had time to think because it was exactly the word he wanted. I understand why a lot of people don't like it.

I think one can agree that it's not an appropriate word to use and still not think one who uses it should be attacked. And the context in this case is important. Maher was making a joke about himself and it really had NOTHING to do with black people.

 

[Runnin]

Dane, exhibit "A" on how Liberals can by hypocrites. If this was gays, transgenders or any other he would never utter this. This is why I don't trust white people, especially Democrats (thank you parents for telling me this when I was young). Smile in your face with a knife hiding behind their back. At least a Republican will f*ck you and do it in your face.

I wouldn't put it pass them to call me the N-word all day everyday, especially 57 because I am not a house n*gger to them that obeys their every command.

I probably am a hypocrite but not in this case. I haven't used the word since I was a kid growing up in Mississippi over 40 yrs ago when I heard others use it, thought it sounded disrespectful and made a point not to use it anymore. But also to request that others not use it either, which of course prompted some to call me a n-lover.

Maher called himself the N-word and was being self-deprecating in a light, humorous way. A lot of people didn't like it. I think he sincerely tried to apologize. Some people didn't think it was enough. I think some people are too sensitive.