Are All Racial Slurs Created Equal?

31. What everyone fails to mention is the actual meaning of the word "n*gger", it means ignorant. And believe me, I've seen/met a lot of white/black/hispanic/asian n*ggers. Unfortunately no one really uses it as it is supposed to be used and the meaning is lost. It was a bad practice years ago to call African-Americans n*ggers, and unfortunately it stuck. Now, of course, it has become taboo for someone of any other race to call a black man a n*gger, but they do use it amongst themselves and feel it's okay. I think they should just get over it, these are things that happened before many of them were even born, the Black community of today does not suffer the same oppression that they did 40 years ago, and those that still do have done it to themselves. There is so much in-fighting and they blame everyone else. It's time they stood up for themselves and forge a new path for themselves, instead of laying the blame on everyone else for their misfortunes. Same goes for a lot of Hispanics as well. I, myself, am Hispanic, and my father's family was a mix of Spanish and African slaves, but I don't blame anyone else for the bad stuff that has happened to either myself or my family. You just need to adapt and overcome whatever obstacles there are, and you will succeed. There is no reason to hold on to a hatred or pain that you yourself did not experience. Anyway, that's my 2 cents.

Posted at 1:09PM on Dec 7th 2006 by Does it matter?

32. I agree it depends on the spirit with which it's used. Many blacks have taken back the word "n*gger" and use it amongst themselves, just as gays have co-opted "queer" for their own use.

In discussing the word here I do not refer to it as the "n-word" because to do so gives it too much power - reminds me of how characters in the Harry Potter books are afraid to say Lord Voldemort.

It's a slippery slope when we all become SO P.C. that freedom of speech is challenged.

Posted at 1:10PM on Dec 7th 2006 by JCW

33. I'm so surpised at the supposed LATIN people posting on this site and making the statements they have been making. Well I guess it's okay for people to call latin people all these names that I personally hear on an almost daily basis, especially the ones who don't speak any english but live in this country receiving welfare checks from the government... I get into arguments with people all the time regarding this type of sh*t... A lot of people races make fun of themselves in a comedic sort of way. Do you mean to tell me that it's okay to do so in a mean and hurtful way too?

If white people don't like being called CRACKER or whatever racist comment that's used when someone is being bigoted, I feel they have a right to do what needs to be done for these words not to be used. I have heard someone say negative words such as WHITE/BLACK/MEXICAN/CHINESE BEYOTCH SKANK- HOE (pick & choose race based on who was being targeted )these words are insulting not racist... There is a difference. Being called, white, black, mexican, latin, asian, chinese etc describes your race, using a racial slur is different.

Posted at 1:11PM on Dec 7th 2006 by Me

34. If Black, Hispanic, Oriental, whatever type of comedian can use "cracker", "whitey",
etc etc...to make fun of caucsians. Then caucasians should be able to use the same types of slang for other races. A level playing field for caucasian comedians doesn't seem to exist though. What Richards did was in anger, he wasn't trying to be funny, that's the difference.

Posted at 1:18PM on Dec 7th 2006 by kb

35. Way to say it #24 Does it Matter!!! Each one of us is responsible for our own success or failures. Alot of people (White, Black, Hispanic, Asian) have
overcome extreme hurdles and challenges to be successful as individuals. In reality, I find it empowering to know I can determine my success not someone else. I am free to just go for it here in the US because of the freedom we enjoy. Live life and love it people. You can be whatever you want if you put the effort into it! Racist comments are not. They are just words. They CANNOT hold you back! Only YOU can hold yourself back!

Posted at 1:17PM on Dec 7th 2006 by carrie

36. Now its monkey see monkey do he said it now everyone should have the right too! black people are not senstive just fed its seems like caucasion people have to have the right to everything! Its like we brought you over on a boat so we should be able to do whatever you do. Its childish. I have the right to say honkey but I wouldnt even want to call someone that. You want to be so different and have nothing in common with us yet you complain when we inforce it. make up your mind. You complain we ge a month and a tv channels to celebrate us whats raciast about that you get 315 days about 200 different channels text books, and classes to celebrate who you are. The month and channel we have are to celebrate our accomplishments not divde us you idiots maby you guys should take a history class

Posted at 1:22PM on Dec 7th 2006 by Ithoughtthiswasamericapeople

37. How about if they just start fining the comedians who AREN'T funny?? They'd really start to pad the bank account then.

Posted at 2:04PM on Dec 7th 2006 by Chazz

38. I guess people don't see the differenc in using a possible racial tinged joke during a comedic routine or acting, as opposed to hurling racial tinged insults at someone, no matter what the race of the person is....

Michael Richards did not use the word n*gger in a comedic routine...PERIOD.

I am find it ludicrous that someone commented that "blacks' are so sensitive when being targeted by bigots.... Wouldn't you be? Maybe not because you'd be making the racial attacks.

Posted at 1:27PM on Dec 7th 2006 by Me

39. #30- That was very well written????????

Posted at 1:29PM on Dec 7th 2006 by Me

40. #30- That was very well written????????

Posted at 1:30PM on Dec 7th 2006 by Me

41. I agree that racial slurs CAN be offensive, even in stand-up routines, but a ban on them? Isn't that just plain un-Constitutional?

Posted at 1:32PM on Dec 7th 2006 by look in the mirror

42. TMZ, would you stop already? you are only creating more division with these polls of yours.

There is a difference if a comidian is attacking the audiance or using it as part of his gig!!! Don't act like you dont know the difference, tmz!!!! Shame on you!!

This site sucks!

Posted at 1:56PM on Dec 7th 2006 by whogivesarats?

43. Uh, where is the "fine" money going? Into the Laugh Factory's bank
account or to an appropriate organization that promotes equality
among all?I don't like the use of certain words, esp. the "N" word,
but words and comments WITHOUT certain words, can vary so completely
depending on who is saying them and what is meant by them.

I would rather see comedians figure out on their own what is right. If you create
a list of "banned words," there will always be another word
that someone wants on the list. It will never end. The list will be long and the lines on Sunset Blvd. will be very short! As I said above, you can be
hurtful and not use any "restricted" words. It's up to the personal
responsibility of each comedian. If a problem with any particular
individual persists, it should be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
Once you start censoring, forget it!

Posted at 1:42PM on Dec 7th 2006 by Lizzy

44. Why is it that once Michael Richards went off everyone seemed to forgive Mel Gibson's remarks? It's like people seem to be OK with anti-semetism, but not with other degrading slurs, in this case, racial. A DEGRADING SLUR IS A WRONG, whether it's racial or anti-semetic. What is wrong with our society that we are so quick to forgive an anti-semetic remark?

Posted at 1:46PM on Dec 7th 2006 by MN

45. Some of you guys are so funny.

Firstly, this was blown waaayyyy out of proportion. As a hired entertainer for the club, the men have the right to take it up with the club as Richards acted as an agent. If damages are pursued, then the club can sue Richards. Secondly, hypocrisy abounds. I'm 1/2 Latin 1/2 Scottish, but was labeled American because...my grandfather, like EVERY PERSON who ever came to this country came here to be American. I'm not Latin American, I'm not Scottish American, I am simply American. No matter what I get labeled or what I get called, nothing will change who I am inside. I don't give power to something so stupid. And sorry, considering I am more of minor mix here, I don't consider myself a minority as I don't consider my best friend who is Vietnamese a minority, nor my boss who has black skin a minority. I don't think they need special rights and trust me, some stupid comedien isn't going to affect them. They are two of the smartest people I know, not because of their race, but for their BRAIN and DRIVE and HEART and SOUL. Everyone has this, REGARDLESS of race.

There are so many more, real racial issues out there and this is news? From scholarships offered for only certain races (there are white ones too folks), churches not allowing people because of the color of their skin, educational requirements being lowered for races like those races have an inferior brain (patronizing and condescending), the goal of Planned Parenthood...you name it. The best is someone who is black, who is successful, who speaks clear English...gets called things like Oreo. What does that mean, that because they don't speak ebonics or act like criminal gansta rappers, they aren't black? It's just a fricken skin color or nationality. This crap has to stop. Judge people for the inside and how they act. In this case, Richards acted like an ass, and only he knows deep inside if he is a racist. The next "minority" group out there that will jump the bandwagon are the feminazis, who will shriek about the words ho, bitch, etc.

And comediens...one poster had it right, sort of, about folks like Carlos Mencias cracking on Latins. But there are blacks out there that do this. He reminds me of Dave Chapelle, where being black is certainly not sacred.

You know, sometimes it is better for us to just not say a thing and be thought a fool, than to open one's mouth and prove it. Have confidence in yourself, and someone's ignorance can't hurt you...

Posted at 2:35PM on Dec 7th 2006 by In awe