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I'm starting to believe there is a condition called the "N-word meltdown," where white folks just go crazy and start repeating it over and over for no reason.
Well-known conservative talk show host Dr. Laura Schlessinger (pictured) went all Michael Richards on a caller who reached out to her for help regarding her interracial marriage.
The caller wanted the good doctor's advice on whether to confront her husband's friends, whom she believed were making racist comments about her.
During the exchange on Tuesday's show, Schlessinger said the woman, who called herself Jade, was being too sensitive for complaining about her husband's friends. When the woman asked if the N-word was offensive, Schlessinger said, "Black guys say it all the time," then went on to repeat it several times.
"I articulated the N-word all the way out -- more than one time," Schlessinger said in comments from the opening of her radio show that she posted on her site.
Translation: she put the dreaded "er" on the end instead of the "ga."
When will white people just accept the fact that black folks can use the N-word, but they cannot. Why is this such a complicated life rule for them?
It's actually quite simple. Jews can say things about other Jews that non-Jews can't say. Gays can say things about gays that straights can't say. Latinos can say things about Latinos that non-Latinos can't say. I have an Asian friend who referred to new Asian immigrants as FOBs (fresh-off-the-boats). But she probably would have kicked my ass if I had referred to them that way. And I respect that. You can talk about your own mama, but no one else can. It's really easy, white people.
Schlessinger said on her Website on Wednesday that she was wrong in using the word for what she called an attempt to make a philosophical point.
Why are white folks so intent on rationalizing their use of the word? You can't use it, period. Get over it.
When the caller objected, Schlessinger replied:
"Oh, then I guess you don't watch HBO or listen to any black comedians."
I don't know what black comedians Dr. Laura listens to but I can't remember any using "nigger" in their acts. Moreover, should a woman tolerate a bunch of people in her house using the N-word in a way she finds offensive because they do it on 'Def Comedy Jam'?
Look, white folks, I'll break it down for you: Black folks don't call each other "nigger"; we say "nigga." And whether you accept it or not, there is a huge distinction.
As an African American woman, I can't ever remember using "nigger" in my life in referring to another black person. Though, on a bad day at my DMV, I may say "nigga" in my head several times.
Dr. Laura and other white folks who put forth this "well, black people use it, why can't I" argument seem so tied to their own supremacy that they just can't accept that there are things we can do that they can't -- and it bugs the hell out of them.
In all fairness, Schlessinger did not direct the epithet at the woman but said she used it to suggest how often she hears it, and that it should not automatically be a cause for offense, which is also the stupidest thing I've ever heard. It's about context, Dr. Laura. Who's saying it, why, how and in what environment? Who are you to say what should offend this woman?
This is not a debate on the infamous N-word. Some people say no one should use it; others say it's fine. Frankly, I couldn't care less. Either way, this is not about that.
It's about respecting a culture's right to its own intracultural norms. If your use of the word offends me, that's really all you need to know.
We don't have to explain why you can't say it, we don't have to defend our use of it and we don't have to tolerate you saying it. You just can't. It's like family. You can talk about each other, but no one else can. And as long as everyone remembers that, we should get along just fine.
Comments: (349)
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By: A. Nicole on 8/27/2010 6:04PM
TO THE AUTHOR, JAM DONALDSON: Do you realize you just did the exact same thing? in her show, she referenced the HBO material as justification of her using the N-word. You used the mentioning of your friend to justify you referencing Asians as "FOB's" as though you should be able to give that as an example because you and your friend are great buddies and he understands. If i were Asian, i would be greatly offended if i read through and found that reference from someone who is not Asian (because i am assuming you are black like me) Racism goes both ways. And so does ignorance. Being any race or any other human variant does not give you the right to treat any other person in a rude or malicious manner. there are no passes handed out for the struggle or hardship of one race. So please, be a little more mindful of your writing style. Because repeated behavior is learned behavior. try teaching the readers something different.
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By: Richard on 9/09/2010 11:57AM
Couple of things...Since various groups can say things other groups can't, are we all denying each other our free-speech rights? Beside that, what is one word versus another unless you make something of it. Isn't the real issue the idea that we offend or become offended? Perhaps the expression of caring for a fellow human can be made by silence or chosing a different word, but do we know who will choose to be offended before we open our mouth to speak. Sometimes yes, sometimes no. If you don't want to offend someone with speach, then learn every word that may offend anyone in hearing range and never use those words the rest of your life. If you don't want to be offended by someones words, then just don't choose to be offended. If you don't want to hear a word, then don't use it, and when you hear it, politely ask that it not be used. Words less used will fade from language in time.
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By: gmia on 9/08/2010 10:01PM
Woman you have a problem!!!!!! & u should not be on the radio. You did just disrespect so many people on so many levels black & white. I really hope yr show suffers for that, your not a good example for anyone.
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By: Tari on 9/08/2010 10:22PM
When she said black comedians say the word all the time, immediately Chris Rock and Katt Williams came to mind. But when in the heck have Dr. Laura ever watched them? Using any derogatory word just tells me that a persons vocabulary is limited because there are many other words to describe someone but when you use a word that has been known to upset an entire race whether it be black, white, brown, green or purple, you are intentionally being hateful which can be considered racist. Does not matter what I say about my own kind, you don't cross that line just as I wouldn't cross that line with you and your race.
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By: Amanda on 9/08/2010 10:56PM
you always say that white people are racist and make it a point to prove it.. what I find racist is this article.. how many times in rap songs do I hear "non" african american's using the work "nigga" not just "white" people say it.. it's always the white people against you right? It's really the black community who are the most racist towards white people.. if this article had been written backwards, like by.. lets say, a white person.. and said things like "listen up, BLACK PEOPLE" that would be racist, right? but this isn't? get a grip.. yeah, this lady was wrong by not saying nigga in her reference but it wasn't because she was WHITE and wanted to be racist.. it's probably because she's a 50 something year old women who doesn't know the difference.
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By: ESTHER on 10/03/2010 7:44PM
WHEN WILL BLACK PEOPLE STOP THINKING IT'S O.K. TO USE THE 'N' WORD - WHETHER IT ENDS IN "E-R" OR "G-A"! WHITES RIGHTLY CONCLUDE THAT IF SOMEONE WANTS TO CLASSIFY THEMSELF AS A LAZY, IGNORANT, UNAMBITIOUS PERSON THEN WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE WHITES ALSO USING THE WORD.
BLACKS HAVE NOT LEARNED TO THIS DAY TO LOVE AND RESPECT THEMSELVES OPTING INSTEAD TO MORONIC LOGIC THAT CALLING THEMSELVES BY A RACIST TERM LESSENS IT'S POWER/VALIDITY.
CALL YOUR CHILD STUPID REPEATEDLY AND TELL ME IF THEY WON'T BE PSYCHOLOGICALLY DAMAGED & ACT STUPID. CONGRATS TO ALL BLACKS WHO USE THE "N' WORD, KEEPING UP WILLIE LYNCH'S LEGACY!
Proverbs 18:21
The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
i.e. reap the consequences
AS THE SONG SAYS: EMANCIPATE YOURSELF FROM MENTAL SLAVERY, NONE BUT OURSELVES CAN FREE OUR MINDS...
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By: Wmofyr on 10/09/2010 10:07AM
Even if 10 black people told me to like that word, doesn't mean that I will like it. And if Dr. Laura tells me it's okay, I think she is ignorantly racist. She did not even let the woman finish what she wanted to say.
FYI. Black people do not demonize racist people. The racists people act like demons towards black people. If you are a kind person, with no arrogant racism, then you are okay.
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By: mazefan29 on 10/14/2010 3:59PM
This woman was calling for help and a "womans" perspective of an uncomfortable domestic environment. Laura set out to ATTACK this caller as soon as she revealed that she was in an interracial marriage! Now she wants to label the caller "hypersensitive". She went on to double-talk and raise her voice as well as make long-winded comments long after the caller was disconnected that she thought that once we had a black president ....and paused...........(thinking before she speaks clearly) meaning that she thought we (blacks) would shut up and stop whining!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Dr. Laura needs to grow up. She also set out to desensitize the caller and she has not placed herself in this type of environment. The "lesson" Laura was DRIVING home was not to marry out of her race! In other words, you get what you pay for when you cross the fence! Laura is an insensitive horse-trodden media- whore! She would do wonders in a "sensitivity" training seminar!!!!!!!!!!!!
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By: hypersensitivity on 11/04/2010 9:36PM
ok...y'all are over-reacting. That black chick could not find herself out of the hole she dug even when light was shining a way out for her. idiot! don't start an argument you can't win!!! the dr. did not use the word out of context but yet you all are ready to boycott her for using the n-word! lol! you guys are soooo stupid. the only place the dr. contradicted herself was when she said black people voted for obama just cause he's black but then she said that only 12% of black voted for him and that whites are the ones who voted him into office. other than that, she has a point, if you can't take the heat, then stay out of the kitchen. that black chick had no right marrying white if she did not want the issue thrown back in her face or if she didn't want her white husband's white friends learn about the black culture through what seemed to be their ONLY contact to the black world -- herself!
Instead of checking you all's blackness at the door and objectively listening to the full conversation, you all simply decided that this white chick was in the wrong. y'all are not any better!
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