
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: Ms. PC on 8/16/2010 12:43AM
...This IS my home country :).
It's probably more MY home country than yours.
Without the FREE work of my ancestors who were brought by the slave traders to this country, the US would not be the rich and prosperous country that it is. I am a BLACK AMERICAN, and proud of it!
As far as the N word is concerned, I think that the author of the article explained the situation so well that there's really nothing else to say:
We can talk about ourselves, and make fun of ourselves, but for anyone else to do it is politically incorrect and racially offensive. And that's not only for the n word, it's for ANY racial slur, joke or insult directed at ANY race. Classy people know that... I guess that's why YOU don't seem to get it...
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By: Mithoughts on 8/13/2010 4:26PM
I find it strange how so many people can hold so tightly to their racist mentality and not even realize it. To me it is simple if you feel that you can do something and someone else cannot based solely on race, your inner racist is showing.
As for Dr. Laura Do I feel that she should have dropped the N-bomb..? No I do not. Is she a racist? I dont think so. She might as well have dropped the F-bomb on the air. Any word of a derogatory nature should as a rule just simply not be used.
I feel for the Proud Americans who stood up for the black community and said enough is enough.
When we take up the shackles of inequality, not to cast them away but to wield as weapons. We as Americans take a step backwards into the shadows of intollerance.
Alie Thank you for making me stop and think
and Bless you
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By: Chocolatease on 8/13/2010 4:34PM
@You Didn't Know?
You are so right!! Those who carry true hatred in their hearts are simply devastated beyond words that the country is being headed by a black man, and they're willing to take shots at african-americans whenever and however they can.
It changes nothing though. To say that the highest office in the land is being held by a brother of color is proof enough that the hardcore racist (or those whose IQ's leave something to be desired) are the minority and DO NOT REPRESENT THE MAJORITY.
We'll just make sure that they're quickly put in their place when they cross those imaginary lines and keep it moving - knowing that at the end of the day we can still say, Barack Obama rocks!
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By: Ms Ge on 8/16/2010 10:43PM
Yessss!!! Well Said....Our President Rocks...& when I say "Our", I mean to include everyone...all BLACK, WHITES, RACIST..yes you too Laura...yes OUR PRESIDENT ROCKS!!! At the end of the day he is President and Leader of these United States...if you dont believe it...check it lapel{YES WE CAN}.
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By: whytbach on 8/13/2010 7:05PM
@You Didn't Know? Now You Do!
Now you really are gonna make the Wiggas mad!
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By: Truth on 8/13/2010 4:46PM
I am sick of all these white pre-meditated fake apologies. Laura desires to use the word like many white people. The meaning has not changed. And, for the record white america, since when do you follow the behavior of young black men in anything? NEVER! Stop using what some blacks choose to do as an excuse for you to act foolish. Blacks don't have the permission to give you the permission. Buy a clue. You can't teach someone to stop using the word by using the word! Duh, you genius. Dr. Laura proves one thing; just because you have a degree doesn't mean you are smart. Her apology means nothing. She can join the rest of the tea baggers and racist whites and speak freely.
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By: Bette on 8/13/2010 5:39PM
Call your local radio stations that carry her show and demand that Laura Schlessinger's show be cancelled. Her brazenly malicious, vand repeat use of the "n" word was intentional to show her total disregard for blacks. And, of course she had to throw President Obama into her ignorant and off point tirade as do all of the conservative Republicans no matter what topic they are discussing. The gay rights people got angry with her a few years ago because of some of the hateful things that she said about them and they called, wrote, protested and got her TV show cancelled. Make a difference and call.
Ed outside of her
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By: bob on 8/13/2010 6:21PM
you didnt know now you do. I guess you dont know how it really works. Obama is not running squat! He is told what to say and do by more powerful whites than you can emagine, so wake up! The only one that will be drinking from a straw is you! the only reason people are afraid of blacks is the carry weapons or fight in gangs. I have a permit to carry legally so I am on a level playing field no more fear for me.
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By: DeiaynciaCimone on 8/15/2010 10:37AM
Whites are afraid of US because we carry weapons and are in gangs? Is the KKK a social club? Aren't you then afraid of white people? They make bombs in their parents garages and blow their whole families up. They get mad over not being the best and go into high schools shooting up people who never harmed them (Columbine). They seduce young boys and hide them in crawlspaces (Gacy). They seduce men, kill them and keep them in the freezer for lunch (Dahmer. They are soaked in prejudice and blow up four little black girls in a church. They wait probably on a grassy knoll for the President as he is riding thru and blow his head off(Kennedy assasination). White crimes perpetrated by white folks Bob. Now does that make all white people bad? Hell no. You could be useful to your race if you would only think before you speak. Then you say you have a gun so you feel you are on level playing ground? You level to the fool pointing one at you. Wise up Bob.
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By: bob on 8/13/2010 6:46PM
tonyapk Well tonya I guess we all know where you mind is, On my johnson! Look up johnson size per race and you find out what race has the biggest. It ain't blacks! So maybe you should try some white meat. Please stop trying to act like people should be afraid of a race that cannot even take being called a name.
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