Discriminatory words

[Jude]

What is a positive and effective way to halt the use of words such as "nigger", "cracker", "faggot", and other racially-based insults?

[Black Dagger]

I don't really give a fuck about 'cracker', but words like 'nigger' and 'faggot' are tied to hetero-patriarchy and white supremacy respectively, so generally speaking, the most effective way to halt the use of those words (over time) would be to tear-down those structures. That said, the survival of both of those structures is inextricably linked to the survival of capitalism and the state (well all forms of oppressive hierarchy and authority really), so in essence being an anarchist, or at least a socially conscious revolutionary communist.

In the short-term, prejudiced language should be tackled on a personal level, it starts with the individual - you, thinking about the words you use yourself, are you a hypocrite? Beyond that, querying family, friends and so forth when they use prejudiced language, discussing the history of such terms and how they function as day-to-day reinforcement mechanisms for things like white supremacy.

In the medium term, participating in groups like anti-racist action, and supporting Black and Queer liberation groups (as well as liberation organisations of all oppressed and exploited peoples), joining with and supporting organisations that fight not only prejudiced ideas, but hardcore racist groups like fascists, white nationalists etc. in the streets like many anti-fascist groups.

[Jude]

Nelson Mandela disagrees with you.
"I have fought against White supremacy, and I have fought against black supremacy..."
The word "cracker" is just as bad, and I would be just as pissed to be called a cracker as to see a black person called a nigger!

[Black Dagger]

Originally posted by egalitarianizm+--> (egalitarianizm)Nelson Mandela disagrees with you.[/b]

That's super, we and ole' Nelson disagree on a lot of things, like the supposed 'merits' of neo-liberal economic policy for instance... that said, i suppose you could explain to me how you misinterpreting a Nelson Mandela quote is an adequate substitute for an argument? Or even a logical response to my last post?

Cheers


Originally posted by Mandela+--> (Mandela)
"I have fought against White supremacy, and I have fought against black supremacy..."[/b]

In the context of the quote Mandela is talking about the practicalities of struggle, specifically; whether or not the national liberation struggle in South Africa should be an African only struggle or whether or not the African liberation movement should have worked with white supporters as well (as Mandela did); it has absolutely nothing to do with this thread, oh and for the record i agree with him on that issue.

Kinda makes your last post redundant huh?


[email protected]

The word "cracker" is just as bad

How so?

Are you aware of its origins? The term has it origins in US slavery, specifically, a term applied to people who 'cracked' the whip, slave masters, by 'their' slaves

The term 'nigger' on the other hand is a word used by racists to denigrate people because of the colour of the skin, and has been used acrosss the world by whites exclusively for this purpose. It's used to humiliate as well as degrade, and when used by whites essentially means, 'hey! Never forget, i'm superior to you, because you're a n*****' - and in a racist society that is the lowest you can be, using the term is about reinforcing (or trying to) a legacy of racist oppression, white domination.

Therefore, for you to argue...well you havent actually made an argument yet, so... for you to state that the two terms are somehow the 'same', that they carry the same practical meaning, the same weight, emotionally, psychologically and historically is incredibly naive/ignorant.


egalitarianizm
and I would be just as pissed to be called a cracker as to see a black person called a nigger!

And by so doing you would really only be underscoring what had already become abundantly clear from January 23, 2007 when you joined this board, you're a complete muppet.

[Jude]

What I am saying is that both are racially-based insults, and that domination of blacks over whites is just as bad as domination of whites over blacks. It was you who did the misintepreting, comrade!

Oh, and I hate to break it to you, but being a mod on a fucking forum, Comrade, doesn't make you a Left-Wing Activist! Maybe you learned that since you joined this board on September 13, 2004!

[Jazzratt]

Originally posted by [email protected] 04, 2007 03:43 pm
domination of blacks over whites is just as bad as domination of whites over blacks.
Where the fuck is this fictional domination happening, hunchbrain? We all know it is whites who have the privelege, whites who are dominant and whites who control pretty much all of the world.

If you say that blacks dominate whites in Africa, then you're wrong - whites are given preferential treatment in most African nations. I know, I lived there. If you say blacks are dominant because they call whites 'cracker' then you are delusional.

I do not support black supremecist organisations and movements, but I do support either bringing the nonwhites up or taking the whites down.

[Black Dagger]

Originally posted by whatever+--> (whatever)What I am saying is that both are racially-based insults[/b]

No, what you said was that they were equivalent insults, which as i made clear in my last post is complete bollocks, a point you still havent conceded.

I.E.


Originally posted by you+--> (you)The word "cracker" is just as bad [as 'nigger'], and I would be just as pissed to be called a cracker as to see a black person called a nigger![/b]

---------------------------------




[email protected]

and that domination of blacks over whites is just as bad as domination of whites over blacks.

Of course, but that has nothing to do with anything ive said, or this thread, so why on earth are you bringing it up?


whatever
Oh, and I hate to break it to you, but being a mod on a fucking forum, Comrade, doesn't make you a Left-Wing Activist!
Maybe you learned that since you joined this board on September 13, 2004!

You're absolutely right, what makes me an active anarchist is being an active anarchist offline (duh).

Then again, i never said any different did i? And i sure as hell didnt mention anything about myself or anybody being or not being an activist of any kind in this thread did i?

So again ive gotta ask, what does this have to do with my comments in this thread or this thread generally?

Nothing at all?

And WTF is a 'left-wing activist'?

[Jude]

I just wanted to make the generalisation so that Communists, Socialists and Anarchists were all included.
I never said ANYTHING at all about South Africa! What I said was that Black domination would be just as bad as White domination! So stop putting words into my mouth, Comrade!
It was you who first insinuated that this forum was an adequate judge of one's devotion to/knowledge of the Left.
Also, I would appreciate it if you could stop with the petty insults.

[Black Dagger]

Originally posted by whatever+--> (whatever)I never said ANYTHING at all about South Africa! [/b]

For fuck's sake.

YOU used a quote from Nelson Mandela in place of an actual argument in your second post in this thread.

I explained how you have misinterpreted the quote, whilst also explaining the actual context of Mandela's statement (i.e. the situation in South Africa).

In future, either make your own arguments or use appropiate (i.e. relevant) quotes, not ones you've taken completely out of context.


Originally posted by whatever+--> (whatever)What I said was that Black domination would be just as bad as White domination! [/b]

Like i said, i agree.

Now what?

Why are you saying this AT ALL?

Black domination DOESNT EXIST, so why do you keep rambling on about it? What relevance does it have to this thread or my posts? (you're replying to my posts yeah?)


It was you who first insinuated that this forum was an adequate judge of one's devotion to/knowledge of the Left.

Huh? I said nothing of the sort.

What i said was:


Originally posted by me



Originally posted by you

and I would be just as pissed to be called a cracker as to see a black person called a nigger!

And by so doing you would really only be underscoring what had already become abundantly clear from January 23, 2007 when you joined this board, you're a complete muppet.

Where in that sentence do i 'insinuate that this forum was an adequate judge of one's devotion to/knowledge of the Left'?

What im saying in that sentence is that if you would really 'be just as pissed to be called a cracker as to see a black person called a nigger!' that only underscores the obvious fact (obvious since your first posts on this board) that you're a muppet.

Understand?


Originally posted by whatever
Also, I would appreciate it if you could stop with the petty insults.

Only if you start actually responding to my arguments.

I.E.


Originally posted by me



[email protected]
The word "cracker" is just as bad [as 'nigger']

How so?

Are you aware of its origins? The term has it origins in US slavery, specifically, a term applied to people who 'cracked' the whip, slave masters, by 'their' slaves

The term 'nigger' on the other hand is a word used by racists to denigrate people because of the colour of the skin, and has been used acrosss the world by whites exclusively for this purpose. It's used to humiliate as well as degrade, and when used by whites essentially means, 'hey! Never forget, i'm superior to you, because you're a n*****' - and in a racist society that is the lowest you can be, using the term is about reinforcing (or trying to) a legacy of racist oppression, white domination.

Therefore, for you to argue...well you havent actually made an argument yet, so... for you to state that the two terms are somehow the 'same', that they carry the same practical meaning, the same weight, emotionally, psychologically and historically is incredibly naive/ignorant.


&



me
Black domination DOESNT EXIST, so why do you keep rambling on about it? What relevance does it have to this thread or my posts? (you're replying to my posts yeah?)

[Jude]

I can see that neither of us will benefit further from this argument.

*offers hand in friendship*

[Black Dagger]

No thanks. :)

I'd rather you actually justify your (objectionable) statements. ;)

I.E.



Originally posted by me+--> (me)


you
The word "cracker" is just as bad [as 'nigger']

How so?

Are you aware of its origins? The term has it origins in US slavery, specifically, a term applied to people who 'cracked' the whip, slave masters, by 'their' slaves

The term 'nigger' on the other hand is a word used by racists to denigrate people because of the colour of the skin, and has been used acrosss the world by whites exclusively for this purpose. It's used to humiliate as well as degrade, and when used by whites essentially means, 'hey! Never forget, i'm superior to you, because you're a n*****' - and in a racist society that is the lowest you can be, using the term is about reinforcing (or trying to) a legacy of racist oppression, white domination.

Therefore, for you to argue...well you havent actually made an argument yet, so... for you to state that the two terms are somehow the 'same', that they carry the same practical meaning, the same weight, emotionally, psychologically and historically is incredibly naive/ignorant.[/b]


If you're gonna make claims like 'cracker' and 'nigger' are equivalent you've gotta back it up, you haven't even tried, nor did you respond to any of the feedback i gave you to your original question, oh well.

[Jude]

I'll get you later, my fucking hand hurts.

[Revalation]

If any1 was to call me a cracker it would be one hell of an insult as i'm so opossed to slavery that to be linked to it by any1 with that word would result to some1 getting a smack in the mouth

to say the word cracker is'nt bad but to address some1 by it because of their skin colour is sick

[Fawkes]

The word "cracker" is obviously not as bad as "nigger" because of the history of the latter term, but that does not mean that it should be an acceptable way of referring to somebody.

By the way, the term originates from white farmers in Florida "cracking" their whips at bulls. The cracks could be heard from very far distances, thus earning them the title of crackers. This was back in the 18th or 19th century when people were experimenting with different places to farm.

[chimx]

I'll get you later, my fucking hand hurts.

Meaning behind words comes at least partially from our cultural experiences. Everybody here is in agreement that any kind of racial supremacy is a bad thing, but given the cultural experience of racism in the west, the difference between cracker and n***** has become greater. I think you are assuming that implication of the word overrides the cultural experience of it.

As to your original question, I have yet to see an effective way generally. I think if you are speaking of a friend who respects you, you can talk to them nicely about it. Most people say it without thinking about it because they are used to it. If you are talking about joe schmoe, than hell if i know.

[Black Dagger]

Originally posted by [email protected] 05, 2007 06:59 am
If any1 was to call me a cracker it would be one hell of an insult as i'm so opossed to slavery that to be linked to it by any1 with that word would result to some1 getting a smack in the mouth

to say the word cracker is'nt bad but to address some1 by it because of their skin colour is sick
Because crackers just can't get a break, huh? :rolleyes:

[Luís Henrique]

There is no way that the word "cracker" can be construed to be as offensive as the word "nigger". Hey, there is no way that the words "dago", "jap", or "mick", can be construed to be as offensive as "nigger".

This has to do with historical reality - whites, latinos, japanese or irish people have not been subjected to slavery by white people in the western hemisphere recently. And the word "nigger" is obviously used to remind black people that they have been enslaved in the United States and other American countries.

But, that said, there is no reason that less offensive words be used just because they are less offensive. And I also see no reason for bullying newbies like it has been done in this thread. "Macho" supremacy, as revealed in the tactics of yelling arguments instead of explaining things is something to be fought against, too.

Luís Henrique

[Black Dagger]

Originally posted by Luis Henrique
"Macho" supremacy, as revealed in the tactics of yelling arguments instead of explaining things is something to be fought against, too.

You really enjoy whingeing at any opportunity don't you? Im not sure why you're incapable of distinguishing between 'yelling arguments' and thorough responses; ive explained all my points clearly - several times, the problem is trying to get other people to actually respond in a relevant way.

[Luís Henrique]

Originally posted by black [email protected] 05, 2007 02:34 pm
You really enjoy whingeing at any opportunity don't you?
By the way, have you already found the evidence that I am a "pro-lifer advocate"?

Luís Henrique

[EwokUtopia]

Originally posted by black [email protected] 04, 2007 03:48 am
I don't really give a fuck about 'cracker'
Me neither, but I dont like the word "honkey"


Mostly because I dont understand it.... like, the other epithets like Cracker, Whitey, and whatever else we're called make sense, but why honkey?

Can someone explain this one to me?

[ichneumon]

According to the 1911 edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica, "cracker" is a term of contempt for the "poor" or "mean whites," particularly of Georgia and Florida. Britannica notes that the term dates back to the American Revolution, and is derived from the "cracked corn" which formed their staple food.

how would you feel if when anyone in america wanted to sound stupid and ignorant, they aped the accent of your parents?

that crap is NOT OKAY.