N word at Whitman

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I get what you are saying. Just like girls call their other girl friend's b*tches but if a guy calls her that in a derogatory way, it is a massive no no. The thing is that I don't believe you can have it both ways. The girls that say that, set the bar really low. I get teens trying to be cool. I get that there is a small window in your teen/college years to break the mold with bad words being cool. But you can't sit there and call all your friends that word in a friendly way, sing songs with the word in it, and then get letters going home about the word being said by someone else the next week. Are white people not allowed to sing songs with their friends if it has the N word in it? Too much uncertainty.

I feel like if you want to make the word common in a non and a derogatory way, then you just have to take the derogatory version of it as a typical of saying a$$hole. The best way to take the sting out of the word is not really to use it as a friendly way so much as not let it affect you in a negative way. But I don't believe we will ever get that way nor do I ever think we should ever get there. If we did it would be really sad to our ancestors. I believe the word needs to be taught and told to everyone. How much of a terrible and demeaning slur it is. No way is a good way to say it. But if it continues to go down this path of young people okay it and our elders who were treated like crap pass away, I feel like we are heading down a path of it not meaning much of anything.

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/n-word-became-atomic-bomb-racial-slurs/

More accurately, you believe that you can have it both ways, but you shouldn't be allowed to have it both ways.

If you're worried about the uncertainty of when white people are allowed to or not allowed to use the word, then there's an easy solution: don't use it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I get what you are saying. Just like girls call their other girl friend's b*tches but if a guy calls her that in a derogatory way, it is a massive no no. The thing is that I don't believe you can have it both ways. The girls that say that, set the bar really low. I get teens trying to be cool. I get that there is a small window in your teen/college years to break the mold with bad words being cool. But you can't sit there and call all your friends that word in a friendly way, sing songs with the word in it, and then get letters going home about the word being said by someone else the next week. Are white people not allowed to sing songs with their friends if it has the N word in it? Too much uncertainty.

I feel like if you want to make the word common in a non and a derogatory way, then you just have to take the derogatory version of it as a typical of saying a$$hole. The best way to take the sting out of the word is not really to use it as a friendly way so much as not let it affect you in a negative way. But I don't believe we will ever get that way nor do I ever think we should ever get there. If we did it would be really sad to our ancestors. I believe the word needs to be taught and told to everyone. How much of a terrible and demeaning slur it is. No way is a good way to say it. But if it continues to go down this path of young people okay it and our elders who were treated like crap pass away, I feel like we are heading down a path of it not meaning much of anything.

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/n-word-became-atomic-bomb-racial-slurs/

More accurately, you believe that you can have it both ways, but you shouldn't be allowed to have it both ways.

If you're worried about the uncertainty of when white people are allowed to or not allowed to use the word, then there's an easy solution: don't use it.

PS - the kids in question were not "white."

[Anonymous]

No one in my white family uses the "n" word. I would be livid if I heard my kid use that term. That being said, I do believe it is used in the vernacular to be a synonym for 'bro", at least that is my understanding.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

PS - the kids in question were not "white."

OK, then the people who were upset about double standards (non-white kids get to use the word but white kids don't!!!!!!) can stop being upset.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

PS - the kids in question were not "white."

OK, then the people who were upset about double standards (non-white kids get to use the word but white kids don't!!!!!!) can stop being upset.

Well, in one of the instances they were not "white" in the other I believe they were. So that issue is alive and well (unfortunately).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"You're being silly. Of course, there is a different meaning when blacks use the word vs whites. Surely you recognize that language and expression is thick with layered meaning. Is it classy? No. But in group use of the term clearly has a different meaning, and the meaning is more tongue in cheek and less derogatory. We don't get to both oppress black people and then also dictate to them how they are allowed to process their oppression."

White people: Read, repeat and process. If you don't get it the first time, read, repeat and process again. Also, FYI, black people don't really care how you feel about this issue. If you feel entitled to use the word, then USE it in all of the black people you see to test your theory. Don't be scurrrred!!

how racist. One color can use a word and another color cannot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Exactly.

I can't believe people are thinking in this day and age there is any reason to say this word to anyone. It still doesn't take the sting out of used as a derogatory word. So that is not a rationale.

I'm surprised that so many people are unfamiliar with the idea that context matters. If we're both members of [group], and I call you [pejorative for that group], then you're going to perceive that differently from if I'm not a member of [group] and I call you [pejorative for that group].

If black people don't like that word, then they should stop using it.

It's really that simple.

No excuses, No double standard, No litany of convoluted attempts to rationalize. Just stop using it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is the kind of thing that gives me pause about sending my kids to a school like Whitman. Yes, the academics are good by public school standards, but then you have a huge lack of diversity to contend with. If the school's make-up was more like BCC the N word wouldn't be getting thrown around like that because there would be a fear of peer-to-peer repercussions. Which is much more impactful than adults slapping them on the wrist.

Have you been at places around BCC at lunchtime? There is plenty of the N word from all races. And I’m sure a other more diverse schools in the area too.

Black kids using it among each other is a completely different scenario than two white kids ganging up on a black kid and saying it. I'm sure I don't need to break that down for you?

Really? So, the word should be banned at school only if uttered by certain students? Got it.

I love how (I'm guessing mostly white) people are suddenly so stupid they can't understand what a racial slur is or how it works.

"But if a black kid says it to another black kid it should be treated in exactly the same way as a white kid saying it to a black kid because it's exactly the same!!"

Seriously...? This is why Kaepernick feels the need to take a knee. Wake up.

Seriously? Are you an idiot? And, do you really think this is why Kaepernick takes a knee?

Kaepernick needs something to do since his football stats and skillz suk the last three years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Funny how this happens at the least diverse school in the county.

don't happen in my kids' non-diverse private schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is the kind of thing that gives me pause about sending my kids to a school like Whitman. Yes, the academics are good by public school standards, but then you have a huge lack of diversity to contend with. If the school's make-up was more like BCC the N word wouldn't be getting thrown around like that because there would be a fear of peer-to-peer repercussions. Which is much more impactful than adults slapping them on the wrist.

wrong. do a tour of BCC, you'll hear it. list at gym class and practice too.

do a tour of Wheaton. you'll see the words written out all over the school. but I guess that's OK since blacks did it.
maybe that's the kind of diversity and education you are looking for for your children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Exactly.

I can't believe people are thinking in this day and age there is any reason to say this word to anyone. It still doesn't take the sting out of used as a derogatory word. So that is not a rationale.

I'm surprised that so many people are unfamiliar with the idea that context matters. If we're both members of [group], and I call you [pejorative for that group], then you're going to perceive that differently from if I'm not a member of [group] and I call you [pejorative for that group].

If black people don't like that word, then they should stop using it.

It's really that simple.

No excuses, No double standard, No litany of convoluted attempts to rationalize. Just stop using it.

..."excuses"?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is the kind of thing that gives me pause about sending my kids to a school like Whitman. Yes, the academics are good by public school standards, but then you have a huge lack of diversity to contend with. If the school's make-up was more like BCC the N word wouldn't be getting thrown around like that because there would be a fear of peer-to-peer repercussions. Which is much more impactful than adults slapping them on the wrist.

wrong. do a tour of BCC, you'll hear it. list at gym class and practice too.

do a tour of Wheaton. you'll see the words written out all over the school. but I guess that's OK since blacks did it.
maybe that's the kind of diversity and education you are looking for for your children.

Ha, funny because it is true

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Funny how this happens at the least diverse school in the county.

don't happen in my kids' non-diverse private schools.

Sure it does, they just don't make a big deal about it because they are not influenced by the poors like public institutions managed by politicians.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

do a tour of Wheaton. you'll see the words written out all over the school. but I guess that's OK since blacks did it.
maybe that's the kind of diversity and education you are looking for for your children.

Don't drag Wheaton into this. I can assure you the "N" word is not "written out all over the school."

From most of the responses on this thread, especially OP's, Whitman really needs to have both parent and child sensitivity training.

[Anonymous]

As a British Caribbean family we have an incredibly difficult time understanding African American culture. Our African and other Caribbean friends don't get it either. It is beyond hip hop, rap, crime rates, children out of wedlock, sports stars, impoliteness, but we do not understand any of it.
Our public school experience has been fine, but the kids' friend base is international.