Anonymous wrote:Come on, don't people remember words like dyke, queer, even redneck are taken over by people who had been taunted with them? It's called reappropriation. Even "Obamacare" used to be a taunt until the administration reappropriated it. Here's Wikipedia on the subject: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reappropriation

The N word has been reappropriated by AAs. That's why it's ok for them to say it about one another but not white people. They've taken it back to take the sting out of it.

Or maybe they just used it because they heard it and it got ingrained. Not all things have nobility ingrained in them.

Teens test boundaries, that's what they do, so schools need to draw a line somewhere so everyone feels safe coming to school. Part of the reason Pyle has such an issue is because kids get away with a LOT there. It is ridiculously hard to be black there. For the few black staff members, it's hard too. There's been a lot of hate directed at Jewish kids too, but they at least have higher numbers. Whitman has to clean up the students language and behavior when they get to high school and I am glad Goodwin has taken that on.

Come on, don't people remember words like dyke, queer, even redneck are taken over by people who had been taunted with them? It's called reappropriation. Even "Obamacare" used to be a taunt until the administration reappropriated it. Here's Wikipedia on the subject: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reappropriation

The N word has been reappropriated by AAs. That's why it's ok for them to say it about one another but not white people. They've taken it back to take the sting out of it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Who "oppresses black people?" You? Not me.

And sorry, but I disagree with you 100% on this one. If the word is verboten for one person to say, then it equally is for others.

One would almost think you wanted to be allowed to say the word.

One would almost think you wanted to be allowed to insinuate anyone who holds an opinion different from you is a racist.

My child told me the N word is commonly used among black students and other students who are friends with the black students. No one cared about it. When I told him that he should never say the N word in school and anywhere else, he thought I was overreact. He said as an immigrant, I am too sensetive and watch too much news.

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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].

So most people who display the Confederate Flag do so as an act and symbol of 'rebellion' gesture... a stick it to 'the man' sort of gesture. Not an ounce of racism in their behavior. Context matters right, so they of course they should be allowed to display this flag as well as confederate generals who they deem where honorable in the way they fought and lost and surrendered. Some others deem all of the above racist. So I'm curious by your standard of context matters then these flags and statues and monuments should not be protested, not be vandalized, In context they are not meant to be offensive by those displaying them therefore they should be allowed to display them. Would this be correct?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Who "oppresses black people?" You? Not me.

And sorry, but I disagree with you 100% on this one. If the word is verboten for one person to say, then it equally is for others.

One would almost think you wanted to be allowed to say the word.

No, however it would seem you want to label someone who has a differing opinion as racist.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

As a white Midwestern American person, may I recommend a visit to the museum on the Mall that opened last year? Another option is to talk to the many African-American people you surely encounter during your regular day.

Yes by all means go to museum and learn why ignoramus degrading racist gangsta culture is celebrated. Because the usual suspects think its 'empowering' multiculturalism open-minded diversity. Lefts revisionism of American history. Only this week did the museum grudgingly document Clarence Thomas's, one of our greatest Americans, existence. Learn why the poster above thinks its ok for blacks at Whitman to use the N word, thinks seperate but equal is good and be reminded why we need to not take them seriously.

I know a beautiful young woman who is an immegrant from Africa. She told me that her AA classmates laughed at her because she studied really hard in high school and college. She said her AA classmates think affirmative action could secure them a seat in college and medical school. She is a medical doctor now.

Anonymous wrote: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.

I hear you. My daughter's best friend is from Guinea and moved here 4 years ago. Her entire family is appalled if someone thinks they are AA. They quickly point out they are African and don't understand that Americans look confused and can't seem to get there is a difference. Anyway, they are extremely polite, well-mannered, highly educated, hard working, and looking for a better place to thrive. They don't expect any handouts, and don't blame others for any of their misfortunes. They are extremely positive and grateful people and we feel so comfortable and welcomed when we are with them. It really makes all Americans, regardless of color look pretty bad.

I mean just look at this week's news. Top story is the stupid NFL take a knee and not that a US territory is in severe grave danger. Our priorities and our anger as so messed up.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

As a white Midwestern American person, may I recommend a visit to the museum on the Mall that opened last year? Another option is to talk to the many African-American people you surely encounter during your regular day.

Could you be any more condescending?

Anonymous wrote:

Who "oppresses black people?" You? Not me.

And sorry, but I disagree with you 100% on this one. If the word is verboten for one person to say, then it equally is for others.

One would almost think you wanted to be allowed to say the word.

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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.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. This 1000 Times.

If you so vehemently disagree, please explain to us why it is perfectly OK for black children to use this racial slur. Go ahead. We're all waiting.

For the same reason Trump supporters gleefully call themselves "deplorables". You take away the power of the word when you use it as your own, but with a different spin.

There is no different spin. It is a derogatory term no matter who says it. Black people that say it sound like trash. They know it too.

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.

Who "oppresses black people?" You? Not me.

And sorry, but I disagree with you 100% on this one. If the word is verboten for one person to say, then it equally is for others.

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Please don't assume that most of these responses come from Whitman parents.

Anonymous wrote: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.

As a white Midwestern American person, may I recommend a visit to the museum on the Mall that opened last year? Another option is to talk to the many African-American people you surely encounter during your regular day.