IMU wrote:
Nas wrote:
How nice of you to decide what's exempt from consideration. Your justification for your use of the words, the context in which you use them or the frequency does NOT matter. I simply said that people use slurs unique to the heritage "occasionally" to "degrade one another, as a term of endearment or even as a joke" and nothing you've posted changes that. Did we decide as a society that Aunt and Uncle were awful or did 1 historically racist brand FINALLY get rebranded? Were you also bothered by the removal of the slave block from Virginia? If so, why? You can say N*gger or N*gga as much as you want. It is absolutely your choice to use whatever words that you want. Do you genuinely believe that your use of the n-word being frowned upon is a sign of separatism? REALLY? I'll ask you the same question that I asked JORR, is there any other group of people that you're bothered by the use of their unique slurs being frowned upon? You've used the German slurs above, why can't I say them too? Respect. Is being respectful too great of a burden?
Were not having a discussion about our personal experiences. What is unique to me or you isn't representative of Black America or White America. You can't make statements of fact about Black America based solely on your experience. That's insane. There is documented facts that go against the experience of a man who has spent nearly all of his life in a western suburb of Chicago.
You're comparing another country looking for American tourist dollars to support their economy to some black industry in America? What black industry is there in America? You own them all. There is no greater way to "dive in" than having ownership of all industries dominated by blacks.
You're continuing to shift the debate to areas we weren't discussing. I want a unicorn, but unfortunately they don't exist. You're also arguing from a position of ignorance that speaks to your basic knowledge of these things. ALL communities suffer when the dollars spent in those communities are taken to other communities. Communities thrive when those dollars are recycled. When the overwhelming majority of businesses in a community is owned by someone who doesn't live there then that community will suffer. Recycling dollars is what matters. Recycling dollars increase property values and helps communities to grow and thrive.
Sigh! In what way(s) haven't blacks assimilated to this country? We've fought and shed blood in every American war (even fighting the Germans) even though we KNEW we were still going to be slaves or 3rd class citizens. We then gave our lives begging for the opportunity to be treated as equally as you. Only to have the goal posts moved nearly every time. There is no group of people more American or who actually want America to live up to her ideals more than blacks. Now you're saying that we should forget our "hardships"? That we don't fully trust White America? What planet are you on? How often do you leave the western suburbs? We don't call a realtor when a couple of white families buy homes on our block. Your presence doesn't scare us. A mirror may be needed, my friend.
I don't want to say the n word. What I want is 100% agreement in America that use of the term, BY ANYONE, encourages segregation and racism. "Stop being racist to us while we use racist terms" will get you nowhere. If Germans are calling each other krauts, I also frown upon that. I've never heard it, so I must have my head in sand, but I will take your word for it.
I've looked in the mirror plenty and that is why I feel very comfortable having this conversation with you, in a very public forum. I know exactly where I stand. I'm not unsure about anything. I know my own faults, pertaining to this discussion any all others.
How are blacks in the south side able to comment on White America then? Many of those individuals don't often leave the metro area, let alone travel the United States. We've stagnated when it comes to progressing with many racial and social issues. A lot of that is due to assumptions and stereotyping on both sides. But all we have to go on are our experiences.
I don't own shit. I hate this sort of attitude. I am not associated with a group of people due to a color of skin. I don't think you will ever know how frustrating it is for black people to sort people into teams based on the color of skin while demanding that people not be treated differently due to the color of their skin. We're Facebook friends. I think you've seen that I like to wander around all of Chicagoland, city included, for various food and entertainment purposes. I go where I want to go. And besides Nana and a few other places around the near South Side and Bridgeport, there really isn't much of a reason for me to go to those neighborhoods very often. They aren't meant for me. I'll go ahead and disregard the suggestion that I'd consider moving if some more black families moved in to my complex.
Are you reading what you are posting? You are in one breath you are complaining about blacks having an issue with EVERYONE saying the n-word and then in the next you're trying to define the use of the word 100% of the time. Again, you're not asking why you can't use other slurs. You seem to understand why outside of the n-word.
You started this dialogue with this statement:
"African Americans have always (rightfully) cried out for equality while at the same time doing everything possible to isolate and claim a unique culture for themselves that no one else should have access to. There has always been a desire for separatism on both sides"It wasn't based on any historical facts. It was based entirely on personal experiences in high school, things posted on social media and your views of a subculture of Black America.
You say that you aren't associated with a group of people "due to color of skin", but you are preaching about things that blacks should do better. You can't have it both ways.
You are my guy, but you are off on most of this. Just a basic knowledge of history would tell you this.