So It's Perfectly In Order For Him To Use The 'n' Word Is It?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2316441/Reginald-D-Hunter-repeatedly-used-word-n---PFA-awards-2013.html

[chrisgel]

I can't think of anyone more qualified to use that word than a black man.

[friedgreentomato]

yes it is

[Fitzer]

'specialy one from Georgia

[jake-the-peg]

..a bit like the way I'd not use the words 'old git' to describe someone else perhaps

[jim360]

JTP stole my thunder. If I called you an "old git" that would be an insult. You calling yourself an "old git" is (self-deprecating?) humour.

[Sharingan]

Yes of course, on two counts, one he's black himself and two he's a comedian. The use in comedy of the phrase '***' is very well documented and is used in an entirely different context ( except by the likes of Jim Davidson) than people like the racially biased Suarrez. Comedy about race is part of RDH's act and he's very very funny and not in the least offensive about it.

[AB Editor]

Mostly, yes. I would like to see a video of the actual performance. I wonder how much of it was used with irony?

Reggie is very good AOG, he's worth watching on YouTube if you have the time.

[MadMen]

I absolutely love Reginald Hunter. He is so funny, and very political too. I often have a look at where he's performing, but haven't had the chance to see him as yet.

Probably not the smartest move to book him for this particular gig though.

[ummmm]

It's perfectly in order.

[jno]

"Former England caption John Terry..." - so that's what he's been reduced to, a mere caption in the great picture of English football.

Anyway, he's speaking Georgian, which is what happens when you hire someone from Georgia to speak. Usage does differ from one place to another.

[LazyGun]

Yes, it is.

[Snafu03]

well if we want to keep the word in popular usage lets keep using it!

Its a bit like parents thinking its OK to swear in front of their kids, because as an adult - thats their right. Just as long as the kids dont use that kind of language; because they're not qualified to do so.

Even though I can see the validity of the argument, surely black people should stop using it in a humorous but still self depreciating way then it will educate the masses?

[LazyGun]

It was used as a perjorative term and carries echoes and connotations of slavery and abuse.

If the black community wish to reclaim the word and use it in an ironic or humorous way, that is entirely their perogative.

[Booldawg]

as Lazygun points out - its not a positive word, no matter who uses it.

[anotheoldgit]

AB Editor

/// Reggie is very good AOG, he's worth watching on YouTube if you have the time. ///

Yes he is, I have often enjoyed his appearances on TV, except of course when he rolls his eyes and tries to make cheap jibes at 'them white folk'.

Another one that does this kind of thing, and that is Lenny Henry, but in his case it takes up most of his act, so much so that I no longer watch him, except of cause for his 'Premier Inn' commercials, which are lovely and relaxing.

[FredPuli43]

Certainly is. I have seen him live, and he began his one man show by using it, apologising in advance lest some folks were offended. The offended would, he said, be white people. He and his family back home (he's from the South in the US) use the word all the time.

His act is, in part, reflections on differences between British culture and his own , American and deep South, culture. He is amused at the low level of what we think racial abuse; nothing compared to what blacks in the US have been accustomed to. He says he is asked, back home, "Is there racial discrimination in England?" and replies "Not much. In England,they have class discrimination instead. That's when you hate someone when they do look like you !"

[anotheoldgit]

/// It was used as a perjorative term and carries echoes and connotations of slavery and abuse. ///

/// If the black community wish to reclaim the word and use it in an ironic or humorous way, that is entirely their perogative. ///

And it is just sentiments such as this that creates division between races, if the word carries 'echoes and connotations of slavery and abuse' then the word should be outlawed and forgotten by everyone.

To keep bringing it up only creates more ill feelings rather than good feelings, see my previous thread

*** Is Multicultural Teaching Counter-Productive? ***

*** Political Correctness makes racism worst not better.***

[AB Editor]

"except of course when he rolls his eyes and tries to make cheap jibes at 'them white folk'."

I think that's done very knowingly AOG.