Should he have got away so lightly?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2242804/Rap-music-fan-shouted-n---black-man-CLEARED-racism-magistrates-accept-using-street-slang.html

Well it seems to some that the word n****r is no longer racist, but simply a term of endearment.

/// Defending, Rob Holt QC said the word had crept into the English language and is frequently used on the estate where he is from. ///

/// 'This word has crept into the English language and is used on a regular basis,' he said. ///

/// 'His use of the word is popular culture. ///

/// 'He is of the opinion he simply addressed these people as he addresses them in daily speak.' ///

[jno]

depends. I wonder who laid a complaint? If it was the person spoken to, and the defendant didn't know him, then the word was certainly used inappropriately. If it was to a friend this may not be the case.

Still, it sounds like he was quite a lucky chap. Just shows you can get away with anything if you're white :-)

[pdq1]

Maybe its just the evolution of racial types. In the 50's Jews were the target followed by the West Indians in the 60's, both who are now accepted but now the racial insults are taken seriously for newer immigrants like Pakistanis.

[FredPuli43]

Shows what effect a QC has on magistrates! Works every time. Dragging a silk away from the Old Bailey or the Court of Appeal; hope this wasn't on legal aid.Still, it was worth the money.

An element of the offence charged wasn't proved; end of case.

Are you surprised, aog? The word is not necessarily offensive in itself, as anyone who has seen Reginald D Hunter, a black American comedian, on his last tour, will understand. But perhaps we'd better not use it because it is unlikely to be being used in the right context.