Posted on Jul 27, 2015
When are the use of racial slurs deemed "acceptable"?
6.73K
59
43
4
4
0
I'm just curious as to when is it acceptable for the use of racial or other slurs... Is it OK if you are using it in the 3rd person (repeating what someone else said)? Or how about when trying to reiterate a passionate point? Would making it published in Websters, regardless of the definition you give it, deem it correct and acceptable for use? Is it really appropriate when two or more people of the same race refer slurs to each other, or to others as long as the one affected doesn't hear? Should there really be a reasonable expectation of privacy for those who accidentally get recorded or overheard using them? Should it be considered freedom of speech? As far as I am concerned, the answer is "NO" for the above and any other situation of this nature... But yet, I still hear it and see (read) it... Even here on RP (which really surprised me) and other social media sites... I've seen (read) it from someone "making a point", or "repeating" what someone else either said or wrote... Does that make it acceptable? Am I the only one feeling this, or am I making way too much out of this? And no, its not just between black and white, and no, I'll NOT mention any names or posts as I'm sure our administrators will find them or it soon enough, if they haven't already... Just wanted to have you all weigh in on this as RP is kinda therapeutic for me... My apologies in advance as this has more than one question and quite a few angles... This is probably more venting than anything else... But? I like RP, so what better place?
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 18
1
1
0
Other than an official report, i.e. EEO, it is NEVER acceptable by ANYONE.
(1)
(0)
SGT (Join to see)
I remember an EO rep stating every racial slur I'd ever heard and more during a brief. It took a couple seconds for me to accept the "why."
(0)
(0)
1
1
0
When quoting, as carefully considered illustration or when the word is an object of discussion. Essentially, I think there are case-by-case circumstances where using an offensive word is appropriate, but it is NEVER when you are pointing it at someone or a group or in casual speech.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
It can be difficult to discuss slurs if saying them, even from an academic position, is considered verboten. Forbidding the use of a word, even when not being used in a hateful manner, just gives it more power. Take the "n-word" for example. It's entirely possible to say nigger without any hate or malice and discuss why it's a horrible and hateful thing to call a black person. You're not fooling anyone by saying "n-word" instead of nigger. Everyone knows what word is being referred to, so what's the point? All of this applies to any other slur.
In short, there's no word that doesn't have it's time and place to be used, and it's entirely possible to say a slur word without prejudice. I give you this post as an example.
In short, there's no word that doesn't have it's time and place to be used, and it's entirely possible to say a slur word without prejudice. I give you this post as an example.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
Never - and I even believe it's possible to convey what words were used in an investigation without using the word. Further I don't think it acceptable to use when describing/discussing race relations. it's very easy to substitute the word instead. It shouldn't matter who you are or what race.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
1
1
0
I think it's acceptable to be specific when telling a soldier/soldiers they cannot use words like honkey, cracker, nigger, spic, etc.
I personally told two different SMs at two different times to turn off their music because they were blasting it throughout the showers while we were deployed.
I specifically said, "you cannot blast music talking about nigger, bitches and hoes in here. It's offensive!" I said this because I heard those exact racist, unprofessional and derogatory words repeated several times in the SM's music choices and I wanted them to know specifically why that music was inappropriate MSgt.
I personally told two different SMs at two different times to turn off their music because they were blasting it throughout the showers while we were deployed.
I specifically said, "you cannot blast music talking about nigger, bitches and hoes in here. It's offensive!" I said this because I heard those exact racist, unprofessional and derogatory words repeated several times in the SM's music choices and I wanted them to know specifically why that music was inappropriate MSgt.
(1)
(0)
SSG V. Michelle Woods
None taken MSgt. I guess I am a bit confused because I reread the question as well as the explanation for the question.
"When is it acceptable to use racial slurs?"
I believe I answered when I feel it is acceptable to use racial slurs. Please forgive me if I have misread your question MSgt.
"When is it acceptable to use racial slurs?"
I believe I answered when I feel it is acceptable to use racial slurs. Please forgive me if I have misread your question MSgt.
(0)
(0)
MSgt Curtis Ellis
SSG V. Michelle Woods - I guess what I was getting at, as well, is the written forms of those words and the need to use them as far as explanations, emphasis or examples, to include social media sites, such as this one... Is it then possible to say, or write, what you need to without the use of such words, or, is it deemed acceptable to use them, verbally, or, the written form as you demonstrated in your comment... My apologies if I didn't make it clear, and please... no forgiveness needs to be asked... I understood what you wrote, what you meant and why... So my apologies to you if it wasn't clear, and I hope I didn't infer disrespect, although I don't think I've ever had to use those words in front of any of my subordinates... They all seem to already know them all, including some I've never heard of! LOL! One of today's issues with written statements in social media is the possibility of misunderstandings, especially when written with emotion attached.
(1)
(0)
SSG V. Michelle Woods
To be honest MSgt Curtis Ellis, and this is just my opinion, but I felt an example of one of my experiences would help explain what I believe to be an acceptable time to use those types of words. We use them in the Army's Equal Opportunity Leaders Course in the same context as my example. Of course that isn't to say that makes it right (or wrong for that matter), but it does show how even in class, it's one acceptable time and context to use such words.
(1)
(0)
MSgt Curtis Ellis
SSG V. Michelle Woods - Understood, and that is a good point to consider... Thank you for your contribution! :)
(0)
(0)
1
1
0
SGT (Join to see)
Rap music does "take the cake" for that. I've rarely heard racial slurs in other genres.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
All speech is protected as long as it is the truth. Even offensive language is protected. UCMJ has a tighter leash on this than the constitution.
That being said, we should each practice the golden rule which in my opinion trumps the Constitution. The Bible says to speak the truth in love. It's hard to speak lovingly using racial slurs unless you're relating a story that includes racial slurs to make a point. Tone of voice and facial cues make a difference. Of course on RP and FB, you can't see or hear any of that.
Banning a behavior doesn't stop the attitude. It actually makes things worse. I've seen a serious uptick in the amount of confederate flags being flown since they got banned.
That being said, we should each practice the golden rule which in my opinion trumps the Constitution. The Bible says to speak the truth in love. It's hard to speak lovingly using racial slurs unless you're relating a story that includes racial slurs to make a point. Tone of voice and facial cues make a difference. Of course on RP and FB, you can't see or hear any of that.
Banning a behavior doesn't stop the attitude. It actually makes things worse. I've seen a serious uptick in the amount of confederate flags being flown since they got banned.
(0)
(0)
MSgt Curtis Ellis
SPC Nathan Freeman Just so I understand, you feel it is appropriate to use a racial slur if it is "... spoken in the truth and in love, such as in relating a story that includes racial slurs to make a point..."? I just want to make sure that I understand your answer. If this is incorrect, my apologies.
(1)
(0)
SPC Nathan Freeman
Actually my point was that speaking the truth in love and using racial slurs generally don't mix.
That being said, I on a rare occasion relay a story or two involving race and hatred that happened to me growing up. I grew up in a white flight town in Arkansas and made the mistake of saying the a black woman was pretty. (She was a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader). I was nicknamed "nigger lover". My mom was soon fired and we had to sell our house and move out of town.
During that same time, there was a riot at a homecoming football game that started with a racial slur and ended with broken skulls, swat teams and slashed tires for some time to come. MSgt Curtis Ellis
That being said, I on a rare occasion relay a story or two involving race and hatred that happened to me growing up. I grew up in a white flight town in Arkansas and made the mistake of saying the a black woman was pretty. (She was a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader). I was nicknamed "nigger lover". My mom was soon fired and we had to sell our house and move out of town.
During that same time, there was a riot at a homecoming football game that started with a racial slur and ended with broken skulls, swat teams and slashed tires for some time to come. MSgt Curtis Ellis
(1)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google