Special Olympics aims at ending the derogatory use of the "r-word"

[BabyPiNK_FL]

Many derogatory words as someone pointed out earlier, have taken on secondary meanings. It is called the evolution of language. You can not stop it. Words take on new meanings all the time. You don't have to like it, but most people already speak (especially when speaking casually) before they have a chance to register what they are going to say. Hence, "retarded" would not be used in a formal speech, neither would "gay", but you'll find them in casual and everyday conversation. There is no movement that will stop the natural progression of language, so I think they are going to have to go on being offended.

As a black person, I've learned to just get used to many hispanics and whites saying "nigga" on casual basis when meeting friends. No one has ever in my life (to my knowledge) used it in offense towards me. I do notice it all the time in my head and it does make me stop and think for a second, but I don't get offended about it and give them a lecture. What is the point?

[christiangirl]

Originally Posted by BabyPiNK_FL

As a black person, I've learned to just get used to many hispanics and whites saying "nigga" on casual basis when meeting friends. No one has ever in my life (to my knowledge) used it in offense towards me. I do notice it all the time in my head and it does make me stop and think for a second, but I don't get offended about it and give them a lecture. What is the point?

The point is that, if it is unacceptable and hurtful to me, there is no reason I should tolerate it. The word is offensive to me and I do not allow anyone to use it toward me, casually or not. A lecture is not necessary, but I may give one if they ask me why I feel the way I do. I ask people not to use it around me, though I can't demand that they don't. Usually, they respect that unless they're just complete jerks and say it more to annoy me (some people are just mean-spirited that way)--in which case, I just remove myself.