If Riley Cooper were black, of course, then he would be “cool.”
There are words, there are thoughts, and there is conduct. Thoughts are not unethical. Conduct can be unethical. Words can be considered conduct when they are intended to have, or do have, material and measurable direct effects. Verbal abuse is conduct. Using a rude, vulgar or hateful word may not be verbal abuse.
Although the NFL and his team, the Philadelphia Eagles have every right, and some good reasons, to punish, suspend or even terminate Riley Cooper because a video reveals the Eagles player as saying, “I will jump that fence and fight every nigger here!” at a Kenny Chesney concert, I don’t see any conduct there, just words. He did not direct the racial slur at any individual, and there is no evidence that it was intended to harm or intimidate any African-Americans. He did not intend for the outburst to be publicized of communicated to anyone but the friends he said it to. On a pure just punishment for harm intended or achieved basis, it is ridiculous for Cooper to be facing the loss of millions and his athletic career because he uttered a single racial slur that was captured on a video. It cannot be defended logically or as a reasonable position. Using one racial slur in that setting doesn’t prove that Cooper is a racist. It doesn’t prove hate. Even if it did, hate is not illegal or even unethical until the hater acts on it in an unethical way. And a word is just a word. We don’t, or shouldn’t, fear mere words in a rational American society. We shouldn’t have taboos, or people who “cannnot be named,” like in the Harry Potter books. The ease and certitude with which otherwise intelligent people capable of making judgments involving proportion and common sense blithely go along with the batty idea that uttering a word, only uttering it and nothing more, should result in devastating consequences, is frightening. It is a per se unethical position, because it is unfair, and incompetent, because it is essentially crazy.
Having said that, I can understand why, since so many people are irrational about words, why the NFL or the Philadelphia Eagles, as a business decision, may decide that they don’t want Cooper associated with them any more. That is a rational choice, and may even be the best choice. That is not the same as saying that he deserves that result. If the bulk of NFL fans are fanatically politically correct, then the NFL and its teams cannot afford to ignore that. Sorry Riley.
The reaction of Philadelphia’s African-American mayor, however, is far over any line of rationality. Mayor Nutter said in a statement:
“As the Mayor of this City and an African-American man, I find the remarks made by Riley Cooper, repugnant, insensitive and ignorant, and all of us, regardless of race or nationality, should be offended by these comments. I recognize that the private sector is very different than the public sector in terms of rules and procedures, but I would note that in our government, if an executive branch ‘at-will’ employee, somewhat similar to Mr. Cooper’s status with the Eagles, made such comments, I would insist on a suspension at a minimum and would seriously have to evaluate terminating such an individual from employment with the City.”
Grandstanding. What “remarks?” Cooper made a single comment in which only one word, and nothing else, was objectionable. He didn’t tweet it or broadcast it, or know anyone who heard it who would be hurt by it. It was rude, it was stupid, it was uncivil…and it was only one word. He didn’t give a Ku Klux Klan speech…that would have been conduct. That would have justified Nutter’s reaction.
You know what else would justify that level of reaction? Calling a national political leader a twat or a cunt in national TV. That is conduct. That is hate-inducing, and deliberately so. That causes tangible harm. Comic Bill Maher has done this more than once, and HBO hasn’t blinked. Why? I view the anti-woman slur “cunt” as just as offensive as “nigger.” Why wouldn’t it be? Both terms are inherently degrading, have a long history of being used to denigrate and marginalize groups with traditionally less power and status, and when directed at a specific target, are abusive. Maher, as a television personality, intended to do harm, and knew he was being recorded and broadcast Cooper did not. Hateful and hate-inducing speech is directly relevant to Maher’s profession, and horrible professional ethics. Using a racial slur in a non-sports related setting, however, has nothing to do with Cooper’s primary occupation, playing football. (It does affect his effectiveness as a role model, product endorser and local hero.)
In short, the hysteria that the race-grievance mongers and political correctness fanatics have created over the word “nigger” has reached a level that transcends sanity, and most closely resembles the ancient stoning of people who uttered religious taboo words. It’s a hateful word that is inherently uncivil and insensitive, and generally there is no reason to use it. But it is still just a word.
What MSNBC’s Toure Nesbitt did to help fan the flames of anger against Cooper for uttering the word, however, was conduct—hateful, dishonest, and unprofessional.
NBA immortal Magic Johnson’s sent a series of tweets on Twitter that said,
“Riley Cooper’s teammates will never forgive him, I don’t care what they say publicly. Riley should be given a second chance. People will never look at Riley Cooper the same. “
Nesbitt retweeted this to his followers, but it became…
That’s a cardinal journalistic sin….and several ethics fouls. Toure is
- Intentionally misleading his followers regarding what Johnson said.
- As a journalist, intentionally distorting a quote for a personal agenda.
- Violating the ethics of Twitter.
- Being unfair to Johnson.
That conduct is beyond question a firing offense for any journalist, and far, far worse, ethically and professionally, than a pro athlete getting captured on video shouting a racial slur while waiting to get into a concert. In a rational, ethical American society where there is proportion and proper respect for freedom of thought, speech, and to make as ass of yourself in a moment of stupidity, it would be the journalist, not the athlete, facing the end of his career.
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Source: Newsbusters, CBS, Twitter
Ethics Alarms 
Just who is it who decides what words are offensive, hateful, racist, etc. these days? I’m not referring here to blasphemous, sexual or scatological references that have a long cultural tradition of being classless, but to this maze of politically correct (or incorrect) terms that seems to change daily and which arbitrarily targets or ignores certain groups, depending on who utters it. It’s even come to the point where some cities have banned words that have no offensive history except by some extreme and ambiguous definition.
If someone who’s not black starts yelling “nigger” in a public setting where black people are present, that’s inciting to riot. But where has this Grand Taboo come from to where no one dares even mention the term second hand to make a point, having instead to whisper about the “n-word”? Does this apply when calling a latino a “spic” or a white person a “cracker”? Are some animals more equal (or sensitive) than others?
People should be careful what they say in public as a matter of respect for their fellow citizens and as an indicator of their own good character. But they should not be subject to the verbal machinations of politicians who have discovered that they can now ban or create any word or term they desire as a means of playing off one group of people against another in a game that would have given Nero or Boss Tweed a belly laugh.
And then there’s just a plain matter of the legitimacy of ordinances that strike at the very heart of what the 1st Amendment is all about. But then again, the Constitution doesn’t count for much these days in any of its facets.
The n-word nonsense, I have come to believe, is substantially at fault for the mystical, childish, extreme treatment of “nigger” in the media and society generally..
Riley immediately became a punching bag for everyone who wants or needs political attention.. Unethical behavior regarding the actual opinions becomes meaningless because there are few in any people who will defend him… Unlike Zimmerman, people will not defend Riley’s right to do whatever he did, since it was a racist aggressive rant.
There is definitely a double standard regarding how white people are punished for their politically incorrect behavior compared to minorities.. Maybe that lack of forgiveness is the price of being the majority?
Most people would be fired in any job for using any of these words. If Bill Maher worked at my firm, he would be fired. But he is a comedian — he can use such language if he wants in his act. People can choose to tune in or not. Presumably, if he used the “c” word to refer to one of his writers, assistants, etc., that would be actionable as well.
And again you excuse Maher’s behavior.
He doesn’t use the word in his stand-up act, he’s using it on his TV show.
And no, most people would NOT be fired for using these words because most people don’t either a) go stand in front of a camera every night and record a TV show or b) have to worry about random assholes recording their every movement and utterance in the hopes of getting something they can “nail” them with.
You, for example, could say largely whatever you like at a concert sand there would be little consequence because no one gives a single gram of a fuck what you have to say.
So you are, in essence, suggesting that there is a completely reasonable double-standard based on fame.
And that’s bullshit.
AM – if you are going to continue to put words in other peoples’ mouths, you really need to get better at it. Maher’s TV show is a COMEDY show — it doesn’t matter if it is filmed or not. As an artist, he has leeway — just like a singer or actor can use non-PC language in the exercise of their art. If you don’t like it, don’t tune in. For me, Louis C.K. was way too over the top for me. So, I don’t watch his shows – either the sitcom or the stand-ups. But, I’m not saying that he shouldn’t be able to use the language that he does. All artists are punished/rewarded based on their speech and conduct. If his ratings drop on HBO, then presumably his contract will not get renewed.
I don’t care if this football player gets fired or not. It’s the employer’s prerogative.
First, Maher’s show is not a comedy show – it is at the very least a current-events panel show, that occasionally has comedic performers as guests, but more frequently has pundits and politicians as panelists.
At worst it is a talk show. That he is a comedian (for certain low values of the word) does not invalidate it as such. Leno, O’Brien, Kimmel, and Ferguson, all did standup and their shows are not classed as “comedy”, and if they called a politician a cunt they would be fired before the FCC could even hit send on the e-mail informing the network of their fine.
Louis C.K. at least did it during a stand up set, not on national television. HE was acting as a comedian, Maher was as a show host.
The difference between Maher and Leno is that Maher has positioned himself as “edgy.” He’s on cable. He directs “controversial” documentaries. On the show he regularly interrupts and browbeats his guests, and uses naughty words. His show is a different animal from a talk show and shouldn’t be held to the same standards.
The show opens with 10 minutes of stand-up, has a comic bit midway, and ends with “new rules” — another comedy bit. And yes, the panel discusses current events (just like the interviews on Colbert and Stewart), but it’s done with comedy. AND, he’s on cable TV — Leno has to meet other standards.
When did it become not only acceptable, but mandatory that “comedians” use the foulest language and concepts imaginable in their performances? And what is a comedian these days, anyway? Bill Maher, like Jon Stewart, runs a political commentary show with the overtones of comedy and satire. This is not unusual for such shows, be they left or right in their direction. What’s notable between these programs is that crude words and gestures are largely the province of the leftists, which Bill Maher apparently takes to its extremity. In that, he emulates the “stand up comedians” that today dominate the genre in their non-stop, profanity saturated rants. Again; what has comedy become that it has degenerated to this and why is it accepted as such? And why has political satire apparently merged with it… and is also accepted as such?
Ferguson’s show opens with something like 20 minutes of stand-up. Some nights I think it is ALL stand-up.
Plus, Craig’s stuff is actually funny…
Maybe Riley Cooper read too much into the job description of “Offensive Lineman”?
Isn’t he a “wide-out?”
Yes. But let me get jokes where I can.
Hah. He’s also a little “out there.” Any guy that relatively lithe (“pencil-necked” comes to mind) who is willing to make a living trying to catch footballs in the middle of the field is pretty far out in my book. Maybe he’s had his bell rung a few too many times. Not that the NFL allows concussions, of course. No sir, Mr. Plaintiffs’ lawyer, sir.
Good one Tex. Cooper might also be striving to create a position for a new kind of wide receiver, both on and off the field. “Scoring territory” might hereafter be defined as “the Cooper zone.”
Thanks for this, Jack. I had no idea how to attack all the non-stop emoting and bloviating and “reporting” on this at ESPN.Of course, this was being covered non-stop while they were covering divers looking for Aaron Hernandez’s gun in a pond that happened to be just around the corner from the ESPN studios.
Okay, a young jock from the Sayouth was extrememely agitated fro some unknown reason and he went off in a very distinctly Southern white manner. Consider me SHOCKED. He was being a “creepy-ass[ed] cracker.” Professional football players are not Mother Theresas. All this righteous indignation is just nuts.
Thank you for making an articulate, reasoned approach to all this insanity. And this may be unethical, but I wish someone would take a poll of all the NFL’s African American players and ask them whether they’ve ever used the term “honkey” in the workplace or anywhere.
Context makes a difference.. He used a racial slur as part of an aggressive and angry rant towards a black American.
So what would have been a politically incorrect conversation turns into serious hate speech and labels him a racist… This, in a profession that is 2/3 black (NFL players).
Remember the Jeremy Lin controversy last year when a racial slur was used in an article?… Writer was fired… And that guy was just trying to be clever, not angry.
By any employment standard, Cooper should be fired from the team. Like to see how he rehabilitates his image and where he will end up playing… I’m guessing Phoenix would take him.
On this, I am more with you and less with Jack. Both Cooper’s and Nesbitt’s actions/communications (that is all “conduct” to me) were obviously unethical. But I am less sure about Jack’s comparison of the two for the purpose of concluding which deserves more, or less, consequences that are presumably not desirable to each communicator.
Cooper could not have reflected himself any more unfavorably than if he had said, “I wish I could kill every black person here.” Has he come out with an apology yet? If not, too late. Because if he hasn’t already, then either (1) he’s not regretful and penitent at all, or (2) he is relying upon others to concoct his apology for him, which makes such apology barely more than worthless anyway, or (3) both 1 and 2. So all that’s left is to see what his employer does with him, which will be most telling about that organization and its leadership, if not also about ALL its membership.
Nesbitt’s re-tweet, to me, is a tougher call. I hesitate to accuse Nesbitt of something more specific than “unfair to original tweeter” based on partially quoting someone else. The unfairness may have been unintentional – which to me stands in stark contrast to Cooper’s unmistakable utterance.
If that is truly the context, I would tend to agree that Riley deserves a censure. I didn’t know the context before and didn’t want to cast judgment on this incident until then.
Had he just been ranting in anger at anything and used the term “nigger” as flippantly as the is accepted in the African American subculture then I’d say, big deal.
But given the context indicated by JJ I’d say he was in the wrong.
Who says he wasn’t in the wrong? The post said that up front. The question is whether mere words are so harmful in such a situation that they should be treated like actual assault.
I donno. I’ve always figured true assault ultimately required the physical connection or physical attempt to damage another’s person.
Until “the first punch is thrown”, the harasser is simply a loud and uncivil oaf and is worthy of being pointed out as such (quite vocally) by the victim of harassment.
I think scenes like that call upon the by-stander and the verbal victim to be courageous and call harassers out for the louts they are. When Cooper’s friends stood by and let him carry on like that they only condemned themselves.
But it isn’t the context. Remember that the new game is making up facts to prove the offense.
You are correct. What we don’t know doesn’t count. And I can’t guess as to the context. If JJ’s hypothetical is correct then all that makes cooper into is an loud ass and his friends uncaring accomplices in assholery.
Not true! Here’s the video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kv1b1FV9T0g
He was not denigrating anyone in particular, at least that we can see or know. He had been arguing with a security guard, but he did not call the security guard a “nigger.” If I am arguing with a security guard and say, “I’m going to beat up every asshole here”—I have not called the security guard an asshole.
First off, it is not unreasonable to start from a position of “Toure said something, therefore it was unethical” – the odds would certainly be in your favor.
As to the larger point, you are right – had this been Michael; Vick, no one would even notice this, because he’s black and so he’s allowed to say it.
And Nutter is just living up to his name. Again. The guy is a race-bating moron who wouldn’t know rational thought if it bit him in the ass.
Context is everything. You can use “cunt” in a joke. You can say “nigger” if you’re black. I’ve just used both words in the context of talking about words. If I used them to my co-workers it would be offensive and wrong. Sort of like most of the words I think of in regards to Nutter.
Sorry, I don’t think a reasonable adult should use “cunt” in a joke. That’s a no-brainer. And why should you be able to say “nigger” if you’re black? That makes no sense at all. See Don Lemon.
What do we want? A cure for Tourette’s!
When do we want it? CUNT!
“Everyone else seems afraid to say it, but that Quvenzhané Wallis is kind of a cunt, right?” –The Onion, Oscars tweet
I think I was one of 60 people who thought that was funny…
I mean, come the fuck on, it’s a god damn JOKE people. They weren’t ACTUALLY calling her a cunt, Jesus H Christ…
I thought it was funny too.
Well, Bill Maher doesn’t present himself as a reasonable adult. He’s a “rebel.” Or something. You can’t fault shock comedians for being shocking.
I find the rule of thumb is that you can be derogatory towards a group of people if you’re in the group. It’s acceptable for Jews to sit around telling Jewish jokes. It’s acceptable for gay men to call each other “sister.” I can say “My wife is really being a shrew today.” You can’t say, “Gregg, your wife is really being a shrew today.”
Are you kidding? Bill Maher presents himself as the grand determiner of absolute enlightenment. He’s an arrogant asshole.
Again, see Don Lemon’s very good discussion about black people calling eachother niggers. As I recall, he says all that sort of behavior does is confirm the stereotype the word was created to convey.
Be careful what you wish for, oh ye politically correct, if gays can tell gay jokes and Jews can tell Jewish jokes, and black peole can tell nigger jokes, etc. with impunity. Don’t be dismayed when stereotypes are held out as being legitimate describers of certain groups’ conduct and personalities. I think that will simply be a matter of cause and effect.
Would any of the women out there in Jack Marshall web log land care to express an opinion on whether cunt is an acceptable way to identify a woman? In any context?
I don’t care if a comedian or an artist uses the “c” word. Heck, I don’t even care if AM does it. (He’s called me all sorts of vile names, he may have done so already. And if he hasn’t, I imagine he will for now on.) With speech and conduct though comes consequences. Other moderators might kick AM off a web blog for using derogatory comments on an ethics blog, Jack doesn’t. I choose to be here, so if it offends me I could walk away. I WOULD care if an employer used that term because I can’t really walk away from a job that easily.
I have, and I am certain I will do so again. You have long since earned every disrespectful and demeaning word I can muster when referring to you.
Aw schucks AM, I love you too! XOXO
I have stopped reading certain libertarian blogs where the use of that word was deemed acceptable. I don’t like it in casual conversation or usage (I gather that Brits sometimes use it casually). I do think it is misogynistic in general, and usually an attempt to shut someone down by either implying that they are “womanish” if they are male, or “icky and gross” if they are female, rather than responding to the essence of an argument.
In literary contexts (e.g. Chaucer) I think it is fine. But that isn’t what is under discussion.
Would any of the women out there in Jack Marshall web log land care to express an opinion on whether cunt is an acceptable way to identify a woman? In any context?
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I’ll answer:
To me, the lowest word you can use for a woman is that word.
When you use that, it shows your extreme loathing.
So, it does have its place if one wishes their extreme feelings be known at once.
Being called that word, you have no doubt.
As a female, I never use that word.
The meanest, rottenest name I’ve called another female is “retarded whore”.
Pretty mean, right?
It did the trick, also.
I don’t think the c word is funny coming from a comedian and I would be offended if a male used it in my presence.
It certainly isn’t one to be used on just any old occasion…
Like the atom bomb, it is reserved for those special people…
It certainly isn’t one to be used on just any old occasion…
Like the atom bomb, it is reserved for those special people…
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Yes. Perfect analogy.
Bill Maher is an arrogant asshole, but he doesn’t use the word “cunt” in the cause of enlightenment. He fancies it’s “edgy.”
I’m not sure what you’re advocating, really. You doubtless talk to people close to you in ways that would be inappropriate in other circumstances. If your goal is to police language for uniformity of use regardless of context, that’s a lot more “politically correct” than thinking a white guy who shouts “nigger” ought to be fired from a lucrative job, even though Lil Wayne gets to say it whenever he wants.
I’d be curious if Don Lemon berates people who use the word “nigger” wit affection or humor in all-black gatherings. Or if he just does what I do when I catch Bill Maher on the screen – cringe and move on.
Lemon called them out for it as being stupid and counterproductive and uncivil.
On CNN, yes. CNN isn’t an all-black gathering though, is it?
And I just think anyone being able to call each other or others niggers with impunity is a double standard and double standards are illogical and are not good for a society. I just don’t get it. Another example of the illogic: Is it okay for me, a white person, to call another white person a nigger? If not, why not?
What’s the context? Are you a 14-year-old kid aping street cred with a bunch of other white teenagers? Then yeah, it’s socially acceptable. If you then apply for a summer job, and midway through the interview say, “Hold on, nigger’s calling me on the phone?” Then no, isn’t. Are you a comedian who says “Bob Newhart? What’s that nigger doing here?” then yes, that’s acceptable. Are you at work, and you say “Bob is a lazy-ass nigger” on his employee review form? Then no, it’s not.
It’s illogical, but it’s no more illogical than the fact that you can wear swimming trunks to a pool party but not to a funeral.
Wow. I guess I just thought nasty, bad language was corrosive and offensive. I’m not saying it’s illegal or should be policed or prosecuted. If you’re a 14-year-old kid aping stgreet cred with a bunch of other white teenagers, you’re already a moron, so what you say is highly suspect, if not downright pathetic.
Sorry, I just don’t see the anology to swim wear. Should I call someone a cunt in front of my seven year old grand daughter? It’s okay of Bill Maher says it while we’re watching TV? Or with my eighteen year old neice? Or my 39 year old daughter.
Obviously, people with functioning vocal chords can say whatever the hell they can wherever they want to. But is it good or desireable? I thought that’s what we were talking about.
We are. The suitability of certain language depends on the circumstances. I think wearing a Speedo is obnoxious under any circumstances, but I recognize that it’s acceptable at the beach and not a funeral. I think the word “nigger” is an ugly one, but I understand the difference between the various ways its used, and when it’s unacceptable and when it is.
Bill Maher has a show on HBO. HBO airs warnings before every episode about shocking language. This is to establish a context in which Maher can say shocking words to an audience that likes such things. You can establish a context with your family – “my house, my rules” – and decide what words are acceptable and what aren’t. I grew up with a mother who would have died rather than saying the word “tampon” out loud. Now I live in a house where they’re on the shopping list.
I disagree with: “The suitability of certain language depends on the circumstances.” I also think Bill Maher passes himself off as a political commentator of great gravitas. Howard Stern stays out of politics (Praise Allah).
Can anyone give me a logical explanation for why it’s okay for black people to call eachother niggers but it’s not okay for whites to do the same thing? I think both are super objectionable. Anyone? Anyone? Beuhler.
Of course you think the suitability of certain language depends on the circumstances. You’ve used the word “nigger” dozens of times in this discussion, but of course you know that it’s not an offensive word under the circumstances, ie a discussion of language.
There is not a logical explanation for the way language works. You drive on a parkway and you park on a driveway. You can refer to a dog as a a “Bitch” but not your mother (probably). There are parts of the world where “fag” means cigarette and parts where it’s a derogatory word. If you met Obama you would call him “Mr. President” but that’s not what his daughters call him. In certain circumstances the word “nigger” is harmless, even affectionate. A white guy shouting it at black people is not one of those circumstances. It could get him fired. Maybe you wish that it couldn’t get him fired, or maybe you wish that it could get Kanye West fired. When you and Don Lemon become emperor, make it so.
I’m not trying to be imperious, I’m trying to pursuade people to come around to my point of view. What’s imperious about that?
I remember reading about how black jazz musicians began referring to each other as “man,” as in “Hey man, what’s up?” They did so amongst themselves because it was their response to always being called “boy” by whites. It’s how ‘man’ entered the lexicon. I think it’s a great story.
What’s good or logical (dare I say ethical) about black people calling each other niggers? Affectionately? Huh? They’re using the ultimate racist term to put each other down, playfully or not. How stupid is that?
“Faggot” meaning a piece of wood and “bitch” meaning a female dog, or “queer” meaning strange have nothing to do with what we’re talking about. Nigger only has one meaning that I’m aware of. Cunt only has one meaning I’m aware of. I doubt obstetricians refer to women’s vaginas as cunts. At least not since Chaucer’s time.
And what’s humorous, comedic or “shocking” about Bill Maher calling Sarah Palin or Michelle Bachmann a cunt? It’s terrible, nasty political commentary and hideously misogynistic. Just as Rush Limbaugh’s calling Nancy Pelosi a cunt would be (or has been?).
Black use of the word “nigger” is an attempted reclamation of a derogatory word. There’s a long history of groups doing this. There’s even the point of view that spelling it “nigga” is the best way to draw that distinction. Whether attempt is successful or palatable is of course a matter of opinion. But if you understand that the word can be used “playfully,” then you can understand that it’s appropriate in some circumstances.
If you think that Maher saying “cunt” is “terrible” and “hideously misogynistic,” then I’m sure I don’t have to explain why some would find it shocking. Furthermore some find shocking stuff funny. Personally I find Maher’s smug, fish-in-a-barrel humor tiresome. But I don’t find it inappropriate for the circumstances. He’s on HBO talking about current events in comic monlogs. He’s supposed to be shocking.
I find it puzzling that you clearly realize that context defines language – Chaucer’s use of cunt, the derogatory use of “boy,” – and then turn around a demand a logical explanation for why some uses of the word “nigger” are socially acceptable. It ain’t logical. Language isn’t.
And what’s humorous, comedic or “shocking” about Bill Maher calling Sarah Palin or Michelle Bachmann a cunt? It’s terrible, nasty political commentary and hideously misogynistic.
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I’ve always assumed that Bill Maher (who I despise) uses the language and jokes that his viewers like.
I mean, why else?
Is it okay for me, a white person, to call another white person a nigger? If not, why not?
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No, but it’s OK for you to call us crackers.
hehe
That’s right. We’re both from Florida. We can “own” cracker and be playful. We can reclaim it, whatever that means. And we can make things divisive. It’ll implicitly be us vs. them there niggers. Fantastic.
Or maybe we can know what cracker means and just bury it and try to act like decent human beings and not like what people think of as being crackers? And we won’t separate ourselves from non-whites?
Again, it depends on the context. If you say, “I know I look like a fool when I hit the dancefloor, but what did you expect from a cracker like me?” do you really think you’re setting back race relations?
We can “own” cracker
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Not everyone knows there is a nice version of Cracker.
Let me quote here: “Jehova! Jehova!”
And why don’t the Reverend Jesse Jackson, Jr. and the Reverend Al Sharpton, intermittent bible thumpers that they are, ever cite the old passive aggressive wimpy “let he who is without sin cast the first stone” line from whichever Testament that’s from? I’d just like to see it. Once.