Let me get a few things out of the way first. You will not find it in this post, and I am white. Well, these days, I am. There was a time where I would not have qualified despite my skin tone. Even by the U.S. Census, I would have been considered Jew. That being said, let's talk.
Some time ago, some Wrong Wingnut compared some black person to a monkey. It probably happened yesterday as well, and will likely happen tomorrow. Former RNC Chairman Hailey Barbour is now defending using the term "tar baby." Fox defended this pol by saying that many people on the left called President George W. Bush a chimpanzee. So, is it really fair for the left to get up in arms over this?
Yes! When the Left compared the Republican President to a chimp, it was a joke, and they showed pictures of facial expressions. For centuries, when white people used ape and monkey references about black people, it wasn't about a joke, it was done to suggest that they were inferior.
Which brings me to the N-word. Please follow me below.
The N-word is not now, and has never been a racial slur. It's purpose is far worse. Even among the most racist people, the term "black person" carries the meaning that you are talking about a person. "N-word" expressly denies that. A "N-word" is not a person. A "N-word" is precisely that, and therefore worthy of derision and scorn, suspicion and fear. A "N-word" is considered to be an animal.
Much like the discussion around calling President Bush a Chimpanzee, Many on the Wrong complain about the fact that many black people use the "N-word" themselves. "Why do they 'get' to use the word and we can't?" Now, I'm going to go out on a limb here, and this is not a monkey reference, f--k you very much, but I don't think black people get together and talk about how lucky they are that they can say the "N-word."
Saying the "N-word" is NOT a perk of being black any more than stop and frisk is a perk or DWB in an expensive car. Being reasonably feared, and shot unarmed, yeah, I'd really give up use of the "N-word" to prevent that stuff.
By the By, I am upset that "Blazing Saddles" on broadcast TV bleeps out the "N-word" because that's the point of the movie- It uses the word to expose its negativity. I have never experienced racism, but I find myself continually writing about it