# Annie-Xmas, I can think of a word that fits **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 11, 2017, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annie-xmas-i-can-think-of-a-word-that-fits/791000 "2017-07-11T14:50:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annie-xmas-i-can-think-of-a-word-that-fits/791000/61 "2017-07-11T20:32:02Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > The only “negative” characteristic the slur was associated with was being black. Society at large had been convinced that this quality alone was enough to render one inferior. I disagree with this. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annie-xmas-i-can-think-of-a-word-that-fits/791000/62 "2017-07-11T20:32:17Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Yes, I share Chris Rock’s opinion that there is, or can be, a difference between being a nigger and being a black person. > > And some of the point of the monologue is that it is not the case that “all you have to do to be called it is to be black”. Chris Rock is not calling all black people niggers. And I thought he made the distinction rather clear. > > Regards, > Shodan What’s the difference? ---
**Author:** ![somepumpkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7feea3/32.png) [@somepumpkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/somepumpkin)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annie-xmas-i-can-think-of-a-word-that-fits/791000/63 "2017-07-11T20:33:36Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > How did the slur serve to dehumanize black people and emphasize their inferior status (other than by association with negative stereotypes)? Assuming you’re not wooshing… Because some people have chosen to use the word instead of (e.g.) Kevin, Mary, Antwon, “that guy over there”, “that short lady”. Instead of addressing them as equals, they’ve undercut any respect by throwing “nigger” around. Aside from the example linked to LouisCK, that term’s rarely used for (any measure of) respect. Dehumanize? We could argue that. But inferior status would easily jive with “little/no respect”, though. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annie-xmas-i-can-think-of-a-word-that-fits/791000/64 "2017-07-11T20:34:36Z")
Since you’ve given me advice, **iiandyiiii** , I’ll give you some on **F-P**. He has a pattern. He finds someone who is being rightfully derided for something bad they did–whether a poster or someone else. He then comes up with some out-there excuse for it that anyone could easily see the flaws in. And then, when you point out those flaws, he either keeps finding even more ridiculous ways to deal with it, all in an effort to get you frustrated so he can say he won. In other words, he’s just posting this stuff to be contrary, and doesn’t believe a word of it. He’s not even consistent about it. As he told me before, it’s just a game for him. It is thus pointless to engage with him. ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annie-xmas-i-can-think-of-a-word-that-fits/791000/65 "2017-07-11T20:37:11Z")
> [@somepumpkin](#): > > Assuming you’re not wooshing… > Because some people have chosen to use the word instead of (e.g.) Kevin, Mary, Antwon, “that guy over there”, “that short lady”. > > Instead of addressing them as equals, they’ve undercut any respect by throwing “nigger” around. Aside from the example linked to LouisCK, that term’s rarely used for (any measure of) respect. > > Dehumanize? We could argue that. But inferior status would easily jive with “little/no respect”, though. This is a circular argument. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annie-xmas-i-can-think-of-a-word-that-fits/791000/66 "2017-07-11T20:37:38Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > I believe that’s a more modern construction, not the 1950-60 attitude she says she’s parroting. > > It’s that attitude that got Obama called one (such as in the bumper stickers about “Renigging” the White House in the 2012 election. She can speak for herself, (not that it will do any good) but no, it doesn’t seem to be the same attitude. Because [list=A][li]She does not use the word out loud, and thus would never have said anything like that about Obama, and[/li][li]She does not apply the term to black people in general. [/list][/li] > [@iiandyiiii](#): > > What’s the difference? Listen to the monologue - it consists mostly of talking about the differences between “niggers” and “black people”. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![somepumpkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7feea3/32.png) [@somepumpkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/somepumpkin)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annie-xmas-i-can-think-of-a-word-that-fits/791000/67 "2017-07-11T20:42:21Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > This is a circular argument. I don’t follow. I’m not arguing. I’m discussing. ---
**Author:** ![Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/channing_idaho_banks/32/250_2.png) [@Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Channing_Idaho_Banks)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annie-xmas-i-can-think-of-a-word-that-fits/791000/68 "2017-07-11T20:46:47Z")
Does this mean that I have to stop listening to Dr. Dre? ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annie-xmas-i-can-think-of-a-word-that-fits/791000/69 "2017-07-11T20:47:55Z")
Some of the posters on this board embarrass the fuck out of humanity. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annie-xmas-i-can-think-of-a-word-that-fits/791000/70 "2017-07-11T20:49:03Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > She can speak for herself, (not that it will do any good) but no, it doesn’t seem to be the same attitude. > > Because [list=A] > [li]She does not use the word out loud, and thus would never have said anything like that about Obama, and[/li][li]She does not apply the term to black people in general. [/li][/list] > Listen to the monologue - it consists mostly of talking about the differences between “niggers” and “black people”. > > Regards, > Shodan I’ve heard it before. I’m interested in your opinion, not his. Can you identify, specifically, some individuals you think of as niggers? ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annie-xmas-i-can-think-of-a-word-that-fits/791000/71 "2017-07-11T21:18:50Z")
For anyone who honestly thinks Chris Rock’s routine is a justification for any beliefs/views about the use of the racial slur nigger (or even an honest portrayal of Rock’s views on race), do you believe that Chris Rock wishes or wished he could join the KKK? ---
**Author:** ![Crazy\_Canuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crazy_canuck/32/5282_2.png) [@Crazy\_Canuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crazy_Canuck)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annie-xmas-i-can-think-of-a-word-that-fits/791000/72 "2017-07-11T21:19:27Z")
This thread is a great example of my problem with the left wing. So we have one person who may have negative thoughts about a race. She has taken no action that I am aware of, she just has a thought that the masses disagree with. This is then of course followed by a fucking orgy of virtue signalling where everyone insists that they have never even thought such thoughts, never even once, all while gleefully calling Annie racist. When the right accuses your side of policing thought crimes, this is the exact shit they are talking about. Way to prove them right. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annie-xmas-i-can-think-of-a-word-that-fits/791000/73 "2017-07-11T21:20:09Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > She can speak for herself, (not that it will do any good) but no, it doesn’t seem to be the same attitude. > > Because [list=A] > [li]She does not use the word out loud, and thus would never have said anything like that about Obama, and[/li] > [li]She does not apply the term to black people in general. [/li][/list] > > Regards, > > Shodan This is such an obtuse reply that I’m actually flabbergasted. > [@Crazy\_Canuck](#): > > This thread is a great example of my problem with the left wing. So we have one person who may have negative thoughts about a race. She has taken no action that I am aware of, she just has a thought that the masses disagree with. This is then of course followed by a fucking orgy of virtue signalling where everyone insists that they have never even thought such thoughts, never even once, all while gleefully calling Annie racist. > > When the right accuses your side of policing thought crimes, this is the exact shit they are talking about. Way to prove them right. Nice excluded middle. No one said you can’t have negative thoughts. It’s this particular thought, unapologetically imagined, buying into the worst racial stereotypes that are being called out. I can say without any hesitation that I have never used slurs in my head to think about someone. Not fag, homo, wetback, anything. You may want to believe we’re all making that up for some leftist agenda, but maybe we are leftist because we just rarely think that way. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annie-xmas-i-can-think-of-a-word-that-fits/791000/74 "2017-07-11T21:23:36Z")
> [@Crazy\_Canuck](#): > > This thread is a great example of my problem with the left wing. So we have one person who may have negative thoughts about a race. She has taken no action that I am aware of, she just has a thought that the masses disagree with. This is then of course followed by a fucking orgy of virtue signalling where everyone insists that they have never even thought such thoughts, never even once, all while gleefully calling Annie racist. > > When the right accuses your side of policing thought crimes, this is the exact shit they are talking about. Way to prove them right. “You can’t call us racist if we only think SOME black people are niggers!” ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annie-xmas-i-can-think-of-a-word-that-fits/791000/75 "2017-07-11T21:26:05Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Yes, I share Chris Rock’s opinion that there is, or can be, a difference between being a nigger and being a black person. > > And some of the point of the monologue is that it is not the case that “all you have to do to be called it is to be black”. Chris Rock is not calling all black people niggers. And I thought he made the distinction rather clear. > > Regards, > Shodan I don’t know that that is the point of the monolog, but if it is, it’s wrong. Unless it’s your contention that a black person need not worry about being called a nigger in the US unless he exhibits behaviors mentioned in that monolog. ---
**Author:** ![Revenant\_Threshold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annie-xmas-i-can-think-of-a-word-that-fits/791000/76 "2017-07-11T21:26:33Z")
> [@Crazy\_Canuck](#): > > When the right accuses your side of policing thought crimes, this is the exact shit they are talking about. Way to prove them right. _This_ is the exact shit they are talking about? If you say you’ve had racist thoughts online, people on a message board will express disapproval? Wow. Much police. Such thought crime. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annie-xmas-i-can-think-of-a-word-that-fits/791000/77 "2017-07-11T21:26:42Z")
> [@Crazy\_Canuck](#): > > This thread is a great example of my problem with the left wing. So we have one person who may have negative thoughts about a race. She has taken no action that I am aware of, she just has a thought that the masses disagree with. This is then of course followed by a fucking orgy of virtue signalling where everyone insists that they have never even thought such thoughts, never even once, all while gleefully calling Annie racist. > > When the right accuses your side of policing thought crimes, this is the exact shit they are talking about. Way to prove them right. We’re not supposed to condemn someone for having “negative thoughts about a race?” No one has been terribly rude to Annie, no one has suggested she be banned, or denied employment or the right to vote. All we’re saying is “it’s wrong to think it terms of racial slurs.” And yeah, I think most of us “have never even thought such thoughts.” ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annie-xmas-i-can-think-of-a-word-that-fits/791000/78 "2017-07-11T21:29:42Z")
> [@Crazy\_Canuck](#): > > This thread is a great example of my problem with the left wing. So we have one person who may have negative thoughts about a race. She has taken no action that I am aware of, she just has a thought that the masses disagree with. This is then of course followed by a fucking orgy of virtue signalling where everyone insists that they have never even thought such thoughts, never even once, all while gleefully calling Annie racist. > > When the right accuses your side of policing thought crimes, this is the exact shit they are talking about. Way to prove them right. [sarcasm] This thread is a great example of my problem with the right wing. So we have some posters who may have negative thoughts about someone else’s post about race. They have taken no action that I am aware of, they just made a post that the right wing disagrees with. This is then of course followed by a fucking orgy of virtue signalling where one poster [**Cracy Canuck**] insists that they have never even thought such thoughts, never even once, all while gleefully accusing critics of the racist idea of policing thought crimes. When the left accuses your side of overreacting to any discussion about race, this is the exact shit they are talking about. Way to prove them right. [/sarcasm] Recommend avoiding such generalizations. If you have a problem with specific posts, you should address those posts. ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annie-xmas-i-can-think-of-a-word-that-fits/791000/79 "2017-07-11T21:38:41Z")
> [@somepumpkin](#): > > I don’t follow. I’m not arguing. I’m discussing. I asked “_How did the slur serve to dehumanize black people and emphasize their inferior status (other than by association with negative stereotypes)?_” and your response was, essentially, “it does because it does”. > [@John\_Mace](#): > > I don’t know that that is the point of the monolog, but if it is, it’s wrong. Unless it’s your contention that a black person need not worry about being called a nigger in the US unless he exhibits behaviors mentioned in that monolog. That doesn’t follow. That’s like saying since intelligent people can get called stupid, it follows that the word “stupid” doesn’t imply a lack of intelligence. The entire premise of Rock’s monologue was that the term was associated with certain stereotypes of black people, which he suggested (at least for comedic effect) were true in some cases. ---
**Author:** ![pool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pool/32/4152_2.png) [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annie-xmas-i-can-think-of-a-word-that-fits/791000/80 "2017-07-11T21:40:00Z")
There is a weird kind of false historical definition of the word “nigger”. I used to hear people in the South say it all the time that it didn’t refer to black people in general but to an ignorant person. I and others apparently have this false memory that the old definition was quietly changed kind of like how some collective group think Sinbad played a genie in Shazam even though it was Shaq. Mirriam-Webster even addresses this false collective memory: [https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nigger](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nigger) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annie-xmas-i-can-think-of-a-word-that-fits/791000.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annie-xmas-i-can-think-of-a-word-that-fits/791000.md?page=5)