We’re drilling down into minutia now, but I think L_P’s quote could be better evaluated with the 2 clips we have rather than 3rd hand remembrances. In misty’s clip, Ali used the N-word in the context of others characterizing him. L_P’s post lacked that context. To the extent that L_P distorted - that’s hatey. To the extent that L_P reported something that was untrue - ditto, though less so.
Also, post 77 undermines the OP more than I ever could. If you can’t distinguish between in-group usage of a racial slur and out-of-group usage -or even grok to that possibility- then your judgment on such topics should be called into question. The OP was at bottom addressing an issue where competing considerations had to be weighed. We can now infer that certain considerations were overlooked at best.
It is a near universal standard of human etiquette to be polite during the funerals. The thread in question wasn’t a funeral. It was, however, a remembrance thread. I think most people grasp that using racial slurs to refer to the deceased in a taunting manner is impolite in such contexts.
Seriously man? I certainly can distinguish between in-group and out-group. The problem is that the distinction is bullshit. For it not to be bullshit would mean it is racist.
Try and grok that (note - not “grok to”) racism is ascribing negative values to another group based on their skin colour or ethnicity. To say that a word (a neutral collection of sounds) is perfectly acceptable when used by one group but not by another implies that the latter group cannot use the word without meaning it in a negative and hurtful way. That would be a negative characteristic ascribed to a group owing to skin colour or ethnicity. Racism
A racist can use the term African-American and imbue it with all of the venom that can be contained in “nigger.” A non-racist can use the word nigger and imbue it with the same level of love and affection as a black person using it.
Compare these two - hypothetical - statements made by two different white people.
1)African Americans are violent criminals with a natural propensity toward drug addiction, promiscuity and are incapable of meaningful education due to inherently lower intellect.
2)I think niggers are the coolest people ever. The contributions that they have in every facet of our culture, athletic and academic development cannot be overstated.
Do you applaud the first for using “respectful language” and censure the second?
Context is key. NSFW Carlin clip.
Now if you are incapable of seeing this then perhaps your judgement and sincerity should be called into question.
For the record I’ve now used the word nigger more times in this column than I’ve used it in the last 40 years.
This is not an argument that you are going to win.
Not one I’m going to participate at length in either. This isn’t GD. I’m simply drawing a direct line between Zeke’s sentiments and the OP.
It certainly is.
Why shouldn’t I point out that they are both offensive in different ways?
I disagree with you.
That being said, the point of my opening this thread was to express concern that a poster was warned for quoting someone.
That concern has been addressed and I don’t see much value in continuing the discussion here (or elsewhere frankly) so I’m going to bow out.
Mods, close this or leave it open at your discretion.
Ital adds.
Say what? Good old hate speech. A bustling ever-growing neighborhood.
I get modded for posting “Hillary Clinton is a bitch” for “violating SD hate speech rules” (as opposed to any other conceivable possible ones)?
(Leaving aside, in the context of this thread, whether using the hypothetical and the quotes.)
Son, are you on the drugs?
I bet no derogatory or profane language concerning Bush or Trump has been modded.
And the rest of the world.
This idea that the speaker can decide what is and isn’t offensive is just so stupid. A single person CANNOT change the meaning of a word.
If you said in earnest what you said in your second example, you would not be communicating love. You would be communicating your desire to offend by using a word you didn’t have to use. You’d be making light of a slur. You’d be communicating that you were the type of person who thinks it’s unfair that he can’t use a slur while certain other people can.
The fact that the in-group can reclaim a term is not a matter of opinion. It’s just what happens. And, if you’ll notice, even they respell the word as “nigga.”
As for Carlin–he’s not perfect. He’s wrong here. He made a common mistake that a lot of people made in this time period, so we’re more forgiving. It’s like when South Park tried to redefine “faggot” to mean “rude asshole on a motorcycle.” Did it work? No. Faggot is still a slur, even when people don’t use it to describe gay people.
The commonality I see in all of these types of arguments is that the arguer focuses entirely on himself. It’s about what he means when he says things. It’s about how he’s treated. Not once does how what they say affects others enter into the equation.
You say that “nice” thing you gave in your example, you would offend a whole lot of people. For no valid reason.
Completely ridiculous. Zeke is absolutely right that the concept of in-group is racist or bigoted depending on context. It’s an obvious argument as to why and it cannot be logically refuted.
Furthermore the so called -a vs -er declension is far from universal. Listen to some rap music or spend a few minutes on Worldstar.
The bottom line is that a word has to be taken in context and the source of the word is largely irrelevant aside from looking for offense.
So-called hate speech doesn’t require a slur nor does a slur imply any emotion at all. These are simple concepts.
Dear big t come see me in the pit.
As an Elder Statesman (see his thread before laughing; seniority has its privileges, too, 
), why hasn’t that racist asshole been banned? Have we no standards?
Sorry all, I forgot my SDMB etiquette.
Dearest Big T please do me the honour
Can you point to an example? Specifically, one involving “hate speech” language comparable to the N-word in the case at hand?
Not mere abusive language, like jackass, asshole, even m–f-- (although I wonder if the mods would permit m–f-- to fly in a discussion of Trump.) A racial or ethnic slur.
Betcha can’t.
Don’t be a jerk. I was suspended for being a jerk in a fucking COMIC BOOK thread. He’s done more.
Asshole, in my opinion, is harsher than bitch. If bitch is moderated in reference to Mrs. Clinton than asshole, which is equally hateful if not more so, ought to be when used to describe Trump. Or does hate speech only apply to pet classes regardless of intent or context?
Link?
Asshole is universal. Everyone can be one without regard to sex, nationality, religion, etc.
“Bitch” is a slur only against women.
So, yes, hate speech only applies against “classes.” If you think that sex, national origin, religion, and so on are “pet” classes, then you’re defending bigotry.
That’s just stupid. Men are called bitch all the time. And white folks are called slurs originally reserved for blacks. Words aren’t as simple as you make them out to be. There is something called the real world where people don’t act as neatly and according to assigned role as imagined on internet forums.
That’s why we have moderators, who are empowered and entitled to enforce the rules of civility.
Otherwise, any foul language could be excused by a sophist, and we would have no civility at all.
Good day to you, sir. I said good day.