@MontereyJack,
MontereyJack wrote:
David, and "nigger" is an anglicization of the Spanish "negro",
which as you are no doubt aware means "black". Only a color, right?
Yet it is still offensive. Use it at your peril around someone who
is an African-American. Tell them it's only a synonym for "black"
and see how far that gets you. If you get your ass stomped it
might perhaps be an object lesson for you that language is a
shared action, it has a social context, particularly insults.
Your "logic" should tell you that, unless you really like being
considered a total asshole, you consider that context before
you misuse a word, and before you gratuitously keep using a word
that people have told you, and given you evidence,
is insulting. Words do not connote only what you unilaterally
decide they do. (And, incidentally, "bonehead" means a head of
solid bone instead of "brain and bone". It does seem applicable)
I reject your allegation of my having been given "evidence" up to,
but
not including, this quoted n exhibited post.
I post in candor n sincerity; to do otherwise is void of purpose, as I see it.
Truth n fairness move me to acknowledge the merit of your argument in
this post.
I had not thought of it that way. I challenged u, expecting u to fail,
but u
met my challenge
successfully with your analogy.
I 've not had much occasion to analyse the historical derivation
of the word "nigger." Obviously, u r right about the color translation.
In retrospect, I surmise that the offensive quality of that name
probably resulted from the unlimited contempt in which the blacks
were held in the 1800s and possibly in the 1700s; maybe the 1600s,
not much better in the first half of the 1900s.
Tho the Japanese were certainly hated and bitterly resented
for the sneak attack, I am not of the opinion that thay were held in contempt.
Indeed, their personal bravery in combat was much respected.
Some will disagree.
For my part, I have borne them no ill will.
Neither I nor my friends suffered directly at their hands.
I don 't discriminate against them, if thay can speak English clearly.
Rather unexpectedly, u have given me pause to re-consider
use of that abbreviation. I had deemed it no worse than
someone calling me "Dave" instead of David. 60 years ago,
my mother called me "Davy Boy" but I did not take offense.
Nice job, Jack.
David
