NFL discussing 15 yard penalty for use of n-word

[ABQCOWBOY]

I just don't feel comfortable with a white-run organization trying to impose their way on the use of the word by predominately black people.

Black people (as we all know) have a sticky history with this word. They didn't come up with it, and it was/is/forever will be one of the most infamous words in the history of human kind. Black people ended up fighting for their rights, and when they finally got many of them, they wanted to address that sticky little word. As it stands today, the word is very polarizing among black people. Many black people feel empowered using the word because they fought for their rights and now can use the word any way they like. Those people, like someone else said, use it as a term of solidarity. And a lot of black people find it offensive that black people would want to use a word that has such a negative history. And, of course, nobody wants non-black people using the word. That part isn't even debatable.

Anyway, my point is, the use of the N word among black people is a black issue. It's a very sticky issue that requires dialogue among black scholars, politicians, and regular folk. The future of the word needs to be discussed in an open-minded fashion amongst black people. But in no way should a collective body of rich white men be the ones trying to impact the future of the N word. I couldn't think of anything more offensive.

This, IMO, is what is wrong. This is not a Black Issue IMO. This is an American Issue and the more you try and segregate it by saying it's a Black Issue and White People have no say in it, the more you create a division between Black and White.

This is a problem.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

This, IMO, is what is wrong. This is not a Black Issue IMO. This is an American Issue and the more you try and segregate it by saying it's a Black Issue and White People have no say in it, the more you create a division between Black and White.

This is a problem.

It is a black issue because black people are still coming to grips with what to do with this word. It's bad enough it was forced on them, and now rich white men want to force how they use (or don't use) the word. Some black people want to forget the word ever existed, and others want to take the power out of the word by turning it into a word of solidarity. Either way, whatever becomes of the word should be left up to black people.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

It is a black issue because black people are still coming to grips with what to do with this word. It's bad enough it was forced on them, and now rich white men want to force how they use (or don't use) the word. Some black people want to forget the word ever existed, and others want to take the power out of the word by turning it into a word of solidarity. Either way, whatever becomes of the word should be left up to black people.

No. I do not agree. It may have been forced at one time but it's been gone from acceptable behavior for some time. I'm sorry, all this does is further the problem. You want racism to go away, then stop with things like this. Stop treating issue like this as if they are Black and not American. We are either in this together or we are not.

 

[Nova]

This is going to be unpopoular but, I got to say it. This rule is specifically targeting black players all because white folks can't say the word as well. That's what it comes down to. How can you ban a word when used among other black folks means the same things as brother, man, friend.

Now with that said, I don't use the word myself. I didn't grow up in that environment. However, I have tons of friends who do use that word when addressing anyone, even white people. People need to realize the word itself is not offensive, it is the meaning behind the word that carries the offense. .

The word originated as an offensive word and people still get really bent out of shape about it-- see Riley Cooper last year. It has the power to be a term of endearment or to hurt another person. You can't deny the duality of the word... in fact you don't as you mention below:

Trying to ban its use is just wrong, it would be like banning the word sweet, just because it refers to a person who is homosexual. This is purely about if I can't say it, you can't either.

I believe that this is a statement by the NFL declaring intolerance for Racial slurs. The N-word is the most prominent racial slur by a wide margin.

I don't think it's about "If I can't say it, then you can't either". It's kind of like that, but not in the way you present it.

The word can be offensive. The NFL wants to limit the offensiveness that can come along with the word, and they are not going to make judgment calls on something like that since the etiquette of using the word is extremely ambiguous.

So what could they do?

Penalize the usage of the word across the board. Not just for black players. Not just for white players. But for everyone. Everyone is treated equally on a hot button, ambiguous topic. Sounds fine to me, honestly.

I think the NFL has far more problems to address then adding a 15 yard penalty for word usage.

I agree.

Why are they not banning curse words? You know words that can get the NFL fined if said on national TV

Because most people are not disgusted by grown men swearing in a violent game. But racial intolerance is seen as taboo, so this is the NFL's [misguided] stand against it.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

My problem is with white men telling black men they can't use the word. This word is so unique that it deserves special treatment. But white people lost the right to tell black people when they can and can't use that word. I agree the use of the word needs to end but it should be a decision made by black people.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

My problem is with white men telling black men they can't use the word. This word is so unique that it deserves special treatment. But white people lost the right to tell black people when they can and can't use that word. I agree the use of the word needs to end but it should be a decision made by black people.

This word is not unique. It's just like hundreds of other words just like it that have been used down through the years.

I don't agree with anything you say here.

 

[jnday]

I think this is one of the reasons behind the move to ban offensive language on the field.

We all know that football players will do anything they can to get under their opponents' skin. Suppose players on the field of play called a homosexual opponent the f-word? The NFL is trying to pre-empt the potentially bad press and public reaction.

The direction that this society is going is sad. So many people just live to be offended. Look at all the people that are offended by the Commanders. These offended people are not even Native American. There is no way the NFL needs to start this. Before long, there would be a list if 20,000 words that will be flagged.

 

[jnday]

My problem is with white men telling black men they can't use the word. This word is so unique that it deserves special treatment. But white people lost the right to tell black people when they can and can't use that word. I agree the use of the word needs to end but it should be a decision made by black people.

I don't think the word is unique. It is just another racial slur. If they flag for one slur, they should flag the other few thousand slurs. The players are grown men that choose what to say and where to say it. Going this direction would lead down road of never ending trouble because there are many words that are just as disrespectful. Sometimes freedom if speech is not a positive thing, but that doesn't mean it should be done away with.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

I don't think the word is unique. It is just another racial slur. If they flag for one slur, they should flag the other few thousand slurs. The players are grown men that choose what to say and where to say it. Going this direction would lead down road of never ending trouble because there are many words that are just as disrespectful. Sometimes freedom if speech is not a positive thing, but that doesn't mean it should be done away with.

There's no word in American history that carries the same weight as the N word. I guess we'll just have to disagree.

 

[WV Cowboy]

My problem is with white men telling black men they can't use the word.

It's not that cut and dried, .. black and white men are telling black and white men.

And only in a football game, .. not throughout all of society.

 

[FootballFan1]

There's no word in American history that carries the same weight as the N word. I guess we'll just have to disagree.

True, but what does that have to do with the price of tea??

Bottom line, whatever your thoughts are, the league is trying to implement a rule change that for once I agree with. Young, wealthy people thinking they have the world by the balls. Ask Hernandez and ask him how well he is doing. 43 million bucks, and you cannot control yourself. So sit in jail already.

It is NOT a black issue, it is an American issue. And it is after all just a football game. And players need to show some respect for everyone. I do not hear this kind of thought. Perhaps maybe in the south, maybe. But racism is all but good as dead, and we all need to take responsibility for our lives.

What surprises me is that it is even an issue now. Move past it, the past is the past. Just move on. I never hear one negative about blacks anymore. None. Let it go.

Cannot even believe this is an issue now. Move past it.