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June 12, 2011 9:48 AM

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The "N-word": Is it ever okay to say it?

By: Overtime Staff
Topics: Correspondent Candids

Overtime editor Ann Silvio has a frank discussion about the N-word with correspondent Byron Pitts, whose report on "60 Minutes" this week is about a new edition of "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" that omits the racial epithet and replaces it with the word "slave."

Watch Byron Pitts' report.

Pitts starts the conversation by prompting Silvio to say the N-word and then explains why he decided to say the full word in his "60 Minutes" report. Pitts cites two precedents: Ed Bradley and Andy Rooney both said the word in previous reports on the broadcast. Yes, Andy Rooney.

Pitts also describes his own childhood experiences with the word: at age 10, a white schoolmate's parent hurled the word at him on the sidelines of a football game. It was the first time Pitts was called N-word, but it wouldn't be the last.

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by mecury69 June 14, 2011 1:18 PM EDT

I have every right to use any word I please. Whether it''s n**ger, f*ck, sh*it, c*unt, redneck or whatever.

It only shows my lack of control or disregard for others and they can judge me on that basis.

But no ethnic group owns a language or a word and no one tells me what words I can or cannot use of my own free will.

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by JohnWPrewett June 19, 2011 3:53 AM EDT: Amen. Also first amendment has not yet been repealed.
====================================================
I have recently decided I have as much right to use the word "nxgger"
as Chris Rock does, and in the same way Chris Rock does.

See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzFTLKWvfE0

Also as Nathan McCall's mother [page 12 - MAKES ME WANNA HOLLER]
when she told the misbehaving young Nate to
"stop acting like a nxgger."

I am PRO BLACKs as Chris Rock uses the word.

http://www.amazon.com/Makes-Me-Wanna-Holler-America/dp/0679740708

[must read for anyone interested in how USA got into its current precarious race relations condition]

Others have the legal right to call me ANYTHING THEY WANT TO,
.. and my being offended means NOTHING.

I am NOT a second class citizen.

Any word YOU [whatever color you may be] can use, ....
I can use.


by cbeersea June 13, 2011 5:29 PM EDT: On 60 minutes, the discussion missed the "teaching moment" from the author, Mark Twain, himself. He said, 'The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between "lightning" and "lightning bug." '; Reply to this comment

by nottblu June 13, 2011 3:53 PM EDT

blacks feel they have earned the right to use it in a context that is only theirs, and I agree with that. When another race uses the word it's used as a club of hate, there is a differance.

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by justme2012 June 13, 2011 4:25 PM EDT: What % black do you have to be to have permission to use it?


by mecury69 June 14, 2011 1:11 PM EDT: Not true. I have every right to use any word I please. Whether it''s n**ger, f*ck, sh*it, c*unt, red neck or whatever.

It only shows my lack of control or disregard for others and they can judge me.

But no one tells me what word I can or cannot use.


by lloydally June 13, 2011 8:46 AM EDT: When I was a child, I was taught a derogatory word cannot hurt you, unless you let it.

God gave us Two Ears for a Reason: Let It Go In One Ear and Out The Other.; Reply to this comment

by samIam4u2 June 13, 2011 8:30 AM EDT

The 14th Amendment of the Constitution does not make allowances for "Certain," words. I don't care what word it is, I may not like words that are used in this world, but it is an individuals right to say them. The U.S., has cowtowed to every request made by the Black community and other minorities for the last fifty years. I think it is time to say...You are here...you are American and now YOU must live by the Constitution and if you dont like it, you are a FREE PERSON, return to whatever country you like.

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by lloydally June 13, 2011 8:40 AM EDT: What if we just brought back PROPER GRAMMAR?

by gruven13777 June 13, 2011 2:45 AM EDT

Where are the copyright laws on this? How in the hell can someone just rewrite a history book, because they don't happen to like the way everything went down a few hundred years ago? Unbelievable.

Which parts of history, that don't make us feel good, are we going to rewrite next?

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by mecury69 June 14, 2011 1:16 PM EDT: Really Brian? Like how my son had to perform in a school a poem with his class about Thomas Stewart, who was put on the same level as another class who did Abraham Lincoln? Thomas Stewart, the African-American who invented the MOP?


by sarcastical June 13, 2011 12:37 AM EDT: Does CBS & other tv news broadcasting stations remember in the 1960s -- when their tv news broadcasters were assigned to be calling "Blacks"
"Negroes."

I followed that, via taking that as education.
Getting beaten up in school, for saying that word.

"Colored" seemed to be the word, back then.

I got beaten up, for the reason of THEIR fault.
Of what THEY not accept.
It is such, what cause racism - from others that don't want to get along.
As a few of my best friends have been A.A.

That racial group never could, and still never does make up their mind. To satisfy themselves.
Of a FINAL, racial title.
Seems all this time, they be looking for their own trouble.; Reply to this comment


by taxchurches June 13, 2011 12:36 AM EDT: Thanks for your input, Byron.; Reply to this comment


by sarcastical June 13, 2011 12:22 AM EDT: Depends on how conservative your region is.
(the domination via the Republican Politicans + Voting Party); Reply to this comment


by Valhalla0907 June 12, 2011 11:54 PM EDT: The last American curse word. It's only a matter of time.; Reply to this comment

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