Niggers And Pakis
I'm a little confused about racism and what is or isn't offensive.
Let's start with the word "Nigger". This word should be offensive considering it's roots and the years of hatred that are associated with it yet some black people band the word around like a term of endearment. It doesn't even seem to be about the context in which the word is used, it purely seems to be that if a white person uses the word it's bad and if a black person uses the word it's good. Black or white, some find it offensive in all senses, some don't. Perhaps it's about assumed context. If I'm white it is assumed I am using the word in a racist context whether I am or not, therefore it is deemed offensive because I'm white? Isn't that racial prejudice in action right there?
OK, so we have the word "Paki" which is short for Pakistani. A Pakistani finding this word offensive would be the same as me finding the word "Brit" offensive. I don't find it offensive, I'm proud to be called a Brit. If you're Indian and get called a paki, I can understand you being a little annoyed. That's like calling me Irish or French. Is it about being a minority, perhaps? I don't think so. Ask a Brit living in America if they mind being called a Brit...
So racism confuses me. From where I'm standing a racist remark is only racist if the person on the receiving end assumes based on their own racial prejudices (and I'm not saying they are wrong) that it is being used in a racist context. Perhaps the way to end racism is to stop assuming these things. The best way to beat a bully is to not let them get to you. Racism is essentially a form of bullying so surely the same rules apply.
If a white person calls a black person a nigger out of hatred and the black person isn't hurt by it, there would be no point in the white person using that as a form of attack ever again. Problem solved, right?
Or not...
Jozi from NBT reminded me about this in the comments so I thought I'd add it:
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