Imus be an idiot . . .

[slingblade]

No arguements needed. Offense is taken when truth is stated.

Bull. I almost can't even describe the utter, rankest, purest BULL of which that statement consists.

If you truly believe that people take offense only when they've been told the truth and don't like it, I strongly suggest you have a great deal more of life to experience.

I also suggest you do some research into the subjective nature of "truth."

 

[Darth Rotor]

It was a mindless RACIST comment he made, and he made it KNOWING it was racist, otherwise he wouldn't have apologized.

Then Stevie Wonder is a mindless, racist apologist. (And if you believe that, I'll sell you a bridge in Brooklyn. Ebony and Ivory for two hundred, Dick Clarke.) I never heard/knew about "nappy headed" as a phrase until I heard this song in high school. I had to ask one of my friends to explain it to me.

"I Wish" by Stevie Wonder.

It was a fun song to dance around to while we waited for the bus and listened to our little transistor radios.

Looking back on when I
Was a little nappy headed boy

Then my only worry
Was for Christmas what would be my toy

Even though we sometimes
Would not get a thing
We were happy with the
Joy the day would bring

And so on.

Superstition was a better tune, for my money, but I Wish was a hit.

For some reason, you going to try and tell me, and everyone els, that this root in slavery makes "nappy headed" some vile curse upon . . . whom?

The word 'nappy' has its hurtful roots in slavery

Then why do blacks use the term, if it is so hurtful?

Since slavery times, "nappy" has been used to malign the natural hair texture of many people of African descent: dense, dark and tightly curled. So when Don Imus referred to the women of the Rutgers basketball team as "nappy-headed hos" -- a widely condemned remark that got him fired Thursday -- it cut deeper than many who are unfamiliar with the term might realize.

Even today, with natural black hair in full bloom throughout pop culture, "nappy hair" remains a sensitive issue -- especially, as with the original N-word used so casually by many blacks, when a white person uses it.

"When Imus says 'these nappy-headed hos,' his first flaw is he's using an in-group term that's loaded," said Lanita Jacobs-Huey, associate professor of anthropology and American studies and ethnicity at the University of Southern California.

"When I hear it from someone who doesn't understand the depth of pain, they just don't have the right to say it," said Carla Lynne Hall, a singer from Harlem.

The pain goes back to slavery. Whites saw blacks' natural hair as a negative attribute, a contrast to the European standard of "ideal" beauty. As a result, even blacks started to look down on their own natural features.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/TV/0....ap/index.html

Sorry, but I call

Bullspit.

This is selective outrage.

I think a little Stevie Wonder parody would wrap this up nicely. Today being Friday the 13th, I'll use the tune of Superstition as the basis.

Spin Emission

There is spin emission
Outrage in the air
Radio transmission
'Bout some nappy hair
Grouchy I Man ranting
Sharpton's in the play
CBS lost money
Someone has to pay

When you speak of things
That you don't understand
Then comes bullspit --
It's spin emission all the way.

DR

 

[Dustin Kesselberg]

Everyone can be a slut, whore, or prostitute by the dictionary definition.

No. Only men or women who commit sexual acts for money.

In reality, most people associate those words with women.

Proof?

The comments were directed exclusively toward a group of women. If you say fat person, most people think any fat person. When someone says "ho", most people think of a woman.

Proof?

 

[Mephisto]

Their is no need for me to argue. Being called a 'nappy-headed ho' is on par with being called a 'poopy-head'.

Overreacting to either is silly. Generally when people get upset about things said to or about them is when they are true.

I dont get upset when someone calls me an inbred-redneck (whether said in jest or from spite), because there is no truth to the statement.

I do tend to get upset when someone calls me a fat-ass, because I am 6'2" and 250 lbs. Which is too big, hence there is truth to the statement (whether said in jest or from spite).

If the girls of the basketball team, are confident that they are not 'nappy-headed ho's' then why be bothered at all.

If they are the as strong as they are puported to be by the media and the their spokesmouths then who cares?

See my point?

Even my children understand this simple principle.

T: "You are a poopy-head"

M: "Whatever."

T: "You are a fatso"

M: "Shut up, mom t said I am a fatso"

M(being big for her age)

MOM: "T apologize to you sister."

T: "Yes, ma'am" "Sorry M"

M: "Ok"


That is how this should have played out with Imus and the girls team.

Imus: "Them are some nappy-headed ho's"

Team: "Whatever."

over

See?

No arguements needed. Offense is taken when truth is stated.

Let me repeat this again, you know, to sort of catapault it into your head.

The word 'nappy' has its hurtful roots in slavery

POSTED: 10:36 p.m. EDT, April 12, 2007

NEW YORK (AP) -- Call it "the other N-word."

Since slavery times, "nappy" has been used to malign the natural hair texture of many people of African descent: dense, dark and tightly curled. So when Don Imus referred to the women of the Rutgers basketball team as "nappy-headed hos" -- a widely condemned remark that got him fired Thursday -- it cut deeper than many who are unfamiliar with the term might realize.

Even today, with natural black hair in full bloom throughout pop culture, "nappy hair" remains a sensitive issue -- especially, as with the original N-word used so casually by many blacks, when a white person uses it.

"When Imus says 'these nappy-headed hos,' his first flaw is he's using an in-group term that's loaded," said Lanita Jacobs-Huey, associate professor of anthropology and American studies and ethnicity at the University of Southern California.

"When I hear it from someone who doesn't understand the depth of pain, they just don't have the right to say it," said Carla Lynne Hall, a singer from Harlem.

The pain goes back to slavery. Whites saw blacks' natural hair as a negative attribute, a contrast to the European standard of "ideal" beauty. As a result, even blacks started to look down on their own natural features.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/TV/0....ap/index.html

 

[Dustin Kesselberg]

Never thought I'd say this to anyone, ever, but.....

Dustin, your knowledge of socio-linguistics is suffering from your rigid use of and adherence to dictionaries.




Bolding mine, and yes, I got the quote from Wiki.

The meanings of words change often. The dictionary updates often. I don't know exactly what words you're referring to. Are you saying the dictionary definition of "ho" is different from what it says or the dictionary definition of "nappy"? Do you have any proof for either?

 

[Dustin Kesselberg]

Since slavery times, "nappy" has been used to malign the natural hair texture of many people of African descent: dense, dark and tightly curled.

Sure, but, Since slavery times, "nappy" has been used to malign the natural hair texture of many people of Caucasian descent: dense, dark and tightly curled.

So when Don Imus referred to the women of the Rutgers basketball team as "nappy-headed hos" -- a widely condemned remark that got him fired Thursday -- it cut deeper than many who are unfamiliar with the term might realize.

Nonsense.

Even today, with natural black hair in full bloom throughout pop culture, "nappy hair" remains a sensitive issue -- especially, as with the original N-word used so casually by many blacks, when a white person uses it.

How stupid must someone be to compare the word "Nappy" to the "N word"? This is blatant ignorance and absurdity. "Nappy" is frequently used by many whites to refer to white hair as well as black. It's not a racist term in itself and is racially ambiguous.

"When Imus says 'these nappy-headed hos,' his first flaw is he's using an in-group term that's loaded," said Lanita Jacobs-Huey, associate professor of anthropology and American studies and ethnicity at the University of Southern California.

"Nappy" is not an "in group term". It's used by all groups and all races. By it's DEFINITION "Nappy" could apply to both black or white hair and Imus himself has had nappy hair and still does.

"When I hear it from someone who doesn't understand the depth of pain, they just don't have the right to say it," said Carla Lynne Hall, a singer from Harlem.

Excuse me? The "Depth of pain"? Just because you're offended by the word "nappy" doesn't mean no one has the right to say it. This is blatant violation of freedom of speech. Read the constitution Mrs. "Carla Lynne hall" from Harlem.

The pain goes back to slavery. Whites saw blacks' natural hair as a negative attribute, a contrast to the European standard of "ideal" beauty. As a result, even blacks started to look down on their own natural features.

B.S.,B.S.,B.S. and more B.S.! Sweeping generalizations like this is blatantly absurd and simply ignorant. Some Europeans saw nappy hair as ugly. Some Blacks saw it as ugly. However again, Many Europeans have had nappy hair and still do. Beethoven had nappy hair. Many famous Europeans did and still do.

 

[Mephisto]

Then why do blacks use the term, if it is so hurtful?

I'm not a psychologist, but like I said before, I can call almost any of my relatives a dumb spic and they'll laugh it off, but if you walk up and call one of them a dumb spic, you'll have a nasty fight on your hands.

People are funny like that - they somehow know it's not serious when someone of the same race uses a term, yet when someone (especially a stranger) not of their race uses it - they get angry. Go figure.

 

[GroundStrength]

Bull. I almost can't even describe the utter, rankest, purest BULL of which that statement consists.

If you truly believe that people take offense only when they've been told the truth and don't like it, I strongly suggest you have a great deal more of life to experience.

I do believe this. Why would you take offense at something said to or about you (or your silly special-interest group) that has no truth in it?

I have had plenty of life experience, thank you.

I also suggest you do some research into the subjective nature of "truth."

Truth is not subjective, why would you think that it is?

Odd.

 

[Mephisto]

Sure, but, Since slavery times, "nappy" has been used to malign the natural hair texture of many people of Caucasian descent: dense, dark and tightly curled.

Well let's see some proof, Dustin. I provided you with a link to an article written by an associate professor of anthropology and American studies and ethnicity at the University of Southern California, let's see you prove your assertion.

Let's see you prove that "nappy" has been used to malign Caucasions.

 

[Tailgater]

No. Only men or women who commit sexual acts for money.

ok, ANY GENDER CAN BE A WHORE AND WE KNOW THAT.

Proof?

WTF planet are you posting from? Are you serious?

 

[Darth Rotor]

I'm not a psychologist, but like I said before, I can call almost any of my relatives a dumb spic and they'll laugh it off, but if you walk up and call one of them a dumb spic, you'll have a nasty fight on your hands.

People are funny like that - they somehow know it's not serious when someone of the same race uses a term, yet when someone (especially a stranger) not of their race uses it - they get angry. Go figure.

I am not buying this line, at all, about "nappy headed."

Sorry, Meph, but the core insult is from ho. Applied to college women. I think "hos" was the offense most sorely taken. This red herring of yours smells of a nappy headed bullfish.

Calling those young ladies ho's was in every way, shape, and form, offensive.

Hell, I don't even know those gals and I thought Imus was being offensive beyond his usual assholiness with that.

DR

 

[slingblade]

I'm not sure I can explain it, Darth. I'll try, and if I fail...well, it's me. What did you expect?

Okay. As much as I loathe the word c**t, there are some people who can call me that, under certain circumstances. It will even make me laugh, if it comes from those people, in those circumstances.

You see, when my ex-husband used to call me that, he meant it in the most hurtful way possible. As a teenager, I broke up with a boy who called me that, just once, because he was also trying to hurt me with it. Men are NOT allowed to use that word in my presence.

However, I have had several women friends who have used the word as a greeting. It's an established joke, and we find it funny, probably because of the irony or something like. And it gives us a feeling (albeit small and fleeting) of power. We tend to like it if men can hear us. We perversely enjoy letting men know that we can use the word as a joke, but they can't use it at all.

Usually, it's used in the context of a string of epithets. Woman 1 meets Woman 2, a fond acquaintance, and they say:

1: "You b***h!"

2: "You whore!"

1: "You slut!"

2: "You c**t!"

<laughter>

"How the hell are ya?" <hug>

Man: "If I ever said that to you, you'd kill me on the spot."

Women 1 & 2: "Damned right we would."


Sociologically, I don't know that I know exactly why we do this. I just know we do. In 48 years I've had many women friends that seem to know and get this joke right off the bat.

If you are in the group that the word/phrase is used against, you have the right to use it, in group. Just as the article you quoted said.

In-group = permissible.

Out-group = NOT.

 

[GroundStrength]

Let me repeat this again, you know, to sort of catapault it into your head.

So saying, "Curly-headed ho's" would have been ok?

 

[Darth Rotor]

WTF planet are you posting from? Are you serious?

He is posting from the planet Denmark Prime. For reasons as yet determined, he seems to be trying to establish himself as a new version of Claus Larsen, though failing badly at it.

Perhaps his new nickname needs to be

POCLA

Pimple
On
Claus
Larsen's
Arse

DR

 

[Tailgater]

I'm not a psychologist, but like I said before, I can call almost any of my relatives a dumb spic and they'll laugh it off, but if you walk up and call one of them a dumb spic, you'll have a nasty fight on your hands.

People are funny like that - they somehow know it's not serious when someone of the same race uses a term, yet when someone (especially a stranger) not of their race uses it - they get angry. Go figure.

Yes, my wife is Spanish/Mexican and family events are like that. The Spanish side can even make fun of the Mexican side. There are some things I can joke about with them, but there is a line I know not to cross.

 

[Lonewulf]

This, Coming from a guy who has rape and murder fantasies and things they aren't dangerous...

Yeah, you lost there too. About as badly as you could lose.

 

[Darth Rotor]

I'm not sure I can explain it, Darth. I'll try, and if I fail...well, it's me.

What did you expect?In-group = permissible.

Out-group = NOT.

I understand completely. Never didn't. The issue is context and intent. I think that what is being ignored somewhat is . . . context. The humorous intent obviously fell flat. I still think the ho is the far graver insult. Calling those yong ladies on the b-ball team whores is, IMO, sufficient insult for his boss to fire him. CBS has its own image to police.

My friends can hollar to me "Hey, a55hole" and generally it's OK. (Tone of voice dependent, and circumstance.)

Someone I don't know hollars "hey a55hole" and unless I see or sense humor in it, the reaction is completely different.

As I was telling Meph, I think this nappy headed stuff is a red herring.

I am not amused by the oversensitive attitude, and the attempt at exploiting it.

I am not amused by Imus calling those young ladies "hos."

I am not amused by people walking around with a pre established and allegedly sanctified chip on their shoulder. (Al "I am entitled to special outrage status" Sharpton) If John McCain can find it in his heart to forgive the Hanoi Hilton guards, and support US relations with Viet Nam (he supported W J Clinton's initiative in that regard) then where is the Reverend coming from, forgetting to apply that simple principle?

I am not amused by the special victim status appeal, though if anyone in America has a right to that status, American blacks whose ancestors were slaves have a more than reasonable claim.

DR

 

[GroundStrength]

I'm not a psychologist, but like I said before, I can call almost any of my relatives a dumb spic and they'll laugh it off, but if you walk up and call one of them a dumb spic, you'll have a nasty fight on your hands.

People are funny like that - they somehow know it's not serious when someone of the same race uses a term, yet when someone (especially a stranger) not of their race uses it - they get angry. Go figure.

Then this like slingblade's c-word are examples of the height of hypocrisy.

 

[Dustin Kesselberg]

Well let's see some proof, Dustin. I provided you with a link to an article written by an associate professor of anthropology and American studies and ethnicity at the University of Southern California, let's see you prove your assertion.

Appeal to authority.

Let's see you prove that "nappy" has been used to malign Caucasions.

That article didn't provide have any sources. Once you provide a historical sources showing someone using "nappy" in a racist manner around slavery times then I'll provide the same for Caucasians.

 

[Dustin Kesselberg]

ok, ANY GENDER CAN BE A WHORE AND WE KNOW THAT.

Yes, we do.

WTF planet are you posting from? Are you serious?

Earth. Yes.

Now, Where's your proof?