Not in the sense I think you mean. Sure, it’s harsh and grating and tends to lower the level of social discourse, but why would you, or I, or any other white person be personally offended by hearing Kanye say it?
I’m not, very little offends me in art and music but I have heard those in the black community that have voiced offence.Just curios? You think those like Lil Jon, Pastor Troy and numerous others in hip-hop push the envelope to far with use of the ‘N’ word in their music?
I think they do, but here’s an interesting take on it, from L.A. Clippers forward Matt Barnes (who is biracial) as quoted by Phil Taylor (who is black) in the newest Sports Illustrated: “I think if you put an “-er” at the ned, that makes people cringe, but if there’s an “-a” at the end, that’s like people saying “bro”. That’s just how we address people now. That’s how we address our friends… If you put the “-er” on it, it’s offensive, and if you have an “-a” on the end, it’s more slang.” (Taylor dislikes any use of it, BTW).
NomaNovember 26, 2013 / 12:11 pm
From Ta-nehisi Coates’s most recent blog:
“…But again, this is not so original. I will never joke about a “white trash picnic.” I like women. I will never be a woman. Because of that there’s a whole range of communication which I will never partake in. (I often think about my reticence at calling myself a “feminist” in this light.) I love France and I love the French language. I will never be French. I will never be comfortable with the kind of self-deprecation and self-mockery which I heard French people employ when discussing their own country.
“Communities are not simply about warmth, hugs and nice dinners. They are also about borders. I strongly suspect that were you to interrogate the history of communities who are seen as a problem by those in power—the Jews in Europe, women everywhere, the poor in 18th-century London—you would see a similar contentiousness over the borders (and perhaps even the names) which they claim as their own.”
Crossroads 
Cool move! Own it, and change its meaning!
Exactly.
As soon as I see Jewish people wearing Swastikas, I’ll think this is a good idea. Until then, I’m afraid not…
Just curios? If anybody finds Kanye West as in many other hip-hop artist use of the ‘N’ word offensive?
Not in the sense I think you mean. Sure, it’s harsh and grating and tends to lower the level of social discourse, but why would you, or I, or any other white person be personally offended by hearing Kanye say it?
I’m not, very little offends me in art and music but I have heard those in the black community that have voiced offence.Just curios? You think those like Lil Jon, Pastor Troy and numerous others in hip-hop push the envelope to far with use of the ‘N’ word in their music?
I think they do, but here’s an interesting take on it, from L.A. Clippers forward Matt Barnes (who is biracial) as quoted by Phil Taylor (who is black) in the newest Sports Illustrated: “I think if you put an “-er” at the ned, that makes people cringe, but if there’s an “-a” at the end, that’s like people saying “bro”. That’s just how we address people now. That’s how we address our friends… If you put the “-er” on it, it’s offensive, and if you have an “-a” on the end, it’s more slang.” (Taylor dislikes any use of it, BTW).
From Ta-nehisi Coates’s most recent blog:
“…But again, this is not so original. I will never joke about a “white trash picnic.” I like women. I will never be a woman. Because of that there’s a whole range of communication which I will never partake in. (I often think about my reticence at calling myself a “feminist” in this light.) I love France and I love the French language. I will never be French. I will never be comfortable with the kind of self-deprecation and self-mockery which I heard French people employ when discussing their own country.
“Communities are not simply about warmth, hugs and nice dinners. They are also about borders. I strongly suspect that were you to interrogate the history of communities who are seen as a problem by those in power—the Jews in Europe, women everywhere, the poor in 18th-century London—you would see a similar contentiousness over the borders (and perhaps even the names) which they claim as their own.”
http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2013/11/you-me-and-every-word-we-know/281797/