Question about good/bad words

[napoleon_in_rags]

37. What I'm saying is that blacks shouldn't have it in their vocabulary either.

In fact what I was trying to say is that we shouldn't divide ourselves up based on who can say what, we should look at the words themselves. When I look at the n-word, I see a foul word. Its a corruption of "negro", with ther "er" suffix added to the end. The "er" suffix is used in our language to tie an identity to an action. A swimmER is she who swims, a diggER is he who digs. The grotesque quality of the n-word is that it ties the color of a person's skin to their actions - what they can or will do - and as such it negates the fundamental concept of freedom, that what person's skin color is does not dictate what they will or may do. People are free to define themselves, to write their own story, whatever color skin they have. And we should embrace that, and throw out the n-word, whatever our race may be.

"Queer" is different. Intuitively looking at the history of that word, I hear a conversation between a British estate owner (played by Sean Connery) and his guest (played by Angela Lansbury).

Connery: Rufus my Butler married to her? Oh no my dear. He is very much a single man, and seems intent on remaining so, preferring the company of Jonathan, the gardener in his spare time.
Lansbury: Ah! What a queer fellow!
Connery (eyebrow raised): Queer indeed...
Lansbury: And what of your aunt Martha, is she recovering well?...

Its a word to cover the known in times where stating the known could get people thrown in jail. Its intent was never to demean, but simply not to pry, not to dwell. And it is a good word, with good intent when used.

These are my two cents on the matter.

Peace