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On a macro level, regarding the N word, I am 1. Not a fan of censorship, or trying to eliminate the word entirely; 2. Of the mindset that marginalized groups have been able to readapt and apply the term as one of endearment, conjecture, and even affection. This is a cultural application that can cross different races, but again, on a macro level those groups (I believe) denounce other cultures (predominantly white) from using the word to its newfound popularity when that same culture did not acknowledge the suffering of that word, nor worked to transform the conditions under which it has been able to thrive in a damaging capacity.
On a micro level, regarding its usage, since this has not been rectified on a systemic level it is difficult for it to warrant license from anyone who wants to use it for whatever reason but who also doesn't reckon with its history and aides to disarm its harmful component from how it is sustained in society. The word wouldn't have divisive power if society wasn't still such an incubator for prejudice and discrimination. Of course it can be applied on a case by case basis, but if there were a literal application form one would fill out for access to the word and saying it, I think the first question on the form would be "why do you wish/need to use THIS word?". On a micro level that is for each person to decide, but it can be seen as offensive to prioritize a person's selfish use of the word over the greater sensitivity toward the aforementioned marginalized macro groups and cultures.
Also, on a comedy level, I believe in the fair use of attempt to use most language for the purpose of conveying a larger comprehension. So you can get an at bat, and you may strike out, but context helps immensely. I have heard Louis CK use the same word on different occasions and it had a completely different context. Maher on the otherhand fired that shot in a completely self serving manner. It is much in the same way that he can bring in Alt-right personalities and praise them for not being of the PC culture, but then bring on Cornell West to try to admonish him for his views on Clinton. He is selective in his free speech, and seems to be fine with vile displays of hatred, yet against political free will and peaceful religious practice.
The only real "value" I am referencing is the quality of a personality to speak in platitudes and rhetoric around certains ideals and think that in turn esteems them agency or "downness" when they assume that since they have ascended to some level that they get to trade that in for some sort of authentencity. Often times they forget that on their ascent they did not bring us or our causes with them, so for them to meander in and out of our pain and suffering for when it suits them is the epitomy of privilege, and he has been a poster child for this since the election. Even in his own "Make America Sane Again" mantra: when was it? He has plenty of perspective regarding other people's shortcomings but seems rather casual in his own self reflection. That is dangerous with the platform he has cultivated. His liberal audience applauded too, so they are as much of the problem in this dialogue as we look for the next Trump headline of vitriol to castigate.
HOWEVER - to use truth as defense of Maher, he is essentially operating within the "house" and has been for a while. For the joke he said, he is correct: he is not in the field. His progressive stance has dilluted because he has the things on a personel level that we wish to secure for many. So yeah. Clinton wouldn't have been bad, he's got money, insurance, and weed, he isn't Black but has Black friends, therefore his is liberal, progressive, and gets to say the N word on his mind. He's been waiting to shoot that shot for a while now, and the context and intent of his usage only further show both how far he has strayed from his progressive beginnings, and how much in common that perspective has with other demonstrations of people who think they are down for the cause but are sincerely just out of touch. ________________________________________________ R.I.P. Soulgyal <3 SUPA NERD LLC. Knowledge Meets Nature Musica Negra #13irteen
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