|
>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.
|