General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Rude Pundit Appreciation Thread [View all]Jeff In Milwaukee
(13,992 posts)I think it's because of the history of the n-word -- having been applied to any black person regardless of who they were or what they were. It was indiscriminate -- sort like the neutron bomb of insults.
The c-word (for all you delicate flowers) is as word that is not -- expect by some of the far less-evolved of our species -- applied universally to women. It's typically reserved as a rebuke to someone a woman who (at least in the eyes of the speaker) deserves so form of harsh rebuke. Just as people don't use the p-word do describe all men (it's so innocuous that I feel ridiculous even writing out "the p-word" , people don't use the c-word to describe all women.
I think you're entirely right about it being a question of power. And I would add the faction of "intention" as well.