Can we discuss the phrase "N" Word/ N-word?

[trumad]

Allen’s self-destruction continued this week when Salon reported claims by three former friends or college football teammates of Allen’s that he regularly used the “N” word to describe African-Americans. The most bizarre twist is the allegation that, after a hunting trip, Allen cut the head off a deer and decided he wanted to stuff it into a black person’s mailbox.
http://www.examiner.com/a-317382~Thomas_Schaller__Sen__George_Allen_s_campaign_felled_by_racial_slur.html

"I know this," Jankovic added. "I have never heard Jim Webb say the N-word."

Webb's daughter, Amy Hogan, says Webb wouldn't tolerate the word in his house.
http://www.dailypress.com/news/local/dp-39925sy0sep29,0,6293570.story?coll=dp-news-local-final

I've simply got to ask... why does the phrase N-Word have to be used in place of the real word, Nigger? Is it just a way to make the story less offensive. I mean, when I read the phrase N-Word, my brain translates it into Nigger.

Looking at it from a different view...I guess they use curse words and other offensive words the same way... The F-word, the C-word...etc.

Just askin...

[CatWoman]

1. Well, Tru

you'll ALWAYS be "my" nigga!!!

:hi:

you're right - that phrase is completely stoopid.

Can you imagine calling "NWA", "N-Word With Attitude"?

[marmar]

6. ""N-Word With Attitude"

L-fucking-O-L Catwoman. :spray: It's all about context, and we know what Allen's context was all about.

[democracyindanger]

2. Because the euphemism is both

acknowledgment and reminder that it's wrong.

[mtnsnake]

3. Any usage of that word here might trivialize it, & that would be a shame.

[cynatnite]

4. 'N' word works far better for me...

won't subject anyone to that word. It's vile, IMO.

[The_Casual_Observer]

5. If you visualize the word "nigger" when you say "N-word"

what the hell is the difference?

[shugh514]

7. It is a hateful word

and as any ethnic or racial slur it is used to attack and demean others as the "C-word" is used against females. We use the term "N-word" out of respect for those it may be directed against. Other curse words may be used in hate speech but are only hateful when used in that context.

[donco6]

8. So why isn't "fag" the F-word?

It's a good question. I must say that even writing the word "nigger" makes me cringe, whereas "fag" doesn't. Is it just conditioning?

[TheBaldyMan]

9. sorry but f**k got first dibs

btw where I live (UK) a fag is slang for cigarette and a faggot is a mincemeat dumpling!

[donco6]

11. Ha! Well, that's a good point.

Honestly, it's getting to where being called a "homosexual" is more offensive, since the only ones who use that term are RW Christian whackos.

[Raffi Ella]

10. The word fills me with shock and horror.

It's evil,conjurs up the past,when black people were slaves,were hosed in Alabama,made to ride the back of the bus and lynched at the whim of white people,etc.

The word should have never been used in the first place and certainly has no no place in todays society.

The fact journalist have to refer to the word doesn't mean we should be subjected to it.