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TwitterElizabeth Hasselbeck near tears discussing the N-word
Don't say the N-word! It may make Elizabeth Hasselbeck cry.
"The View" co-host was almost in tears on the show Thursday morning during a discussion about the use of the N-word, in which fellow co-host Whoopi Goldberg told her the two "don't live in the same world."
During a discussion over Jesse Jackson's recent use of the N-word while preparing to tape an Fox News interview, Whoopi and co-host Sherri Shepard, both black, insisted that the word has a different meaning for black people.
"It's something that means something way different to me than it does to you ... ," Shepard said. "I can use it as a term of endearment." She added, to Barbara Walters: "I don't want to hear it come out of your mouth."
When Hasselbeck contested that "we [blacks and whites] don't live in different worlds, we live in the same world," Goldberg countered, "We don't live in the same world. What I need you to understand is the frustration that goes along with when you say we live in the same world. It isn't balanced."
Goldberg also used the N-word frequently during the discussion, but it was bleeped out.
Hasselbeck got teary when she asked, "How are we supposed to then move forward if we keep using terms that bring back that pain?"
Who's right? Who's wrong? Should the word be used by blacks? Why is it not OK for white people to use it?
Here's a thought. Maybe no one should use the darn word. Let's get rid of it.
Wouldn't that make everything simpler?
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My personal opinion is that we should just let go of the stigma that is attached to certain words, because they are just that - words. They only mean what we want them to mean.
Then again, I'm not black. But I am a woman, and I have zero problem with the C-word being used. I've been told that analogous, but I don't know.
And the reason why Whoopi believes we're living in different worlds is because both sides are still exclusionary in their beliefs, thoughts and feeling and the whole use of the word whether one can use it or one cannot based on race is exclusionary and racist whether you want to admit or not.
Yo Liz honey. Yeah babe. They loves you like the OJ done loved Nicole.
Keepin it real my sister.
Totally disagree with Whoopi on this one. Don't usually agree with Elizabeth's views but she's right about this one. As long as that word is around, the pain, hate, oppression and division will live on. Whoopi or Sherri using it "cause they can" is very short-sighted and damaging. Kids hearing it in hiphop songs don't have a CLUE about what the word really stands for and the weight of its meaning. Defending the use of it is wrong on so many levels.
It's time for Elizabeth to go! She tried the same thing with Rosie. When Elizabeth does not receive the answer that she wants, she cries, screams, and throws blame on the person(s) who trying to give it...she is truly incapable of hearing and accepting anyones side of a story other than her own.
The only world that Elizabeth is living in, is her own.
I admire Elizabeth holding her own when everyone else disagrees with her. I am however shocked that she thinks we live in the same world. As a Senior Manager, I am still confronted with people being shocked and unable to hide it on their faces when I walk in a conference room and they see I am a black women. While I can apprecaite her feelings, Elizabeth will never know or understand the pain the "n" word causes people of color and I want her to stop pretending that she does.
I am usually in complete disagreement with Elizabeth's views, however, I am in complete agreement with her on this one! How can you tell one person that the use of that word is wrong but then allow someone else to use it without consequence? How can one possibly believe in good conscious that the n-word is a term of endearment? What a warped sense of endearment!!! Try looking up the definition of hypocrisy!!! If we truly want to make the world a more harmonious place let's quite fueling the fire with hypocrisy!
It is Ok fro Whoopi to say the word. Being gay, I can use the word *** over and over but I don't want to hear a straight person saying it. So why do I use it? It takes the edge off a mean and nasty word. The same must be true for black people and the N-word.
I can never understand the way Black Americans can use the n word as a term of endearment. As a black female, i remember the first time someone used that word on me and believe me i don't get the warm fuzzies thinking about it. i hate the word and I was brought up to think that there are so many other intelligent words you can use to describe oneself. Besides, if when white people (or any other race for that matter) uses it, its "negative" how can it be a positive word???
Please people, can I say something, I am black and I NEVER use the word. I am not going to judge Sherry's use of the word.
Did it ever occur anyone that perhaps black people use it as a term of endearment to try and erase the negative aspect of the word? That being said, there are MANY black people who DO NOT use the word. Do you really want to be the non-black person taking the chance at saying it to a black person when you don't know where they stand?
If Sherry uses it that is her viewpoint, however don't think it's ok to say if you are non-black, because you are probably offending the majority of us.
Liz, I know you mean well, but being called a c word does not even compare to being called an N word. TRUST me. It's something you can never understand. I am not saying that to be patronizing, it is just the truth.