“Words don’t have meaning without context.” Ta-Nehisi Coates humorously explains why relationships behind words , like calling a spouse “honey,” matters in relation to the N-Word and Black people. (This was a great event at Northwestern)

His response is so masterful that I stopped trying to explain all the nuance behind this issue and instead I just show this clip to folks who don’t get it.

Todd Glass (who is a gay comedian ) was just on a podcast where he was explaining that he doesn’t care who says what words - he’s been doing comedy on the road for like 30 years. But he did say “I want people to not have the DESIRE to say [slurs]” which does get to heart of it.

yes.. in Norfolk in England - the word "boy" as a way of addressing another man - has an entirely different connotation to what it will have in Mississippi or Alabama..

So you agree a verbal tic has no meaning?

Here is a link to his full answer. I share this a lot because it is so good.

Perfectly reasonable point, well made. But how can this be squared with the many arguments I've seen over the last few days (re BAFTAs/Tourette's) that intent doesn't matter, only impact? The two positions seem to contradict one another

@sjs856 Can anyone else hear it? He kinda sounds like Jayz when he’s pontificating

Actually a great explanation. I think the one problem is that he's talking about 1on1 relationships, where the relationship is very clear. That's different than varied groups with large numbers of members, and it may not be clear from previous interactions what's okay/not.

That's only holds true if all white people have the same relationship to all black people. Which is basically guilt by association. I can't say the word because somehow somewhere somewhen has said that word while being mean to another black person that wasn't him

True so why are we throwing context out for Tourette’s?

Yeah, but as Black People we've poured ink into the well in terms of this moniker that's used with the -a ending that denotes camaraderie,& friendship. Not to mention it's ubiquitous use in Hip-Hop. Randall Kennedy's interview w/ @lexfridman on this topic is a great dive.

A lot of black people don’t care if people of other races use that word because they have that kind of relationship. I agree 100% that certain words/phrases are aceptable within a certain relationship that may not be in others.

This assshoole has never never been called "honey" by anyone that wasn't his wife? Maybe normies see him as an obvious POS? This is a common nicety especially in the south. It is at least fairly common for a woman to call a man honey in many states. I have lived in NY, CA, FL and this is not something weird to hear. This guy is the problem.

He should know, he gave you Trump twice 🙄

When I was a child, Grandpa caught me smoking. He made me smoke cigarettes until I was sick, and I NEVER did it again! What IF, instead of being taboo, whites were allowed (made) to use the "N' word SO much, they never wanted to use it again?? I mean, it's worth a try

Drival

Coates is a complete retard. Even if I grant his point, which is again retarded and not a real point, then you still have to distinguish the response black people have to hearing the N word from these other examples. People justify every reaction up to murder for being called a N

Excellent way to make it plain.

He’s a treasure

Nah, really shitty analogy.

That doesn’t explain why you couldnt sing a song with the word in it?

Honey, Bill or even Bitch are not nearly as powerful as the N word. He’s making a logical analogy for a word that’s illogically used.

Foremost intellectual. He’s greatly missed on these streets…

@queenie4rmnola He's brilliant and an effective communicator.

The difference is when the word on its own and on your own time can get you fired or beat up while people cheers. That’s a dominance situation without consent. I don’t say the N word but I don’t want to be around anyone who gets vindictive like that over it.

🙌🙌🙌

He articulates this extremely well and those claiming to help the tourettes community by these ridiculous, unhelpful ‘justifications’ really are not helping. Proper education does however and I will continue to spread this to those who are prepared to listen

Send this to the BBC please, as they obviously don’t know the historical context of the word or how hurtful it is to hear. Had they known, maybe they would have edited it out of the broadcast.