How the N-Word Became Unsayable • Hacker News Board

Re: How the N-Word Became Unsayable

#31

Post by mgerullis » Sat, May 01, 2021, 9:26 AM UTC

rainworld wrote: post #23

mgerullis wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You forgot to mention that the vast majority of mass shooters are white.

It will surprise you to hear that that’s not true, but you’re forgiven for thinking so, given the state of american media. Admittedly, blacks tend to produce more wounded rather than kills. It will also surprise you to hear that long guns (i.e. AR-15) are involved only in a small percentage of crimes (including mass shootings) involving firearms. The vast majority of such crimes is committed with handguns, many unlic…

I am not subject to US media really, as I am neither a US citizen nor consume mainstream media, my friend. I go by cold, unforgiving numbers.

Re: How the N-Word Became Unsayable

#32

Post by smitty1e » Sat, May 01, 2021, 9:30 AM UTC

What garbage. There is an entire genre of sound celebrating this anagram of "ginger".

I jokingly call this verbal nitroglycerin the #BiggerDiggerTrigger just to laugh at our collective silliness.

Will Arnold Schwarzenegger be forced to change his name to appeas the Woke godz?

To hell with this mess, say I.

Re: How the N-Word Became Unsayable

#33

Post by rainworld » Sat, May 01, 2021, 9:30 AM UTC

Hasnep wrote: post #27

rainworld wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It will surprise you to hear that that’s not true, but you’re forgiven for thinking so, given the state of american media. Admittedly, blacks tend to produce more wounded rather than kills. It will also surprise you to hear that long guns (i.e. AR-15) are involved only in a small percentage of crimes (including mass shootings) involving firearms. The vast majority of such crimes is committed with handguns, many unlic…

> Between 1982 and April 2021, 66 out of the 123 mass shootings in the United States were carried out by white shooters. By comparison, the perpetrator was African American in 21 mass shootings, and Latino in 10. When calculated as percentages, this amounts to 53 percent, 17 percent and eight percent respectively. https://www.statista.com/statistics/476456/mass-shootings-in...

There have been way, way more mass shootings in america since 1982 than 123.

Re: How the N-Word Became Unsayable

#34

Post by kenneth » Sat, May 01, 2021, 9:31 AM UTC

Freak_NL wrote: post #7

In the Netherlands in the past two decades the word 'neger' (which corresponds roughly, but not exactly, to the American use of 'negro') has become a taboo word too, although it was already something you wouldn't use on its own for most of the twentieth century. The popular sweet known as chocolate-coated marshmallow treats was called 'negerzoen' in Dutch (negro's kiss) in the recent past, and it was boldly emblazone…

Similarly, growing up in Switzerland that chocolate-marshmallow treat was called "tête de nègre" (nergo's head). Today, that's become taboo and they're now called "tête choco"

Re: How the N-Word Became Unsayable

#35

Post by [deleted] » Sat, May 01, 2021, 9:32 AM UTC

tragomaskhalos wrote: post #21

Not to detract from the main point of the article, but the general linguistic Puritanism of Americans it describes is very startling to British (and, I am sure, Australian) ears - here, even an old person would never be so coy as to utter "gosh darn it", and the first time I encountered the term 'restroom' (as a tourist in an American airport) I actually laughed out loud, suspecting a joke.

[deleted]

Re: How the N-Word Became Unsayable

#36

Post by rainworld » Sat, May 01, 2021, 9:35 AM UTC

PaulRobinson wrote: post #29

rainworld wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It will surprise you to hear that that’s not true, but you’re forgiven for thinking so, given the state of american media. Admittedly, blacks tend to produce more wounded rather than kills. It will also surprise you to hear that long guns (i.e. AR-15) are involved only in a small percentage of crimes (including mass shootings) involving firearms. The vast majority of such crimes is committed with handguns, many unlic…

It is literally true. https://www.statista.com/statistics/476456/mass-shootings-in...

If you count only a fraction of mass shootings, then yes.

Re: How the N-Word Became Unsayable

#37

Post by rainworld » Sat, May 01, 2021, 9:39 AM UTC

mgerullis wrote: post #31

rainworld wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It will surprise you to hear that that’s not true, but you’re forgiven for thinking so, given the state of american media. Admittedly, blacks tend to produce more wounded rather than kills. It will also surprise you to hear that long guns (i.e. AR-15) are involved only in a small percentage of crimes (including mass shootings) involving firearms. The vast majority of such crimes is committed with handguns, many unlic…

I am not subject to US media really, as I am neither a US citizen nor consume mainstream media, my friend. I go by cold, unforgiving numbers.

It’s not like saying “white people bad” carries any kind of risk, anywhere at this point. It’s not like there’s much meaningful difference between mainstream and left/lib alt-media. Twitter has collapsed the boundaries. What do those numbers tell you?

Re: How the N-Word Became Unsayable

#38

Post by dr_dshiv » Sat, May 01, 2021, 9:40 AM UTC

Freak_NL wrote: post #7

In the Netherlands in the past two decades the word 'neger' (which corresponds roughly, but not exactly, to the American use of 'negro') has become a taboo word too, although it was already something you wouldn't use on its own for most of the twentieth century. The popular sweet known as chocolate-coated marshmallow treats was called 'negerzoen' in Dutch (negro's kiss) in the recent past, and it was boldly emblazone…

In the Netherlands, they still sell extra thin "jew cakes" (jodenkoek) at the grocery store. When my kids had to bring in ethnic food from Israel, my wife thought those would be a good idea. I begged her to just bring hummus instead, even though it wouldn't be as popular.

Not sure if "jew cakes" are racist but they sure aren't Israeli!

Re: How the N-Word Became Unsayable

#39

Post by dvfjsdhgfv » Sat, May 01, 2021, 9:51 AM UTC

tragomaskhalos wrote: post #21

Not to detract from the main point of the article, but the general linguistic Puritanism of Americans it describes is very startling to British (and, I am sure, Australian) ears - here, even an old person would never be so coy as to utter "gosh darn it", and the first time I encountered the term 'restroom' (as a tourist in an American airport) I actually laughed out loud, suspecting a joke.

Is it purely linguistic, though? I'd say the language reflects the mind.

Re: How the N-Word Became Unsayable

#40

Post by PaulRobinson » Sat, May 01, 2021, 9:54 AM UTC

rainworld wrote: post #36

PaulRobinson wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It is literally true. https://www.statista.com/statistics/476456/mass-shootings-in...

If you count only a fraction of mass shootings, then yes.

Data, please.

The definition of "mass shooting" varies, but let's start with this list, and please let me know how it is incorrect in its scope so I can understand your exact point: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mass_shootings_in_the_...

I would hate for you to be a victim of definitional retreat if you are able to create a well-reasoned argument and back it up with reliable and objective data.