Should Offensive Words Be Banned?

jay
January 29 2007, 10:59AM

I would love it if the n-word was banned in public places and the f-word, if you are going to use it, use it in the privacy of your own home.

The N-word has no value whatsoever, and on a personal level I think anytime a black person uses it they should be fined double for being so foolish and just plan common.

Robert
January 29 2007, 11:11AM

I don't believe any word should be banned. However, like Keith said, the consequences of using particular words should be clear.

What drove the point home for me was listening to the Tom Joyner Morning Show. Tom said, "When did 'fa*got' become unacceptable?" And I knew that there was a ton of educating to be done.

Kenneth Winfrey
January 29 2007, 11:17AM

The most important question to me is "...how do we create a climate where we people learn to live peacefully and respectfully with one another?"

That, after all, is the cure-all that would eliminate the need to use such language--with the worst of intentions, that is.

You see, once words become part of the language, they are always there. We are mistaken if we think that we are "throwing anything away." Just as the rubbish we put into bags and landfills each day continues to accumulate, so do the words we create. Words cannot be destroyed.

Therefore, such words CAN come to be used by those who do not have the worst of intentions (i.e., the use of the word "nigger" in hip-hop music, and my use of the word "fag" when playfully insulting friends--esp. straight ones, who, incidientially use it playfully with me as well).

Furthermore, as one who has studied the pathology of oppression from inside and out...I think it is possible to encourage the evolution of a society without cr

jay
January 29 2007, 11:36AM

Kenneth rap music for the most part marginalizes women, glorifies ignorance, and brings no real redeeming value to Black-American culture, in other words its “nigger” music in the worst way possible, so even though their intentions are not the same a Klan member it has the same effect, words have POWER.

inqueery
January 29 2007, 11:38AM

I too agree with those who said that they do not b elieve any word should be censored. However, as has also been stated, consequences that come with certain words must be made clear and that comes with education. What always seems to get to me when these type of siutations come up is how people can ignore the implicit meanings and historical use of certain words.

When the Micahel Richard's situation ocurred I thought of how the word "queer" was once used and has been reappropriated. Is it possible with other words.. I am not sure. I do enjoy the intelligent dialogue that is taking place here and on some other web sites around the subject.

jared
January 29 2007, 12:08PM

i don't know how anyone is going to "ban" a word. as far as the "faggot" word, i don't really care, have never been called it, and if, someone has an issue with my sexuality, that's their issues, as i don't care. the "n-word" on the other hand, i have major issues with, since, its as vile a word from some black fool as it is from some white bigot. that word carries way too much power in the real world of daily life for black people, no matter how rich or poor, as the ones who spew it are often the ones in the position to make life miserable, especially those on the lower end of the economic spectrum.

and, the "n-word" really needs to be banned, its just a shame you can't even drive down the street with the window opened, and not have to hear it blasting from some car's stereo, just a vile, filthy word.

all that said, banning a word, either of the ones mentioned will not erase what is ones heart. and, since its 2007 and people still feel free to spew them, lots of eduracation is still needed.

Tyler
January 29 2007, 12:29PM

Questions like this miss the point, IMO. I think we need to understand the reasons why people continue to use these terminology. Talking about how offended we are is helpful, but it doesn't get at the reality of how and why we live in a nation the dehumanizes difference. I think the problem is also that we continue to talk about these issues in silly and reductive terms. Everyone is fine with Mel and Michael since they apologized, but an apology doesn't address why they said what they said. We live in a world where we think white liberals simply can't be racist and black people are more homophobic so that when stuff happens we are ill-equipped to respond in a healthy, complex manner. Why are we ridiculing Isaiah for seeking therapy? Why are black people tryna get money from Michael as if that makes any real difference or changes how he will inevitably continue to see black people? We need is more understanding and more people like Isaiah who are willing to go explore why they think the way they do.

linnea
January 29 2007, 12:54PM

i don't think the "n" word or the "f" word should be banned. trying to legislate what people say is a slipperly slope. freedom of speech - as long as it is not inciting violence - is protected for a reason. what i deam deplorable or you or george bush may differ and that leaves room for other things, other thoughts to be banned as well.

i've been struggling with whether i think people should be fired over the things that they say...in private industry there are lawsuits and such to keep the balance. but in hollywood i think we as a watching/listening/buying public are ultimately responsible. if i don't like it and want to send a message i don't watch. that is my power.

i hate hearing the "n" word, and i hear and see it often when i travel abroad. i've been called it because out of the US it is out of context and people don't udnerstand there is an offensive history to it...still, it is a word, only a word, and i would hate to think of someone editing the words that come out of my mouth.

Gregg
January 29 2007, 1:02PM

Good luck on Paula Zahn. I believe that we should start by banning the use of the word in our own community. Of course we hear the word nigger being used by our own frequently, but believe it or not I have heard the word faggot used in the gay community more often than I would like. So let us begin at home by not using these words. I also do not believe in these so called "F-word" or N-word." When openingly discussing these words, we should call it like it is or in say it as it is. I believe we are traveling down a dangerous road when we start to using other ways of saying the same offensive word.

Robert
January 29 2007, 1:16PM

Kenneth Winfrey,

I agree in part. More important than the word is the intention. And I think what Keith is really getting at is what are people's intention when they use the words in question. Clearly, Isaiah Washington and Michael Richards intended to inflict pain and negativity with their use of the words. So, I think it a bit disingenous to compare them to people who use the words in an effort to heal.

C. Baptiste-Williams
January 29 2007, 1:37PM

Whatever happened to the First Amendment right to free speech?

It amazes me that both our gay and black cultures both use the words as tearms of endearment but then we want to turn and ban them. Regardless of if the word is use in an harmful or not, it makes no sense to me.

tony
January 29 2007, 1:49PM

It seems incredulous to me that this topic would even be raised for discussion. And how might I presume would this ban take effect? And who will the judges be?

nova
January 29 2007, 2:03PM

I've said this on Jas's site and I'll say it here: The answer to evil speech is not regulation. If you regulate someone else, you must live with the certainty that you yourself will eventually be regulated.

Hollywood will decide what they will do with Richards; black folks have already made up their minds. In the case of Isaiah, this is more of a human resources thing and should be handled in that manner and yes, I think he should be fired for it.

Regarding hip-hop, I don't agree with all the images and content present in mainstream rap, but we mustn't paint all hip-hop with the same brush. I'm surprised there hasn't been a major campaign targeting the industry to stop their artists from using the n-word. But even then, the question would be raised about how deep the censoring should go, and sitting here on your site parsing the levels of offensiveness in today's music won't help unless those closest to the situation decide to do something about it.

Stuffed Animal
January 29 2007, 2:31PM

I think it's impossible to ban words of any kind. If you succeed in taking them out of the public sphere, they continue to thrive underground. I don't want any words banned, but I do want more people to educate themselves about the history of epithets like "nigger" and "bitch" and "faggot" and "queer" and "dyke" (and anybody who believes such words can or should be "reclaimed" by stigmatized groups definitely needs educating). When all of us are informed enough to realize that the casual use of hate speech is wrong, that's when we'll really begin making progress as a society.

Nathan James
January 29 2007, 2:47PM

Mindful of the fact that the English language is filled with semantic traps, I would be hesitant to ban the use of any word because of its offensive or loathsome connotations. People will coin other derogatory words or phrases to replace the banned words, and therefore, no progress will have been made. Keith, you may wish to point that out when you're on TV tonight--just be sure to quote me...lol! Anyway, I feel the best way to address the issue of hateful, offensive speech is to teach tolerance from an early, early age.

People who use such scornful, offensive terms in their everyday speech don't realize how the objects of their hatred can easily come back to haunt them. Consider the bigot who, upon learning that the only doctor in the hospital can save him is (black, gay, a woman, Hispanic, Asian, insert your own group here), and dies rather than allow himself to be treated? This is the challenge we face in tackling the n- and f-word issues.

Ty
January 29 2007, 3:02PM

Why is it that some feel the n-word is a term of endearment? say it to me, and you will get cussed out and read until next week. Its offensive on any level, and the uneducated black people who spew it out more than any other word in their vocabulary are as bad as Richards and his spewing of it for a "joke." My parents, who I had to nag for years not to use it in my presence, have tried to stop, not a easy task for two people in their 60's, but, they have come to realize, its out in the street now, when it was reserved for "endearment" among friends. Now, every Tom, Dick and Harry is saying it, and most not as a fun word either.

The Empress
January 29 2007, 3:05PM

So who gets to determine if a word is offensive or not? What's offensive to you may not be offensive to me and vice versa. Case in point let's take the word 'faggot'. It may be offensive to some in the gay community but not to all. I have a very dear friend that is as gay as all outdoors and he refers to himself as a "faggot' and he calls some of his friends that as they do him and they are all gay so its clear that the word is not offensive to him. Now it is to one of his friends so they don't use the word around him which is how it should be. So, is he wrong for using the word to refer to himself? I will go with no. Its called freedom of speech. The word 'stupid' could be very offensive so what will you do delete it from the English language? If that be the case let's just all speak in sign. ANY word could be offensive at any given time. I'm a firm believer in its not the name they call you but the name you answer to.

J Scott
January 29 2007, 3:24PM

Although I understand how it feels to be on the receiving end of a "slur," I don't think we should get into banning "certain" words. N!gger is a word I heard throughout my life bcz I had many family members who used it. Fortunately, my mother was not one of those. There will be absolutely no way to ban n!gger and faggot and I don't believe they should be banned. In fact, I think it's a really silly proposal. I def do not agree w/what IW said "about" his co-worker but we can't cry foul over faggot when we have accepted the term "queer." IMO, the faggot debacle is much ado about nothing and it is absolutely ridiculous to now use the terms "n-word" and "f-word." It's n!gger and faggot. GEEZ! We need to keep our sensitivities in check and fight the right battles.

lsaunders
January 29 2007, 3:46PM

I don't feel the two words should be banned as bad as the words are and as hurtful as they sound. It's a part of language and individuals must be taught at an early age that there are some consequences that come with using these two words or any negative words. Now, if an individual use the words in a negative context that person will have to deal with the consequences. Overall we would like to think that most people would use some common sense; however, which is not always the case until there is constant communication and education to stop certain mindsets; i.e., including the very types of criticisms that are going on now for using these words. We must all pull these offenders up.

algie
January 29 2007, 4:46PM

ask martin luther king and malcolm x and i'm sure they would not hesitate to say that yes we need to move forward and not backwards as a race and as black gay men and those 2 words are not worthy of positiveness

Kwesi
January 29 2007, 5:02PM

I'm really not sure if banning the words would help to curtail its use. I won't be terribly oppose to banning those words, regardless of "Freedom of Speech", because the truth is, those words are offensive.

However, we need to do more than just banning the N word. If banned, it will still be used because a lot of people haven't critically thought about the historical context of that word. A 21-year-old former co-worker (Afri-Amer) said to me, "What's up my Nigga". I promptly asked him not to call me by that word and explained to him why that's a terrible word. He listened and understood my point. No one had ever explained to him the word as it relates to the history of our people. I explained to him that the Klan would be so proud of him.

I wish someone would produce a powerful documentary to open up our eyes and minds. That would help to eliminate its use.

Stuffed Animal
January 29 2007, 5:52PM

"So who gets to determine if a word is offensive or not?"

It's not who, but what, and the what is the history of the words in question. Your friends who, out of ignorance, enjoy exchanging the word "faggot" among themselves do not possess the power to rob the slur of its toxicity.

" . . . it's not the name they call you but the name you answer to."

It's both the names you answer to and the names you call others that indicate whether you're filled with self-hatred and lack respect for those you call your friends.

VanJoe
January 29 2007, 6:36PM

When I was young, the word queer was offensive. Many people I know still find it offensive, yet it has become normal in gay culture generally speaking because it was 'reclaimed' as a word of pride.

I think it would be a lot more effective if all these words that are currently seen as 'offensive' were instead turned on their heads and used by the people they refer to, as it doesn't take long before their power to offend is then lost and the bigots are left with nothing to say.

Banning them just increases their power to shock and offend and helps the bigots.

Reggie
January 29 2007, 7:04PM

When it comes to "nigger" or "nigga", I avoid those words all together. I grew up in the South and knew to never say those words even to another black person. I never heard my parents, relatives, cousins, or grand parents ever use that word. I also have chosen to not use it out of respect of everyone who've been called that out of hatred with or without any violence committed upon them.

I was surprised when I started hearing it used it in rap when I was a kid. But I later discovered while I was in college the ramifications that the N word has on people, especially foreigners. I had a friend that was an exchange student from the Slovak Republic and I ran into him one evening on campus. He said to me "wassup my nigga". I was like 'what did you just say'. After hearing my question, he said "They say it all the time in rap songs." Then I had to explain to him why to not say it. It also shocks me when I hear other groups calling each other that word.

EMPRESS
January 29 2007, 7:42PM

Stuffed Animal did you just say I possess self-hate or are you figuratively speaking? I'll say no because you don't know me and I don't use the word so I'll look past that. You may think its ignorance on their part b/c you don't like the word. You can't say someone is ignorant for what they choose to be called. Now faggot began as an British word that is actually a bundle of crap. Someone took it upon themselves to make use of the word in a harsh content so to me its not a word anyway. "Gay" is a word that originally meant "happy" or "gleeful" and someone chose to take it out of context that now means homosexual. Give me a break folk will say and makeout words to mean something so who cares. And its not what someone else calls me because you see I don't let others define me. IF you don't answer to it you won't be called such. Getting all up in arms about a word makes ppl use it to piss you off. Don't fall for it.

CPAPhD
January 29 2007, 7:52PM

Education, usage, and respect....any word can be made derrogatory.

Matthews1973
January 29 2007, 7:57PM

Hate Speech clearly changes what the true import of what freedom of speech does for the American public. The constitution freely allows one to protest for or against abortion in public or private but when it infringles on the constitutional rights of others then it does not fall under it's protection. In the same manner, if ones speech becomes abusive to the point of offensive and move good Americans to act in a hateful manner even to the point of physically harming another then it is no longer a free-dom of ones speech but hate speech. Therefore, the source of the hate speech should be charged as one breaking the law. Remember if I sexually haress a female co-worker verbally "with only words" I will surely be fired. But, if I repeatly say the N-Word or F-Word for others to record and distribute then its ok. Dare I say double standard. We can not ban the words but we can definitely charge people for hate crimes--physical or verbal.

ousslander
January 29 2007, 8:03PM

No WORD should be banned just because it is offensive. Yes we can boycott someones product and not contribute to their income. If we were to start banning things because they offend us, I got looong list. Also people should not be fined for the use of such words.

Greg
January 29 2007, 8:40PM

Its about educating a ill and poorly informed public on the words, and with the n-word, start with black people, who abuse it more than anyone else. Its seems to me that there's a whole generation that are clueless about it. The word has spread all over the world, I was in Asia, and some woman singled me out Hey n)&^%, want to buy post card? The stare I gave her did not work, she kept sayng, it over and over, just like these rap boobs who don't know the bloody history of the word in this country. The other word, I don't care, say, it, and I will laugh more than anything else.

And, good job on the CNN show Keith, looking all good and sounding better!

Steve
January 29 2007, 10:47PM

Words on their own cannot do harm. It's the image you've trained your brain to associate with the word that's the problem. If you have a problem with a word, it's a problem you have inside your own head. Banning a word, by the way, simply adds to its power - it's not the way to approach the problem.

That said, if someone uses language they know will be found offensive, it's an assault. The fact that it's verbal does not change the intent to cause someone else mental anguish. If someone, Washington or Richards for example, uses language in that manner, they should be disciplined. They don't deserve jail time, but like a dog, they have to be given a negative reward to curb the mis-behavior.

Brandon
January 29 2007, 11:01PM

The words can't be banned of course. The only way to eliminate their offensive use is through education and taking stands every day against ignorance. With that said, I think the use of these words should only be tolerated when they are used by the people they were designed to harm. Case in point, the word faggot should only be thrown around by queer people, since they are the ones harmed by it, they should have the choice as to if and how to use it. Straight people have used it for too long as a term to psychologically and socially harm LGBTQ people, so their privilege of using it is over.

As to whether I think this idea can apply to "N" I cannot say since I am not Black, since it should be Black people who decide it's ultimate fate. In the mean time I won't use it I will strive to keep my white family and friends from using it.

noah
January 29 2007, 11:27PM

Jeez, what the hell is with the "F-word" crap. "Fuck" is the word. When did someone suddenly decide that "faggot" would be become the F-word? This is ridiculous. Both "nigger" and "faggot" are hurtful words. Translating them into mythic, dare not be written words is ridiculous for written works.

chris-leo
January 30 2007, 12:36AM

although words cannot be "banned," languages evolve and change. just 'cause a word's introduced doesn't mean it's here to stay, otherwise i'd be writing this in middle english or sanskrit.

i don't believe in laws limiting free speech, in principle, but when the public frowns on something, it can be very powerful. the phrase, "the N word," popularized by the O.J. trial, is still in use in polite society. i've heard the phrase "the F word," bandied about these past few months, since Isaiah's outburst in the fall. oddly, it wasn't used by Isaiah himself at work or at the Golden Globes.

most sensible people now think twice before they drive drunk or without seatbelts or while talking on a cell phone. we don't drink while pregnant, call people "colored," tan without sunblock or smoke in enclosed spaces.

call it evolution, but ideas fall away as we learn and grow, especially ideas that inhibit us from getting along. just look down the road and look back. things change.

Richard
January 30 2007, 1:03AM

The moment you ban anything you are compelled to agree that the law you've just made up is going to be broken. Any statement beginning with anything along the lines "You can not do the following..." will not stop any person from doing them. No one goes into a cost-benefit analysis before they perform an act, they think about how they can get away with it. Whether its a comedian using offensive language or someone out to take a life. Telling them they can't do it doesn't do anything.

These are inherently symptoms of greater problems, and to stop a symptom you don't treat it, you treat the problem. I don't know what these problems might be, I'm not knowledgeable enough to know about that. What I can infer however is that if telling people not to do things would make them better people, it would have worked a long time ago.

For more along this line of thought: Read Daniel Quin's Ishmael. www.ishmael.org

Buddha Gaydah-Apollo
January 30 2007, 5:30AM

Banning offensive words doesn’t change what’s in people’s hearts. This is a most difficult and contentious issue because we live in a world where people are really into their identity boxes. These ways we have of separating us from them. Seems anywhere you go in the world there’s a good “us” and a bad “them”. That’s where the problem really lies. The words are just stand-ins for the nasty thoughts we have about others in our hearts and our heads. So I have to wonder about the intention of banning the words. Just what do we think we will get out of it? Acceptance?

It makes more sense to me to try to get all of the “us”es together in a movement for respect and the golden rule. We could demand of ourselves first, and then others, that in thought, word and deed, we effort to create an atmosphere of respect, everywhere we find ourselves, by making the effort to see ourselves in everyone we would make into a “them”. That should keep everyone busy for several millennia.
BGA

Pleazze
January 30 2007, 8:24AM

Trying to Ban Something? Now you're sounding just as ridiculous as white folks by using that word. What's needed is an "awareness." From there, the use will stop, no "awareness" the use will continue irregardless of what Paula Zhan and other fools debate.

edwin greene
January 30 2007, 10:20AM

The word nigger is "banned" in the workplace by current discrimination law and policy because, among other things, it creates a "hostile work environment".

The word faggot has not yet reached a status in the workplace that is comparable to the word nigger but I believe it eventually will (and should).

Because of our "free speech" rights, I don't think either word can be legally banned outside the workplace. Employers have wide discretion, and rightly so, in deciding what can and cannot be said and/or done in the workplace because a hostile work environment can demoralize workers and negatively effect the work they produce.

EMPRESS
January 30 2007, 11:27AM

Buddha Gaydah-Apollo...Loves it. I agree with you.

geobaby
January 30 2007, 1:01PM

I think we will never do ourselves justice by playing "God"; trying to identify and examine someone's motive or intent. Remember laws and/or bans or designed to regulate inappropiate behavior towards the masses, not change someone's heart (motvie/intent). I feel getting into this area become like a "double-edge sword" in the long term (and another reason why I support separation of church and state). With that being said, if I really want to make a difference I must first start with MYSELF by making a conscious effort not to use these and other offensive words. THEN direct my attention towards those around me. And when I can't change the people around I keep trying to change the people around me.

I appreciate this much needed honest, open, and intelligent discussion of this subject. Freedom of speech must be protected.

Harold81
January 30 2007, 1:52PM

Hey, I have an idea, let's adopt the word Motherf*cker for all black men over 40. If we say it long enough, hopefully all black men over 40 will begin to call themselves that word to the point of them not being offended anymore.

How about only white females under 25 being referred to as sluts? If they take offense, hopefully they will begin to understand that if they would only begin to embrace being called sluts, after a while, hopefully they will "take it back" and will no longer take offense to being referred to as sluts.

(sarcasm)

Jinx
January 30 2007, 2:33PM

Not sure if this has already been stated/asked, but if such a law did pass, that banned the use of derogatory words and or phrases, how would such a law be policed? "Ummm, excuse me, did I hear you just call me a (fill in the blank). I telling the P-O-L-I-C-E!" Crazy.

Martin Luther King jr
January 30 2007, 3:26PM

faggot is not a derogatory term and its nomore comparable to the word nigger than it is to the word honkie faggot has many meanings a shriveld up old woman a type of knitting stitch bundle of twigs a type of food ect so untill it carries that one meaning not the same PROVE ME WRONG

AJ
January 30 2007, 3:48PM

Do what we do here in the UK.Freedom of speach is fine,as long as it doesn't 'incite hatred' of any kind.Especially racial.There are other ways to communicate the point,without using derogatory terms.

Stuffed Animal
January 30 2007, 5:52PM

"IF you don't answer to it you won't be called such."

You are so wrong. I've never answered to "nigger", "bitch" or "faggot", but that has never stopped anyone from using those words on me. Your analysis is 'way too simplistic. It would be nice if what you claim were true, but we live in the real world. In the real world, certain words hurt. Using those words to excess and convincing yourself that they're endearments doesn't erase the hurt. You only camouflage it.

saint james
January 30 2007, 6:14PM

Marin Luther King Jr.,

I see that your position is yet unchanged. You must not have taken that nap I had so hoped you would.
Using your position: Calling a man (gay or merely percieved as so) a "shriveled up old woman" or any other obscure meaning of the word faggot would be an insult because of THE INTENT TO DERIDE, HUMILIATE OR OBJECTIFY. I cannot understand why you don't see that.

chicagoangel
January 31 2007, 1:28AM

i watched the video. very well done keith. you have such a seductive voice by the way lol....

J
January 31 2007, 2:29AM

People have been throwing the n-word around for years, so I don't understand why young people and hip hop are being slammed, and rap is no more ignorant than the blues.

I'm not promoting this negativity, but people need to stop claiming this is some new problem, determine how we got to this point, and how to pull ourselves out of this situation. Music is not the issue and hip hop is far too diverse to be labeled a cancer. If anything the music isn't the problem, it's the industry and its concern with the bottom line.

Anyway, education and learning to appreciate different cultures is definitely the way to solve the real issue here, and I still don't believe that IW is a raging phobe. He's just an a*s. He just needs one good hit to remind him what's important and how he should be conducting himself.

john
January 31 2007, 2:39AM

beyond the proposal of banning that "N" words, i see power and victory.

The Empress
January 31 2007, 2:47PM

Stuffed Animal...wow what a name but anyways my point is this, People will call you whatever name that pisses you off. How do they know it pisses you off? Because you're making a big deal of it now. They've won and they've conquered you. You see, they could make you mad all day and laugh about it and sleep at night. You can't sleep b/c you're mad about it still. You can't sensor they're words but they've sensored you. People don't care if they've angered you. Show your disappointment and not anger. That they do care about. I still say we spend too much time being offended about things esp what we can do nothing about and people calling you names you can't do anything about. Now harming you or something you can but hey sticks and stones, sticks and stones..
BTW you think my friend not getting offended/or using f**got is ignorant and he thinks you going by Stuffed Animal is ignorant. Wow, very interesting I must say.

Martin Luther Kingjr
February 1 2007, 12:12PM

hey jimmy i never called a homosexual a shriveled up old woman i said that was one of the meanings of the word faggot just to show you unlike the word nigger it has more than one meaning call them obscure if you want doesnt matter fact is fact and you still havent given me another definition under the word nigger

Martin Luther King jr
February 1 2007, 12:43PM

hey jimmy go on and accept the fact that if it aint a racial slur it aint the same PROVE ME WRONG

Martin Luther King Jr
February 2 2007, 4:55PM

boykin you always try to compare the word faggot to the word nigger what an assinine comparison thats like compairng it the word honkie or beaner or chink you dont know the difference between the two? faggots not a racial slur if you would take the time to read a dictionary you will see faggot has more than one meaning so would you get mad if someone called a bundle of twigs a faggot

Michele
February 8 2007, 3:17PM

Banning a word is not going to alter or influence a person's beliefs so doing so would be pointless. I think with Richard and Washington's reputations now suffering, the public opinion is more effective that a mere fine.

Martin Luther King Jr
February 8 2007, 4:44PM

Michele i know fact is hard to accept but lets face facts calling someone a faggot is not a racial or ethinic slur not the same as the N-word or the H-(honkie)word the B-(beaner)word the original meaning of the word faggot is a bundle of twigs