Clearly you’re not from the US so you’re excused. When it comes to racist white Americans (not ALL white Americans) and even some other racist people from different races, there often isn’t any distinction between “ni**er” and “ni**a”. “Ni**a” only became an alternative way to say the word due to the southern white vernacular. Anyone who uses either variation to dehumanize anyone shouldn’t be saying it period.
Well, you're correct in the conclusion that I am not from the US, so I do not have the same frame of reference that you have.
But at least we can agree that whatever it is, when you use a word with the intent to discriminate against someone based on the color of their skin or other arbitrary features then it's a problem.
I respectfully disagree. A lot of American racism is normalized behind closed doors. Even the ones who aren’t racist are implicit when they don’t call out their family members for these beliefs.
But riddle me this, what harm does it do that some uncle somewhere is cracking a racist joke behind closed doors?
Obviously, I'm neither black nor american so I can't use my lived experience as a credible measuring stick, but I've encountered next to no really truly racist people. They exist without a doubt, and they will never cease to exist and there's no two ways about it.
However, I think is a bit on the nose to say that someone that uses a word, maybe unaware of it's negative connotations, is racist - when actual racists will be sure to let you know that you're inferior and disgusting to them. These are people that are genuinely uncomfortable to be around.
But again, I'll not stand here and pretend that I know how it is on the ground over there. But I do really believe that there aren't as many true racists out there as you make it out to be. I'll leave it at that though.
I’m well aware of Morgan freeman’s stance and I whole heartedly disagree with him. Sticking your head in the sand is not a solution to the issue.
But why?
What do you actually stand to gain from discussing race?
You're only emphazising that you are a person with a specific color of skin, which then leads to a categorical seperation of people.
Why can't people be people, and their features - their features?