Reply #24: For me... [View All]

[FirstTimeVoterAt37]

It's kind of like robbing the word of it's power. Using (and yes, I'm going to say it) the word 'nigger' in a different context turns it from a nasty verbal weapon into a handful of letters that have no impact. I think that’s the general idea behind it all anyway, but I wouldn't know for sure because I'm not a hip hop artist. :)

To me, much worse than the word “fag” is the fact that (especially among the younger crowd) calling something “gay” is a nasty insult, yet completely acceptable. Yell out “That's fucking GAY!” and it's not terribly likely anyone will call you on it. You'll probably get laughs. It’s insidious if that makes any sense - common usage that IS intended to be insulting and hurtful yet is generally considered innocuous by your random passer-by. It’s a casual hate rather than an aggressive one, and so it can be pervasive without anyone even really noticing.