That psychological game we play is interesting, when we take up the negative word and proudly wear it. I know a woman with a serious mental illness who calls herself crazy, but of course I never would call her that to her face. My brother-in-law was a cop who played on a softball team in the 70s called The Pigs. I say all kinds of things about myself that might sound negative, but I probably do it to in some way forestall criticism. It's a little mysterious.Penelope wrote:And I know black people who call themselves niggers, but I wouldn't call them it...because it would probably offend them. The same with gay men....I wouldn't call them faggots, no matter what they call themselves.wCw - wrote:
And BTW - I know gay men who actually refer to each other as 'faggots' . . . so I think as a society, we can lighten up on these words.
I actually refer to myself as an interfering old busybody....but I'd be a bit miffed if somebody else called me that.
Some black leaders have attacked rappers and others for their use of "nigger."