The 'N' word

I can't believe that it's 2010 and the use of the 'n' word is still an issue.  It's unbelievable to me that racism still exists.  Let's just put aside, for the moment, the ignorant bias so many seem to have right now against Muslims.  This is wrong also, obviously, but that's a topic of discussion for a different day.  Maybe even for a different person.  I'm talking about the insanity that is use of the 'n' word and the ignorance and stupidity of the people who use it. 

I remember several years ago when I used to spend a lot of my internet time on the message boards of IMDb.  Yes, I know, --LOSER!  Anyway, I also spent some time expressing my extreme dislike for Paris Hilton.  I was shocked that this bimbo actually had fans.  When it was disclosed that she used the 'n' word I was not shocked that Skankis (as I used to call her) would use this word since all evidence of her background seemed to indicate a very serious lack of intelligence and an over-inflated sense of self.  What was shocking was the fact that her fans chose to defend her actions and even argued that Paris is not a racist because she was in a movie (House of Wax) where she had to play the girlfriend of a black person.  (Insert eye-roll here.)

When a few years later Michael Richards was shown yelling the 'n' word at a couple of hecklers during a stand-up comedy show I was very disappointed.  Who doesn't love Seinfeld's Cosmo Kramer?  Even now when I watch reruns of the show I sometimes have a hard time enjoying his performance as much as I used to now that I know what he's really like.  Okay, so he was apologetic, but that doesn't erase the fact that he yelled out the racial slur 6 times with what felt like glee.

Don't even get me started on Mel Gibson.  Is there any group of people he hasn't offended?  Jews, women, Mexicans, the black community, homosexuals,...if he hasn't gotten to your particular group yet, don't worry,  he will.

I suppose the reason I am so hesitant to forgive the use of this word is not only because of the very hateful and disgusting connotations, but because I believe that if you use this word, even by accident, it is because it is in your mind.  What do I mean by that?  I never use this word, even to myself in my head.  I can't even bring myself to type it in my blog because that is how much I hate that word.  I don't understand how everyone doesn't feel this way.  The point is that if someone like Paris, Michael, Mel, or Laura Ingram can so easily say this word it is only because they have been thinking it all along.  That is what, in my opinion, makes them racist.

Are people ALLOWED to use the 'n' word?  Of course.  There's no law against it and we still have Freedom of Speech in this country.  That's one of the caveats of this particular freedom.  We have to listen to a lot of bullshit from a lot of assholes who I wouldn't piss on if they were on fire (ooh I have to remember to tweet that).  The good news is that most of us are cognizant of the fact that these people are douche bags and there is never any shortage of people who are willing to stand up against racism.  Luckily, our side happens to be quite vocal, so we need never fear that one of these losers will slip by our watch.