"Affectionate” insults—I don’t really do them.

I don’t call anyone the "n" word, I don’t call my friends "b*tches","h*es" or "c*nts". I didn’t grow up with that kind of thing. It feels like a disconnect to me. I heard it enough from enemies, I don’t [b]need[/b] it from so-called friends. 😞

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ChipmunkErnie · 70-79, M

I understand, but at the same time the use of epithets that way does seem to be a pretty wide-spread thing. I sort of buy the old Lenny Bruce concept that if we use words, make them our own, they eventually lose their power to hurt. But if we try and ban them we keep re-enforcing their power. Our very act of reaction makes them powerful?

On the other hand, I find myself using curses and epithets these days that I never used in the past and think it's because the internet is so filled with them.

bijouxbroussard · F

@ChipmunkErnie There are some words I never want to own. They were never mine [b]to[/b] own. And the fact that they still have the power to hurt is evidenced by them still being insults in other people’s mouths. 🙁

ChipmunkErnie · 70-79, M

@bijouxbroussard Which was the whole point of Bruce's rants -- IF the words have the power to hurt you, then they do own you.

bijouxbroussard · F

@ChipmunkErnie Okay, perhaps in another 400 years, assuming folks in the KKK agree to stop using it, the "n" word will have no power. Right now, certain people can’t use it without risking the loss of jobs or teeth. That makes it pretty damn powerful. And the point I’m making is, it’s never been [b]my[/b] word, and it represents a lot of ugliness that can’t be undone. Personally I think black people who use it casually are foolish.