Is the use of words in non-offensive context still racist?

[CurseSealofEarth]

I was just finished reading an article on my favorite website (sorry NB, they were there first) and it talked about things that make white people feel racist. Heres the link:

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One of the topics discussed in the article was the use of words like "nigger" or "retard." Now I'm going to go ahead and apologize for that because I think people will still get offended even though I didn't call anyone those words, but you'll prove my point. In the context of calling someone those normally offensive titles, people rise up with anger or just get hurt by even the mention of it. In the article there is a video that shows a journalist in an interview with Samuel motherf***ing Jackson, and he began to talk about the controversy of the use of the N-word. Except he wouldn't say it. This bothered Sameul and he told him to say it. The journalist wouldn't so they moved on.

This is the instance I'm talking about, when people have given power to the word when it is just a word. If you are to call someone a name, like retard, people will come up and say you are giving the mentally-handicapped a bad name. It has the same effect if he were to call you a chicken-humper. Is this what we've made the words into? The boogeymen of the lingustic world? The author of the article refrences Harry Potter with "Even Harry Potter knew it was OK to use Voldemort's name. Pretend it's evil and magical and you give it more power than it deserves."

Personally I think it's ridiculous to give these words that kind of power, but I want your thought NB. Is it Racist or offensive to say these words at all, or are we overreacting in our attempts to keep everyone (who weren't getting offended anyway) happy? Speak words to me.

 

[Altaneen]

[video=youtube;L5TzwBhV2Bo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5TzwBhV2Bo[/video]

 

[AirWind]

My belief is simple for such occasion. If u feel that its unnecessary to say it or to mention it, just leave it there or in ur head. Presume everything, and act cool. And if someone calling u names (inappropriate ones), its up to you whether u really need to weather the storm or just let it go. Its everything basically comes back to you literally, either u want to start it or u want to end it.

 

[Wumbo]

Words are only as powerfull as you make them - My nipples.

 

[CurseSealofEarth]

[video=youtube;L5TzwBhV2Bo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5TzwBhV2Bo[/video]

The wise words who once called a deer a 'f***ing sh*t nigger deer.

My belief is simple for such occasion. If u feel that its unnecessary to say it or to mention it, just leave it there or in ur head. Presume everything, and act cool. And if someone calling u names (inappropriate ones), its up to you whether u really need to weather the storm or just let it go. Its everything basically comes back to you literally, either u want to start it or u want to end it.

You are so vague and ambiguous it makes me upset.

 

[Wang]

I've never tried using words in a non-offensive context before, I'll give it a try & let you know what happens

 

[AirWind]

You are so vague and ambiguous it makes me upset.

Lets not get wrong with what im saying, im not supporting racist to be started with and i understand whats u saying. But IMO the words that we talk to each other and speak to each other have some meaning in it. One could easily offended if he/she mistranslated the words. Do u agree? Even if u so "sincere" with ur words, u cannot expect other people to have certain understanding about ur sincerity saying that word, or even have the same level of ur understanding. That is why i said, if u cud hinder or prevent from saying such a sensitive words, u better not say it

 

[Elio]

Words are only as powerfull as you make them - My nipples.

Oh, Wumbo. wease:

 

[Altaneen]

The wise words who once called a deer a 'f***ing sh*t nigger deer.

F@ck that deer.

 

[Wesobi]

Even if it's placed outside a contextual term, this is the internet. Written language is how we code our feelings/emotions, but it's a lacking way of communication. It can be interpreted as anyone wants it to.

In my opinion, yes, the terms are still offensive, as someone might take offense to them.
Besides, there are ample words that can be used to avoid these it anyways, even if it isn't said offensively, so why not just use those words instead?