>> of th > words niggas and spics... Which case would that be? The fact
 >> that nothings going to change? Not in my life time it's not. If I say
 >> blacks and spaniards you think things will change? That seems pretty
 >> naive. I applaud your wishful thinking sir.HusTler   Havens BBS 

Hey Everyone!

Hustler has proposed the following thesis: publicly addressing a persons race by
the use of derogatory epithets does NOT affect their behavior in society.  

I will argue the opposite:  If you commonly address a person's race thru the use
of negative epithets, not only will that person start to behave differently,
often in a negative way -- but others will behave differently towards YOU as the
addressor. 

Case in point, when I see Hustler using the negative words he does, when
referring to a persons race, I instantly assume that he is a racist, and likely
older. It's likely he likely he only associated with members of his own race
most of his life. I would also infer that he is uneducated, probably lower
income, and probably not very successful in life.  

Would all these assumptions about him be correct?  Would it be fair for me to
make them based on his vocabulary?  No, of course not.  Would my assumptions
about HIM change HIS behavior if everyone around him assumed what I do? I bet it
would.  If everyone around him started calling him an old cranky racist, maybe
he would start acting out and that might further enforce the assumption that
he's cranky.  

Hustler,

That's what happens when people use negative epithets.  And why you shouldn't do
it.  Try to be better.  I always try to ignore your casual racism, but at a
certain point it becomes impossible.  I'm sure you have some redeeming
qualities, but people won't see them if you go around talking the way you do.

~Bob:Rob~




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