Posted by andy bolger on March 27, 2002 at -1:58:42 from 213.122.250.145:
In Reply to: Re: N-word was Re: Colonialism in S&As posted by Adam Quinan on March 26, 2002 at 20:50:24:
I have noted Ar's use of the "n-word' with especial attention as my nephew who is approaching the age of AR readership is black. It is used a number of times in P.D. but only in reported speech. This refelcts a social realism that persisted for many decades afterwards. I well remember in the 70's, when Stoke City Football Club had its first black player, Garth Crooks, old men in cloth caps shouting enthusiastically, "give it to the n****". They may well have been racist in other contexts but they thought the sun shined out of Garth's a******** as he was by far the best player in the side.
Should AR have used the word? Well I wish he hadn't as it inhibits me from reading him to James. I think his circumspect use of it reflects an awareness that it was derogatory.
In adult forum, I personally hold the view that its use in quotes etc. is preferrable to pussyfooting around as it refelcts an unpleasant reality but I don't relish explaining this to a five year old.
andy bolger