Tim Allen Says He Should Be Able To Use The N Word Like He Does
He went on to say that if Paula Deen says it, then it should be all right and that no one should go after her. he says that everything involved with the N word is very confusing to the European mind. To me, when he said that, it almost was like he was saying that white people are smarter than African American people and there are some rules that just don't make any sense. Oh, and Tim Allen wants you to know he uses the N word and is not afraid to use it and used it extensively in the interview. He is not shy about it at all.
89 comments:
Of course people are free to say what they want. If Allen thinks this will turn him into a star again, though ... he's a bigger fool than I thought he was.
Tim Allen is a white nigger.
I don't necessarily disgaree with his logic.
His "logic" could get him killed.
Go ahead and say it and watch what happens. Keep it up with this "well he has a point" and we'll stay stuck. Say it to the wrong person and try to argue this "logic".
If his "logic" is that an old white man should be able to use racist language without anyone complaining, I'd question his skill as a logician.
The notion that "he could get killed" with this logic, while rappers have profited nicely off exploitation of this word in their "music" somewhat confirms his point, no? There's a massive double standard at hand.
It's not a slur "sometimes." It's a slur, period. Vilifying some people caught using it, while ignoring (at best) or praising (at worst) others who toss it around blithely is hypocrisy at its finest.
This cracker is right.
"His logic could get him killed".
That's what happens when you talk about and with uncivilized beings, more close to apes and cromagnons than to XXI century humans, completely unable to accept a critic without losing their shit and wreaking havoc.
One more entitled insensitive ass to add to the list..
Wow so people can call us niggers for hundreds of years buy once we reclaim it, now we're hypocrities?
You do realize that we basically took a word used to demean us and completely redefined it to the point that the people who originally used it to demean us now look like COMPLETE IDIOTS when they say it.
It's not something I expect you to understand. Rappers call each other nigga all the time....well I don't use the word often buy when I do it's because I want to and because I can.
It kinda seems like some white people are mad because they can't use the word. And who the fuck are you to decide what a slur is? Hispanics say ese to each other but you'd get your ass kicked if you said it. So would I.
Everybody but white people have adopted the silly terms WHITE people used to describe them as their own as a means to take some power and you're mad cause the word doesn't mean what it used to.
The rage with which white people get inflamed -- and the breathing of fire and obvious emotion -- reminds me that people with a comfortable identity have that comfortable identity because armies fought for their privilege. I hear people use in-group language all the time (women using sexist language when it's all-women, gay people calling each other HORRIBLE things when it's just the gays, or black people using affectionate racially-tinged language addressing other black people) and I have survived. But ask a white person if they feel crucified because they can't call black people the n-word? Sheez. It's an explosion.
If Tim Allen or anyone else wants to use the word, go for Depending on the context you use it and who you use it around, be ready to deal with what the f%ck ever As for Paula Deen, the fact that she used the word, once mind you, is hardly the reason for the backlash she received. Read the depositions involved with the case. I don't think Paula respects anyone or their rights, outside of her family. How anyone worked in that environment is astounding! The persons to blame for Paula's downfall are simple ass Bubba and dumb ass Paula for not doing something about him.
And this is why white people can't say the word.
This subject is so exhausting. Tired of it.
@Barton your comment is spot on.
S.Joy, I agree.
Speaking as a white person, I've got a whole dictionary of words to use, and I can do without this one. There's just no upside in it, only downside. Life's too short.
Tim allen is an idiot. Paula dean used the word in a way to humiliate and demean, THATS what is so objectionable. I dont use any slurs; if other people want to use them for themselves, have at it.
No way is Tim allen that hip that he can use that word. And as for white people wanting to use that word, in what context? There has so far not been a situation in my life where that word would fit.
Now i can see if as a comedian youre with a bunch of other comics who are black and using the word and having fun you you wld want in on that, but i still think its taboo.
The problem I have with this is the fact that every song my 16 yearold nephew has says the word at least a dozen times or more. There is one song that it probably makes up 50% of the words. These rappers know that a good portion of this music is being bought by middle class white kids and they are making all their money by exposing these kids to a word that they should never say and probably would have died off had it not been pushed back in everyone's face through rap. Yes there would still be the Paula Deens of the world, but she was raised in s different time. The younger generations today would have little to no exposure to the word if it weren't being thrown around constantly in music. Oh and my nephew is a quarter black, but basically looks white so trying to explain that yes black people can say this word, but your probably not black enough to say it is an interesting concept to try and explain. Of course we explain that it's just not a word to use.
I don't understand why white people even want to be able to say that word. Why? I'm white and I have no compulsion at all to say it.
I think Tim Allen and every white person who feels it's okay to use nigger because black people "use it so why shouldn't we?" Conveniently forget context is everything. So apparently Martin Lawrence addressed him affectionately with "what up my nigga?" , okay was Paula using the word with the same type of affection? No...her brother? No...the handful if white people who have called me nigger to my face? No. In most instances, the people who feel they should be able to use the word, will do so to degrade a black person and that is the key difference.
He can say goodbye to ever working with Disney or Chrysler or the State of Michigan ever again
Ese is actually a gang term, versus a racial slur. And it's used to refer to males exclusively.
ruh-oh shaggy, here we go again. The european mind? oh no no no no no. (shakes head) start backpedaling NOW Tim, before you're living in a studio in the valley fighting over the last stick of butter with Paula Deen.
Thank you Meli.
Thank you Meli.
You cannot tell me that if a white person called a Hispanic ese it wouldn't be considered a racial slur.
@Nutty Im with you all the way. As a black person, I simply choose not to use the word. People of both races argue that they should be able to use it, it's a never ending topic. I steer clear of it.
So if your nephew says it, it's because the music he listens to.
And Marilyn Manson caused Columbine, right?
Led Zeppelin got us hooked on acid, right?
Shut up.
As a European citizen can I just say that the N word is definitely not confusing to us. Racial slurs are just as wrong in Europe and it's a big no no to use them in daily life.
I personally [and i think quite a bunch of people in Europe] perfectly understand how black people decided to take back the word for themselves.
Yup, still not confused Tim. You are the hypocrite and the moron here..
I'm with Nutty & Reno. It never occurs to me to use that word. EVER.
Allen is acting like it's some kind of *sacrifice* for him to exclude that word from his vocabulary. I'm not sure if he's a racist or not, but I do know he has no class.
Kels said...
His "logic" could get him killed.
Go ahead and say it and watch what happens. Keep it up with this "well he has a point" and we'll stay stuck. Say it to the wrong person and try to argue this "logic
So in other words, you're saying blacks are like wild animals unable to control their emotions?
Kels said...
Wow so people can call us niggers for hundreds of years buy once we reclaim it, now we're hypocrities?
Yes, and you're dumb.
I'd add: black people use nigger as a derogatory term all the time.
It is funny to read the comments here by white people rushing to assure us they never use the word! Never even think about it! Ever!
Hilarious.
It's about as racial a slur as homie is. Like to know where you grew up learning ese is a racial slur.
Jay + justcurious = True Love 4evah
Kels- why is the idea that word so funny? I hate to bust your bubble, but white people DONT sit around talking about blacks, and what words to use to refer to them. Jeesh, get off yourself as a topic!
I get what he's trying to say. To me n*gger means that person is the lowest of low in that race - just like white trash. Tim just has to understand that when he comes across someone using it, especially if they're black, that he's dealing with a moron.
I wonder how often he said it while he was in prison for dealing huge amounts of cocaine?
How about if you or more importantly his parents dont agree with it, stop letting him listen to that music. Or you could just continue to use rap music as a scapegoat for your racist inclinations. Whichever.
I always think of this word (which I never use) as almost a familial thing. Black people use it amongst themselves, but no one else should...just like I can call one of my siblings is a jerk (or whatever), but someone outside of my family better not.
I don't know why anyone would ever want to use this word, IMO.
This! He sounds like a total idiot.
First of all "blacks" is definitely not the correct term. And if I walked up to a white person and said whats u cracker and they punched me in my face would that make them a wild animal. If we get angry or offended we are just those crazy black people but everyone else has the right to defend themselves without being likened to wild animals.
Auntliddy- look again, Kels isnt the one who said that.
The word will only affect you, IF YOU LET IT. Choose not to let words control your emotions and behavior. Tim Allen can say whatever he wants.
Ese is not a racial slur in my part of predominantly Latino SoCal.
Tim Allen needs to find another way to get attention. The N word sucks and I don't care who says it.
This! He sounds like a total idiot.
For the record not all black people use the word nigga and almost NONE use the word nigger. Two different things. Im so tired of people using rap music as a basis for their racism. If i took lyrics out of rock songs and judged every white person off of it would that be right? Why not just worry about why you would WANT to say it. And @Diana changing the definition of the word to make yourself feel better about saying it doesnt change facts. Ive never called anyone white trash, cracker or anything else like that because when I see a trashy ignorant person I dont blame it on their race. This site is filled with prejudice and its so disheartening to see.
Lauren, apply as needed, lol
Wow, you two just really missed the point. Read what you wanna read, much?
Lauren, you are so eager to jump down someone's throat that you're getting the context wrong.
its funny, everyone is branded as racist if they say one thing out of context or they are secretly racist because they like to sing along to rap.
guess what. i say sup niggas to my friends all the time, they do it too. most of us are white, and secretly racist i suppose.i always thought being racist was hating a race not just saying a word.
you can say everyone's a little racist, laughing at stereotypes and that. asains are good at math, black people are criminals, white people are rich and racist. i'm not gonna feel bad for being a white guy. sue me.
How about he no longer uses it out of respect to a group of people who have made it very clear they find its use by demeaning and insulting when coming from people of a different color? How hard is it to accord a people who have been disrespected for centuries the respect they are asking for?
@ Barton fink 7:15am...
Preach! That's the God's honest truth!
@V, 7:51am, my feelings exactly.
@nellie 10:49am. +1
It's not a word I like to hear from anyone's lips, so I just choose not to use it myself, and I ignore it if anyone of ANY skin color says it.
This is a subject where no one wins, but everyone seems to get up in arms.
You do realize that we basically took a word used to demean us and completely redefined it to the point that the people who originally used it to demean us now look like COMPLETE IDIOTS when they say it"
So if it's been so completely "taken back", how is it still so offensive. Your logic is poor and doesn't address the double standard.
Or is the process not completed yet, like this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0R3OjMcOqg&feature=youtube_gdata_player
This I just don't get, if a group of people let you know that they do not like being called something because it offends them, THEN DON'T DO IT. It is common sense. It is a common courtesy. That is all.
My money is on this not affecting Tim Allen's career. He's pretty much been outed as a dick, so this isn't going against the grain.
I'm so sick of this bullshit. Maybe it's my PMS talking, but I don't see the big f-ing deal here. The point is that if the word is disgusting and offensive-which I feel it is-then nobody should be using it. If most black Americans are offended by the N word-and I'm pretty sure they are-then they should organize a very public campaign to boycott musicians and entertainers who use the word, especially all the rap artists. You can't say it's OK for black rappers to use the word, but not anybody else.
I think we should ask an African-American if it is not correct to use the term black. Who has Charlize Theron's phone number? Or somebody ask Thandie Newton if she is a British African-American. If you twist the language too many times it becomes completely useless.
And by the way, all the black doctors, nurses, lawyers and other professionals I know do NOT walk around calling other blacks "n-ers!" Educated, professional, polite people of any race do not use the term. The old "we co-opted the word" argument is bullshit. If you don't want to hear the word used, then don't use it.
Ese and Vato are Termsterms for homie, or dude, but if you (non-Hispanic) were to address a Hispanic as beaner, spic, wetback, then you would get a beat down.
Tim Allen is hilarious. He was voicing his frustration with having to watch his mouth all the time. I wonder if the reporter was black would he have flung the n word around. I highly doubt it. I personally think some white folks are mad they can't call blacks niggers. I find that equally laughable because on top of the many other ways that have been (and continue to be) employed to oppress and humiliate blacks throughout history .... Some White folks are still pissed cuz they can't call a black person a nigger??? Really???!!. LMAO!
It's like they get the sundae but no cherry on top and they can't handle it. Lol. Hilarious!
Honestly, my point of view is why not laugh at the court jesters. Fools provide the best entertainment. Tim is most certainly a damn fool.
I don't think this word has been reclaimed and redefined. Most educated black americans aren't running around calling each other "nigger" constantly. Right? My colleagues, friends, and acquaintances aren't.
If anything, I think the so-called "reclamation" of the word that has taken place has done nothing but create a mentality that incites a subconscious feeling of low self-worth and can prevent people from moving upward in their life if they're constantly referring to each other as "nigger." (And there is no difference between "nigger" and "nigga," just like there's no difference between "something" and "somethin'" except not pronouncing the consonant at the end of the word) It's a low, low word I don't think it shouldn't be used by anyone in reference to another human being but if we can't even talk about it civilly, how are we supposed to move forward?
I sat on my comment since this post went up in case I'd cool off & re-think things, but fuck it.
I'm so god damned tired of race-baiting, woman-hating & mental illness snark posts on CDaN that I'm out.
I returned to lurkerdom cuz even tho I've been thoroughly disgusted with OBVIOUS bait posts + the Not Now, Ironman crapfest, I still read because I cared about the commenters.
Out of curiosity when there were reveals from 2007 & 2008, I read a few other posts from that timeline. OG Enty had a bit of nasty snark or a harsh post, but it was NEVER day after continuous day of bitchy, catty & fill-in-the-blank bait posts. There was a real personality behind the curtain. OG Enty was beloved & fun.
In 2010 or 2011, the July 4th reveals were so juicy & so fun & some downright jaw-dropping, that many of us thought CDaN was either going to implode or OG Enty had sold the site & "went for broke" on the reveals. Everyone was relieved when CDaN was still in operation the next day. I'm sure a lot of people remember that awesome reveal day. :-)
Nowadays, I don't know who writes this site & I don't give a fuck. But if it's Jax, somewhere along the line, you went from a pretty funny, snarky & insightful person to someone who regularly shit on people's comments. And that's too bad.
I've enjoyed my time over the years. Even finally jumping into the pool & having fun posting earlier this year. But my life journey is about to change & I can't be around this negativity.
This isn't fun, snarky gossip anymore. While there are some awesome people I love reading (whether I agree with or not), the rest is a fucking cesspool that I don't care to wade through.
I will say "Welcome Rach!". :-) Glad you didn't get run off. I never saw you attack anyone, but as some others pointed out, you happened to land here when there was a lot of trolling & I think it was a misunderstanding. There's no "CDaN Sheriff" (well except for the awesome "Mayor Timebob"), so enjoy your time here. BTW, I'm not an Aussie, but I am an Essendon fan. #GoDons
Kels: I'm going to miss your comments. I might not always agree with you, but that's okay. I learn from differing opinions. Nothing gets past you & I've enjoyed you adding to the discussions.
Count: I love ya, Darlin' even though I've mostly been an incognito Jerkulady. But the crap & hatred flung by others is just too much...even for my warped sense of humor.
Steppy? I hope you're okay & that COB Davey boy hasn't sent you to the RPF. If you are Co$, I hope one day you'll see the light & break free.
I wish nothing but the best for everyone. Those with challenges in life, I always have & will continue each day to send good karma your way. I really appreciate the friendships I made here.
I despise "Goodbye" posts, but I've broken my own rule this time because I've been around too fucking long. Don't worry, I know not to let the door hit me in the ass as I leave.
Final thoughts:
Nicole Kidman did NOT abandon Isabella & Connor. The Co$ execs that escaped "The Hole" are on record as to how those children were turned against her. Google John Brousseau & Marty Rathbun. BTW, Tom Cruise's kids are the new faces of Co$.
I don't give a rat's ass whether Springsteen is faithful to Patty or not. He's a fucking rock star in my eyes & his music has been intertwined with my life since 1973. Don't shit on other people's musical choices just because you think once a cheater, always a cheater. Shit happens.
Finally, fuck you Jax, X & any other minions who have allowed this once wonderful, fun community turn into a never-ending Shark week...every week of the god damned month.
Now, I'm off to find my Xanax, board Oceanic 815 & live my days out with Sawyer on the Island. Might have to sneak Shemar Moore on, also. ;-)
Bluezz is out!
I think it's beneficial to look at the black people who argue against the use of the word, versus those who defend the usage of it.
Those against the use of the word in any form are the educated intellectuals like Bill Cosby, Maya Angelou, Thomas Sowell, the list goes on and on.
Those for the use? High school dropout rappers, former drug dealers turned recording moguls, and other entertainment types who probably couldn't tell you who Zora Neale Hurston from Zorro nailing Charlton Heston.
When you "reclaim" a word, you remove the taboo not only for yourself, but eventually from everyone else.
But you know what? That's fine. Word taboos are stupid and will always eventually fade, either into obscurity (Dago, Heeb, Spade)or irrelevance (YHWH, damn, God).
The word makes people sound like idiots when they say it. It is an ugly word that doesn't need to be reclaimed. I feel the same way about a gay man calling another a "fag", or a woman calling her friend a "slut". It makes people sound like complete dumbasses.
<3 ya corn! If this has been Jax posting, I think she needs the antidepressants more than any of us here. Talk about miserable.
I am from a European country (Hungarian Republic). In the 70's, 80's we called black people "néger", not because we were racist, in our language the term black for people came from the French word "negro", which I think means black. Since the end of the 80's we are not calling black people "négers", because after the communist era ended (and I have to tell you, the communist era was not that great, but one thing was not: racist) we did learn that this expression is not that loved by the black people, so we are not using it anymore. We are calling black people, black people. I was in California in 2000 or 2001 and I was listening to the radio, where the debate was about Jennifer Lopez, who used the N word in her song (I think it was "I'm real", maybe not). The callers were very furious about it, but I did not understand it really, as a European. We never had any big black community in our country, like never. We never had slaves, as our not too enlightened Anglo-Saxon buddies had, but we know, it was not a good thing, and black people rightfully think that this word is derogatory towards them. I organized some rap shows in my country and I visited in N.Y. one member of the band I made a show for (one of the biggest name, really, maybe the biggest). He and the older guys at the record company, called me very friendly their niggers, which was strange for me, but I thought this was some nice way to say that they are appreciate me, for liking hip hop music. But, and really, but, if they are using it (or JLO used it, and the people in the radio, almost crucified her for it), why they are surprised if other people are using it too ? In 2001 (or 2000) when I was listening to the radio I was thinking, maybe the best way would be, if nobody would use this word. At all. If they are thinking (as I) that this word is coming from an age when this word had a meaning, and quite frankly it was very-very bad, why they are using it ??? And if they are using it in hip-hop songs, movies, and so on, and they are role models for black (and white !!!) teenagers (and not so teenagers) maybe this is not a good thing to do. If you are using something, the people will follow you, and you cannot tell a young white boy (or Indian, or Chinese, etc) that this word their idol is using, is can be used only by him, and if you will use it, he will be very angry, and a lot of people will be very angry too. I think the best way is not to use it, at all. Or teach people some history.
Fucking racist moron.
As a Black woman, I prefer people to say Black because not all Black people are African American, never have been, never will be.
I remember my first PR job in LA, I was doing a press release for a magazine geared towards the Black market and in the tag line, I wanted to use Black it is broader and appeals on a global scale to a larger population of people than African American. In other words, the magazine was geared towards Blacks, so why just market it towards African-Americans.
And incidentally, the word negre in french is not the word for Black, that would be noir. It is used to describe a race of people and it is very much a slur as you won't hear any French person who is sane saying it in polite company.
Oh, and speaking of wild animals, were white folks called wild animals when they were burning Black folks and stringing them up from trees, having lynching parties with all of the pretty white faces standing around looking on, and then, don't even get me started on the phenomena that is the "lynching postcard", which you would have thought would have been illegal to send through the mail, but just goes to show you terrorism has been on American soil long before 9/11!
@Chris Car,
Well said.
God I hate this subject. Cornflower: We'll miss ya. Wonderful adios and glad you broke your rule.
It's an ugly word. I grew up in the south and understand the ugliness of it. No argument can ever be presented to me for it to be an OK word.
Listen to SJoy Kels and V. they LIVE WITH IT EVERY DAY. Jesus, if these ladies haven't provoked some kind of respect then you haven't been listening. I'll defer to their take since they would know a helluva lot better than any of us white folks would.
For now, I'll skip using it. It's just ugliness personified.
Congrats nasty Enty for getting your clicks. Hope you sleep okay at night and don't mind seeing your horrible face staring back at you when you brush your toof every day. If you actually engage in any hygiene rituals that is.
Ditto. Sticks and stones people. Get over it; it's just words.
@sherry, thanks :)
1) Im a black woman and I have never called anyone nigga/er in my life. Come to think of it, ive never used any racial slur towards anyone or group, regardless of what was going on. I respect other people. Plus, I'm not a member of these other groups and I know my words will have a different meaning to their ears. Why put someone else through the emotional acrobats of proving they're not bothered?
2) I will never understand this burning obsession that non-blacks who claim they are not prejudice have with wanting to call black people nigger/a. Ive heard all the default answers given here before, with the popular one being rap music. If anything these arguments seem to belie what is in your heart and its not good.
I think it's up to the people who've been disparaged by that word for a couple of centuries to decide who gets to use it. I think old washed up white people (i.e.; racists pieces of shit) who whine about "reverse racism" and lament how they should be able to use an ugly racist slur should go fuck themselves.
I'm sorry, but I thought people were evolving many years ago, only to find out there are an awful lot of racists in this country, and it makes me livid and full of disgust.
Poor oppressed famous wealthy white male actor!
Gee, when will life get easier for you?!
No. Just don't go there.
There's mansplaining and now we have whitemanslpaining.
Enty please stop putting racial stories on here because most of the commenters are seemingly racist and it's making me not want to come on this site. I really like this site but the racism is too much.
I only like Tim Allen DICK as buzz lightyear because I don't have to see his fake plastic face. I don't like him. I think he's the blind about the ass that fired the girl on his show. The girl being his eldest daughter on the show.
Agreed
I don't give a damn what people say among friends and in the privacy of their own homes.
I'm gay, and if homophones want to refer to gay people as fags and dykes at home or in their circle of like-minded fuckwits I'm fine with that. If a hetero person has a gay friend who is happy to be called a faerie or a silly faggot by them, I'm fine with that too.
I use 'fag' and 'dyke' all the time - but only with my best friend, who is also gay, and we don't mean it as a derogatory term, it's sort of sarcastic. I do not say it anywhere else, because I don't want to hurt anyone.
Basically I think people need to watch what the fuck they say when it's going to people outside their inner-circle who know the intent behind it. I don't know. I'm pretty much just tired of talking about prejudice - racism, sexism, homo/islam phobia - on this site. Enties are always baiting these days.
*Homophobes, not homophones. LOL.
For the record, the literal meanings of the following words in Spanish:
Ese = That guy
Esa = That girl
And in Spanish the word for Black (both the color and the race) is Negro.
A Negro is a black man.
A Negra is a black woman.
Negrita or Negrito = My little black girl/My little black boy is also used lovingly towards a med/dark skinned (and by this I mean tanned) or black person.
Mi Negra or Mi Negro = My black woman/My black man is a loving term towards someone with a med/dark skinned (tan) or someone that is black.
Moreno/Morena is also used to describe someone who is dark skinned or a light-skinned black person.
The racist equivalent for the N-word would be Mayate.
So if someone calls you that...then kick their ass.
I live in Romania and I can tell you that kids (between 12 and 22 and sometimes upwards) here use the N word with no problem whatsoever. They assume this is the word people use to say black. Someone will say "That N Will Smith was really good in that movie". (There are little to no blacks here). When I explain to them that if they were to go up to black man in the U.S. and use that word they could be killed they are surprised. The next day, however, they still use it having forgotten my warning. They have been conditioned since a young age to think this is alright due to movies and mostly music. Changing that conditioning is extremely hard.
I am only talking about my personal experiences here and not about kids elsewhere.
And for one other racial story. I am puerto rican but don't look it. I was in St. Louis in college and struck up a conversation with a young black man on the street. When I told him where I was from he told me "Oh, your alright, your not white". I didn't know how to respond. I still don't.
I think feeling superiority or uneducated pride about either your race or your country is stupid. All races and countries have committed atrocities. Then again, I don't feel like I belong anywhere. And that's alright.
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