Racial slurs!

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

Are we allowed to use racial slurs here? Of course not. 

But what is a racial slur? 

Is the n word a racial slur? You know what I mean when I say the n word, right? Yeah, that word. 

But if I say "the n word", in your mind you're visualizing it. You're probably even saying it to yourself, otherwise how would you know that that is the word? 

So if I say "the n word", isn't that the same as saying it? 

Is it ok to refer to the word in some way so that we all know is meant, such as saying the letter that it begins with? 

What about obscure racial slurs? 

If I say a word and you don't know that it's a racial slur, does it matter? 

What if you then later find out that it's a racial slur, does it matter then? 

What if you see it as one but I don't? Is it a racial slur even if I didn't use it as one? 

And anyway, where's the line? When does a reference to a racial/ethnic group become a slur? Who decides? 

Is "brit" a racial slur? "aussie"? What about referring to japanese people by using the word "Japan" minus the last 2 letters? Is that not a term of endearment? Who decides? 

What about referring to mexicans using a word made up of 2 words, one being a synonym of moist and the other being a synonym of rear? Mexicans themselves have no issue with it when talking about those who cross the border by going through a river. 

Who decided that that's a problem word? 

What if I make up a word and then tell you that I mean it as a racial slur? 

For example, what if I talk about phlegmberries? What the hell does that even mean? Nothing, I just made it up. Is it a slur? When does it become one? 

You see, it's not that simple. 

It's been a pleasure educating you people. You're welcome.

In our little corner of the interwebz, what is and is not a slur is ultimately decided by me and four other people. Govern yourself accordingly.

Boru