Why 'good for her'?
If it's in character, of the time and not being used purely just as a shock tactic, why not say it?

I had a very similar conversation about this on Fb when I posted the Sam Jackson interview where he asked the person interviewing him to say the word.

In the right context, there is nothing actually wrong with saying the word nigger.

Mark

And that, ladies and gentlemen (and bratty), sums up my entire post in one gaudy little gif.
Merely saying nigger is not racist.

Mark

Seriously, how many people would be personally offended at the use of the word in a film? In a film where, I'm guessing, we're probably not supposed to like the character saying it.

I've never really understood the concept of rude, racist or taboo words. It's just bloody stupid. Surely if you tell someone, for example, that they are a "fat, ugly, lazy waste of space" it's just as hurtful as saying "f*cking lard-arse honkey c*nt face", if not more so, despite being perfectly acceptable.

In most cases, it's the way in which you spit out the words that really expresses hatred or disgust. People don't like to think that other people hate them or find them disgusting.

Additionally, the more personalised you make the insult to encompass an individual's true weaknesses and insecurities, the more hurtful they will find it. Using generic terms like "the n word" displays no imagination or effort and is unlikely, in itself, to hurt someone any more than saying "I hate you". I don't imagine there are many people these days who are so insecure purely about their colour.

A properly hurtful insult might be "Your mother is an 'amster and your father smells of elderberries." - especially if it's true. Something like that should never be broadcast; obviously.

best use of nigger is in fawlty towers tbh but I think they say "wog" too

It's a bit like making a holocaust movie and not having the Nazi's being nasty to the Jews as it's not acceptable today.

(Anyone seen The Pianist? Now there's an emotionally powerful film.)

Not all Germans were anti semetic, but enough were.

I can understand why she would not want to use it. It is still an offensive word to blacks. Therefore I can understand why she would refuse to say it. Also it was not her who made this public. She was not seeking publicity for doing this.

im always amazed at your naivety. If she and/or her publicist didnt want it out we would never now.

Who said otherwise? Certainly nobody in this thread.
Also, saying the word is "offensive to blacks" is wrong.
Yes, it may be offensive to some - in context, but simply blanket saying it's offensive is just as offensive.

Mark

Exactly.

This was a historical piece, so the character would have probably said it. I can understand that she would be uncomfortable with it, but looking at the character she was playing, that would probably be what she had said.


Not all Germans were members of the National Socialist party, the same as not all Brits are members of the Conservative Party, even though they are in power.

Likewise, not all NS members were voluntarily members, they had to be members or were pushed into the party by parents and peer pressure.


I can't. It would raise awareness / keep awareness alive of how bad it was back then.

As George Santayana said, "those that cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."