Michael Richards Loses it!
11-22-2006 | 05:35 PM
#11
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From: Ca B737
What the hell is the origin of Cracker anyway. I would not be insulted if a black person called me that. I don't know what it means. Also
What's with Richards calling black people "Afro Americans?" I heard him say it several times. Afro? WTF?
What's with Richards calling black people "Afro Americans?" I heard him say it several times. Afro? WTF?
11-22-2006 | 06:44 PM
#12
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From: 737 CA
I don't know, but I'll guess that saltine crackers are "white", so crackers are white people? I like saltines with my soup.
I heard the Afro American thing too. I think he meant African American, but I don't know if Afro is a normal abbreviation for African. I thought it was a hair style (for any race).
While we are on the topic, where did the "N" word come from? I'm being serious when asking. I just want to know. The Spanish word for "black" is negro. Did it derive from this into a "negative slang" word for a black person?
11-22-2006 | 06:51 PM
#13
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Otto good guess, it came from ''negro'', the spanish word for black.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigger
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigger
11-22-2006 | 06:53 PM
#14
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I think it has something to do with Nigeria, from where they apparently brought many African Americans from. Instead of saying Nigerian I guess they shortened it to the N word and somehow became offensive.
SAABarrowski has a minor in African American studies, he should be of some help.
SAABarrowski has a minor in African American studies, he should be of some help.
11-22-2006 | 06:57 PM
#15
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To add to my previous comment, if you look at a map of Africa. Above the country of Nigeria there is a country called "Niger". I guess that is where the word originates from; a person from that country is technically called a "Niger".
Disclaimer: This is not meant to be offensive, just informative. I used the actual word for the simple reason of portraying and idea, I apologize in advance for any inconvenience or any hurt feelings.
Disclaimer: This is not meant to be offensive, just informative. I used the actual word for the simple reason of portraying and idea, I apologize in advance for any inconvenience or any hurt feelings.
11-22-2006 | 06:58 PM
#16
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From: 737 Captain
In the spirit of equality why can't we all be crackers? The whites can be saltines, the blacks can be oreos. Asians could be rice crackers and the mexicans can be jalapeno snackers. Curry cookies, kraut crackers and canuck crunchies can round out the club.
11-22-2006 | 07:00 PM
#17
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11-22-2006 | 07:02 PM
#18
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From: 737 Captain
The obsolete spelling niger dates to 1574. It comes from the Latin meaning black. It shares this common root with negro. It has developed into the slang nigger which has become one of two almost taboo words in American speech. The other word relates to female anatomy.
The offensiveness of the term has increased over time, especially in the 20th century. Two 16th century quotes that are commonly cited in dictionaries are from scholarly tracts. A 1700 quote by judge Samuel Sewall uses the term in a denunciation of slavery. Gradually, however, polite discourse increasingly used the term negro (which dates to at least 1555) and nigger became relegated to the vulgar tongue, increasing in offensiveness over the centuries.
The offensiveness of the term has increased over time, especially in the 20th century. Two 16th century quotes that are commonly cited in dictionaries are from scholarly tracts. A 1700 quote by judge Samuel Sewall uses the term in a denunciation of slavery. Gradually, however, polite discourse increasingly used the term negro (which dates to at least 1555) and nigger became relegated to the vulgar tongue, increasing in offensiveness over the centuries.
11-22-2006 | 07:05 PM
#19
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What are jalapeno crackers, I've never tasted them, how do they look?
11-22-2006 | 07:10 PM
#20
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I wouldn't be insulted if someone called me "cracker" as well, I'd probably laugh. Just as I laughed my a$$ off when Richard Pryor use to make fun of white people dancing. Funny stuff!
I have MANY African-American friends, many gay friends, hispanic friends, etc. I do live in the great melting pot of San Francisco after all, and we all occasionally poke fun at one another, but in a good-natured way. Regardless of what you are, we can all tell when someone is being mean-spirited and hateful. Kramer obviously lost his mind - maybe he couldn't take the pressure of his career tanking after Seinfeld? Who knows? It's no excuse for his behavior, but he has made an attempt at apologizing and facing his inner demons, whatever they may be.
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