Date: Tue, 28 Oct 1997 10:08:35 -0500

From: Ron Butters RonButters[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]AOL.COM

Subject: Re: PC Dictionaries?



I do think that it is important to keep in mind that there are core meanings

and peripheral meanings for most words. My intuitions tell me that, in its

core meaning, the derogatory word NIGGER is applied to darkskinned people.

Here is a little thought experiment:



Suppose a blind person walks into a room full of strangers and says, "Are

there any niggers here?" Would anyone think that the blind person meant 'any

person perceived as uncouth, immoral, or threatening, regardless of skin

color'?



*****in reply to:

DARE has evidence, both written and oral, of the use of "nigger" to refer to

"any person perceived as uncouth, immoral, or threatening, regardless of

skin color." It is used especially frequently by Black speakers. See sense

B2b.