Dr. Laura & the "N" Word

Lenore2010 · August 2010

I just heard that Dr. Laura is ending her radio show because she got flack for using the "N" word in the following context:

"You hear black comics saying N___________ all the time, but when someone without enough melanin uses it, its a crime (to paraphrase), that is a double standard."

I think Dr. Laura is missing something here, such as when a "black comic" uses it, it is not intended as a racial slur. I think it is more like "owning" a word that was used as a slur for a very long time and thereby taking some of the power of that word away.

What do you think?

Nebb · August 2010

I recall reading this but I dont remember what context she used the word in. I *think* she was doing it in a quoting way, but she said it like 3 times in a row which is a tad excessive to get your point across.

I did find it funny that good ol al sharpton "decried" it or something like that. I think everyone is racist in that mans mind, he has some kind of radar. He probably thinks racists are living in his closet waiting to get him.

MarriedInAFever · August 2010

It was very excessive. She said it in response to a call from a black female caller who was offended by the her white husband's friends using the n-word. The caller told Dr. Laura she was appalled and Dr. L told the caller "not to go all NAACP" on her.

Good riddance, Dr. L.

goheels05 · August 2010

Maybe her point was that black comics shouldn't use the word either, not even in an "owning it" way; that the word needs to just be expunged from everyone's vocab regardless of your race. If that's her opinion, I don't see anything offensive about it.

[Deleted User] · August 2010

She could have just said "the N word" rather than saying the word itself to get her point across, but she wasn't using it as a slur so I don't see it as racist but as a statement.

I had a friend in college who called a guy that after the guy called him a cracker. My friend said that if the other guy could use a derogatory name then he could too. He still about got his ass beat. It was an interesting night.

ETA--I didn't hear the inteview so my response is based solely on the OP.

goheels05 · August 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_dr-laura-n-word?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:752d325b-4174-4de8-adca-235121d96e0ePost:954c7a50-bfb1-489a-aa96-0ff98b31efe9">Re: Dr. Laura & the "N" Word</a>:
[QUOTE]It was very excessive. She said it in response to a call from a black female caller who was offended by the her white husband's friends using the n-word. The caller told Dr. Laura she was appalled and Dr. L told the caller "not to go all NAACP" on her. Good riddance, Dr. L.
Posted by MarriedInAFever[/QUOTE]

Oh.

Well then NM what I said. Yikes.

J&K10910 · August 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_dr-laura-n-word?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:752d325b-4174-4de8-adca-235121d96e0ePost:6532f754-2d37-426c-a56c-3f3b010ecfce">Re: Dr. Laura & the "N" Word</a>:
[QUOTE]Maybe her point was that black comics shouldn't use the word either, not even in an "owning it" way; that the word needs to just be expunged from everyone's vocab regardless of your race. If that's her opinion, I don't see anything offensive about it.
Posted by goheels05[/QUOTE]

I agree with this, except the way she said it and other things that were said DID make it offensive and ignorant and idiotic, IMO.

MarriedInAFever · August 2010

Exactly. I understand the point she was TRYING to get across, but she failed miserably.

MarriedInAFever · August 2010

BTW, it seems this is a new trend in radio. A local radio personality here is catching some serious flack for calling President Obama a "half-breed."

Way to push the envelope toooooo far.

Nebb · August 2010

I think the fact that she used it so excessively and then brushed off the callers feelings about it as though the person was over reacting just pretty much did her in. Huge error in judgement there. If you F'ed up like that (did something deplorable and then when told it was unacceptable brushed it off as though the person was over reacting) at any other job, you would have been canned.

betrothed123 · August 2010

It's not even the N-word here that bothers me. It's the over all feeling of what she was trying to convey:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ob6Ed69w548

Yes, thats' a biased organization, but it's the most complete version I could find.

ETA: I think it's hilarious she can't complete a thought. She gets halfway through her sentences and moves on to another sentence so many times I don't understand how she managed to hold a job in radio at all.

[Deleted User] · August 2010

Who is Dr. Laura anyway? Is she known for saying stupid sh!t and not apologizing for it? I don't listen to the radio all that often so I don't know most names in the industry.

Using it excessively and brushing off the caller's feelings (especially the NAACP comment) is ridiculous and wrong. When did this happen? I'm wondering if she'll have any consequences, like that guy who made the comment about the female basketball players (can't remember his name).

betrothed123 · August 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_dr-laura-n-word?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:752d325b-4174-4de8-adca-235121d96e0ePost:73842f81-08f0-459f-87b9-fa29ec54abaa">Re: Dr. Laura & the "N" Word</a>:
[QUOTE]Who is Dr. Laura anyway? Is she known for saying stupid sh!t and not apologizing for it? I don't listen to the radio all that often so I don't know most names in the industry. Using it excessively and brushing off the caller's feelings (especially the NAACP comment) is ridiculous and wrong. When did this happen? I'm wondering if she'll have any consequences, like that guy who made the comment about the female basketball players (can't remember his name).
Posted by Seshat411[/QUOTE]
You're thinking of Don Imus. She already resigned. She said she's finishing out her contract and then she's done with radio.

MarriedInAFever · August 2010

I understand what the caller is saying too. If a girlfriend jokingly addressed me as "bitch", I wouldn't bat an eye. If a man addressed me as "bitch" in any context, I would be offended.

And that is really not even comparable to the negative connotation associated with the n-word.

maratea · August 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_dr-laura-n-word?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:752d325b-4174-4de8-adca-235121d96e0ePost:20d52e8f-c5c8-49ea-88b8-e7c16847b733">Re: Dr. Laura & the "N" Word</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Dr. Laura & the "N" Word : You're thinking of Don Imus. She already resigned. She said she's finishing out her contract and then she's done with radio.
Posted by betrothed123[/QUOTE]
Well thank goodness for this. She was a dummy to begin with. She has no logical thoughts or arguments.

MarriedInAFever · August 2010

Also what ticks me off? She says she's stepping away from the show to "regain her first amendment rights." No one is infringing upon your first amendment rights. You can say whatever dumb, offensive, unfounded BS you want. People just don't have to listen.

[Deleted User] · August 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_dr-laura-n-word?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:752d325b-4174-4de8-adca-235121d96e0ePost:20d52e8f-c5c8-49ea-88b8-e7c16847b733">Re: Dr. Laura & the "N" Word</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Dr. Laura & the "N" Word : You're thinking of Don Imus. She already resigned. She said she's finishing out her contract and then she's done with radio.
Posted by betrothed123[/QUOTE]

Maybe she figures she can say whatever she wants with no consequences since she's leaving. Unless she's always said stupid stuff like that, in which case it's a good thing she's going away.

betrothed123 · August 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_dr-laura-n-word?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:752d325b-4174-4de8-adca-235121d96e0ePost:89d455a4-b8bd-40b4-a04d-e77ce1fc9230">Re: Dr. Laura & the "N" Word</a>:
[QUOTE]Also what ticks me off? She says she's stepping away from the show to "regain her first amendment rights." No one is infringing upon your first amendment rights. You can say whatever dumb, offensive, unfounded BS you want. People just don't have to listen.
Posted by MarriedInAFever[/QUOTE]
While this is true, I wonder if she said that because she's getting a lot of flak from her superiors and was trying to bow out gracefully.

MarriedInAFever · August 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_dr-laura-n-word?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:752d325b-4174-4de8-adca-235121d96e0ePost:e2c4bfe3-100c-4bd8-84ff-5b3770ae6754">Re: Dr. Laura & the "N" Word</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Dr. Laura & the "N" Word : While this is true, I wonder if she said that because she's getting a lot of flak from her superiors and was trying to bow out gracefully.
Posted by betrothed123[/QUOTE]

I agree. Especially after her scripted apology. But I think she failed yet again. Regain your first amendment rights? Puh-leaze. Keep playing the victim. It's working out just great for you.

betrothed123 · August 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_dr-laura-n-word?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:752d325b-4174-4de8-adca-235121d96e0ePost:b77c6774-5224-4c85-be98-5cfd08e0d96f">Re: Dr. Laura & the "N" Word</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Dr. Laura & the "N" Word : I agree. Especially after her scripted apology. But I think she failed yet again. Regain your first amendment rights? Puh-leaze. Keep playing the victim. It's working out just great for you.
Posted by MarriedInAFever[/QUOTE]
Agreed. You know what really had me laughing? My local news this morning had this story in their ticker. It said Dr Laura was resigning to "Reagan" her first amendment rights. I'm sitting there all morning thinking "What the hell does Regan have to do with this?"

redheadfsu · August 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_dr-laura-n-word?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:752d325b-4174-4de8-adca-235121d96e0ePost:89d455a4-b8bd-40b4-a04d-e77ce1fc9230">Re: Dr. Laura & the "N" Word</a>:
[QUOTE]Also what ticks me off? She says she's stepping away from the show to "regain her first amendment rights." No one is infringing upon your first amendment rights. You can say whatever dumb, offensive, unfounded BS you want. People just don't have to listen.
Posted by MarriedInAFever[/QUOTE]

Yeah, she is an idiot. An idiot for saying the N word, an idiot for treating the caller that way, and an idiot for how she handle the fallout. I'm assuming she got the quit or we will fire you talk.

MarriedInAFever · August 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_dr-laura-n-word?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:752d325b-4174-4de8-adca-235121d96e0ePost:8b192a20-3f96-4ffd-9854-271624a63b33">Re: Dr. Laura & the "N" Word</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Dr. Laura & the "N" Word : Agreed. You know what really had me laughing? My local news this morning had this story in their ticker. It said Dr Laura was resigning to "Reagan" her first amendment rights. I'm sitting there all morning thinking "What the hell does Regan have to do with this?"
Posted by betrothed123[/QUOTE]

Hahaha. Always bringing up Reagan. Conservatives have to mention the Gipper at least twice a day.

jennylove810 · August 2010

Sorry, think I'm going to have to go against the grain here.

I did hear the transcript, and I do think she was excessive and insensitive to the caller's feelings. However, I agree with her sentiment in the sense that you hear the N-word used all the time by black men in comedy and music, and it's ok for people, including the caller, to not get all up in arms about it. That's the point she was trying to make (albeit rather ungracefully). And when she told the caller to "not get all NAACP" on her, she was trying to remind the caller that she was using the N-word in an "own it" context, not a discriminating context.

I think she could have made a better delivery, but I also don't think she's deserving of all this backlash.

allisong23 · August 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_dr-laura-n-word?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:752d325b-4174-4de8-adca-235121d96e0ePost:89d455a4-b8bd-40b4-a04d-e77ce1fc9230">Re: Dr. Laura & the "N" Word</a>:
[QUOTE]Also what ticks me off? She says she's stepping away from the show to "regain her first amendment rights." No one is infringing upon your first amendment rights. You can say whatever dumb, offensive, unfounded BS you want. People just don't have to listen.
Posted by MarriedInAFever[/QUOTE]

No kidding. They aren't throwing her in jail for saying it. She is choosing to go off the air.

The First Amendment allows you to say whatever you want (except the "Fire" in a crowded theatre thing). It does not protect you from people thinking you are a fukktard for saying stupid things and calling you on it and being forced to deal with the conaequences. If I scream the N-word in a crowded room at work, I will have to deal with the consequences of saying it (i.e getting fired).

betrothed123 · August 2010

If she had delivered it in a better way we wouldn't be having this conversation. While I agree with the essence of the message, I can't get around the way she presented it to hear what she's trying to say.

She speaks for a living. She should know that the way you present a message matters, so I won't give her any slack on that point.

Lenore2010 · August 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_dr-laura-n-word?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:752d325b-4174-4de8-adca-235121d96e0ePost:f3c4b7dd-c189-4415-b807-5730c49e3ced">Re: Dr. Laura & the "N" Word</a>:
[QUOTE]I think the fact that she used it so excessively and then brushed off the callers feelings about it as though the person was over reacting just pretty much did her in. Huge error in judgement there. If you F'ed up like that (did something deplorable and then when told it was unacceptable brushed it off as though the person was over reacting) at any other job, you would have been canned.
Posted by Nebb[/QUOTE]

<div>This exactly. I think she might have been on to a nugget of something that could have been though provoking, but she completely messed it up. </div><div>
</div><div>She is also good at a sort of clueless self righteousness. I remember way back when she was getting started (mid 90's, roughly) and could not understand why she was taking flack for calling women who had premarital sex and went to bars " Drunken whores" and men who did the same people who were "making poor choices". Gee, you think at the end of the 20th century you were going to take some flack for describing FEMALE only sexual behavior that way on a radio show??</div><div>
</div><div>I think she has always had some valid points about keeping families together and personal responsibility, but she sure managed to bury it under a lot of bull.</div>

MarriedInAFever · August 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_dr-laura-n-word?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:752d325b-4174-4de8-adca-235121d96e0ePost:f8826986-4255-4987-b97b-53740f5317f7">Re: Dr. Laura & the "N" Word</a>:
[QUOTE]Sorry, think I'm going to have to go against the grain here. I did hear the transcript, and I do think she was excessive and insensitive to the caller's feelings. However, I agree with her sentiment in the sense that you hear the N-word used all the time by black men in comedy and music, and it's ok for people, including the caller, to not get all up in arms about it. That's the point she was trying to make (albeit rather ungracefully). And when she told the caller to "not get all NAACP" on her, <strong>she was trying to remind the caller that she was using the N-word in an "own it" context, not a discriminating context. I think she could have made a better delivery, but I also don't think she's deserving of all this backlash.
</strong>Posted by jennylove810[/QUOTE]

How is the listener supposed to read between the lines and receive THAT message? She may have been "trying," but she failed and completely invalided the caller's concerns.

MarriedInAFever · August 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_dr-laura-n-word?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:752d325b-4174-4de8-adca-235121d96e0ePost:447614cd-e680-4b3f-943f-7ce2369edf73">Re: Dr. Laura & the "N" Word</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Dr. Laura & the "N" Word : This exactly. I think she might have been on to a nugget of something that could have been though provoking, but she completely messed it up. She is also good at a sort of clueless self righteousness.<strong> I remember way back when she was getting started (mid 90's, roughly) and could not understand why she was taking flack for calling women who had premarital sex and went to bars " Drunken whores" and men who did the same people who were "making poor choices".</strong> Gee, you think at the end of the 20th century you were going to take some flack for describing FEMALE only sexual behavior that way on a radio show?? I think she has always had some valid points about keeping families together and personal responsibility, but she sure managed to bury it under a lot of bull.
Posted by Lenore2010[/QUOTE]

*headdesk*

Steph0871 · August 2010

I was going to ditto Jenny, but then I read Betrothed's comment. I'll ditto both of you.

FI and I listened to the whole thing. Personally, I think it's ok (almost good) that she used the word origianlly. It sounded like a "if they can say it, why can't I?" type of deal. However, she then went crazy and said it a few too many times.

FWIW, FI is half black, and we both agree- if you really want the problem with the N word to go away, then the entire black population also needs to stop using it. Instead, though, they've decided to use it to regain control of the word and OWN it. *insert eye roll*

On a related note, I'm pretty sure the NCAAP is one of the most racist organizations out there.

MarriedInAFever · August 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_dr-laura-n-word?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:752d325b-4174-4de8-adca-235121d96e0ePost:2defb315-be29-4a1c-b6f9-a8b230d9bd72">Re: Dr. Laura & the "N" Word</a>:
[QUOTE]I was going to ditto Jenny, but then I read Betrothed's comment. I'll ditto both of you. FI and I listened to the whole thing. Personally, I think it's ok (almost good) that she used the word origianlly. It sounded like a "if they can say it, why can't I?" type of deal. However, she then went crazy and said it a few too many times. FWIW, FI is half black, and we both agree- if you really want the problem with the N word to go away, then the entire black population also needs to stop using it. Instead, though, they've decided to use it to regain control of the word and OWN it. *insert eye roll* <strong>On a related note, I'm pretty sure the NCAAP is one of the most racist organizations out there.
</strong>Posted by Steph0871[/QUOTE]

I think the NAACP often misses the point. But I can't get behind this statement. When I think of THE MOST racist organizations, I think of the KKK, the Aryan League, anti-semetic groups, etc. The NAACP is definitely not up there.

betrothed123 · August 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_dr-laura-n-word?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:752d325b-4174-4de8-adca-235121d96e0ePost:1417ce5c-21fd-4c91-9047-fdda1b8cada8">Re: Dr. Laura & the "N" Word</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Dr. Laura & the "N" Word : I think the NAACP often misses the point. But I can't get behind this statement. When I think of THE MOST racist organizations, I think of the KKK, the Aryan League, anti-semetic groups, etc. The NAACP is definitely not up there.
Posted by MarriedInAFever[/QUOTE]
This is true. As far as I can tell the NAACP isn't trying to kill anyone, they are just going for equal rights, even if they are misguided at times.

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