For the past week, people like Skai Jackson and others have been exposing racists online, both normal people and celebrities. I tend to believe that Skai is getting some tips or requests for some exposures too. On June 5th, “Skai Jackson Stan” posted this video clip from 2016, featuring Alia Shawkat dropping the n-word like it was nothing:
@ShawkatAlia I hope you’re still not using the N word like you did here. you’re not black so watch yourself pic.twitter.com/NCMi81qcqK
— skai jackson stan (@skaijackson54) June 5, 2020
First of all, her comfort with dropping that word is startling. This didn’t happen years and years ago, and this didn’t happen when Alia was some dumb kid. In 2016, every non-black person knew well enough to NOT use that word. And Alia was 27 years old when she said that. YIKES. Well, Alia released an apology for the video:
“I am writing this to address a video that was posted of me quoting a song with the n-word in it as part of an interview from 4 years ago,” her statement began. “I am deeply sorry and I take full responsibility. It was a careless moment, one I’m ashamed and embarrassed by, but vow to continue to learn from. I regret using a word that carries so much pain and history to black people, as it is never a word to be used by someone who is not black. I have been learning so much about what it truly means to be an ally. The voices black people must be amplified and heard clearly.”
“As an Arabic woman, who can pass for white, I’m working hard to process this nuanced access I’ve been afforded, and I realize how important it is to be hyper vigilant in the spaces I exist in,” she expressed. “I have been trying to understand the real definition of the word ally. It is more than simply believing in equality but to be willing to act with and for the black community. I aim to fight against these injustices and remind myself that this isn’t about a title but an action to work against these systems that have protected me but not others.”
“I am sorry that my ignorance has led me to this moment. I will continue to support the black community as best as I can and learn from this,” she said. “We as non black people must all take responsibly for the inactivity we’ve been comfortable to sit with for so long- that has gotten us here. Silence is violence, and so are the words we irresponsibly throw out. I plan to stay engaged and learn from my friends who are helping me understand,” Shawkat concluded. “And to take on this fight for justice with an active minds and open heart. I thank you for reading.”
Eh, it is what it is. I’m not saying Alia is forgiven or cancelled because I’m not the arbiter of that and it’s not my place to adjudicate it. It reminds me a bit of what we heard about Lena Dunham and her crew of wealthy hipsters – people who have worked with or associated with that group have described the kind of casual racism that permeates around those people. That’s what Alia’s video reminded me of, especially the way she dropped it so casually. How many times did she say that word privately in her group of friends for years?
— Alia Shawkat (@ShawkatAlia) June 9, 2020
Photos courtesy of Getty, Backgrid and Avalon Red.
The N word shouldn’t be used by anyone period! Either black or white it is a derogatory and sick word no one should be given a pass to use it
Signed
Nigerian woman
That’s a matter of debate. As a black woman I think black people can use it if they want. It’s up to the individual. But white people?? No. Period.
I second that @VV
@VV I beg to disagree if that word is derogatory to blacks why do they have to use it on themselves I really don’t get it! Most Africans residing in Africa and around the globe asides from the USof course will agree with me. Until you call it for what it actually is then the problem will never go away. That word shouldn’t be said by anybody ever! @Marthe thank you for agreeing with me.
@VV I beg to disagree if that word is derogatory to blacks why do they have to use it on themselves I really don’t get it! Most Africans residing in Africa and around the globe asides from the USof course will agree with me. Until you call it for what it actually is then the problem will never go away. That word shouldn’t be said by anybody ever! @Marthe thank you for agreeing with me.
I’m old enough to remember when the queer community embraced the words “queer” and “fag” and it deflated their power. (Somewhat, and some folks were against those words and probably still are.)
IMHO the n-word is canceled. But it is not up to me to police black folks’ speech.
My understanding of it — and as a white woman, I could be wrong — is that if black people use it, it’s basically “reclaiming it” as their own term rather than allowing it to be used against them in a derogatory way. A mild version of this is women using “bitch” in an empowering way instead of having it only be known as a terrible name men call them.
But obviously, no one other than the group the name was originally aimed at should be using it. I have no interest in policing how different groups (the black community, the LGBT community, etc.) use words that are often used against them. The main thing is that if you’re NOT in that group, you shouldn’t say it. Ever.
Case, another white woman here, and that’s how I see it too.
and I always wonder about the white folk who are like “why can’t I say it?! black people do!”
and I’m like “b*tch, why do you WANT to?”
Our comfort in saying the N word in black culture, art, and specifically music, is what has led to people of other cultures being comfortable in saying it as well. N**** in pop culture is or now was in the process of transcending from a slur to slang. Which is what black people wanted all along *for ourselves* but now as in everything else with our culture it is being appropriated. I debate with myself constantly when I hear young white people say it while singing songs. Is it their right to sing it cause it is a word in song or should they be respectful enough to shut the hell up? Also do they know the history of the word. To me it’s all very complicated.
As a black woman, I don’t use it either and it wasn’t used in my home growing up. It’s a disgusting word.
I’m with VV. Anyone who has not shared the history of Black People in the US should gracefully bow out. The word is not yours to use and the power to use it is not yours to preach, opine, or admonish is about. Just take care that you don’t use it.
agreed !
a black french woman
Seeing as how the word has been reclaimed by Black people it’s not up to you to decide whether or not we as Black pei get to use the word or not. I personally don’t use the word, never have and never will but what other Black people do isn’t your business or mine. Singed a Black woman in America
This. Im sick of the tone-policing of black people. From without AND within our community.
Oh well then I’m blessed to where I’m from when something is wrong we call it for what it is. You hear rappers use the word a lot but when ppl sing along the rap they’re called racist whew!
When you create rules that favour you and no one else then you’re just deceiving yourself in thinking that you’re actually fighting a cause when in actuality you’re only paying lip service to the cause. I’m out of here i won’t be commenting on this again.
Thank you all
I’m a Nigerian American woman and if the Black American/ African American community want to use the word they have EVERY right to do so.
For centuries they have been abused and oppressed with that word being at the center of oppression. We have no place to tell them they cannot and should not.
white people made the word as a way to hold people of color down, and as soon as we repurposed it for use in our community, all of a sudden no one should say it… Y’all can miss me with that S**t ! and this is coming from a black educated american woman!
Well keep using the word and let’s see how the problem goes away.
The reason why the rest of the world would never take you all seriously I’m done here
And the internalized racism reveals itself. The diaspora wars rage on 🤦🏾♀️
“Well keep using the word and let’s see how the problem goes away.”
whoa, whoa, whoa. are you actually saying that racism persists because black people use the n-word? Or did I misinterpret your statement? because, DAMN…that’s some azz-backwards thinking right there.
Abadin sounds like any white sealioning racist…
“Well keep using the word and let’s see how the problem goes away.
The reason why the rest of the world would never take you all seriously I’m done here”
I’m so glad that you are done here because its your thinking that’s the problem and not my use of the word!
not me having to straighten my hair to fit into my cooperate job.
or the fact that i literally have no one to call when my mentally ill brother is having a break… cause you know they shoot first and ask questions later!
but now that you have figured out that if I stop using the N word white people will finally take all the issues that we have been talking about for years seriously, can you let me know if i stop eating gluten if that will end world hunger.
There is a big difference between recent Nigerian immigrants and the American descendants of slaves from Nigeria.
I am not an immigrant. I am Nigerian residing in Nigeria with no desire whatsoever to visit the US
Dude, I have no desire whatsoever to visit the US. And I live here!
The thing is, this tone policing… it doesn’t work.
The rappers are spitting it back at the racists. See? The hateful word, it doesn’t hurt them.
YOU can and should refrain from saying it. But you can’t decide for black people what they can and cannot say. Most of the black folks I know never say it. But if they wanted to, that is their absolute right. And no one else’s.
Hi Black Canadian woman of Caribbean descent. ( so yes my family are products of the transatlantic slave trade) the way how I feel about the N word is that no one who is NOT BLACK can tell Us how and when to say the word. The word is also nuanced.. it’s not said the same way how racist non-black people would say it .. it doesn’t come with centuries boat load of hate, oppression, and violence….
I very very very rarely say it .. and if I do then it is up to my discretion because I am a product of slavery and the ramifications that have resulted from that.
If you are black and not the product of the transatlantic slave trade.. I caution you with your judgement and policing and dictating when and how Black people who are the product of slavery says it. It’s not your business . this is a conversation you cannot interject yourself into. Like the stories of African American’s aren’t mine, Holidays for African American’s aren’t mine ( like Juneteenth) I can listen and learn.. but it is not mine . Like my story and the history of my people converge and differ.
The word should not be said by anyone non black period- it’s a vehicle to manifest that hate, racism and feeling that one is superior over another..
I am a 1st Generation Nigerian Canadian Woman and while I would not use that word nor would any of my family, I do understand why it’s used by African Americans do I think it’s hurtful yes and do I wonder if reclaiming the word is great for the community yes, is it my place to question . Not really.
I will say no person that is NOT of African descent should ever be using this word and that is a major part of the problem with it being so widespread in entertainment.
@somechick
Not coming at you, but you can’t say the black people you know don’t say it just Bc they don’t say it around you. Unfortunately black people are forced to talk, look, and act a certain way at work and around white people.. for their comfort. That’s so messed up isn’t it?
If you are Nigerian and live in Nigeria then you don’t understand trying to thrive as a black person in a white place. Your opinion on black people in America is null and void. People here have lived through slavery, jim crow, police brutality. We will cope however we see fit. Come down from that high horse whenever you’d like
I agree 100% if you don’t have the history…
$100 says Abadin is white. Saying the use of the n word is the reason Black people are oppressed? Either you’re an ignorant troll or you’re white using the internet to Brownface.
It’s called “insider language” and it’s a means of reclaiming power. Google it and educate yourself, this is already as academically established as AAVE.
I use my real name so I have to stand behind every word I say. And I say that if you were American, you’d be ready to pop on a white hood. The KKK mentality of “oppression is earned and deserved” is strong with you.
Cary page I am Nigerian and proud I am not white if only you could see my IP address I am not lying
It’s the same thing you guys are doing with the cancel culture. Address the issue head on and not cancel everything and everyone but what do I know after all I’m just an African residing in Africa
hear hear!
Black people can do as these please with that word! Everyone else needs to continue to be called out! Cardi b says it way too much! No one gets a pass! Just Bc it’s in a song doesn’t mean you say it too! Just Bc it’s easier to say then finding a different word is no excuse! Stop supporting those who appropriate black culture!
It makes me so uncomfortable seeing how flippant people can be when using such a disgusting word.
I … guess I just don’t understand how people are being raised. I have NEVER spoken that word in my life. I have never thought it unless I was literally READING the word. For as long as I knew the word, I knew it was wrong for me, a middle class white kid, to be using.
HOW do people still not get that? And it’d be one thing if you were only seeing this come up in peoples’ history from when they were like 14 or something (which would still be horribly wrong, but it’s the kind of juvenile, hateful behavior you’d expect more from a moody asshole teenager). But these are grown ass adults doing it. I just don’t understand. My parents aren’t even really liberal or anything – they’re actually relatively conservative. But they at the very least had the decency to explain WHY you don’t go around using that hurtful, hateful word.
Erin,
Exactly. Never. My parents explained to me from a very young age there were words that weren’t mine to use and punishments would be given for doing so. This was in the 70s so it’s not like we’re having a new discussion.
And I was born in ’90 to boomer parents – it’s just wild to me that there are clearly people who don’t have this kind of discussion with their kids. And I guess – really – it shouldn’t surprise me. CLEARLY a large chunk of white people aren’t discussing racism with their kids, otherwise we wouldn’t be seeing the continued murders of people of color by cops, or vigilantes, or hate groups.
Same here. I don’t understand how so many people have used this word so casually, and as ADULTS who should know better! Even as a kid I knew it was wrong.
And that’s the other thing! It’s even more horrifying with how casually this is being done. It’s part of their regular vocabulary! I just can’t even imagine. And I feel like I remember you saying that you’re close to my age in some other thread a while back – it’s completely baffling to me that people being raised in the 90’s and 2000’s STILL don’t get it.
This. I have never said this word out loud, I’m white, and it isn’t hard to avoid saying. Even if it’s being sung Or said by others, it’s really not hard to avoid saying it. It blows my mind that this is still a thing that people do and it is so hard for them to grasp that it’s wrong.
I love how she tried to use her own ethnicity as a low key excuse for her behavior. Meanwhile the Arab world is incredibly anti-black. But whatever she is a non-factor to me. Wasn’t a fan and she can take that apology and shove it. She did this when she was a grown-a$$ woman. And clearly had done it many times before the way it rolled off her tongue
And clearly had done it many times before the way it rolled off her tongue
This.
The Arab world has a terrible history of racism towards black people starting Arab slave trade. The Arab slave trade seems to get swept under the rug even though it was more prolific in the murder of black people.
AND is live and kicking today.
It is well known Arabs countries are racists.
They still are racist. Up till tomorrow Libya has so many black slave markets black men and women sold in broad day light as sex slaves or laborers who toil day and night. It is so disheartening
My husband and I lived in the Middle East for years and I was appalled to learn they don’t censor the n-word in songs so if we were driving along and knew it was coming up, I would turn the volume down so our kids didn’t hear it. It was so disconcerting.
The Middle East isn’t the place for black people at all! In Lebanon black woman are sold openly on the internet to work as maids in dehumanizing conditions. In Yemen and Omar they have sex and pass black women around and even insert objects in their privates. Most African countries are discouraging their citizens from going to the Middle East for greener pastures.
@Abadin,
This isn’t something commonly talked about and it needs to be the sale of African bodies hasn’t stopped. The colonization of the continent of Africa hasn’t stopped it’s just changed hands. I have read about the Lebanon slave markets and do NOT understand why there isn’t wider spread rage and a fight against them.
It breaks my heart.
@scotch actually it hasn’t changed hands. Arab slave trade started before the European slave trade and lasted way longer. The more disturbing part is that the Arab slave trade took mainly woman and children and when those slaves ended up pregnant ( usually by rape) the babies were murdered. Saudi Arabia only abolished slavery in the 1960s and that was bc of pressure from the international community. Rumors persist that the Libya slave markets are used solely to provide slaves to Arab countries.
@Scotchy and Lotus this needs to be talked about on a wider scale I wonder why the international media is often quiet about this
But DJ Khaled gets a pass cuz he’s a popular Hip Hop producer, I guess. Never got the double standards given to certain people.
Why do all these apologies start with words excusing or minimizing what they said or did? I swear all of them start by saying it was long ago and far away. Just own it. We know what you said and when you said it already
There’s a lot of casual racism among young hipsters and leftists. I live and work in LA in the industry and find myself in arguments with both friends and colleagues about their words and actions (or lack thereof). To put it mildly, it’s rather irritating to see those same people now telling everyone how woke and inspired they are when I know for a fact they drop the n-word while flowing to a song and still can’t wrap their head around the necessity of diverse cast and crew, etc.
I’m not going to lionise myself as the perfect ally, but I have always fought for parity and diversity in my workplace and done the legwork without public fanfare, often to sneers and strange looks from my white friends and colleagues. All of this is to say, I’m really unsurprised by this and while the apology is nice, I view it the same way I view every white person’s sudden passion for civil rights, which is with both appreciation and healthy scepticism. If you know young leftists, particularly the elite variety, you know they’re oftentimes just as bigoted as young conservatives. The difference is they use poison instead of a knife, it’s insidious.
Really? Do you think this began with the so-called “ironic” racism thing from hipsters?
Hipster racism is a major issue with people around her age. There’s a lot of “I’m not racist so I’m allowed to say racist crap,” as if that makes any sense.
@Darla
No, I personally don’t think so. Racism, even casual racism, is a learnt practise and starts at home. I’ve always moved in the artsy and more hipster circles of youth culture and I have never, ever uttered the n-word outside of maybe one or two academic discussions about it in relation to antebellum literature like Huck Finn and only when it was absolutely necessary — and I felt *dirty* after having said it. I was exposed to all the same ironic memes and literature and none of it ever stuck on me. Pinning it on the media we consume absolves and infantilises us and we shouldn’t be doing that, in my opinion. They’re old enough to have picked up and read Angela Davis and James Baldwin by now, you know what I mean?
If my cohort is casually racist, I believe it’s because no one taught them to be better or question their reality. They’re comfortable and I was never allowed to be comfortable in my views — my mother is a real hippie and was always involved in what kind of media I consumed and in how I was thinking and feeling. For example, we would have long conversations about the meaning and subtext of a book or movie. When I was very young, she read to me and explained the meaning of the story as we went along, and when I got older, we’d take turns and talk about the book once we were finished. She would ask for my opinions, how it made me feel—nothing was off limits to me if I had a question or opinion, but it came with having to defend my point of view or the weight of truth. If I said something that seemed close-minded or bigoted after a day at school or spending time with a school friend, she asked me why I thought that and invited a discussion. If she saw I was reading a lot of questionable material (one of my focuses at college was in conflict and genocide, but the interest started the summer before my senior year in high school, so she saw my texts), she checked in with me. She challenged me to think different and hold fast to what I believed, which ultimately is in fairness. She made sure I travelled and learnt from people who weren’t white working class like most of my family.
Mind you, I also have BIPOC in my family. My aunt is Native American. My uncle is Hispanic. I have black and Chicanx cousins. My childhood best friend is Korean-American. Maybe that made it easier for me to say, “Whoa, racism is bad,” because I had a bunch of faces who I loved, who loved me, and I never wanted anything or anyone to hurt them, but even with all of that at my back, it’s not like I haven’t had to unlearn casual dogwhistles or do work on myself as a white woman. (Fwiw, my mom and I still have those same talks and by her own admission, she’s still learning well into her 50s). And it’s not like my white friends and colleagues are coming from places that didn’t present similar opportunity to bridge the gap and have empathy, you know?
Many of my friends — both in and out of the industry — just never had the luxury of being forced into discomfort. No one challenged them. Even now, when I check them, the response I get most often is, “Oh my god, you’re right. I never thought about it like that.” Even if they grew up in diverse places, their lives were largely homogenous and very, very white. Their behaviour either went unchecked or they modelled the same casual racism that their own parents exhibit to this day. A lot of them believe that not being racist is as simple as not voting for Trump. They don’t get that it’s in everything we do, that we’re complicit in the system that is grinding BIPOC beneath its heel. And them not having taken the time to identify where and how they aid and abet that system when they’re now approaching their 30s can’t be put down to memes, irony, or social circles — they own their ignorance. Their ignorance is a choice. Their ignorance is about comfort, which is inherently privileged and inherently racist in its own way.
@Leigh
Yes, totally this. My first serious boyfriend some years ago was one of those guys and he and his close friends (all white Englishmen, which are another can of worms entirely) had a running joke of calling each other “Monica” (just… think about it).
When I found out, we had a MASSIVE fight over him saying it so cavalierly and he kept saying, “It’s not the same thing. Racism is an American problem; we haven’t had slavery in 400 years. We’re post-racial, so the word is different for us. I can say it.” He was well-educated and employed, left of centre, etc., totally fit the mould of millennial hipster and would never think himself a racist. I wasn’t having it and told him to go call a random black man in London that word if it was so true. (Spoiler: it’s not different, and there’s plenty of books, news, and anecdotes out there to back me up — many from this week alone.) Needless to say, he didn’t say it in front of me again until we were already on the verge of breaking up and that sealed the deal for me—he was an ahole and casually racist. Had another fight about it and split a month or two later.
So it’s stuff like that, but also in not hiring BIPOC to tell their stories, not voting for them, not listening to their needs or concerns or seeking them out, talking over them in moments that should be theirs, etc. There’s a lot of ways and again, I’m not perfect, but I have and will continue to work really hard to learn and be better for a reason.
@dandy What is the history behind the word “monica”?
Hello GENTRIFICATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@frenchtoast
It’s a play on words, like Cockney rhyming slang (apples and pears, etc.), which mocks both the n-word and AAVE. When you say it aloud, with British English vowels, it should sound almost like “My N-Word.” Not sure if there’s any formal etymological history or if they just thought themselves very clever for that, and honestly have never asked my other English friends about it to find out.
@TOLIVE
Yep. I don’t like to say too much on the topic of gentrification because I don’t feel like I know enough to speak eloquently so I’d rather listen — plus I’m an artist and we’re typically the first wave of gentrifiers to arrive in a community — but I really resent the white hipsters who move into poor neighbourhoods and completely disrespect their character and cultural history. Echo Park is a great example. When I moved to LA, it was still on the come up and “not safe”, and now it’s almost as heavily gentrified as Silverlake and Los Feliz were when I first landed. Most of the Latino families and culture have been pushed out for white hipsters and fancy burger restaurants and bars, and where do those families go? Where can they go that’s affordable and safe? Not enough people care about what comes after the minimalist coffee shops and trendy cocktail bars.
She should have known better as an adult, and being a non-black poc isn’t a pass. This is something we have to teach kids in our families early too.
Man. These non blacks know that this word is off limits and yet they STILL say it.
Why are you apologizing for it now homie? You obviously comfortable enough drop it even though it was not your place to say use it.
Spare me the apologies.
This reminds me of Bill Maher’s N-word moment. He used it in sort of the same way. Both of them used it like they have the cred and coolness for it to be ok when it isn’t. It so obviously isn’t. White people are not allowed to say that word without consequences. Period.
I can’t with these ‘apologies’ and how they ‘continue to learn from’ anymore. You were 27 when you said it public so stop qualifying it saying it’s a song lyric. Take responsibility and stop minimizing your actions. The Pitt connection makes sense now. Both are pretentious.
And what’s with the sh*tty drawings at the end? Is she being serious about this at all?
Ps..Dear White People
Please stop accepting these apologies. It’s not your place.
Agreed. And on the Dear White People TV show there is an episode just like this. A white guy singing a lyric with the n word and the students of color trying to educate him why he shouldn’t say it. It goes downhill from there. I grew up in the 00’s in the South in a Republican family tree and still when singing Snoop Dogs Drop It Like It’s Hot at 16 we would all sing and “if a *pause* get an attitude pop it like it’s hot. There is literally no reason ever for me as a white person to say or think that word.
Unfortunately, q lot of white people don’t see an issue with the word. My aunt (white like me) told a normal work story that included a black colleague casually called him the n-word. I gasped and said to her that we can’t say that world. She didn’t understand why she couldn’t say it. She actually thought that it was the “term” for black people and asked me what else she was supposed to call her co-worker. I was really shocked about how nonchalant she was about it. I explained to her why it was racist and she didn’t say it again that day, but I’m not sure if she stopped saying the word.
I’m sorry, you had to explain to your white aunt that the n word is racist? She was completely unaware of this? What century did this happen? Is your aunt 150 years old?
No, unfortunately not. She’s a boomer. We don’t live in America (I should have mentioned that) and a type of chocolate-covered marshmallow (a typical German candy) is called by a lot of people here “n-word kisses”. She’s not the only one who thinks it’s okay to say the n-word when talking about black people.
Even blackface is done by a few during carnival, even though more and more people are against it and know that it’s racist.
I will never understand why white ppl (or in this case, white-passing), want to say this word so damn bad. And yes, you can quote or sing along to a song with the word in it and NOT say the word itself. It’s not that hard!! Also to an earlier comment…black ppl can say the word if they want to or not. I choose not to, but I would never police another black person from doing so.
I agree. The excuse of “it’s in the song lyrics” is SO DUMB. It is actually possible to sing a song and NOT SAY THE WORD. Idiots. And I side eye and condemn any non-black rapper/hip hopper who uses it. If not Just racists, it’s definitely full of cultural appropriation to make $$$$
So many whites lack culture and soul. They wanna be black without being black. They feel entitled to everything! What is taboo becomes irresistible to the bored privileged weirdos.
White boys especially just love saying the n word and Jew for everything. It’s bizarre!! I’ve asked this a million times, why are white men so angry?!!! White men have and will continue to ruin the world and they must be stopped! Signed a white woman.
EXACTLY!!!
Why though? Just…. WHY? It’s not a hard concept. If you’re not black, don’t say it. If you’re not a woman, don’t say bitch. If you’re not LGBT+, don’t say f*g and so on. It is not that hard!
WHYYYY?
First, who is she?
Second, “As an Arabic woman, who can pass for white” what is she talking about?
I think ita in her genes, she is a closeted anti black, she is half arab. Arab people have black slaves.
Ugh! Just why?!
I didn’t read all the posts so forgive me if this is repetitive. I don’t think I’ve ever said that word. I cuss like a sailor. I’m irreverent and a chronic cynic, but decency rides shotgun. I’ve never heard my family say it either. I know throughout the years, I taught them what was off limits inside the home and out, and when they went through middle school I got asked about that word because they heard it a lot. My answer was always never. Respect isn’t a mask we wear in public which gets removed once we’re home. And disrespect doesn’t get a fist bump when hanging with your peeps. That fist bump says everything. And if, and when, their black friends say it, they say it. That’s it. They said it. They can. Deal. I’m feeling a stitch of schadenfreude these days.
Omg Mabs, same. I’m a professional level foul mouthed sailor swearer and that word is not in my vocabulary. I’ve never had a problem not saying it. Ever.
I’ve said See You Next Tuesday many times though, which is rather low IMO. I’m way pissed when I’ve said it to or of another.
I do, quite often, refer to people as ‘fuckfaces’ though. I enjoy coming up with ridiculous cuss words. I’m almost Shakespearean in my quest! Bitchass, dickbitch, you get it. I’m ridic.
I’ve been reminded several times over the years that nice girls do not speak in such a manner. WELP. Guess I’m a nasty woman now. Lol! Love you fellow celebitches
Ridiculous cursing! Right there with you. I love changing up the cuss bus. I never said the c word until watching Game of Thrones…I say it now lol. I mostly use it in Sandor Clegane’s own personal vernacular though.
Asshat! Sh*t Weasel! Dingleberry! Asscown! There are so many great variations. And then there are kiddie swears: You’re a big POOPY BUTT! Etc etc. Creative swearing is the funnest swearing. “F*cking F*ck with F*ckberries on top!!!”
A classic from the UK: Bicycle Seat Sniffer!
This is a major privilege blind spot I see among my fellow white liberals–that allyship of or proximity to communities of color is the same as being a part of those communities. And you end up with “I would never CALL someone the n-word, that’s horrible! But it’s no big deal to sing it in a lyric or quote it from a movie because I love black people.”
IMO, I don’t think she’s white passing. I looked at her and thought, she’s not black, or white..but my thought stopped there. The most overtly racist experience I had on the job was from an Arab woman. She was vile piece of trash.
Anyhow, I hope what ever ‘relationship’ Brad has with this chick that he drops her for his daughter’s sake and since Brad has been out supporting BLM.
The closetted racists are far more scary than the out in the open ones like the Trump supporters.
She grew up on the cast of Arrested Development where the male actors were comfortable having Jessica Walter attacked and made to feel unsafe. So she learned disrespect from the best.
Oh, man. What’s the story there?
This is off topic from the rest of the conversation going on here, but wasn’t she recently linked to Brad Pitt? They were attending gallery openings and such together and seemed like they might be more than friends?
Sigh. These people act like they just discovered racism yesterday. She didn’t know in 2016, at the age of 27, that that wasn’t a word she should use? C’mon. I’m a year older than she is, so there’s no way she can even defend it as a generational thing.
Doesn’t woke boyfriend Pitt make her untouchable. She let that word roll out of her mouth way too easy. Now that Pitt is on his own his choice of female friends is especially interesting. I am so happy Angie is free of him. He may produce some great movies with Dede and their other partner but he seems like he is floundering to me. Were it not for his celebrity and good looks I think he would be called out for being a phony.
Brad is not her boyfriend and this interview is from 4 years ago. I see ‘people’ are reaching in this thread as well trying to make this story about Brad.
If he’s not her boyfriend then he’s her beard? Seriously Pitt always seems to attract creeps like Lena Dunham and Melissa Etheridge. Ugh!
You aren’t that blind! You know she is!
I’m a huge fan of reclamation of derogatory words as insider language. If it’s used against you and you claim it, it no longer has power over you! As a Brown woman, I like to playfully use the b word to mean a woman of power and strength.
If you’re a woman who loves hip hop and rap and you’re not Black, use the B word in place of the N word when singing along. Problem solved! Been doing it since I was a young teenager because despite my Brown skin, I’m not Black and I have the common sense not to use a word that doesn’t belong to me.
I’ve gotta’ say, I have found a lot of the comments on this thread really insightful.
Same, especially the racism in Middle East and the history was really eye opening.
If you watch the video she wasn’t singing a song idk why she lied in her apology. She’s clearly telling a story about what happened at her house this chick is very problematic and if you watch most of her interviews she comes off as miserable always self depreciating and saying people with blonde hair and blue eyes have it better. she can fuck off!
“First of all, her comfort with dropping that word is startling. This didn’t happen years and years ago, and this didn’t happen when Alia was some dumb kid. In 2016, every non-black person knew well enough to NOT use that word. And Alia was 27 years old when she said that. YIKES.”
–> could not agree more!! Ridiculous!!
It’s amazing though how much of a double standard there is out there regarding racism. Because the statement above includes many of the excuses Trudeau made when he appeared in BLACK FACE. It’s incredible that people were not calling en masse to cancel that idiot, but they are for Alia. Trudeau was almost 30 and the years in which he dressed up in blackface, it was just as unacceptable as for her to use that word in 2016.
I honestly think that one of the issues here is the double standards like this and the willingness to forgive some racist @ssholes and not other.
Both of them deserve to be cancelled and both of their behaviour was gross.
Yes, this is somewhat of a tangent but the excuses used for Alia are so similar to the excuses for Trudeau that it immediately sprung to my mind.
Wow, my comment never made it here. I disagreed without swearing or anything like that, but disagreed. Thanks Celebitchy, you’re cred just went down the drain.
As a black woman I don’t use the word. My black friends/relatives don’t use that word-ever. If other black people want to, that’s their business. But white people, don’t evah. And and I know damn well why white people want to and all they’ll get from me is the verbal dragging of their life that will have them in therapy for the next five years. Don’t try me-I’m not in the mood.
hahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahaha WORD.
I watched Bill Maher on with Ice Cube after Bill threw the word out. He said “Bill I know you and I know you are not a bad guy. But that’s our word and you don’t get to use it. Period” Well said.
There has to be structural change to deal with racism. That means voting for politicians who will do something real about it. So vote and support politicians that will have better policies for minorities like health care for all, change the criminal justice system, better housing and jobs for minorities and access to good affordable education. Change international policies and structures that stop African countries from developing. That needs to happen.
Off topic here, but this woman looks like an ethnic version of Angelina! They have so much resemblance it’s crazy!
Anyways, I think that she was trying to acknowledge her privilege when she stated that she is an Arabic yet ‘white passing’ woman. But that was really dumb because Arab is an ethnicity not a race. Middle eastern people ARE Caucasian. Not all white people have blonde hair and blue eyes (Face palm) and the fact that she’s knowingly leaning into that misconception and ignorance to try to appear ‘woke’ ruined her apology for me. (I’m middle eastern myself)
Note: The N word and it’s Arabic equivalent are used quite commonly in the Middle East (in English and Arabic) so this is not surprising to me in the least. I cringe every time I hear some family members use it. They just don’t care. In their minds, if they aren’t using it around black people or being violent or inappropriate towards them then they aren’t racist.
She looks like Angelina? How? Lol is it the tattoos? I really don’t see it and her personality is very try hard I watch some of her interviews because I was a fan she wants to sound intellectual but ends up sounding dumb. Angelina even in her wild younger days she always sounded wise and above her years. I find it offensive you compared her to the great Angelina lol
Of course her aura and personality are nothing like Angelina. Angie is a rare goddess to me. But they do bear a resemblance… something about the lips, facial proportions, facial expression… it’s def there. This sort of thing is highly subjective tho, so you either see it or you don’t.
I’m bothered by the lie she tells about a lyric from a song and the fact she says she could pass for white. That’s all I got! Now she is out and about looking unbothered by the backlash. Pitt is teaching her well!
Why would you want to use or ‘claim’ a derogatory word used by slave traders, slave masters, racists of all kinds to historically describe black people? No other ethnicity uses historical slang or derogatory terms to describe their own race. I am black and I never, ever use that word to describe myself or other black people. Do people think it is ‘reclaiming’ the word? All of those who currently use it are empowering the horrific origins of the word. Use critical thinking and research that word. It makes no sense and helps no one for blacks to call themselves an extremely derogatory word which was created by those who repeatedly tortured, killed, bought and sold, serially raped, enslaved, abused, exploited and brutalized our black ancestors. It is like these monsters are being memorialized through the repeated and casual use of that word by black people. Educate yourself about the origins of that word and critically analyse why anyone would need or want to use it to describe themselves or their own race.
Brad Pitts racist ignorant girlfriend was a 27 years old women at the time 4 years ago when she said this vile word. And how dare she now turn it into It was just a Draje lyric. She wasn’t talking about Drake, she was telling a story about going to someone’s house. And seeing how easily she used the N WORD it’s ckear it wasn’t the first time she used that word out aloud. Shame on her and shame in Brad Pitt jumping through hoops to clear her racist past just cause he’s shaving her now. 😂😂
Why was Brad Pitt at a BLM flashing his new motor bike. Rich people just can’t help themselves. Why could he not stop putting the camera on him, instead for once , allow the camera to go on the real BLM people.
It was so pathetic to get his female yoga friend to take a photo of him posibg hard on his new bike . Since when did Brad Pitt become so thirsty and less private, why has he become so thirsty for attention or was that to deflect attention away from his racist girlfriend Alia Shawkat. And why was Alia Shawkat out doing coffee runs with a smug face on. Shamless … . Show some respect, but no. He made it all about him. She made it all about her.. And what I want to know is that what the hell happened and Why didn’t he walk at the march? Why did he ride alone, where others walked. So disrespectful of Brad Pitt . What a putz.