The N-word Part 2

The rest of the book to me was just really boring. I thought the begining was very interesting because it talked about the word's history but the rest was just proving his point over and over again. Some of the cases were interesting, but I really didn't see how you could just delete that word from the dictionary. If we do that, i aren't there other offensive words we have to also get rid of? It was really hard to pay attention to parts of the book because they used words far beyond my vocabulary and it started to get monotanous. Over all the book was very informative and it was very interesting to learn about how much a word can effect a society, cause violence, and even bring about legal action.

N-word

This chapter was really an introduction to how the word can be used in so many different contexts. It's also about how the word came to be. It started out as a classification, then became an insult, but after comedians started using it in their pieces, it became more of a term of endearment. It was actually really interesting to me, obviously the word has never specifically effected me and I still don't say it out of respect because I don't think its my place. I still believe that I shouldn't say it because I am white. I'm sorry if that's racist but it's just not a word i feel like I need to use. I still believe there are other words that are more offensive that I don't use. Certain words I just don't think should be used. I've never said the c-word or other words that are considered racial slurs. I don't want to be offensive to another culture but I also most of the time don't know what they even mean so how can I use them? I thought it was cool how they said that Eminem didn't use the N-word in his songs, it shows its significance and the real pain and power the word has behind it. Maybe not saying it just gives the word more power but I refuse to say it, it's just not a word that I need to use. I think swear words or other words that have such a huge effect on people are just a reflection on the person, as the video said, and a lack of a good vocabulary.

The Republic

These books discuss how if there was a perfect society, people would just make what they needed and nothing else. However, no such society can be created because people always want luxuries. There are different classes of people. The first Socrates talks about how there will need to be warriors and the producers will be them. They must be taught just the right things so that they will know what is exceptable behavior and what is not. One of the most important things they learn is not to fear death because there are so many things that are much worse than death. The "hero's" in these stories must be purly good and honest and no sex, because that is what they want their children to be taught. Not only do their minds need to be in good shape but their bodies do too. The next class will be the rulers who are loyal to their country no matter what. The guardians listen to them.