Just how offensive is that word in this context ? I don\'t get it.
 

I think its just a descriptive word and has been taken out of context. Does anyone really care if that word is used in this manner?

good lord:rolleyes:

the 'N' word is like the most offensive thing you can say especially infront/ or at a black person.

So yes it was wrong.

yea its a descriptive word but its still racist. and trust me, alot of ppl would care.

That's my point exactly 'Girth'

Saying 'Good Lord' will probably cause offence to someone!

Where will it end?

If it's meant as a direct racial slur and said in a demeaning manner then that is clearly unacceptable - but that wasn't the case. Yes, Emily overstepped the mark, but BB has done the same by taking such action. Some form of punishment seems appropriate - but not eviction.

do u think after what happen in january, BB could get away with turning a blind eye on it? no way! and especially as channel 4 was occused of promoting the race row by ofcom. they had to take action regardless of the context it was said in.

saying 'Good Lord' is not racist and the house now has zero-tolerance on racism.

Do you know the origin of the word? It was a derived from the word negro and was a very derogatory word that was used to describe negro slaves. When a white person says it there is all of that history to take into account.

The word is a racial word ecspecially used towards a black person. Emily really should have thought of her actions before blurting out rubbish to Charley and Nicky. Glad BB have gone tougher this year on behaviour and comments

If the word itself is offensive, why is it acceptable for Charley to say it as well.

You've also got to think about the context and the person. Emily should have thought twice before saying it to a person she doesn't even know that well.

I've explained this in another thread but basically when a black person uses the word he is basically someone a fool or an idiot. When a white person uses it we dont know what they mean

I think it is wrong, no matter what context you use it in if iit was meant to be a joke there are thousands of other words you can use but the "N" word is not one of them

bloody hell some people cant see the wood for the tree's........

Of course I know where it comes from, I'm a fully paid up member of the party! (Yes, I'm black and proud of it)

I just wanted to open up the debate and say, as a black man in the U.K., I am able to distinguish between a racial slur and a comment meant in jest.

It may not be the brightest thing to have said - but it wasn't meant to be derogatory or demeaning.

I fully understand BB's nervousness after the Shilpa event and also C4 and OfCom are watching - but the reaction was simply out of context to the spirit of the event.

BB could have done far more in education terms by showing Emily being repremanded and give some form of punishment (probably as big a punishment as anyone has ever recieved) than by not showing it and simple stiring the racial tension with guesswork and inaccuarate accounts of what might and might not have happened.

Discuss!

Yes I agree that considering what took place in January, Big Brother had no other option than to take quick and decisive action, which subsequently led to Emily's removal.

Even though this isn't the point, some people would consider "good lord" offensive. Obviously it is not racially provoking, but it is sacrilegious or blasphemous. I know my grandparents would find a comment like this disrespectful to their religion. But as I've said, that is another matter, and something that is not as imminent as rascism.

But seeing as the word is the issue, the context is irrelevant, so it doesn't matter who said it, if they're black or white, its still an offensive term and Charley should be punished as well.

And before anyone says "Charley said it because she was prompted by Emily", yes, she did, but she said it last week as well, totally unprompted.

AND another one!

How many threads have we got about the same thing?

It is obvious that people are stirred up about this but that facts are that Emily is out and she said a bl**dy stupid word (I I have just probably offended someone BTW) and yes she was racist in what she said, but actually because Charley said it earlier in the week did that set a precident? (can't spell that word so if it is wrong I am sorry) and did Emily say it thinking it was OK because of that reason?

In January it was alleged perpetrator and others against alleged victim.

Here it was alleged victims all against and overcoming ignorant perpetrator.

No malice at all

This is a knee jerk reaction as C4 loose the plot again.

You're missing what I'm saying: due to the fallout of CBB5, BB had to act promptly and decisively. I personally agree that this incident wasn't bullying or racially provoking, but BB cannot withstand another attack on its integrity.

I'm not replying to some one who makes such comments then runs from the forum.

IGNORANCE is not an excuse

You have to understand
the new Ofcom rules with Endemol.

Emily was using rap song bits
but that one word got her kicked out.

She is a clever girl
but at that late hour she went very wrong.

This was not reported So I won't comment.

As an atheist I could care less, but you are taking the lords name in vain, and technically, in a christian country that is blasphemy - want to go there ?

But this was not on the live feed.

It is only in the public domain because C4 put it there. They could have let it be as the HM's had dealt with it and Emily had been re-educated.

The word would not have got the dissemination that it has now.

Victor used the word many times and nothing was said.
If black people want it labeled rascist they should stop using this themselves.
After seeing a young rapper go through all the British history of slavery and come out the other end and very sheepishly say he would never use N again and would discourage others from doing so.

Negro is the spanish/portuguese for black so I don't see what point your making. Don't use the word myself but surely it's all about the CONTEXT. Somebody using a word that can be used as a racist slur (but also colloquial greeting and a form of identity; see N.W.A.) is not necessarily racist depending on its context. Racism is a MINDSET and ATTITUDE. You have every right to find the word repugnant but there are so many black people who have really embraced the word.

For the record, Emily should have kept her mouth shut. It's a can of worms we really could have done without opening.

I completely agree. Like GiRTh said, it's only seen as racist if it's said by a white person, which is pathetic.

Is that what he said? I think whoever says it is in the wrong, depending upon the context and the person.

That actually IS offensive and derogatory (as is that Chris Rock routine which is ****ing hilarious). That is more double standards than in the context I usually hear it, a synonymn for 'friend' eg "my n*ggaz".

I agree with sticks on this.C4 have finally got their scapegoat for the whole of last Januarys uproar.

The way this is reporetd the wprd was not used in a derogative tone,more in the slang of the day.Black people have tried to reclaim the word in rap exactly to turn its meaning on its head.

It was 3.30 in the morning , the sound was edited.A private warning in the diary room , would have sufficed.

Instead its all blown out of proportion and c4 know tonights ratings will go through the roof and they can feel all warm again.

In this case c4 are wrong to punish so harshly.In January they were wrong to not punish.

Yeah I find that particular word offensive towards coloured people and was discouraged from using it as soon as I'd heard it and learned what it meant. I think that after CBB5 (Jade/Shilpa) Big Brother was right to intervene quickly before it got out of hand, even if the word wasn't used in that particular context it could easily have been blown out of proportion and once again become a national issue if nothing had been done about it.

then again if c4 didnt do anything bout it they would get critised like last time emily should have know better n it was only right she got punished

It was a reallllyyy bad word .. but i think that emily didnt mean it in a racist way! and if charley said it why isnt she thrown out aswell .... or at least warned !!

If it was wrong, Charley would have been offended.

She wasn't.

but i bet her mum and dad, and thousands of black viewers would be cringing to hear it from lil miss white middle class's lips.

I didn't know the translation in french of this word, now I know it and even in France it's offensive to say that ! It's terrible something like that ! Emily should have been more careful, even if for her it was a joke, imagine all black viewer watching that...it's not great ! But I still think she didn't deserve that, a warning for sure but not an expulsion !

It's disgusting.
She is disgusting.

Emily was wrong to use it - but it wasn't meant in any racist way..the reaction from BB has done nothing to improve the situation. Education is the key - not expulsion.

Anyone think that BB / Endomol / C4 spotted a very quick ratings winner and an incredible 'PR' opportunity here?

It's been a poor start to BB8 (lots of people not liking the overwhelming female house - and this is a great way for them to regain the viewers.

Watch tonights ratings...

..and tomorrow's press coverage!