Last week in one of my Hunter College undergraduate classes, we discussed the n-word, the k-word, the h-word, the s-word, and the ch-word. We were discussing stereotypes and archetypes in literature, the recent New York City Council city-wide symbolic ban of the n-word, appropriation by powerful groups over the disenfranchised, and re-appropriation of slurs by the dispossessed to reclaim power and express racial or group solidarity.
We got into touchy subjects, such as whether people outside the marginalized group can use word(s) that have historically expressed violence (cultural, psychological, economic, and physical)as term(s) of endearment. For example, can non-Blacks say, “That’s my n” as a way of expressing affection? Most of my students said no. They agreed that context is everything, the divides between groups are rigid and strong, and outsiders should never assume a connection to community – a familiarity – that allows them to freely use such language.
This morning I heard about Ann Coulter’s use of the F-word in reference to Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards. Her use of a denigrating term that has historically been used to dehumanize gay men is completely unacceptable, particularly because she used this term in the public realm, as a spokesperson for Republican ideas, at the 34th annual Conservative Political Action Conference.
View the video by clicking the link below. What astounds me is that the gasp uttered by the audience after she uses this term is followed in a matter of seconds by laughter and applause. With her casual use of hate speech, Ann Coulter debases the American ideal of a diverse, free society and helps silence the voices of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender citizens.
https://johnedwards.com/action/contribute/coulter
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Actually it doesn’t surprise or shock–neither her comments or the audience reaction. The thing is that no one’s upped the ante on her. Given her a taste of her own medicine; she’s usually chickenshit and avoids direct debates unless it’s on Fox with some lightweight like Colmes.
Frankly, if I were gay I’d seize upon the imagery in the upcoming fantasy flick “300,” based on the very real 300 gay men: Sparta’s elite king’s guard, who laid down their lives at the pass in Thermopalyae, essentially saving the very western civilization these right wing loons say gays are destroying. The letter “L” was bonded to their bronze shields, and it’s no coincidence gay advocaxy groups use that lambda as their logo. If you saw that “L” it meant your ass, and I don’t mean figuratively hahahaha (pardon the humor, but come on lighten up for a split second). I would use the f-word proudly in that circumstance. 300 faggots stood with bravery and sacrifice Anne. Let’s get in a time machine and see what they have to say about your boney ass. I’m sure nothing, as the word “laconic” is dervied from the word for Spartan. They didn’t say much. They’d just toss her off a cliff…
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Possibly, yet I’ve seen brothas hit on her at the bar at the Capital Grille here in DC. For real–you had to see this sh*t. But that’s for another post hahahaha
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Clearly we are not alone in finding her comments deplorable since Coulter’s site has now lost 3 major advertisers. (See: Companies to pull ads from Coulter’s Web site on CNN.com)
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/03/05/coulter.ads/index.html
One of these days she is going to FINALLY catch on to the fact that there IS such a thing as BAD publicity…
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she should lose advertising. just shameful. really. thanks for this update, keli!
and, chris – dang! thanks for the history lesson.
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Ann Coulter…what can I say? She’s just bad. Personally, I think that she uses hate speech like this just to get even more publicity. She will attack any and everyone just to be seen.
I once read an article she wrote entitled, “How can I make your flight uncomfortable?” Here, she basically is hoping to god that all the blasted Muslims go back home where they came from. Isn’t it sad that we have such people leading our country? Where’s the positive influence?
Oh, and I have to agree with Ralph Richardson. You usually point out the things you don’t like in others that you find in yourself. So, Ann, you’re expressing your own internalized homophobia towards others. Thanks a lot.