PPP - pearly penile papules

[JonnyFantastico]

It was actually said by one of my favourite comedians in COMPLETE jest, but I really stick by it actually: There are no bad words, there are bad thoughts.

That's the simplicity of it all. Even with things like racism. The word 'nigger' is only racist because of the way it is said by the person saying it, and the way the person hearing it perceives it. I've had white friends call their black friends 'nigger' time and time again, and mean it in a totally friendly way.

But hmmm, going utterly off-topic now. But I guess it just helps to show my sorta view on the world and why I'm so open about stuff

Wow... you went there, huh? LOL Alright; I believe that gives me proper advantage to sort of go there with a thought I've had since I opened my eyes earlier this morning.

As an African-American, obviously and sometimes, sadly; I've heard that word used in many different lights and usages throughout my youth (I'm 28 now). From where I stand now, throughout all of the ways I've heard it and speak on it; here's my final real thoughts on it.

Actually, I don't need to; you kind of explained it very well for me. A couple of days ago, my friend posted a joke that he overheard from some comedian. Something to the effect of, "Did you hear they are selling Barack Obama tree ornaments now? I can't believe it; now it's OK to hang niggas from trees!"

Now, had I heard that joke, I definitely would've taken offense to it. But mind you, I have used the word before (in the "a" ending) as well as friends of mine from all different colors and backgrounds (one of the greatest things about living in NYC is that we truly do have quite the landscape of cultures and they interact in your lives in many different ways). I left him a comment telling him that while I knew he wasn't racist (he's Puerto Rican, BTW); he got of got bitchy with me in his response, saying that if I didn't like it; I didn't need to read it. To go on with this would throw this way off topic and I'm actually trying to prove a point and connect it with your thought, so I'll stop there for now.

The point (and I do have one) is very true to what you've expressed: it's all in how you say things and how they come across. We live in a time where "nigga" (not "nigger", actually; totally different strength behind that spelling and meaning, from my standpoint anyway) has become synonymous with a Caucasian male calling another one a "dude". Look at how we, as the LGBT community; have taken the hate behind the term "faggot" and made it quite the powerful word about being how proud we are. It still holds that power, but it's changed to one of power because we're the ones who decided to make it that way; we're the ones who refuse to be defeated by hate. Also, with my friends; they call me "fag", I call them "bitch"; it's all love.

There is strength behind words and some can cause a lot of pain and anger, but it's all about how you take it and how you put it out. I see the world in a similar way as well and it helps to be as open about certain subjects as you possibly can; it's how we learn and grow as human beings.