The N word

Bit late to the party, but I’ve been busy with other things mainly revision and AS exams. You've probably heard something about the whole 'race row' in the Big Brother house over the past few week, unless of course you've been living as a hermit.

So I just feel like getting a few things off my chest.

As ever the majority of the press has made it a clear black and white issue (no pun intended). When of course as with most things in life it should be taken on a case by case basis. When someone uses the word or indeed any offensive language you can usually immediately gauge if they are being serious and intend harm or not. I wouldn’t have a problem with any of my friends calling me the 'n' word as we are friends and it is used tongue firmly in cheek, usually to ridicule its serious use by others. Emily whilst not friendly with Charley meant no malice when she used it, stupid yes, racist? Of course not.

There's no point getting so uptight over the word itself, but obviously its detestable to use it as a racial slur/insult. We can tell our friends to 'fuck off' etc etc in a joking manner I don’t see why this can't be the same, obviously its a far more explosive word so greater care should be taken in the company you use it in but if you make rules like 'oh only black people can use it to other black people' it just becomes a minefield of double standards where no one feels comfortable on how it should be used/

In Emily’s case she appeared as she has done many times before(skinny jeans) trying really hard to appear cool and with it. It was ill judged especially when you consider that the two are not particularly close to one another. But definitely not racist, offensive in its shock factor perhaps, but more akin to an elderly persons outdated views on 'coloured' people rather than a genuinely offensive assault by a BNP party member.

Like all naughty words people are going to have completely different sensibilities and standards over its use. I wouldn't swear as much as I do around my mates sometimes in front of new company until I get to know them better and can map out how comfortable they are with bad language, the 'n' word should be no different.

Did Big Brother overreact? Yes, but it had little choice after the Shilpagate episode. Emily really should of had that in mind before she opened her stupid mo