Gwyneth Paltrow Tweets the N-Word: Insensitive or Overreaction?

by SodaHead Celebs Posted 2012/06/05 18:00:00

Related Topics: Gwyneth Paltrow, N-word, Jay-z, Paris, Beyonce, Kanye West, Glee, Obama, Debate, Tweet, Tweets, Media, Insensitive, Photo, Sing

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815 votes
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	Insensitive	173 votes	21%
	Overreaction	642 votes	79%

Gwyneth Paltrow found herself in the middle of a media storm on Monday when she tweeted a photo of herself standing next to Jay-Z and Beyonce with the caption "Ni**as in paris for real." She was, of course, referencing a song by Jay-Z and Kanye West, but the media immediately jumped on it. Watch the video below for more.

Some were obviously offended by Paltrow's use of the word, stating that people who are not African American should never, under any circumstances, use it. Others argued that Jay-Z and Kanye are to blame for including the word in the name of the song. Still others felt that her use of the word was harmless. It's an intricate issue, and Gwyneth Paltrow's tweet sits in a complicated spot. Do you think it was insensitive -- or an overreaction?

+22

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Assassin~ Badass Buzz Guru 2012/06/05 21:25:38

Overreaction

+21
It is not offensive. It is however amusing when WASPY people like Gwenyth try to speak "ghetto".
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Isha Dwesar 2012/06/24 19:58:38

Overreaction

jeez, guys, it's a song title, calm down!

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fortuenti 2012/06/13 14:31:48

Overreaction

out of hand--it's all about context and vocal inflection. get real people. in the UK, a "fag" is a cigarette.

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ellomotto 2012/06/12 18:31:15

Overreaction

Well how can you really be offended? She is quoting a SONG people!

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star 2012/06/12 06:13:06

Insensitive

People are rude all the time just shows their mentality. Even if she was teasing, it is still at anothers expence. There is no reason to make fun of people for what ever you do not like about them. We are not responsible for who we are but what we do. Some people like me may not like her either.

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QueenOfUniverseNataliaRoschina 2012/06/10 07:39:05

Overreaction

+1
"Ni" means "NNNNagging IIIIIIIIIIdiots" amongst other things (I'm a linguist). In Paris many nag about too much dog poop in the streets, and they don't nag about car pollution which is much worse for health and environment. Learn more languages and stop complaining about words. Do something more meaningful for the world

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Royo 2012/06/10 01:36:07

Overreaction

It's the TITLE OF ONE OF HIS SONGS, PEOPLE. Facepalm.

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Kuruptsoul 2012/06/09 19:16:43

Overreaction

+2
A word is a word, anybody should be free to say whatever they want.. The people that takes offense to what had been said are the people that have problems

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QueenOf... to Kuruptsoul 2012/06/10 07:30:52

+1
Excellent comment

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Georgia Vitale 2012/06/08 05:40:56

Overreaction

She did not do anything wrong... Anyone can say what ever they want..

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Angela ... to Georgia... 2013/01/17 09:00:47

No they cannot the n word is wrong for otherpeople to say so watch what u say because u can get a ass beat.

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Tre 2012/06/08 03:50:27

Overreaction

+2
And Yes, Kanye and Jay Z are to blame for putting that word on their song title. They just opened it up for everybody in America to say that word.

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Dydy 2012/06/08 02:23:37

Overreaction

+1
Shouldn't racism have ended by now? Honestly, she wasn't being mean or anything she was joking, and apparently making a reference to a song.

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Posha King 2012/06/07 19:54:10

Overreaction

+1
I have NEVER subscribed to the notion that certain words in the ENGLISH LANGUAGE should be reserved for anyone of a certain race, creed, religion, color, ethnicity, etc. If it's a part of our language, it's ok for everyone to use. NOW, THAT SAID, the intended meaning of the word can be something people take issue with, but that's always been the case. The word "negro" used to be a polite way to speak of a black person decades ago. In today's society, it is considered derogatory by some. She didn't even casually use the term, she was citing a song by the person IN THE PICTURE. This is a tempest in a teapot.

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Proud 2012/06/07 19:24:49
Badger 2012/06/07 17:34:24

Overreaction

+1
She was quoting the performer she was doing a photo op with; people need to get off their damn horse. Words have only the power you give them and their user, take the words in context and then judge the users actions.

As it is if "people" do not want a "word" used then they need to agree as a "people" to stop using it or derivations of it in whole; prior to asking anyone else to not use it.

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Badger to Badger 2012/06/12 08:46:23

Yes; it would be nice if no one used offensive language but that word is used against, South East Asians, Indians and Native Americans just as often as against African Americans. I am Native American and got hit with it growing up. My response was to just toughen up and move forward because you can not stop the ignorant from being ignorant. America is not a land of equality, and never will be, my heritage is used for corporate profits all over America and yet the people of First Nation are denied the ability to have the caricatures, and cultural symbols removed, or even get proper respect for the ancestral dead. Yes while everyone else can be sure their Great Great Grand parents are safe in a grave, that is not the same for a tribal ancestor. People need to get over words and work towards making this world truly equal and not variously privileged.

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Mark Twain 2012/06/07 16:43:58

Insensitive

Yo White bread, Only Bros and Sisters can slam each other with the Holy Word. Colored Only sign over this verbal water fountain.

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Badger to Mark Twain 2012/06/07 17:35:20

+2
Well that is a racist attitude.

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Mark Twain to Badger 2012/06/09 01:02:52

+2
my point entirely.

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Jackie G - Poker Playing Pa... 2012/06/07 16:36:49

Overreaction

+1
If the word is wrong, then stop using it -- period. I do not give a happy damn what color you are - stop using it if it is indeed offensive.

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Sterling 2012/06/07 15:57:19

Insensitive

+2
It's offensive when anyone says it, that being said if black people keep using it they are bringing it on each themselves to have sickly white liberals use it as well.

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jerry j... to Sterling 2012/06/08 16:40:58

I agree; sadly there is a 'double standard'...in that respect; saw Dr. Maya Angelou speaking with comedian Dave Chappelle; he told her that he and a good friend use the 'N-word' as a term of affection; Dr. Angelou's response; 'if you take a bottle of poison and remove the skull and crossbones label it's still poison'...very profound

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HiYa 2012/06/07 15:26:21

Insensitive

My fiancé is white and he clearly understands he must NEVER use that word. I don't use slurs on him of any sort. The word may have been adopted by popular culture, but that does not change the fact that "It" is a slur that represents a painful past of American Americans. It is offensive for whites to use it (b/c some black do) and tell blacks to "just" get over it.

**Understand I am not here to argue with anyone, and I will not go back forth on this issue. This is my opinion and I am wholly entitled to it.**

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jerry johnson 2012/06/07 15:25:28

Insensitive

+1
She didn't 'appear' to be addressing the song; but in fact saying, 'there are "Ni**as in Paris for real", referring to Jay-Z, Beyonce and Kanye West as 'Ni**as" jus' sayin'...

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Tre to jerry j... 2012/06/08 03:52:55

How could she not be assessing the song when what she said is the name of the song?

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jerry j... to Tre 2012/06/08 16:37:30

She could very well have been 'assessing' the song; but the way it (her tweet) was written...it 'comes off' as if she's saying, 'yeah; there really are 'Ni**as' in Paris'...

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Tre to jerry j... 2012/06/15 19:59:13

Oh, I see.

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Sully 2012/06/07 15:21:14
SW 2012/06/07 15:02:42

Overreaction

+1
Jeez. Whatever.

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wpsark_BN_0 2012/06/07 14:59:57 (edited)

Overreaction

+1
but anyone who uses the N word in any context is stupid..I've only heard dumb people use that word. the original definition is "an ignorant person or idiot" so keep calling each other that..pfff

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jerry.alan.carroll 2012/06/07 12:52:37

Overreaction

+1
however the word itself is only used by the uneducated. I don't associate myself with folks like that. So I rarely hear it. If I have a song I like with the word, I either get the clean version or I remix it myself and censor it. I love how most DJ controllers these days have a "censor" button right on them!

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Link 2012/06/07 12:18:50
Rachel ... to Link 2012/06/10 08:23:39

+2
Maybe I'm seriously ignorant, but I have no idea what the "s" word is. xD

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Link to Rachel ... 2012/06/12 12:20:37
Lerato Maseko 2012/06/07 10:40:47

Insensitive

I love Gwyneth. but don,t use the word id u aint black. people will jump on you even if it was innocent.

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C-ZAR™, Emperor of the PHÆT 2012/06/07 10:30:08

Overreaction

Thought I commented already, lol

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Fenabarb 2012/06/07 09:46:10

Overreaction

+1
was the name of the song.
but I would of not used it and you would think she would know better

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Rachel Searvogel 2012/06/07 08:35:09
Sexuallobster 2012/06/07 07:45:15 (edited)
2585661 2012/06/07 07:26:34

Insensitive

+1
Only black people are allowed to call themselves ni**ers, call white people cr*ckers, Chinese people ch*nks etc..that's just how it is.... because white people are the devil and responsible for ALLL EVIL EVER MADE. lmao.

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