re: Oxygen leaves room after Viggo Mortensen says N word

I don’t feel sympathy for anyone “affected” by a WORD in America today, even this extremely offensive word - when used in the context in which Mortensen spoke it.

Why don’t these hordes of offended people address the feckless “musicians,” comedians, and popular social media personalities who still casually toss this word around, who claim it is their right as an artist, and are not uttering it in reference to historical contexts?

Those that are outraged should concentrate their efforts on individuals actually responsible for perpetuating the persistence of this term. Why do only certain people currently have the right to speak a word as either a curse or term of endearment - without consequence?

I’m not advocating the use of this epithet, but it’s a freaking word. We don’t call the toilet a chamber pot anymore. No one refers to people as we did 60 years ago. My black friends don’t refer to me as a cracker they like.

Society stops using outdated words when the word is replaced. The N word will go only away when those who still casually say it regularly stop doing so.

The outrage over what Mortensen said proves that free speech is separate but not equal in the eyes of the incredibly ignorant, vindictive American public.