I recently had a long discussion with an African-American friend concerning taboo ethnic terminology. She felt strongly that such terms should be banned. I — a fierce fighter for freedom of speech — belive that most of us are supersensitive to what are, after all, only words. Remember our childhood rhyme:
“Sticks and stones may break our bones,
But names awill never hurt me.”
The kids had it right.
I have lived in New York City for over sixty years and have had to put
up with Bohunks, Chinks, Dagos, Eight-balls, Frogs, Gooks, Hebes, Honkeys,
Hymies, Japs, Kikes, krauts, , Limeys, Micks, Niggers, Nips, Ofays, Paddys,
Polacks, Ragheads, Ruskys, Slits, Slants, Slopes, Spades, Spicks, Wogs and
Wops.
AND I HAVE LOVED THEM ALL!
Call me any name you want, as long as you treat me with respect and decency.
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