I'm not sure that your distinction makes that much difference. I use words every day for a purpose.

Of course I use them to satisfy my intent.

I use one word to make you laugh and another to make you think, as those are my intentions.

I don't see an argument there.

As for Taboo vs History, I agree with you about the ramifications attached to words as a result of their usage in history, and the violence and degradation that has gone along with the use of those words.

However, it is also true that there are people who do enshrine the word, almost exalting it, a bit like the holy hand grenade of Antioch.

As I write this I have an idea that there are conflicting views on what to do with this word.

On the one hand, it could be put in a glass case in a museum and exhibited as an example of something never to be used. This keeps it powerful though as anyone who wishes to cause offence will simply see that as an invitation to take it and wreak havoc with it.

Alternatively it's power to humiliate, belittle, intimidate, subdue and instill fear might be watered down to the point that they are no longer significant attributes any more if it is redefined by popular usage such that that is the result.

Comedy and music have done a lot to achieve that. The word has evolved.

To say that once it is redefined, it is then reserved for the exclusive use of Black people, undermines the whole purpose of redefining it. By doing that, we discriminate on racial grounds again and we give the word back it's power, since the temptation (as above)always exists for those who do wish to offend, to say it, knowing that they are not allowed to lest they cause offence.

I don't think it has the power it once had, I think that it is given that power by people who are "offended" and "shocked" by it's use, and I think Richards was unlucky. Another crowd another day might not have been so hard. I think that once one person walked out, the rest joined them in cultural solidarity.

I'm not blaming people. It's still not a clear cut issue for most.

If you're Irish, then the famine and English occupation are as much a sore point as Slavery is to a black guy.

I have english friends who rib me with humour which includes the words "potato famine" etc. They know their history, and they try to get a rise out of me in good humour. I smile patronizingly at them and they collapse in fits of laughter. I then make monkeys out of them as I have a sharp wit and a word used to humiliate me only has as much power as I give it.

"Emancipate yourself from mental slavery" says bob marley - I quite agree!