White folks have all the time mocked, appropriated, or stolen Black tradition, however because the web grew to become extra commonplace all through the 2000s, there have been much more conversations being had publicly concerning the conduct. “The Actual World: New Orleans” season from 2000 featured a home member named Julie who wanted to be educated about racial slurs after a swamp tour information dropped the n-word in entrance of them, outraging the Black housemates. “Why is it not okay for me to say it, however it’s okay so that you can say it?” she requested. this by way of a 2024 lens, it looks like probably the most preposterous query conceivable, and it is much more head-turning when her continued questioning consists of her saying out loud, “What’s up my [n-word]?”
And but, within the wake of the homicide of George Floyd round 20 years later, everybody from NPR to the BBC had been publishing articles explaining to white folks why they cannot say the n-word.
The yr earlier than “Shaun of the Lifeless” debuted, Jamie Kennedy starred in “Malibu’s Most Wished,” a comedy movie a few wealthy white child who pretends to “act hood,” dropping the n-word throughout a rap battle and incomes a rightful spot within the dumpster after the gang throws him out. The yr after “Shaun of the Lifeless,” Vince McMahon informed John Cena to “stick with it, my [n-word]” on reside nationwide tv, with Black wrestlers Booker T and Queen Sharmell watching in horror. The section has since been faraway from Peacock and WWE Community for apparent causes.
That is to say that, whereas it definitely would not make the inclusion acceptable, to behave as if this wasn’t grossly widespread on the time is frankly, ahistorical. As Simon Pegg defined additional, the joke was to immediately touch upon the commonplace conduct on the time.
