Follow Newser on Twitter   Friend Newser on Facebook
Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Why 'Whore' Isn't the N-Word

Jerry Brown is right: Slur isn't the female equivalent of the N-word

By Drew Nelles,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 14, 2010 11:20 AM CDT

(Newser) – Was Tom Brokaw right when he told California gubernatorial candidate Jerry Brown that calling someone a “whore” is "to many women the same as calling an African American the 'N' word”? Not quite, Joan Walsh writes in Salon. “Whore” is a “crude and loaded word that doesn't belong in a political campaign,” Walsh says, but it’s “become gender-neutral, especially when applied to politicians”—it just means you’d do anything for money.

The supposed controversy stems from a Brown campaign aide calling Meg Whitman a “whore” for making a deal with a union in exchange for an endorsement. But most women don’t think the slur is equal to the N-word, and if anything is, it’s “that nasty C-word,” Walsh writes. “People are using the euphemism ‘the N-word’ while ‘whore’ seems to roll off a lot of pundit's tongues. This is a made up controversy, and California deserves better"

Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman shakes hands with her opponent, Democrat Jerry Brown after their third and final debate held at Dominican University in San Rafael, Calif.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman shakes hands with her opponent, Democrat Jerry Brown after their third and final debate held at Dominican University in San Rafael, Calif.   (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, Pool)
California gubernatorial candidates Democrat Jerry Brown debates against Republican Meg Whitman at Dominican University of California on Oct. 12, 2010 for their third and final debate.
California gubernatorial candidates Democrat Jerry Brown debates against Republican Meg Whitman at Dominican University of California on Oct. 12, 2010 for their third and final debate.   (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, pool)
Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman answers a question.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman answers a question.   (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, Pool)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Jerry Brown's camp was caught calling Meg Whitman a whore, and now he's answering for it during the final gubernatorial debate.   (knbc)

View larger videos >>
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next »
My TakeCLICK BELOW TO VOTE
10%
1%
3%
49%
1%
35%
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 17 comments
LoginsSuck
Oct 15, 2010 3:25 PM CDT
The fact that they say "whore" and say "N-word" tells you that "N-word" is much worse. They can say whore but not , well you know...
beerpongchampion
Oct 14, 2010 5:20 PM CDT
Hold on, While the word "Whore" dose not belong in politics but it is in no way close to the N word. While Both words do in fact spark a emotional response from the receptor. the word whore describes the Actions of one particular female while the N word is used to classify an entire race of people regardless of their actions. Next you people are going to have a problem with people calling a female dog a bitch .. Well it is a bitch, and if you act like a bitch im going to call you one too. Stop having a aneurysm every time some one slips up
Arthurpa
Oct 14, 2010 3:12 PM CDT
Have you ever been called a Whore? If so, you know it doesn't feel good. Does the same emotionally and the N word.
Politics • US

 
California • sexism • Meg Whitman • Jerry Brown • gubernatorial races • Jerry Brown Meg Whitman • n-word • Jerry Brown whore

More Newser Stories

Jerry Brown's $37M Trumped Whitman's $179M

Brown, Whitman Get Nasty in Final Debate

Jerry Brown Aide: Let's Call Meg Whitman a Whore

Jerry Brown Compares Meg Whitman to Goebbels

Whitman to Brown: You're Behind Housekeeper Story
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Timelines   |   Geek Sugar   |   Business Insider   |   HuffPost Entertainment