MovieChat Forums > Pulp Fiction (1994) Discussion > Tarantino saying the N word...

Tarantino saying the N word...


This is why so many people regard him as racist. There's absolutely no reason for a white character who's not even a gangster or anything saying the N word to a black character. Especially a character like Jules Winfield, it doesn't even fit in the script. It's like Tarantino saw this as an opportunity to say the N word and get away with it.

He's justified the use of the word in movies like Django but there's no need for it here.

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I don't like Tarantino in general, but I think this was not a racist scene. "a white character who's not even a gangster"; what did you think his character was, a boy scout?! Anyway, it's unfortunate that many look for the use of a 6 letter magic word to define who is racist. The context of this scene is implicitly race neutral, but they don't care. Just like when Bill Maher used it and he was forced to apologize.
One important show that tackled this was WKRP. Johnny Fever said, "we're all racists". Which was meant in the most honest open minded way. That was before the PC police totally took over.

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"...what did you think his character was, a boy scout?!"

He sure looked like a boy scout.

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First of all the fact that you have a different set of rules for white people and black people makes you a racist. Secondly it's his character who is saying the "N-word", he's playing a character who obviously doesn't have a problem saying it. And geez it's almost as if Tarantino's character is supposed to be someone of low moral character, I know it's shocking isn't it?

Also Samuel L Jackson said the N-word repeatedly throughout the entire film.

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"First of all the fact that you have a different set of rules for white people and black people makes you a racist."

Ok, you're a dumbass confirmed. There is definitely a completely different set of rules for white people using the N word due to historical context. I shouldn't even have to explain this but apparently people want to pretend like they're stupid.

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No one should use that word and you just demonstrated your own racism.

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If black people want to take back that word and turn it into something positive that only they can use, more power to them. You're not their slavemaster to tell them what they can and can't say. If anyone is coming across racist here it's you.

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So now you’re trying to excuse using a highly offensive word by some people because of the color of their skin, yes you are the very definition of a racist.

That’s right I’m not a slavemaster I never claimed to be, the only one attempting to be a slavemaster and regulate what people can and cannot say is yourself. Seek help kid.

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I'm clearly talking to a colossal moron here. Keep telling black people what they can and can't say. Racist douchenozzle.

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I'm clearly talking to a bigoted racist here. You are the one telling people what they can and can't say, not only that but you are making special exceptions for some people based off the color of their skin. Racist bigot.

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I flat out said no one should use that word, the only argument here is you think certain people should say it, you have serious issues

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Ah, so if white people can't use it then no one can use it right? Like I said, you're a racist idiot.

Black people have taken the word back and turned it into something positive for them and only them, you're no one to take that away from them. Stay in your lane and shut the hell up.

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No one should use it because it's offensive, I don't appreciate the strawman either. There is no taking back the word, there is no "making something positive" about it, and the fact that you seem to think there is speaks volume about your character.

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Black people sure think so, that's why they use it as a term of endearment that only they can use. But of course you know what's best for black people because you're a racist dictator. Like I said, stay in your lane and shut up.

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"But of course you know what's best for black people" Strawman I didn't say that nor did I imply that.

And that's pretty pathetic that anyone could ever think that word is a "term of endearment", you have serious issues and you seem to be stuck in the 1800's

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"And that's pretty pathetic that anyone could ever think that word is a "term of endearment"

Racist bigot confirmed. You just called a sizeable portion of the black population 'pretty pathetic'.

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Naw I'm trying to encourage people to learn from the mistakes of the past and move on. You seem to be stuck in the slavemaster days, I bet you wish slavery was still legal you bigot. The only person here who thinks the word is acceptable is yourself as you clearly said it was a "term of endearment" those are YOUR words not mine.

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"You just called a sizeable portion of the black population 'pretty pathetic'." Lay off the strawman you'll catch on fire.

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You don't even know what strawman means. You literally said 'it's pretty pathetic that anyone could ever think that word is a term of endearment' and it's a fact that many black people use the word as a term of endearment. Don't try and backtrack now. Your words have not been misrepresented, they have simply been thrown back in your racist face.

You absolutely suck at debating by the way.

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And I never said that black people were "pretty pathetic" like you claimed I did. Also I never said anyone was pathetic because of the color of their skin, it is pathetic however if you have such low self esteem that you think the Nword is a "term of endearment" (your words not mine), it could be a white, black, brown, orange, pink person for all I care, if you think the Nword is a "term of endearment" then that is pathetic. I have plenty of black friends and NONE of them use the word (because I associate myself with people of high moral character unlike yourself). You are alone, you are one of the few racists in this country who thinks that word is a "term of endearment". You are an absolute disgrace, you are first and foremost a racist and then when you're called out on it you immediately attack the character of anyone who dares to disagree with your racism and then you build up a strawman. You are a sick person.

EDIT: You clearly don't know how to read, I said thinking that the Nword is a "term of endearment" is pathetic, I never said the person was pathetic, yes you did strawman.

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I don't see you denying that black people use the N word as a term of endearment because you can't. And if you can't deny it, you've just called a sizeable portion of the black population 'pretty pathetic'. And since you want to get hung up on semantics because you absolutely suck at debating, we can change your assertion to - black people who use the N word as a term of endearment are pretty pathetic. Either way, it confirms you're a racist bigot.

You're clearly one of those idiots who can't admit when they're wrong. In this case, you're wrong and you're a racist.

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"I don't see you denying that black people use the N word as a term of endearment because you can't" It's not a "term of endearment" it's insulting and derogatory, you are the only one who thinks it's a "term of endearment"

Strawman I never said anyone was pathetic aside from yourself. I said it's pathetic to have such low self esteem that an incredibly racist and offensive word is a "term of endearment" you either can't read or you are dishonest, which is it?

Naw you're clearly a racist who has a really fucked up sense of self righteousness. (although I'll also accept troll or kid with down syndrome, those would make sense also)

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LOL this is hilarious now. Dancing around the point to avoid admitting the fact that black people use the N word as a term of endearment ALL THE TIME. The moment you admit that is the moment your entire argument crumbles and you expose yourself as a racist douchenozzle.

Keep dancing to avoid that trap you created yourself, this is entertaining.

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Because it isn't a "term of endearment" you idiot. It's a word used to insult slaves pre-1865. You are the only one trying to excuse it, you are the one who has race issues. The idea that me saying dont' use the N-word is somehow racist just shows that you are either A) A troll, B) a bigot, C) have down syndrome, D) a combination of A and/or B, and/or C. You can use the N-word as a "term of endearment" all you want, it doesn't make it right.

Also my previous comment is confirmed, you did mean the autistic comment as an insult or else you wouldn't have kept this up. You are a liar and a racist and now you insult people with special needs. Your Dad should have his testicles surgically removed so he can't bring anymore people like you into this world (BTW in case you care I am on the spectrum jackass).

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Aw I take back the insults then. I'm quite impressed that I was able to identify that you're on the spectrum via a text argument.

But this also confirms that i've been right this whole time. No offense, but if you're autistic you won't understand the underlying intent and emotion behind certain words. It all depends on context.

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Save your pity, and I understand it perfectly, and quite frankly I don't need your incredibly warped and bigoted false sense of sanctimony. You are utterly pathetic, you are a racist hypocrite and I feel beyond sorry for you. And you were owned by someone on the spectrum, maybe you should rethink your position????? (just a little advice).

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Haha ok buddy. Anything you say.

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Your concession is noted. But tell yourself whatever you have to to be able to sleep at night (I'm guessing you already do).

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"stay in your lane and shut up."

Naw I don't think I'm going to, as I previously said you are not that smart nor are you that important.

Also irony alert: The only one trying to excuse the usage of that word is yourself.

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Also it seems you have the reading comprehension of a 4 year old but I clearly said NO ONE should use it which includes white people you racist bigot. Also "stay in your lane"??? Naw I don't need you to tell me what I can and can't think, you aren't that smart or important.

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White people can't use it by default which is why you're trying to dictate whether black people can use it. Again, you're not a slavemaster. You're a racist idiot though that's for sure.

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No one should use it, because it's offensive and derogatory. YOU are the one trying to regulate what ANYONE can say, you are the slavemaster you racist. I clearly said NO ONE should use the word which includes white and black people you dumbass.

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"No one should use it, because it's offensive and derogatory."

Apparently the notion of context escapes racist idiots. Black people typically use it as a term of endearment which is further highlighted by their pronunciation of the word. Like I said, they took the word back and made it their own. But unfortunately we've still got racist bigots like yourself trying to police the word for the one category of people it affects. You're absolutely pathetic.

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Apparently the notion of being a complete hypocrite escapes racist biogts like yourself. You just called the N-word a "term of endearment" you are the only one trying to excuse it, you have serious issues and you need to go to some sort of sensitivity training seminar. There is no "taking it back" get that out of your head, the word was offensive then and it's offensive now. I'm just asking for consistency here, it shouldn't be socially acceptable for ANYONE to say because it was used to insult slaves back in the 1800's, you are the only one arguing that the word should be used, only you. You are a sad, pathetic, miserable human being and I feel sorry for you because you're such a horrible, racist bigot.

EDIT: Also in case you care when I said NO ONE should use that word you only said that I was trying to regulate the speech of black people. More evidence of your racism.

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"There is no "taking it back" get that out of your head"

Go and tell that to the black population bigot. Fortunately they don't give a damn what you think.

"I'm just asking for consistency here, it shouldn't be socially acceptable for ANYONE to say"

Oh no, everyone please change your language so this random idiot racist on moviechat.org feels better about the use of the N word. There isn't consistency because there's a little thing called CONTEXT which you clearly don't understand. How you say a word and the person using it makes a HUGE difference. I think you possibly may be autistic, and I don't mean that in an insulting way.

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It's not my job to talk to the "black population" you moron. The word is offensive and derogatory and no one should use it (that's my opinion), YOU Are the only person trying to excuse it so don't even attempt to call me racist when you are the one who thinks the word is a "term of endearment"

"Oh no, everyone please change your language so this random idiot racist on moviechat.org feels better about the use of the N word" The more you build up the strawman, the longer it's gonna burn.

"How you say a word and the person using it makes a HUGE difference." If you think there are two different sets of rules based on the color of your skin then that makes you racist. Comical irony alert douchebag aka the person who claims the word is a "term of endearment", you either have like 50 extra chromosomes or you were severely abused as a child. (or maybe a combination of both)

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Autism confirmed. Again, I don't mean it in an insulting way, but your thought patterns are very repetitive and rigid reminiscent of an autistic child. You get hung up on the literal meaning of words and can't think dynamically. You should see a doctor pal, you might not be racist after all. You just have a brain disorder.

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So how many extra chromosomes do you have? Is it 40 or 50???? You need to see a psychologist and maybe a counselor, I don't know what your parents did to you but I do know I want to punch them in the face for raising such a pathetic racist such as yourself (yes I called YOU pathetic, No one else)

EDIT: You did mean the autistic comment as an insult you disingenuous shit. But what can I expect from someone who thinks the N-word is a "term of endearment"

EDIT: My suspicions are confirmed, you did use the autistic comment in a derogatory manner just like the N-word is derogatory. You are a sick person.

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Calm down son, no need to be punching eachothers parents in the face. No point in us arguing anymore since this confirms I was right all along.

By the way, I know you're on the spectrum but don't go around calling people down syndrome as an insult. You should have more empathy considering you have a disorder yourself. We're all human at the end of the day.

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Nothing confirmed you were right, your position is that the N-word is a "term of endearment" which not only is beyond racist but it goes against the social norms that we have established.

As for the "down syndrome" remark I was just giving you a taste of your own medicine, if you can't take it then don't dish it out.

EDIT: I also confirmed that you are dishonest as you claimed I called "black people pathetic" which I didn't. I said YOU were pathetic and that it's pathetic to think the Nword is a "term of endearment" , you have the debate skills of a 2 year old.

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You're not giving me a taste of my own medicine, you're just randomly making fun of people with down syndrome to try and insult me. As I said, me calling you autistic wasn't an insult at all, the proof being that I was spot on with my assertion. I was just making an observation on your thinking pattern.

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I did give you a taste of your own medicine,(I owned your ass and you were too stupid to notice it) you randomly made fun of people with autism and I proved that you did, don't attempt to portray it as anything more than an insult. Now of course you didn't get under my skin, I'm a lot more mature than you are, but quit being dishonest. (but what can I expect from someone who thinks the N-word is a "term of endearment"). You see everything through the prism of race and we are never going to move forward as a society as long as we have race baiters and bigots such as yourself.

EDIT: Also I'd like to point this out as you clearly don't understand the difference between our universe and the "Pulp Fiction Universe" Tarantino created, but it's Tarantino's character saying the word, NOT Tarantino himself, his character is not someone we are supposed to sympathize with or relate to, his character is a scumbag and that's one reason why he uses the word (the same logic applies to Samuel L. Jackson's character). In A Time To Kill the KKK members played by Kurtwood Smith and Keifer Sutherland said the word as well and it's the characters who we are not supposed to sympathize with who are saying it NOT Kurtwood Smith and Keifer Sutherland, it seems you are the one who doesn't quite have a firm grasp on reality.

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Can I ask you a honest question: How do you look at yourself in the mirror every day and not vomit??? It can't be easy. My advice is this, you need to sign up for 3 seminars:

1) A racial sensitivity course
2) A reading comprehension course
3) A debate skills course (you do nothing but repeat yourself and I caught you strawmanning)

Counselling probably wouldn't hurt either.

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The role was actually written for Steve Buscemi, and QT had also tried to cast James Woods and Jeff Goldblum in the role. Neither were available and QT filled the position at the last minute. So it wasn’t just an excuse for him to drop some n-bombs because he intended for others to say them.

I think the line is meant to be referencial to 70’s exploitation dialog, where side characters randomly dropped the n-word in ways that seemed totally pointless and unnecessary.

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Steve Buscemi would've been way more convincing in the role.

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We don't really know that much about that character, though. How gangster was he? We know he was one of Jules' "partners" so they seemed to know each other well.

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Jimmy seems to be close friends with Jules; it's also shown that Jimmy's wife is black. We can extrapolate from these two things that Jimmy is probably the "token white friend" in an otherwise non-white group of friends. Right or wrong, he probably has absorbed certain words into his vocabulary. That Jules puts up with it tells us that he and Jimmy have an understanding on this particular front. But Jules probably puts up with it because he's asking Jimmy to hide a dead body.

Now, that's the characters.

As to whether or not Tarantino is justified in using it here...well, maybe maybe not. I'd personally say that a writer should write what he or she wants and depict a world however they want.

Does it make Tarantino a racist? No. I don't think so. Samuel L. Jackson doesn't think so, either. There's an interview where he says as much, citing that Tarantino often makes Jackson's character the smartest one in the room. If Tarantino was racist, argues Jackson, he wouldn't make the black guy the smartest one in the room ever.

But, to your point that stuff like this is why people think he's racist: yeah, I'd say you're pretty on-the-mark with that one. I think people see this movie (or other Tarantino pictures) and think he's a racist because they assume any whiteboy using the word is a racist. It's not a bad assumption in a lot of circumstances. But, then again, most people watching the movies don't know Tarantino like Samuel L. Jackson does, nor do they have an appreciation or respect for how writers operate.

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"Jimmy seems to be close friends with Jules; it's also shown that Jimmy's wife is black."

And? Just because you have a black wife doesn't mean you get an automatic pass to throw around the N word in a derogatory manner.

Anyway, I think my point is getting muddied here. The point is, that Tarantino has tried to justify his excessive use of the N word recently by citing the time period of some of his movies (Django for example), but here is an example of where it's at best, completely unnecessary, and at worst not even believable within the context of the scene. I actually don't think he's racist, but he needs to just admit he loves using the word in his movies instead of hiding behind lame excuses like the time period of his movies.

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Well, sure, I don't know why he's using the word. It could be shock value. It could be that he thinks its outrageous and funny. It could be that his favourite movies are blaxploitation films and he's mimicking the language there. Who knows?

Prior to Django, he did justify his use of the word by just saying that it was authentic to the characters he was making and a writer can make any choices he wants. Now, again, exactly why as a writer he feels the need to do that...I don't know.

I don't think having a black wife or a black friend would justify using the word. My point was that maybe Jimmy feels like he's justified in saying it because of those factors. Jimmy would be, in my opinion, wrong, but that would still mean Jimmy would feel okay using it (and, thus, as a writer, Tarantino might put it in there).

Another in-scene reason might be that Jimmy is feeling REALLY angry and wants to anger Jules. Jules only doesn't rise to it because he's more worried about the body than he is about Jimmy's jerk-off mouth.

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It's Tarantino's character saying the word within the context of the Pulp Fiction universe that we do not exist in. Also the film itself is not justifying the usage of the word, we are not supposed to think Jimmy is a person of high moral character. The OP doesn't really seem to understand the difference between reality and fantasy.

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ONE OF THE FUNNIEST PARTS OF THE MOVIE...SAYING A MAN PLAYING A DIFFERENT MAN IN A MOVIE CANT SAY A WORD TO ANOTHER MAN PLAYING ANOTHER MAN BECAUSE OF ANYTHING....THATS HOW YOU CAN TELL YOURE A RACIST.

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You can't undo the fact that it's already in the film.

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