the N-word

[Messica]

From recent events, people who arent of african descent who are also arent racist have been called out for being 'racist' for using the terminology. I would like to be educated on the real basis on the N-word. This is my take, and if it is wrong, please calmly educate me on the matter.

 

From what I know, the n-word derives from the words negro "which means black" and the latin word niger "colour black"

African american's take offense from the n-word and even the word negro itself, (in which even now several people take offense of the word negro itself) because it takes of slavery history from the transatlantic slavery. Are we meant to take offense of the word because of its origin, or because of the meaning is has changed into.

 

If we were to talk origins, the n-word doesnt originate from the times of slavery, but even before that. The n-word itself with the negative connotation wasnt even invented at the start of the trans atlantic slave trade by a century afterwards in 1644 in Virigina. For centuries it was a word to describe colour and race without any connotation. The term negro/niger was first used by the portuguese and Spanish to describe people with the colour (not derogatory) when finding the sea route to india. The term wasnt only used on africans but also people of other races, such as some Indians, and most Filipinos at the time for their skin colour (still no negative connotation) even with these countries experiencing colonialization, there was still no negative connotation of the word. The term in the Philippines is still used for people from the Island of Negros (which has a population reaching 5 million) regardless of colour. From this, we have establises that people of africans or to be politically correct, black people arent the only race with the colour. Even some indonesians are called black for solely their colour despite the high desirability of having white skin (not necessarily having any negative connotation). Also only africans from west africa participated in the atlanic slave trade. Although, africans from other parts were involved in slavery with countries from the east (Ottomans, Arabians and Indians), the term was not induced to these peoples, and in comparison, the volume of trade was relatively minor. Thus the term was not used towards people from southern, Eastern and Northern Africans (sans sub sahara) .Therefore if talking about origins of the term is not applicable for reason of offense.

 

If we were to talk meaning. The term has changed several times as shown above. If term should be referred to as offensive, the meaning of the word niger or negro had negative connotations over time as a result of the transatlantic slave trade and slavery in America.  Advocates in the 60's and 70's thought the term black was more offensive than Negro while some thought otherwise. But obviously we are talking 2013. Yes there are still several people who think the term negro or the n-word as offensive. But he meaning too has also changed dramatically. Young people of all races are using this term with a friendly manner and today, the term is rarely used with any negative connotations as there are still a few extremists among other people. The term is used with rather a positive and friendly connotation to refer to a friend. If we are to go by this, then there should be no negative connotation to the word since the meaning has quite changed a bit. There is also an increasingly amount of black people who no longer take the word as offensive. But although there are several black people who think the term isnt offensive, there are also several black people who think otherwise. There are even African American personalities use the word several times publicly, and even promote it, and promote is as friendly term. Some like Tupac Shakur quote, "Niggers were the ones on ropes, Niggas are the ones on gold chains". As said the term nigga are advocated by English teachers and professors and african americans alike differentiate the term nigga from the offensive n-word. This notion of the n-word being friendly is now mainstream. Therefore the term nigga should be seen as friendly if we are going by meaning.

 

If you think that the term altogether is offensive. Then black people over all shouldnt be using it either. Sure, its said to be unoffensive when used by Black people (since it is used amongst with a friendly meaning), but it influences others to say the word nigga (with friendly connotation) which hurt and offense to some people. If so the term should be banned altogether amongst black people and non-black people. 

 

Personally, my black friends ( some not from western africa, some from America, from from sierra leone which is from western africa) dont think its offensive, and even allow me and even tell me to say it amonst them. But I am not sure about this. What should I do?

[sleep]

safest bet: if you're white, don't use it without lengthy disclaimers and a certain level of trust.

[Nurse XIA]

safest bet: if you're not white, don't use it without lengthy disclaimers and a certain level of trust.

I personally don't think that any race should use the n-word. This includes black people too. 

[Punk Princess]

I personally don't think that any race should use the n-word. This includes black people too. 

 

This. 

[sleep]

I personally don't think that any race should use the n-word. This includes black people too. 

 

i agree to an extent.

[Nurse XIA]

i agree to an extent.

Why only to an extent? 

[Taku]

I personally don't think that any race should use the n-word. This includes black people too. 

 

Why? These people have more right than any of us to use the term... 

[tamar braxton]

safest bet: if you're not white, don't use it without lengthy disclaimers and a certain level of trust.

 

not white?

[dnylol]

any tldr?

 

anyway if you don't really feel comfortable when saying it, then don't

 

and when you don't say it at all, it makes a good habit so you don't accidentally say it in front of people who feel offended

[Hoplz]

any tldr?

Me lol

[Nurse XIA]

Why? 

It is a negative word in my opinion. I'm not speaking about negro. I'm talking about the actual N-word. I really don't care that the word has been turned into a term of endearment. I just personally don't like to hear anyone say it, nor do I think it's okay for me to say it just because I happen to be black. 

[Hemlock]

Why? 

reread the second to last paragraph. 

 

I agree. People should just not use the word altogether, black or not. 

[heuieuu]

I'm not black, but I'm always shocked when I hear a non-black person use the N-word lol

[honeybear]

but u can call a white person a cracker or a honkey

 

i guarantee u nobody will care

[sleep]

Why only to an extent? 

 

i believe one of two things should happen: either no one uses it, or everyone does.

these days, especially in pop culture, the word is relatively quickly becoming watered down into filler-word/curseword status (e.g., "fuck" is both a curseword and just plain a filler or exclamation). personally, i like this route, as most folks (esp. in the West) have some general understanding of its negative past, respect that past to a varying degree, and (perhaps) use it as a semi-intentional, ironic middle-finger to that dark past.

 

'course the other route is no one uses it, and for obvious reasons i'm all on board for that, too.

 

 

regardless, i am but one man, and shall therefore remain respectful and keep my crackerass mouf shut with that word, excluding certain circumstances.

 

 

 

not white?

 

shit, fixd. lol my b

[Jack Dawson]

I don't use any racial slurs.... its really easy not too.

[margarinebuttercheese]

Choices of words. Many other words can be use, but why N-word. Can't people just properly address other people as what they are, not using terms or such words.

[Scribbles]

I personally don't think that any race should use the n-word. This includes black people too. 

This.

[sane]

TL;DR lol

 

 

 

Interestingly, I know way more Asian people who say it than black people. For some reason a lot of Asian American youths are obsessed with being black, but not really being black   

Has anybody else noticed this? 

 

 

 

 

 

I don't use any racial slurs.... its really easy not too.

 

This tho.

[Nurse XIA]

but u can call a white person a cracker or a honkey

 

i guarantee u nobody will care

I care actually, and I don't use any racial slurs at all. I don't want to be called a nigga, so I most definitely do not call white people a cracker or hunky

 

 

i believe one of two things should happen: either no one uses it, or everyone does.

these days, especially in pop culture, the word is relatively quickly becoming watered down into filler-word/curseword status (e.g., "fuck" is both a curseword and just plain a filler or exclamation). personally, i like this route, as most folks (esp. in the West) have some general understanding of its negative past, respect that past to a varying degree, and (perhaps) use it as a semi-intentional, ironic middle-finger to that dark past.

 

'course the other route is no one uses it, and for obvious reasons i'm all on board for that, too.

 

 

regardless, i am but one man, and shall therefore remain respectful and keep my crackerass mouf shut with that word, excluding certain circumstances.

 

 

 

 

shit, fixd. lol my b

 

I see where you are coming from with this. 

[tamar braxton]

Interestingly, I know way more Asian people who say it than black people. For some reason a lot of Asian American youths are obsessed with being black, but not really being black   

Has anybody else noticed this? 

 

No

 

Strong generalization

[DocumentaLy]

If you have to jump through all these hoops, it's best not to use it.

[honeybear]

they aren't racial slurs

 

honky back then was to refer to westerners

 

and  cracker back then was used for slaves to call the people who whipped them

it's basically calling them their masters, superiors, etc

 

it's not like white people have been through any oppression either, you know from taking over the world for spices and whatnot

so there's no real history behind the terms for them to get offended by

 

I care actually, and I don't use any racial slurs at all. I don't want to be called a nigga, so I most definitely do not call white people a cracker or hunky

 

I see where you are coming from with this. 

[s4a]

Racial slurs of any kind are not ok. And no, words becoming more "commonplace" in vernacular does not excuse this thought. 

 

The diminishing of the impact of a word often comes from those who benefit from not having to feel the direct effect of the slur's historical impact and/or social implication so I don't really accept that as a reason to remove a word's offensiveness.

 

A good lesson in life: If you're not sure if you should say something or not, don't.

[Popero44]

TL;DR lol

 

 

 

Interestingly, I know way more Asian people who say it than black people. For some reason a lot of Asian American youths are obsessed with being black, but not really being black   

Has anybody else noticed this? 

 

 

 

 

 

This tho.

I notice with some Asians here and there.