why?
2006-06-09 08:32:19 · 7 answers · asked by dan p 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
For the same reason that gay men might call each other f*gg*t, or that others often refer to themselves as queer.
When the group with the most power (in the US that would be white men) belittles another group with a putdown word, such as "n*gg*r" or "the little woman," there is seldom any doubt in the marginalized group what the words mean, though the powerful group seldom realizes at first how very much they are doing to damage people.
When a group "takes back" such a negative word, and turns it into their ~own~ word, it's like stealing the powerful people's power. It is very empowering. It also takes the wind out of the idiot's sail, and helps destroy the ability of the word and its users to belittle. Obviously, it won't change the balance of power overnight, but it sure is a step in the right direction. And the reality is that marginalized groups don't have a whole lot of steps they can take in the right direction, as the ones in power deny them those.
This is one reason that I, as a white person, have a responsibility to tell the people around me - even when it's difficult or might cause a problem - that I don't want to hear that garbage because it's stupid and damages lives. I don't know that it does a lot of good, but I do know that my kids' friends all know they'll be subjected to an angry lecture if they use certain words (or express certain ideas) in my hearing.
2006-06-09 11:50:24 · answer #1 · answered by LazlaHollyfeld 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
N-i-g-g-a (a term of endearment used by some african-americans) evolved from the derogatory word n-i-g-g-e-r. They are two very different words. There is a better explaination at this site:
2006-06-09 15:39:27 · answer #2 · answered by gr8_smyll 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Brother or Sister
2006-06-09 15:36:38 · answer #3 · answered by cancer 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You know what I don't have a clue. It brought so much pain to this country and now they use it like its a good thing. I'm just as confused as you are.
2006-06-09 15:37:59 · answer #4 · answered by play_romantic 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's a way we say wassup or what's happening , what's going on , how you been and it's not n-i-g-g-e-r it's n-i-g-g-a were not been racist toward eachother,it's way we greet eachother but if it come out of a white person mouth that is racist and for all people who are racist I will pray for ya'll
2006-06-09 15:46:13 · answer #5 · answered by future_one2009 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
cause thats what they are Andy
2006-06-09 15:36:26 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
what's wrong with it?
2006-06-09 16:50:58 · answer #7 · answered by Maus 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋