Do you think that Black males should stop referring to each other as "the 'N' word"?

Question

I do. I think its degrating, disrespectful and demoralizing. A friend's boyfriend uses that name constantly with his "boys" and her and I both think its repulsive. But then his white "boys" are supposed to know not to call him that! He claims that he's not racist, but if that's the case, why is it only white people that can't use that term? His hispanic friends say it as well with no reprocusion. What gives??

Sorry Janeen; repercussion! Why so hateful? And why don't you have contact avail.?? You can spout bs out of your vile mouth, but you hide from challenge! Hmmm....

Answer 1

I think if they want to be respected more, yes, because most people I talk to think they are disrespecting themselves and "enslaving" themselves by doing that.

Take a wild guess as to why they don't like white people calling them that. I bet you can figure it out.

Answer 2

Honestly I think they can call themselves whatever they want. If they look ignorant, then that's their deal. Not all of them use it, though, so we can't speak of all black men as a group in this. The ones that do refer to each other as the N word HAVE BEEN corrected by other people of their race. Bill Cosby, Oprah, Morgan Freeman, and several other black celebrities have asked their younger generation to quit using the word to no avail. The part that bothers me is rap music is filled with people referring to each other as that word and if a white child should hear this and innocently use the word not knowing it's real meaning- it's the parents that get accused of racism. I'm not racist at all- but the ones that continuously refer to themselves in a degrading manner should not be shocked if someone such as my nephew spouts the word off without knowing the meaning.

Answer 3

I believe that black people should stop calling each other the "N" word also. It was inspired through a devilish nature. From what I understand, the word has it's roots as far back as Germany and came to England. It was a term the English used for beggars and the impoverished in England. Howbeit, it came to America and was quickly adapted to slaves. It is a word which promotes low self esteem. When blacks who were poor during slavery saw other blacks prospering, they would quickly call the prospering blacks the "N" word. This way those who stayed poor did not feel left behind by those who were progressing. The word was used invoke feelings of shame and low esteem in any black who tried to prosper. If I am nothing, then you are nothing also mentality. It has become a word which is rooted in jealousy and envy. I longer call another black man the "N" word, knowing what's really behind the meaning and reason people say it.

Answer 4

I'm a black guy and I use that word, but only around my closest black friends. I never use it around mixed company racially, because people may get the wrong impression. I never use it in a professional or even casual acquaintance setting. Basically, there are about 5 people outside my immediate family who I would use that word around. I don't even use that word around black girls. That word is strictly something that I use between me and my boys when just we are hanging out.

Why? Well, for me and my closest friends that word is representative of a lot. It representative of the closeness that we have between each other through thick and thin, as well as the struggles that we have personally gone through.

There is also history with that word and its derivitives. One thing that young black males have done is take that negative history and turn it to a positive, in the same way that some females have made the "b" word a symbol of power. Still, it can be used in a negative way, but when I am talking to my best friend from since I was six, he knows where I'm coming from and the exchange is mutual. Its power, partially because we took the word from a negative and made it a symbol of kinship, and partly because it means that we can't be told what to do. Instead of rejecting the word and letting its past control us, we embraced it.

Nonetheless, out of respect for my elders who lived through the sixties and the marches and getting firehosed, I will not use that word around a more mature crowd. Like I said, that word for me is reserved for use between me and my closest crew, and that's it.

Answer 5

It's historically a degrading word used by the white people, therefore when the while people use it today it still holds some magnitude of insult with it.

The reason it became a common slang term among the african americans and other minorities it seems, is that by them using that world, a lot of times as a "friendly" gesture, it takes the historic power away from the word. By having them use it, especially in a positive way, it gives the power of that word to them... if that makes sense.

Beyond that though, it's just a slang word with some social meaning behind it. I agree that it is kinda demeaning for them to call themselves that, but as long as they don't mean it in a negative way it's fine.

Answer 6

the "N" word was created and used by whites to hurt black people and make them feel inferior and labeled as people who were in some way defective and less than human.
the word did NOT go away, and is still used by white racists today to try to hurt and ridicule.
by taking this word and using it themselves black folk have taken the sting out of it, and taken the power away from the oppressor.
it cannot be used by a white person in a non-offensive way because it was created to be a destructive thing by whites, and unfortunately, we can't undo it now (i am white).
so, it is proper and right and affirming for them to use it with each other, and Hispanics, because they also have been hurt by white racism, are sometimes allowed to use it too.
to put it too simply, it is akin to that phrase, "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade," in that black folk have taken something awful and turned it into something good. quite a trick.
if you support these guys, let them say it. they've earned the right.

Answer 7

There is a difference, you see. I am a black female so listen carefully. I use the word ***** not so often but I do to my friends and famliy. Because "*****" is not "ni**er" see? So for a white guy to try to say that, can't because his ancestors used the word ni**er. They don't take offense becuase it is not used as an insult as whites had used it, and his white friends are white so there is a predisposed notation that he MAY NOT use it because he is white. As far as his hispanic friends, they have a mutual understanding, as most coloreds do. it is not being racist, it is sharing a type of common history that whites can not relate to. and that some coloreds don't understand because they can't stop living in the past ...its a colored thing, a mutaul understanding.

Answer 8

Some black men do this and some don't. You can not pin something on a whole group for the actions of some. I personally think it is a lack of self respect. It has been my experience that when I have observed this behavior that it was usually people who were not as well educated or mature as their peers. I bet you rarely if ever hear an educated and/or mature black man refer to his peers like this.

Answer 9

What's it to YOU, White girl?!

You let Blacks sort it out! Why do YOU want to use it so badly?

Get a life and a more important issue to concern yourself with!

Your spelling could use some attention! Focus on that!

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response to your little note:

Um... vile? do you know the definition? Also you had more than one misspelled word, dear! Someone with YOUR intellect is NO challenge to me! LOL I just don't see the need to be contacted by any ignorant weirdos on this site! I'm sorry, I don't need new friends or enemies emailing me. I just don't understand why you feel left out from using the N word! Sheesh!

Get a life... really.

Answer 10

Again go learn more about the black community and black history. Talk to black people about this. I see nothing wrong with the use of the word amongst black people, but if you ain't black you don't carry the history and don't even know how to use the word. The word can be used with love or hate.

Answer 11

I have occasionially asked Black coworkers and aquaintances to NOT use any language in front of me that they wouldn't like to hear me use as well. The word is either appropriate for everyone or for no one; anything less is a kind of reverse Jim Crow.

If your courteous request doesn't work, then you must start insisting that your friend teach you to "speak ghetto" ... every time he uses the word, repeat it back. "Is it ***-gER or ***-gAH? Say it again so I can get it right." He will get tired of this.