Why is ***** a bad word to blacks?

Question

I mean ***** means black right? So why do they take it soo serious. Is it becuz it hurts in there heart or sumthing. any suggestions? I want to hear from african people. thanks

Answer 1

Technically speaking, the word ***** means black in Spanish.
It was a term used by the Spanish during the trans- Atlantic
slave trade.
Now, for the cultural clue, the fact is people of African decent
were transported to various parts of the world due to that slave
trade. Their identity was defined by their oppressors and not
by them. "*****" is just one of those unfortunate names.

Answer 2

Throughout history there have been words used to separate the black and white races (as well as many others) One of these words is ***** and more graphically "******". These were labels put on the black society demeaning them and separating them from the dominate race, the white race, who considered themselves to be better in every way. This name was also chosen for them at the beginning of slavery and the decades of suffering this was still a name that was used to hurt them and their people. They did not choose it for themselves instead they were la bled with it and not given the chance to be called what they were- Africans. Now there are many histories included in the Black race so to call all of them African-Americans is to be ignorant and incorrect. They have every right to be proud of their color, black, and it should not be considered derogatory in any way. That is the name that thier strong and powerful forefathers gave them, so why keep calling them by their "slave name"? I hope this answers your question. Just try and put yourself in thier shoes.

Answer 3

***** is a name that the white man gave to blacks, we now can speak for ourselves, we are African Americans that where taken from our homes in Africa, the white man has labeled us what he wanted us to be, we have fought long and hard for our own identity, so you keep the *****, and give us the respect that we ask for. We are not *****'s, WE ARE AFRICAN AMERICANS. that was brought here, and build the white mans America!!

Answer 4

No, because what about the United ***** Fund. Because it is just African Americans that can't afford college. I mean that sarcastically. Because I can't afford college and I am white disable female.

Answer 5

Just say black. Most of my friends prefer it. "African-American" really sounds like you're trying too hard, and is only appropriate for formal and/or VERY politically correct settings. But just hangin out... just say black. That's what they say.

I've never heard one call another "*****" except in a degrading way. It's an insult, even between one another. So is "****ER." ****-A isn't, and if you're really close with someone, you can even get away with saying that one. (But only if you're very close, heheh.) But yeah, usually just say black. Simple.

Answer 6

I wouldn't use *****.....that wouldn't be my first choice....as long as your not saying it to offend anyone.. then don't worry about it... but terms like "black" or "african american" are
much more acceptable in my opinion.... as long as your confident when you say it... and mean no harm.... then I think you're probably ok.... I say african american and my "black" friends make fun of me when I say it... they say... "dude... I'm black".... just be nice! the more you act nervous, the more prone you are to saying something stupid... and remember.. if someone does get offended ... "I'm sorry" works wonders.. =)

Answer 7

It's not a bad word. It just depends on how it's used. Some will use it as a slur, particularly in the U.S. In other countries, it's the standard term for black people.
In the U.S., it's just an outdated term, the same way calling Asians orientals is outdated.

Answer 8

I suppose it is the intent that hurts! Historically that was a bad term.
Strangly we are all of the same colour-- just different shades!

" What colour of skin did the man known as Jesus Christ have ? "
A -- No problem ! I can answer you. Your answer in one word "Brown" !

All the people on this planet Earth are descendants from the first couple -
Adam and Eve. We are ALL just shades of that same colour !

Hold a sheet of Real White and Real Black paper up against your skin.
I can tell you "for certain" that your skin colour matches neither of these
paper colour samples. We are all "off white - or - BROWN !

WE ARE ALL OF THE SAME COLOUR because we are all indeed
descendants of that couple. Because of protective pigmentation we
are of different shades indeed.

What a beautiful example of how OUR MAKER designed us and built
a protective system into our skins to protect us from the suns rays !

Few people realize that The Bible does not say anything in opposition to
what is referred to as "mixed marriages". This is precisely why.

If "mixed marriages" do not work in our society, as it is today, it is because
of the arrogance of man. To "prove" superiority they often use gross
misinterpretations of Bible passages or misapply a Bible passage to
make it look like it proves them correct.

Answer 9

Be prepared to be called racist, I've found that you can't ask black people anything w/o being called one. Even if you are just curious. That is stupid, though...I wouldn't get offended if I got called a Caucasian or white. You can't call them black either, sometimes not even African-American!

Answer 10

In Latin word ***** stand for BLACK in colors