Serious question for black people. Only serious mature answers please.?

Question

My girl and I were standing in line to buy movie tickets the other night, and in front of us were these black men and women in their late teens and early twenty's talking to each other, and referring to each other as ni**er, as if that was their name.

This is my question.
Why is it acceptable for black people to speak to other black people that way?

I am hugely offended when I here white people use that word when referring to black people. There appears to be a double standard. Can someone please explain this to me?

Answer 1

I am black and i use the term *****. I could be talking to a white person.....It really doesn't matter. But basically black people turn that word from something negative to something positive. Symbolizing that since black people use it while talking to each other that it has lost the powerful meaning it once had as an insult, and now basically means dude,bro,etc. But that all changes when a white person says it because they first used it as a word to put black people down and insult them. Although i really don't care if somebody calls me that unless they are using it in an offensive way, because I'm cool with people from all races.

Answer 2

I'm offended and sick of hearing it from anyone (Black/White or whomever). It's a learned behavior that is exceptionally negative and will always have negative connotations attached ( no matter what kind of positive spin anyone tries to put on it) because the ("n" word) from its inception was NOT (nor ever will be) meant to uplift a human being. Negative habits can enslave any ones mind. After a while that type of communication becomes more and more adaptable and acceptable because the person speaking that way refuse learn and grow or make a change to what's familiar and accepted in their circle. It's takes a lot less effort to speak and behave in a negative manner.

The same thing exists when people choose to curse and swear. It's easy so why bother finding another way to communicate your feelings... why that's just too much trouble. Therefore, don't take time out to learn how to communicate in a way that would empower rather than degrade.

Not many people (White/Black or Whomever) want to take the time or effort to come out of the negative, so they go along (with the same old traditions/habits) to get along without even realizing or caring how much their words can destroy the soul. The negativity is then passed down from one generation to the next and re-enforced. Life and death are in the power of the tongue and the words we speak from it.

Answer 3

It seem that we as black people have ni**a, nicca, ni**er however you put a spin on it syndrome. Some ignorant blacks believe that by accepting the word and by using it without being malicious take away the sting and pain of the word and change the meaning. In my opinion no one should use the word and if a white person was to call a black person a ni**er that would want to kill them so yes its a double standard. But that only make us seem stupid because other racial groups don't call each other derogatory terms. It plain ignorance and need to stop.

Answer 4

I feel that the n word is used between us because from the beginning of slavery we were categorized immediately, and placed together due to skin color, and in the interim since our ancestors all had the same story, we felt as though we were a family and there was a bond. Fast-forward to today, the word was taken from stereotype and classification and turned into a term of endearment. We're not the only ones who have done something of that sort. I am also gay, and I have learned that the pink upside down triangle, was a symbol put on the homosexuals in the holocaust, and it is now used as a symbol of empowerment and representation for lesbians. I feel no matter what, we need to stop as a society, labeling one another, and each other for what we are, human beings. I respect you a lot for being someone who is white, to be offended by people of your own race for doing something that morally wrong to human kind. Honestly it is people like you who make a difference. I hope I have helped.

Answer 5

It's sub cultural when it's from ***** to *****. The word still stings when whites use it because.....well you know. It's not intended as an insult when it's black on black; actually it's used in an endearing way, as a greeting, or as a noun. We urban Latinos use it as well toward each other and towards blacks and it's accepted within the black community if we use it base on socioeconomic relations we share with African Americans. We live in the same neighborhoods so we are assimilated in to native community of poor urban non mainstream Americans. I'm not saying that use of the word is justified that's just the way things are guess. It's best you leave it alone because if you don't understand it now you never will.

Answer 6

White people frequently ask this question. First, let me say that not all black people use the 'n' word. I prefer not to. However, some black folks (especially the young ones) have taken it and used it to mean friend, homey, etc. When we use it its spelled n*gga. But they also use it derogatorily. Here are some examples of both positive and negative:

1.) Yo, that's my n*gga! means that's my boy or friend; somebody I'm cool with.

2.) That n*gga ain't sh*t. Means dude ain't worth a damn.

Black people have a way taking adversity and using it for the positive. It seems strange to those on the outside looking in but if you're from our culture it would make sense.

I don't understand a lot of stuff white people do but I just chalk it up to a difference in culture. That's what makes humans great!!!

Answer 7

First off it is not acceptable for anyone to use the N word.

The N word was created to degrade and downgrade a people. Some black people use the word without even thinking about it. I think that white people use it in it's original nature which is just as bad. There are also some white people who use the word as trying to "fit in." It's not a good look anyway you take it.

I did my best to explain it but there is a double standard when it comes to this word.

-Many of our forefathers once they heard that word new that harm or death was coming. I'm sure they are turning in their graves when they hear how some of us use this term on a daily basis.

Peace

Answer 8

It is double standard just like the one about a woman who has multiple partners is considered a "ho" but a guy is a "player" Considering the history of the word it should never be used at all. But we have to lead by example if we stop using it in the movies, rap songs and videos maybe it will filter out amongst the younger generation and then maybe we can be intelligent enough to find another term of endearment for each other.

Answer 9

ok its very easy u might not understand it this way but when black call ea other ni@@a it's a form of affection or it can be used jus keep the conversation movin but we do cuz we own our blackness and white dont an thass y it's offensive when white ppl say the word. it's a common ground 4us... it's jus like if u call yo wife a whore but its ok cuz shes ur wife but if somebody else calls her `1 then you'd be ready ta fight. it's a inside thing an white ppl will never fully truelly understand it. OK and for the record no white person or non black can answer this question with full knowledge behind it... if ur not black then leave it alone thas the problem know somebody non black always wanna say they know black ppl or how we think...

Answer 10

In the black community, the word ******* has been changed to ****.a as a term that simply means man dude etc. I think it's been embraced because it's a way for some black people to remove the negative connotation it once had. Since blacks are using it and calling eachother the name, it removed some of the power that it had when it was used by whites as a derrogatory name.

Just a guess. But don't ever say the word even if blacks are using it. It's still unacceptable for whites to say it. My fiance is white and when he says it in a song or whatever, I check his azz immediately.