Why is it that many blacks have no problem calling each other the "N" word?

Question

Now if a white person were to do do they would be beat up or killed. Now please understand I don't think anyone should be using that horrible word but I think it just shows the duality of the Jesse Jackson crowd.

Answer 1

thank you for asking this, this is something alot of us wonder... i dont like the word and i dont think whites should use it, nor should blacks... i think it should be a peaceful world, but then what would be the purpose of living? ( I AM NOT BEING RASCIST )

Answer 2

It's interesting how someone asks a legitimate question regarding race and the racists show themselves early on (one of the answers above) ... that said, good question. As an African American, I can say this. Most people know about the origin of the word, so there's no point in talking about that. I think the reason African Americans began using the word initially was an attempt at changing the word's connotation. An attempt to detract from the negative meaning of the word by using it themselves as a term of endearment. When a white person uses the term (in most cases), they are not attempting to use it in this fashion. They are attempting to use it as a racial slur. That is the difference. It's almost like calling your little brother or sister something somewhat derogatory yet affectionately, but if someone else does it, it's a different story. That's the only analogy that comes to mind.

As it is, I personally don't think the word should be said by anyone. There's too many things associated with it that need to remain in the past.

Answer 3

I think that a lot of people who use the word really don't know the hurt and problems that it has caused in the course of history. It's a horrible word and no one should use it, especially in mixed company. The younger generation just don't know the hate that is behind a word like that, on the other hand, they also use it with the A ending and with the slang it could mean something like a friend or your brother, white people tend to use it with the ER ending and tend to end up in an ER. So, it's all in how you use the word ( not saying that any of it is right), but the safest thing to do is not use it at all no matter what color you are. I hope that I've made it a little easier to understand, even though, it's not understanable, you understand me :). Good luck.

Answer 4

It's a common rhetorical tool used by a multitude of repressed groups. Gay people have re-adopted the word "queer" which was an insult. Many women are proud to call themselves a "*****". The yellow star and the pink triangle are symbols that came to us from the Nazis to label Jews and gays. Each group has adopted those as symbols. It shows repression and strength simultaneously.

When the insulted group adopts the word, it helps to take away the sting when it's used by the majority group.

And I can guarantee you that Jess Jackson has never used that word unless it was in quoting something.

It is commonly used in the hip-hop world. Now, I'm not going to try to tell you that all these hip-hop artists understand that's what they're doing, nor are most of them doing it consciously. The shift was made decades ago and it's become standard in the community (thus the effectiveness of the reclamation of the word.)

Simple...It's about power.

Answer 5

Very interesting question, and I think that the answer to it goes back into the conundrums and nuances of American social history. Do not be confused that this concept of Black people calling each other "n" word is somethign to be considered good/terrible or bad, rather it is a cultural phenomenom that can actually be traced to the White man. Since the slave days and the subjugation of the Blacks, the African people were referred to as "n". As time progressed and freedom was granted, it became simply as a slang term to refer to a Black man. The offense of this word was undermined, however, through the cultivation of the Hip-hop/rap culture. The first time a white man paid an uneducated Black man who so commonly referred to his people as "n's" was when this movement became a cultural thing. If this rapper can say it and get the big bucks, then it's ok, it's cool. So, the trend began. Atleast that's my take...

Answer 6

Check the etymology. ****** is in the Bible "The land of Niggeroth"

Also several variations of the *** prefix. In archaic Persian and Hebrew it meant South or the people from the South, Southerner.

So all those Rednecks in Alabama are a lot closer to the root of the word than they think.

Answer 7

Why are you stereotyping blacks for the actions of a few. This is why we have rift between the races because white want to take the actions of a few and attribute them to the whole race instead of judging us as individual. If that is the case why are all white people murders that dress in white sheets for the sake of killing blacks.

Answer 8

Okay....conservatives complain about libs for being idealists and not being in touch with reality. So if you can't figure out why a black person doesn't want a white person calling them the N word....you deserve to be beaten up or killed.

Answer 9

I have no idea...but I agree with you that I don't think anybody should be using that foul word. I hate it. It was used by white ppl putting down their black slaves back in the day. I think this could be why black ppl dislike it when a white person uses this word. I think that is the reason.

Answer 10

Its not the "Jesse Jackson" crowd,its just the black crowd.

They're degrading themselves because they apparently don't know any better.Can't blame whites,just themselves for that one.Yes I know all "Libtards" are forcing them to say that word against their will,and ONLY the Republicans can and will stop it.Oy.

Answer 11

For the African Americans (not Blacks) who use it, it's cultural...it's how they associate with one another, now those African Americans who use that word, you have to take their status into consideration, most are young...you don't hear a lot of mature and classy African Americans calling each other the "N" word, the only time they do is to call another african american a "cookie"...let me explain...if an African American person who knows their "black" denounce their race and say they wish they weren't "black" but another race...they would be qualified to be called a "N" or a "cookie" that's how classy, mature African Americans use this word, they don't use it to communicate with each other as in "you my brother/sister" kind of way, but it's to shame those African Americans who denounce their race with the use of stupidity and not ignorance! With ignorance, there's innocence, not with stupidity.

ROCKETMAN: LOL...you are absolutely right...everyone discard my response, look at Rocketman's and DKstringer24's answers!!!