What do you think of the constant use of the N-word (not directed as an insult) in every day conversation?

Question

The N word today is now popular as just a "name" you call someone, not a racial slur used by both blacks and whites. Some people believe that it should be stopped cause no matter how you use the word, its still offensive. Others think that it now has a "new meaning" and is not meant to be offensive. What do you think?

Answer 1

I find it offensive no matter who uses it. The "N" word will never cease to have a racial, dehumanizing and hurtful history and whoever uses it, even if not intending to offend - disregards the significance of its history.

Answer 2

The "N" word is derived from the Scottish term "*********" to be stingy, not yielding in grudgly with meager effort. This term was cast upon the Black Slaves in the Americas as a way to belittle and deject their spirits. I find it offensive and warrants nothing more than a reminder of an evil era. How silly to believe anyone would associate the word with warmth, friendliness, or endearment. Yet we live in a backwards society where people call their friends, and family members "*****, Bastard, MF's and things people in a time and place wouldn't dare utter the terms; let along think them.

Answer 3

Does everyone remember how the "N" word made OJ get off his murder case.We all know that jerk killed both of those people, but just because the "N" word was used by a detective many years before, it blew the case.
How unfair!
Now Blacks go around using this word very openly. WHY?
I'd like to know what the Blacks want to really be called. I'd like to just be able to call them Americans, and let us all be the same.

Answer 4

most black people I've talked to seem to regard this as a release of power from the white people and their ways of old. the N word was used obviously as a derogatory and degrading term to belittle and insult black people. today, using this word for themselves takes that initial fear or downgrading aspect of the word away from those who wish to use it. it's kind of like making fun of someone after they've made fun of themselves you know? how can you make fun of someone's hair or teeth if they've already made the joke themselves? you can't really unless you go ahead and say what you want to say making you look like a total a*ss. using this word towards each other takes away the power aspect it used to have way back when. before it was so degrading and so inflammatory that it hurt them to hear it. now they use it when speaking towards each other so the inital meaning of it has changed and is no longer suitable for insulting ot degrading black people. I always found it strange that a word so deep in hatred and context can be used by those it was initially meant to insult. I found it perplexing but the realized its impact later on when I spoke to several blacks at my college regarding this matter. It's the ignorance behind the word that makes an impact i think. you use it degrade someone then it's intent is what it once was. as a sign of "fellowship" or clowning around then it's meaning is totally different. also, you will NEVER hear white people say it in front of black people. NEVER. they only say it to each other when no blacks are around to save themselves a serious beatdown

Answer 5

I find the word completely offensive, regardless of who is using it. To hear people using it as a greeting or as slang is a smack in the face to every man, woman and child who fought to end racial discrimination.

Answer 6

I'm not sure what I think on this. I think it's great that they can give new meaning to a word and take away the power it had. But then I think it's impossible to just erase all the hurt that word caused in the past. So I'm on the fence about this one.

Answer 7

I personally think no one should use it (no matter what race)...it's a cuss word to me. and in my opinion, cussing shows either a lack of vocabulary, lack of inellect or not being able to control one's temper (sometimes when I get really angry, the s- or f--word slip out...but I'm working on it =) ).

I actually asked an african-american co-worker not to use that word around me, because I found it annoying and kind of senseless. he said he uses it to describe people who are lazy, act stupid and are not very nice, not to discriminate. but it is a very offensive word to a lot of people and that shoud be considered.

Answer 8

The n-word is like any other profanity. Some people call their friends SOB or MF or whatever and no one bats an eye. If you say it to a stranger, watch out.

It is in poor taste and not for every social situation. It's not for church or work.

Answer 9

The majority opinion should come from the N people themselves. No one has to follow the IN thing.

Answer 10

i have a lot of guys that call each other that. i think its annoying and offensive. im white but i still hate hearing it. they have been told not to say it in the office anymore and they now call each other "ninja"