What do you think of the constant use of the N-word (not directed in literal terms) 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

First of all, I'd like to know what you mean when you say "not in the literal sense"? Do you think that if someone uses that word while pointing to a certain individual, it is the CORRECT term???

Secondly, I am distressed by the use of the word "*****" in everyday speech, music, literature, etc. Just like men who said "chick" all the time, when it was pointed out to them, said, "I don't mean anything bad by it," something BAD is already the connotation! The young people who use this term the most may know the history, in a vague way, of the word, but most have never felt the pain attached to it. Most cannot imagine not being able to use public restrooms or go to hospitals of their choosing. How would they feel if they saw a sign that said "****** hospital ten miles"? Or "No ******* allowed."?

The word is a separating word, a prejudicial word, a delineating word. It keeps the idea of separation based on color in the forefront of people's minds.

Then too, you have your closet racists--those who don't see themselves as they are or who don't want others to know, who say, "Well, they call themselves that!"

As a white woman married to a black man for over 25 years, I know whereof I speak.......................

Funny story: Neither my husband nor I was allowed to say the word N as a child. When we were getting to know one another, we asked each other how we said "eeny, meeny, miney, mo...catch a ______by the toe." Both of us had been taught to say "tiger".

Answer 2

I come from a province called ******. The Spaniards so named it because of the black-skinned natives. There may be a point in time when it was really meant to be derogatory, but the meaning is completely delegated to what you would name your county. We use it in the ordinary sense without any racial slur. And I can say the word anytime.

Answer 3

Some of you talk about "doing away with the word". How do you go about doing that? What are we going to make a law that says you can't use the word? It offensive to some people and not to others. If you hear someone say it around you just ask them not to say it around you again. If you use the word, then be sensitive of others' feelings.

Answer 4

I do not believe in using that word, because even if it isn't now, it was once a racial slur. Imagine if you are near an older black gentleman and he hears you say that. it would be very offensive, and might ruin any type of relationship you might have.

Answer 5

I think its offensive if you are black or white. I do not like how blacks call each other that because it just says they are ignorant and they have no vocabulary. I believe Blacks are very smart and I think all people need to have respect for each other. I think its funny where the word comes from. ****** comes from the Latin word Nirgra which means black. I do not think Negroe is a bad word.

I am Korean and I just think people need to be more considerate and show we Americans have better vocabulary.

Answer 6

I don't like the word at. Personally, I've never said the word and hate others saying it. I've had a white co-worker who used it to "quote" something or "impersonate" a black person and I find it near impossible to tell him how much I take offense to it in any context.

Answer 7

Most liberals would agree that an expanded vocabulary is wrong and that society needs to be dumbed down. This answer uses know words that start w/ "N". Hee hee

Besides, only the real rasist gets offended by a word...l

Answer 8

Its 2006 why cany we let go of the past,we did not have to live in those days,Thank god. The n word will never go away just as the w word or cracker word.What we need to care about is moving ahead and watching out for our own backs

Answer 9

I'm not a racist, but I still remember it as that. I always thought it wrong that white people couldn't even think the word, but African-Americans could say it all day. But as you say now it has "new meanning" and I get it, I have an 18 yr old neph, you should hear him and his dogs (friends).

Answer 10

Hear it and use it almost all the time. What's the big deal? It's bad because you make it that way. There are more important things to worry about. Anyway; aren't we supposed to be against the illegal mexicans now? I thought the whole black white thing was finally starting to abate.