Why do black people...?

Question

I've never been able to understand this. Black folks go on and on and on about how the "N" word is degrading and that white people should'nt use (or any other race for that matter), but then they go and call eachother that. They're degrading themselves. Don't tell me it's how a person says it, that there's a difference when it's said with the "er" or "a." It' just a misprounciation. So whay do black folks get all worked up about the "N" word then calls eachother that?

-may Christ be with you-

Answer 1

There was a movement to 'take back the word'. To use it until it lost it's power. Backfired a bit. I agree with Morgan Freeman, "The only way to get rid of racism is to stop talking about it."

Answer 2

Because not so long ago in our history when a white person was saying the "N" word he was generally saying it as he was murdering a black man...so, even as a white woman in America, I am REPULSED when I hear it spoken by anyone.

There are two schools on this, from a black person's perspective, by saying the "N" word with an "a" at the end it is "taking back" the word that was brutal and hateful and making it a friendly term. Another thought is that it is just as deplorable no matter who, what, when or how it is spelled.

Answer 3

hello
the reason is this: it starts with the individual, period. the individual believes that the n word is degrading, because he feels degraded; and vice versa.
time has gone when the n word has a real effect on the black race, we have survived it and proven we can surge ahead with or w/out it.
racists who still use the n word and other neutrals know that them selves and the racist only say it these days be cause they feel left out by the achievements of this black people and they want to lash out.
as for black on black abuse, its a cultural thing, and culture dont go away, because it is the only authentic thing left after we have changed our name, the way we speak, where we live, people we call friends, cars we drive, what we believe etc.

cheers

Answer 4

Why bother with such a question? If you're not black and afraid to use the word then don't use it, don't condone it. As a black person, it's a term of ignorance as long as you don't say it and no one refers you as one don't worry about it. There are people of all races using the word "f'' u, women calling each other b--ch as a greeting, so why not ask about those words being used? The real question is, when are we going to stop referring to each other as races and colors and just acknowledge each other as people? Christ never referred NE 1 as a color. Back then people where identified from the place they came from.

-Let the rain of His presence fall on you-

Answer 5

I'm not Black, but it really does matter how it's said. My friends and I use the word in jest. Some of us are Black, some not, but we're all family, and we all tease each other, and one of the words we use is "n*gga" but rarely.

I think that if Black people use "n*gga" on each other, then they shouldn't get upset if a White person uses the same word in jest as well. "N*gger" is completely different, and no one should say it, even Blacks.

Wouldn't it be cool if the negative word "n*gger" were eliminated from our vocabulary, and "n*gga" was used rarely in jest? That way we'd all know it is never meant badly if we do happen to hear it.

Answer 6

Because they only hear what they want hear. When other people say it they take it offensively when they are always call themselves that. But what they dont understand is they are degrading themselves to make them feel superior to everyone. When people use the word "n*gger" that is offensive but when the word "n*gga" its different. That term anyways has a different meaning in todays society.

Answer 7

Good question. I honestly don't know why Black folks use that word. It's ridiculous and it's self-inflicting. People have taken that disparaging term and used it to recognize their friends/family, etc. I don't use that term and neither should others. But, black people use the term so much now that it is engrained in the culture and aside from rap/hip-hop music, gangsta movies and the overall "ghetto" lifestyle, where are blacks getting their information? From the home where that word is also coming from. sad, but true

Answer 8

First off like most people, they are ignorant of the historical text of the word. It is derived from the Latin Niger, which means black. Since Catholic nations colonized the areas around the Niger river valley and there were black people all around, it became the Niger River and the country became Nigeria. Since most folks don't know this it leads to poor communications between the races. If you want to insult black ppl without getting them upset? Just ask them "Are you out of your cotton, picking mind?"

Answer 9

I'm not black but I know that certain derogatory terms can be affectionate from people you are close with. For instance I have close friends who in some cicumstances may call me a b*tch & we'll start giggling but if a stranger used the same word my blood would boil.

Answer 10

i understand what you mean but its quite a complex concept. ***** was used as a derogatory trems to refer to the african slaves by the whites and because they heared it so much they started calling thmeselves ****** to kind of dull the pain the word inflicted ....to the point it became cool to call ourselves ****** because we all looked alike and acted alike. it was a negative stigma that we turned around to make it cool . now even hispanics and may other ethincities wanna be called ****** and in newyork some white guys call themselves ****** because they are tryin to be cool so it depends on the soiciety you are in as well . . but if and when a white person says ***** to a black person its not looked in that same light rather it reminds them of slavery and all the issues it brought froth . its like you saying "i have a fat nose" and you can laugh about it but when someone else tell you you have a fat nose it becomes offensive simply because you are not hearing it from your self or some one of your kind.
i just need you to understand where we are coming from.that word causes alot of pain when said by white people and i hope its not too much to ask that they JUST DONT SAY IT !