why does the "n" word affect black people?

Question

i am an african american myself and i don't see the big thing about the word ******. i don't like the word yet i don't get mad when people say. it's okay for black people to say that word but if another race says that word then it's a crime. just like on the t.v show girlfriends when lynn's sister said the n word from a song and people looked at her like she was in the wrong. so someone please tell why do we let this word affect us so much (especially african americans

Answer 1

It doesn't . They call each other that all the time. They say it on TV , for heaven's sake. However, they are like petulant children who want an excuse to throw a temper tantrum. Same as when you talk about ' they mama', even though granny raised them.

What I'm saying is that its bullsh!t. They're a bunch of pricks who look for an excuse to sucker puch whites.

Answer 2

Most folks in society in general thinks that the word "******" is a negative thing. I'm African American, and I can't stand that word! It's "embraced" by hip hop culture, but those young cats and dolls have NO idea how offensive it truly is. Don't you know how many times that ****** has been used since slavery and the days of Jim Crow? My great grandmother and other older members in my family had to endure that abusive word. Its stinging effect has left an impression on my soul and I'll never use it(as a term of endearment or anything else). There's nothing endearing about the word ******. And you really need to think twice about using it yourself. Use of the word "******" is wrong by ANYBODY! Hope that answers your question. Be well, and be careful how you speak. Just because someone else says "******", that doesn't mean you have to say it. By the way, you can be proud to black, but there's no pride in being a ******!

Answer 3

if you are truly an african american then either you have been asleep or just do not care about the history associated with that word..the youth of today are trying to justify its use by saying its just a friendly term or don't give power to the word by saying it's wrong...but if you or any of the youth would take time to ask an elderly black person what that word meant for them you would know how it feels for them to hear it wether you are black or white..if you would take the time to ask an older white person what that word meant to them you would be able to imagine the pain associated with that word...if you took the time to read or watch some of the historical footage of the civil rights era you would know that black people suffered and died behind the use of that word that told the murder and torturer that the black person wasn't human..just a **n,,,,,** so it was ok to do harm to them...i find it odd that black youth take on any word that describes them in a negative way..wouldn't it be better that you called your friend brother than **n,,,,,** or sister instead of **b,,,,,** or **h,,* we are the only culture that denigrades our woman,men,mothers and fathers in such a horrific manner. beacuse the culture has become so negative we see nothing wrong with killing one another for no sane reason..for ex:a pair of sneaker,a jacket,an ipod,or he dissed me..etc...that word makes us see each other as something less than human just as the whites saw us!!! read howard zinn's "A peoples history of the United States" ..you would get a better understanding of the POWER of words!!!

Answer 4

ummm. Do you know what it actually means and what it was used for? The other races enslaved us and that is why it is wrong to say that word. It is speaking against African and African Americans accomplishments and an all around condescending word. Black folks shouldn't use it as much but we have kind of earned the right to have something of our own as a race.

Answer 5

African Americans have been using the word ***** as a term of endearment for a LONG time it's only now that it has come to the fore front. I'm offend when a white person says the word in front of me. out of respect just don't say it in front of us. some African Americans will actually fight you if you say it in front of them. the word still holds a lot of hurt in it. i agree that we shouldn't use the word at all. but we do, and i don't see the word fading from our dialog anytime soon. so to keep the peace non-African Americans just don't say it!

Answer 6

Actually, no it's not okay for black americans to use that word amongst themselves.

Answer 7

BECAUSE, THATS WHATS THE WHITE PEOPLE USED TO CALL US WHEN WE WERE SLAVES...ITS AN INSULT. BUT IT DOENS'T BOTHER ME, IT JUST MEANS YOU'RE "BLACK"....AND I AM (as if everybody can't already tell)...SO WHATS THE BIG DEAL? I FEEL LIKE IF IT BOTHERS ANYONE THEY'RE JUST INSECURE. BE PROUD OF WHAT YOU ARE! <33 =]

Answer 8

I don't know I kinda think that people in general are always looking for a way to be upset you know.

Answer 9

no one should use that word..we're in the 21st century - I don't use it..and if anyone around me does..no matter the race - i'm gunna tell them what's on my mind- though if some1 calls me that it wont hurt my feelings :\

I still love Dave chappelle :D

Answer 10

I have always wondered that same thing.
but im not black so i quess i will never know