Why can African-Americans (esp. y men) call each other the "n" word, but if I as white man say it, its racist?

Question

I just want to point out that I am NOT a racist. I am just curious. But that's what killed the cat, and it might get me yelled at.

Answer 1

I don't approve of the "N" word being used in any format. However, some blacks use the word as a term of endearment. Whereas in the past, whites have used it as a term of degrading an entire race of people. However, I can honestly say that I have known whites that grew up in predominantly black neighborhoods and established such a close bond that they were able to use the "N" word as a term of endearment and their black friends were okay with it. Their black friends also referred to them as the "N" word as well. In a sense I guess you can look at it as any other negative word. You may have a friend that refers to you as an A** Hole and you may take no offense to it. However, if someone off the street were to call you an A** Hole you may be willing to fight. If a friend were to call you an A** Hole you may just laugh it off as a joke, a term of endearment, where as if someone you didn't know or were close to called you the same thing you may view it as offensive. Peace and God bless.

Answer 2

I don't encourage anyone at all to call themselves that label and I'm black. I don't like it. I never did. My friends and I don't promote it. My family doesn’t either. Not all African-Americans use that word and some black men don’t even have it in their vocabulary. I’m going to have to slightly omit a letter since Yahoo Answers isn’t really working with me. I hope you get my point.

Here is the theory that was told to me: When SOME blacks say the word "Ngga" they are reclaiming the title changing what was once a verbal representation of human bondage into a an empowering statement that always reminds you of where you come from but now is evolved to accompany you were you are going.

Note: They say N-I-G-G-A not N-I-G-G-E-R! There is a difference.

When whites say the word Ngga blacks interpret is as you saying the word Ngger. You remove the empowerment from the word and replace the shackles back on our wrists and feet. So when they get mad they get mad because though you may not have meant it in that way, the power of speaking the word from your mouth - a non black mouth- translates that. Think about it. Even if you did not mean it in that way, what way did you mean it when you said it. How could you possible know what those two words so closely related but now with predominantly different cultural beliefs behind it really mean. These are two terms that were never applied to you. Though they are apart of history the application of the word is not in your history except as being issued as a form of abuse. Its hard to even attempt to translate the connotation of the words except to know that your in trouble if you say either.

Also note that they are still some African Americans who use the word Ngga as a put down still. When a black man makes a black woman made she might call him a Ngga in terms that ARE NOT empowering and are meant to put him in his place. So don't think that every time you hear someone use the word Ngga its for good or for bad.

It’s an always loaded multi-textured, multi historical word that still isn't even in the dictionary because of the complexities of its use. Anyone can use Yahoo Answers or Microsoft Word right now to type Ngga and they will see that it will translate the word back to Ngger – which is what most blacks feel when a white person uses the term *****. And then, to top it all off, Yahoo Answers then censors the word for public display. Strange how the internet is a reflection of real life.

Answer 3

That is how I feel of Whites, Latinos, Asians, and Natives or Islanders cannot use that word, then why do Blacks use it? When I hear Blacks using that word I think that it makes them look stupid because it is not a nice word to use. I am not being racist at all in this, I am just saying that that is a slave word and it causes so much emotion, why would you use a word that stirs up so much controversy and hate? It makes no since. You do not hear White people calling each other the "C" word, because it is hurtful and we would not do that to each other. It is not right.

Answer 4

This is the official answer. A long time ago,back in the slavery days,blacks would gather at night and get togther to eat and to fellowship. A part of this was a regular stand-up show. People would actually start imitating their Overseer's, and Masters. It was a way of releasing stress and making the best of the situation. Out of this came blacks calling one another N#!!@$. If my brother calls me that at night and we laugh about it. Then Maybe, tomorrow when "Mister" calls me that it won't hurt so bad! It began as a way to thicken up the skin, and somewhere along the way it has become a way of relating to each other. JUST TRYING TO COPE MAN!

Answer 5

It's the way in which one says it. The "N" word actually means a stupid, ignorant person, with no relation to color. But because of our ancestors, it was taken out of context. You can make many words slang and mean them joking or insulting. I have many "black" friends that are like family to me. God created one man and woman, not two people of each race. Society causes alot of confusion by their disrespect to mankind. If you take the time to get to know people better, you'd see there's ugliness and beauty in every race. We don't want to be judged by the bad that someone else did, yet we tend to do it ourselves.

Answer 6

It is a racist term, no matter who uses it. I do not allow such language in my taxi cab, by anyone. What I really hate is when one uses it in a divisive way to refer other African-Americans who has much darker skin color, or was born in Africa, as being less intelligent.

Answer 7

Usually they say '******' not 'igger' on the end of it. And they say it to each other for their own reasons, both versions. If a white man says it, it is usually taken as an insult because white men have never said it for a good reason. So, they aren't use to us trying to say it like they do to each other. *shrugs*

Answer 8

It's the verbal equivalent of a loving slap on the head. But the love doesn't translate when we say it, cuz we aren't *******!

But I think any black man who says "*****" shows right there that he's not too worried about his language, so it's silly if he complains about yours. (ps calling a white friend ***** in private may happen, and if no one knows, it's ok!)

Answer 9

because black people want to complain about everything that they can, you're right it doesn't make any sense. but it too bad that all the white people have to accept it, but please do not feel bad about the black man, trust me he does not feel bad for you,, and black people will always play the race card when ever they can, so who cares if they yell at you, you don't have to be politically correct so you don't offend them. and i don't care i'll call them a 'n' anyway,, ha ha

Answer 10

As a black person it is not offensive when I use it among my friends because it does not have the same derogatory connotation as it does when a white person uses it. We use it in a joking way and its n-i-g-g-a. When a white person uses it they are trying to hurt you and its n-i-g-g-e-r, a fighting word.