I have an Indian friend ( the India Indian) who doesn't understand how offensive the "n" word is

Question

My Indian friend grew up in Switzerland and other European countries ( dad is in the embassy) and when he came to live in the U.S he noticed how much racial tension he found ( more than the European countries) I tried to explain to him that when you have so many different groups of people in one area, there will be clashing somewhere. When he found out about the "n" word and how it is used and used to be used, he can't see why it is still offensive when any one of any race says it. He gives examples of other offensive words for other ethnic groups such as "wet back"and rag head (Indian). I know that all offensive terms for groups are equally offensive. How do I help get the point across to him that the "n" word has a very strong meaning and has been used so long to put down an ethnic group because of something that enthinic group could never change--skin color.

Answer 1

Good morning , my friend . I do have an answer for you but I'm not so sure it is the answer you had hoped to receive. First off let me tell you that I am a white male and have no preduices against anyone. I have always maintained a widw array of ethenic acquaintences. Some of my best friends to this day are black or is it "afro-american" or " african american ? it should be simply joe or scott. Mr & mrs smith ...etc. We should all practice the art of mental blindness. In other words , to pretend that you are blind and simply use the persons name in a discription. "camel jockey ...slant eye ....wet back or beaner ...spick ...yankee or rebel. None of these terminologies are flattering to its ethnic group and as a result , you will most likely never hear these terms used against one another in conversation and certainly not as affectionate banter between pals. On the other hand...We have " ALL' , as in the entire global population , have been forced to alter our language with regards to the peoples of one piticular race ...and no other.. This has not only occured once or twice , but repettively for over 200 years. I speak to my black brothers and sisters respecxtively and in response to the question posed. The world has jumped through enough proverbial hoops to appease an injustice that occured a long time ago and the unfair playing field should void the situation and squarely place us all on equal terms. The moment we all conquor the politically correct term for your people , you ( as an entire race , arrearantly ) decide that the name is offensive and that we should call you ' this ' or 'that '. The most pitifully frustrating part of this ongoing embarrassment , is that you " cheerfully" refer to each other as "*****" or "my *****" , as if to mock our efforts to show our heartfelt wishes to give you equality. In all honesty...the largest population of raciest belongs to the black population. A blind hatred that is passed from one generation to the next and without any encouragement towards the white population and this is absolutely the opposite of our lessons to the children we bring into this world. In answer to your question , my friend , leave your friends choice of words to his own best judgement. Until the blacks of the world can unite in a fair assesment of themselves and remain on that mark without falter and can show the level of respect to each other that we break our backs to do then I say this is a 7 to 7 tie. The ball is on the 5 yard line and you have the ball with a chance to win the game.......or we can go into overtime again. Aren't you tired yet ?

Answer 2

The sad part is there are alot of people who dont know or dont care how offensive that word is. I hear other races using it to refer to each other all the time. As far as your friend goes, Id "interview" some Black people (or other races), ask them how they feel about that word so your friend can see their reaction. Once he sees how the majority responds then maybe he'll understand. Take him to this website: www.abolishthenword.com, that website is geared towards abolishing that word both in & out of the Black community. Unfortunately your friend may still be subjected to its use because of the current existence of racist ******* so beware.

Answer 3

I think it is unwillingness to understand, and of course, he has been using it all the time with his friends, etc. without any probs.

Also, he is not white himself, so ha thinks he can call blacks n word. like, he is almost black! it doesn't sound as offensive fromhis mouth, does it?

But if he does it and gets beaten up, its his trouble.

I call my best friend chinky! cos he is a chink! And he doesn't seem to mind, niether do others. Where I live, chinks call themselves chinks, and don't take the word in the derogatory sense when called so, as ppl in us mite. In my country, they are more relaxed abt sch things.

Americans are too ahem-ahem... for my tastes. They seem to be turning more victorian then british.

MODIFY: But you don't like my answer do you? But hey, if you find his habbit irritating, get rid of him? Its his prob. rite?

Answer 4

He could walk around in Harlem using the N-word and get a free education.

Answer 5

Indians are notoriously racist. He is also an arrogant mother f*cker if he tries to tell you that in a society he is new to, the "n" word shouldn't be offensive. Who the hell does he think he is? In my country we call Indians "coolies" and it is offensive. Maybe he would be of a different opinion if he came here!

Answer 6

Show him some history of that term. he'll understand once he has a little background information on that word.

Answer 7

let him say the n word in front of a balck man especially aferican americans and he will learn when that person knock the hell out of him. if he surives than he will know better not to use it again and the police won't do any thing about it becasue it is aracial word .

Answer 8

If Gary Coleman finds out he's in a world of she it!

Answer 9

Apparently some people need 'hands on' convincing. I'm not condoning violence, but seems he won't stop until he gets into real deep sh*t.

Answer 10

Call him Apu or Ali Baba and see how he likes it.