Why do black people get offended when a white person says the N word?

Question

so let me get this straight its ok for the black people to say the n word but no other race can?

Answer 1

I'm of African decent. I don't go around calling other blacks *****r. I would be upset if another black called me a *****r. I don't think that blacks should go throwing that word around like it means something positive because it still is a negative word.

Think of it like this: many black rappers use b*tches and hoes in their music. I would be offended if someone came up to me on the street and said, "Hey b*tch, what's up?" But, that's just me. Others may think being called a b*tch is cool; go figure.

My point is that just because some ignorant people use a word freely does not take the negativity away from the word. That is why a black will get angry when a white says it; it still has a negative meaning. Don't let anyone fool you into thinking that it is a term of endearment or some crap like that; that is baloney.

Answer 2

Yes, perception is a powerful thing isn't it?
It's only because if a black person says it, you know they're not being racist, right? They can't be, cos they're black as well. You can't believe the same for a white person, cos traditionally, they used it as a racist term, so it's stuck in the mind of black people, and it's always an automatic reaction that is triggered when a white person uses it.
You see, though, I found that funny, 'cos, you have to think, right? So this white guy calls me a n*****, and I'm like, "so,let me get this straight, what you're saying effectively, is that I'm black?, are you gonna tell me something I DON'T know soon, 'cos there's a guy over there who called me an idiot and we're kinda in a dispute about it that needs settling, see...?"
People found that funny, though, go figure...

Answer 3

Let me get this straight. Just because you've seen "some" black people refer to others as the N word, you think all black people embrace it as a term of endearment? Since when have all black people started doing this? Because I and many within my circle have missed the memo.

LOL @ Denzel, Prince, Beyonce, Barack Obama and Oprah calling each other the N-word.

You can go on and call a black person the N-word if you want to, but don't be surprised if you get knocked the hell out. Your ignorance is appalling.

Answer 4

Well the British also called Indians by the N word. However once they left the Indians never used that word caz they wanted to forget the British like a bad dream. It was harder for the Blacks caz the white ppl were always there, in front of them. The white ppl used this word as insult towards the blacks and thats why the blacks don't want the white ppl to use it anymore.

Answer 5

I dont see why this question boggles so many peoples minds!

This is like the third time I seen this question on Yahoo! answers!

But anyway to answer it:

I dont think black or whites should use this word!

the "N" word use to be a inside joke between black people kinda like an irony. But when Hip Hop became mainstream white people became in on the "joke" but they dont understand the inside joke. Its not that confusing though just dont use the word at all I dont care if 50 cent or fat joe says this word.

This word shouldnt be taken lightly by anyone!

Answer 6

It's the name calling syndrome. An Italian can call another Italian a "wop," but a non-Italian cannot without insulting the person. Same is true with: Frenchman/Frog; Irish/Harp; Portuguese/ Portagee; Spanish/ ****; Italian/ Guinea; Swedish, Square-head; Polish/Polock. Wouldn't it be a better place in this world if all of these epithets were not used ever? Why do we waste so much time offending each other??

Chow!!

Answer 7

Well it's all in the context of how you say it. Most black people say it referring to their homie or some stupid black person. When a white person says it they really have no reason to, no matter how "thug" they are. I honestly don't get offended but some blacks do.

Answer 8

THe n word is not a word of affection, never was, I guess they feel the white person is useing it like the white ppl used to when there ansetors were in the plantations.

Answer 9

When black people say it you say it more as to say "hi buddy" or something like that... but when white people says it it's usually meant as a word that puts black people down

Answer 10

As a white person I know it's not a nice thing to say, so I don't say it. I'm Italian and if I call my Italian friend a greaseball or he says it to me that's okay. I someone else says it I would feel like I was being insulted. That's just the way it is.