Why do people get so offended when a white person uses the "n" word?

Question

It seems to me that some people refuse to forgive and forget things. If blacks can "lovingly" use the "n" word to refer to each other, how is it still offensive for other ethnicities to call them by it? And you don't hear many of us whites complaining about being called "crackers" or "honkies" or any of that. It's just a shining example of social hypocrisy. It's not the 1960s anymore, and people don't have the right to not be offended.

Answer 1

I'm with you. If they can say it, why can't the whites?

Answer 2

Im white but have black relatives, the only ones that use the N word are the younger ones, the older ones are black and proud.
They are really offended by how young black people use the word these days
Saying that, my aged auntie is upset when i say yankee?
she remembers it from a time it was offensive?
Its all about perception, Im often called a ******* pomme
i dont care, but i do know english people who are offended by it.
So I guess it boils down too, a word is as offensive as the person it is intended to degenerate feels debased.

Answer 3

I'm a white woman and I get upset when I hear that word. I have no idea why, but even as a child (way before political correctness came into being) it bothered me. Maybe it was from reading certain books about slavery and the way that black people were treated, as if they were less than human. I remember that that's what the slaves were called so maybe the connection, for me, is to equate the "N" word with slavery. I don't know for sure where my distaste comes from. I'm thinking and remembering as I write this so if it rambles, sorry!

Answer 4

The word ***** means a member of the dominant group of mankind in Africa, living chiefly south of the Sahara, and characterized generally by a dark skin. It is not a derogatory term any more than colored. Since the C in NAACP stands for colored. Cracker and honkie is derogatory. Unlike, white or Caucasian.
***** is not offensive but the other Ni--er is meant to be offensive and should not be used.
I should add the derogatory N word is more in use by black rappers and so bringing it in to the culture.

Answer 5

Just like all other racial slurs, the "n" word is meant to offend. I don't think anyone of any enthicity should use that word lightly - people seem to have forgotten what it means. For someone to use such a disgusting and derogatory word like it's any other word is appalling. My boyfriend works regularly with a black person that's our age, and he despises that word. He believes that the people that use it lightly are putting a damper on what African Americans stood for in the civil rights movement, whether they're black, white or Latino people using it. Remember, people who use the "n" word, no matter what ethnicity, are likely to call women "b******" and "h**", and use other racial slurs for other ethnicities lightly. I hate hearing ANYONE use that word, and it saddens me when I hear it in a song or on t.v., because it's not supposed to be used as a nickname.

Answer 6

jackie in level 3 , I agree with you. Why is it that blacks can call each other the N word but when a white person does it, it iis offensive?? i have never been called a "Cracker" ( even though i love Uncle Kracker's music) but I have been called honkie and a "white trash B***h, and I was offended. just my two cents worth....

Answer 7

If you want to call yourself a "cracker" or "honkey", that's your business. You don't have the authority to say what should offend Black people or anyone other than yourself. If you feel justified in calling Black people the "n" word, go to a Black neighborhood, possibly to the park where guys are shooting ball, get out, go up to the guys and call them the "n" word...see what happens!
The "n" word coming from a White person is the equivalent of spitting in a Black person's face. It is the ultimate disrespect. That's why Black people get so offended.

Answer 8

I actually don't recall when was the last time I heard the words Cracker and Honkie used in a every day situation...

Dude, shut up, and let them call each other whatever they want.

You wanna use the N word? simple, become very good friends with a black guy, and have him put his undenying trust in you. Then one day, he might give you access of using the N word around him!

You know why whites cant use the N word? Cuz you guys simply don't know how to use it!

'Whats up my n!igger!!!' or 'Oh you n!ggers nowadays...'

..NO! notice they call each other 'N-I-G-G-A', not 'N-I-G-G-E-R'!!! big difference.

it's a sense of brotherhood, of acceptance and belonging. My black friends and I call each other n-i-g-g-a all the time and it's all right! (Also helps that I'm a rapper...but I don't use the word in my songs, out of respect! I only use it around my black friends) *and I'm Persian...Middle Easterns are actually considered a Sand-******, by the way!*

Anyways, just wanted to clear some things up.

....now heres my question to you: Why do you so horribly feel the need to use the N word?

Answer 9

There are black people who don't use the N word either, and hate to hear other black people use it.
I was shocked when my daughter came home from school one day (5th grade) and used that word....she had never heard it at home, that is sure.
What I can't understand is why so many white people are starting to call each other by the N word.

Answer 10

Well, Taylor, you are not a "n" and if you allow people to call you cracker or honkey to your face then you don't have much respect for yourself. Black people who respect themselves do not allow others, be it black or white Asian or Spanish, to call them "n". Younger generations who are not as sensitive as the elder generations, who lived thru the 60's, don't care and are not offended, yet.

Answer 11

I don't think white people should use the n-word - are you listening, Quentin Tarantino? - but have a hard time respecting all these rappers who use it. Perhaps they think they're robbing the word of its power by appropriating it, the way 'gay' and 'queer' used to be insults, but they're on shaky ground to say 'we can use it but you cannot'. Darcus Howe, the black British writer, says most blacks feel contempt for those of their race who say it. Certainly I've never heard intelligent, well-spoken blacks use it.