Is it ok for blacks to call each other the "n" word why or why not ?

Question

And why is this a issue in the first place....the "n" word mean the same regardless of who say it and how it said....the meaning do not change.

Answer 1

It's disrespectful to refer to anyone by a derogatory word.

Answer 2

Ok, I watch Dave Chapelle and he is very funny and says the 'n' word alot... At first I was shocked.. but then after time it sounded funny ... and after more time it sounds like he doesn't like black people much... But what do I know, I'm just a white girl from the suburbs.

If black people like to use it and think it's funny or what ever - that is their prerogative... Some times white people tease each other and call each other 'cracker' and it's funny.

My college teacher told us that the word originated back in the slave days when the black people would pretend they were dumber than they were so the white people wouldn't expect much of them... The white called them 'n' and the blacks used it as a way to get out of work... So the word has to do with acting stupid/or ignorant.

I never use the word even when I'm alone - I do think it is wrong to say and creates a bad attitude towards black people whether you are black or not. I feel yucky if I even whisper it. So, for me it is an off-limit word.

Answer 3

I don't find anything wrong with anybody using it as long as their not insulting another person. I refuse to censor it if I'm discussing it as a subject, as is the case here. It's more or less an individual thing-if you have a male-homosexual friend and you call him a *******, and he doesn't mind because he knows it's not used in hatred, than it's perfectly fine. Using any derogatory word doesn't empower the hate behind the word, as most people want to think, but I believe that avoiding the use of the word is empowering. The more taboo something is, the more power it retains, because it instills fear and incites anger. I've also known black people to call their friends ****.a in an endearing way, but refer to another specific black person(say, a huge prick) as a ******* in a very derogatory way. It all depends on the situation and the tone of voice.

Answer 4

because you are incredibly ignorant.

White people called black people that for so long, that they started calling each other that. Just to remind them, there's no hope here. Your not ****. They wont give you a chance. Which was certainly a lot more true after slavery but before civil rights. Which is when this practice came to be. As it continued on. It's kind of like telling your friend he's an idiot over and over because you're jealous and ain't ****.

A lot of it has to do with how black people were programmed to be in this country. Somehow it's been turned into a term of endearment among some... However, it can still be used negatively, as in- "Y'all n---- ain't ****!".

See, people turn the things that are used to oppress them into positive things. Sometimes. Like for example, Tupac. Who changed his definition to N.I.G.G.A. = N-ever I-gnorant G-etting G-oals A-ccomplished


More importantly, white people enslaved black people. Beat them with whips. Hung them. Raped their women. Did all sorts of terrible things to them during and after slavery and even up to this day. Calling them the n word. After that, you've lost your n word privaleges. Whether it was you who said it or not.

Now, me personally, I grew up amongst black people. Had more black friends than white ones. When I was singing along to rap music or quoting a movie, I'd say it. Sometimes when I was freestyling it'd slip out. Yet I tried not to. I just heard the word around me so damn much sometimes it slipped. If I was black I'd probably have used that word all the damn time. The people that knew me didn't get mad, because they knew I didn't mean it in a derogatory way. I would not suggest this to others. That was them and I. I have been on the recieving end of racism plenty of times.

Personally I think white people who use that word sound ignorant as ****. Although, it still comes out sometimes. I try not to use it around black people. Yet if I'm singing along with a cd, I still might.

Answer 5

I think it ok if Eddie Murphy says it and BTW, I hate it when you say "n" word. Use the word ******. We all know what you mean. Somehow, I find the phase "n"-word more childish and rasict. The full word coming from a black person, espessially a commedian I don't find offensive or rascist at all.

Chinese were jumping on the band wagon and talking about the C-word until someone told them that word was taken, lol

Answer 6

i think that black people have changed tha meaning (& spelling) when they use it. black people have always taken what they've been given, which is usually the worst, and embraced it and made it part of their culture. this is another example. the "n" word started as a mispronunciation of the country "niger." then is became a racial slur used by non-blacks. now black people have changed it to mean something similar to "friend." i think everyone knows that black people are offended when non-blacks use it. whether this is fair or not, if it offends them, don't use it. basically, no one should use it, just like no one should say "Indian" when referring 2 Native Americans. both terms are derived from ignorance. but people use them. so if someone is going 2 use tha "n" word anyway, it should only be black people.

Answer 7

I don't think the "N" word is appropriate, ever. Why blacks call each other that is beyond understanding considering they don't like it if a non-black were to use it. It's a double standard. And it's weird. The word is ugly and connotes evil. It should be banned from the vocabulary of every person of intelligence. Using it screams ignorance.

Answer 8

Black people can do amongst each other as they wish. Calling each other the N word is pretty much a black only issue. If i was black and cared about things, if would refrain from its casual use. It is only a word after all, but it is very loaded with hate.

Answer 9

It's okay for a member of any group to refer to another with a conventionally derogatory term because, in most cases, it is intended with a sense of humor and comradeship. Though the meaning doesn't actually change, it's being said with a wink and a smile.

It's just like gay men calling other gay men queers, fags, ******* or queens in fun, and like the old saying goes - take it from the source.

Answer 10

I am jealous that I can't use it in a friendly way like you do. I have many black friends who I would be comfy talking that way with, but they'd beat me for it. I think it is the last thing blacks can truly own. Hip hop is mainstream, b-ball stars sell ot, gangsta stuff is banal. The N word is the one thing everyone is too scared to tap into.

Answer 11

No, it is not. It sends mixed signals to whites with some of the more ignorant & biased ones feeling that it rationalizes their use of the word. Moreover sub consciencely or not, it perpetuates low self esteem among blacks that use it. This is ghetto talk; you don't hear the educated, professional classes use it. Let's move forward; not regress. Using inappropriate language or behaiviour is not cool.