The N WORD!?

Question

Why do black people think its cool to say the N word? I think its still has a negative connotation to it. I dont think it has been reversed as black people try to say it has. I mean white people dont go around sayin "what up Honky? What up Cracker?" It sounds dumb for one thing. For another thing its raciest just like the N word.

Answer 1

You will never hear African-Americans refer to one another as "n**ger". When pronounced like that it's considered derogatory. But you will hear an African-American refer to another as "n**ga". For lack of better words it's almost a term of endearment.

"What's up my n**ga" would be the same as you greeting or saying "Hi" to one of your friends.

I'm African-American and totally agree with you on this. If you wouldn't want someone of another nationality using the word or any derivative of it, then why should you? It makes no sense.

Answer 2

Language is power as is literacy. I think that some individuals in the black community thought that by claiming the word as their own, the word would somehow lose it's oppressive power. That somehow by calling each other the "N" word, the individuals that created the word (landowning, white men) no longer were in a position to keep them down.

Unfortunately, I sincerly feel it does nothing of the sort. Not using the word at all would be more effective. Why acknowledge and give credit to your oppressors? "*****" and "Sambo" have disappeared and the "N" word's definition has not changed, just the context. As a white woman, if I were to use it it would be deemed as racist even though I am nothing of the sort.

Answer 3

For many groups that are subject to discrimination, reclaiming and using hurtful labels is an effective, assertive tactic that robs dominant groups of their power through language. And it's not just a racial phenomenon -- that's what happened with "queer" too. Not all Black people use the N word, but if they do, it's their business, as far as I'm concerned. And of course it would sound silly for white people to try doing the same thing -- most North American whites don't have centuries of oppression in their past.

Answer 4

It's an attempt to desensitize themselves from the effects of a very damaging form of insult.

"Honky" has no historical basis for causing damage, as it was a necessarily feeble attempt to retaliate for use of the N word.

"Cracker" is considered a badge of honor by rednecks of course.

Answer 5

I'm black and it's not cool. Though there are some that say using that word takes away its power. And I have heard ghetto white trash say that or call each other the 'N' word, which now seems to mean 'homie.'

Answer 6

I actually say " Wuz up MY honkie"
The N word is not negative any more it has become a tool of empowerment for black people. Its a word "they" can use freely while "others" get scalded for its use. Think about it. I think its all gravy

Answer 7

I think it may have been an attempt to take the power away from the word. Like when gay people started to refer to themselves as "queer". Then bigots hear it and think "wo, they're calling themselves that now, we can't use that word to hurt them". But alot of black people are offended when other African-Americans use that word. It has a nasty history of hatred.

Answer 8

The ones who use it are the ones from broken families with no real hope in life. They instead adopt a completely wrong set of values, the "street values" and eschew getting an education or working hard to accomplish things in life. When I hear them use it I kind of chuckle to myself, knowing full well they aren't going anywhere in life and its their own doing and they don't even realize it.

Answer 9

I guess you have to be in it to understand it. I don't like to hear people saying it either... but yes, you don't hear white people saying honky or cracker, but I lived in the south, and they'd be rushing to call themselves rednecks... go figure

Answer 10

well for one thing, how did white people become crackers? if someone called me a cracker i would tell them to eat me. but yea, people who say ****** or swear in general every other word sound like they are unintelligent. i mean like an IQ of 5.