Is the N-word still offensive?

Answer 1

Yes it sitll is offensive. But we still use and other forms of it. For what reason. I see no difference in switching an er for an a. Both forms are offensive to me. My family still uses it. But that only when some did something extremely stupid, or some one in the news did something stupid. I never use the word. And I don't want people to use that word with me, wheter friends or not.

Answer 2

Yes it still is offensive, even though many African-Americans have no problem saying it to each other. I once heard a young ice cube say that the reason he and the rest of NWA used the word so much was to "own it" thereby "taking away all its power" so that the white man would have to come up with another way to insult them. But i'm pretty sue that if a white guy called cube the n word, it would tick him off

Answer 3

Yes, it is. However it's a pity that people don't understand the origins of the word because originally it was quite a compliment.

During the American Civil War many black slaves escaped from the South and made their way North where they enlisted as soldiers to fight the confederates. Whole regiments of these former slaves were commissioned and because they consisted purely of black people were known as 'Negre' (or black) regiments. The Confederate army was ordered that none of these soldiers should be taken prisoner if captured but executed out of hand. Thus anyone joining the regiment knew that if he fought it would be for victory or death. Such men were regarded as being the bravest of the brave and admired by everyone for their courage. Soldiers boasted of being a 'Negre'. After the war when the regiments were disbanded the term became common for any black person and, unfortunately, over time became to be a somewhat derogatory term far removed from it's noble origin.

Answer 4

Yes, it is still offensive to use and hear UNLESS:

1. You are an African-American and using the term amongst other African-Americans

2. You are racist
.

Answer 5

It depends who is saying it and who they are saying it too...apparently it is OK for African Americans to call each other the N word all the time...but I wouldn't dare call an African American person the N word, that would be totally inappropriate.

Answer 6

Yes and it shouldn't be used in everyday language because the same black people that use it everyday know goodness well if a white person said it to them they would be ready to fight. So using it everyday does not take away the effect and power of it.

Answer 7

Yes, if it comes up in a book we're reading aloud in English class (i.e. when we read To Kill a Mocking Bird a few years ago) we would skip over it. People ususally don't even do that with profanity in books.

Answer 8

Only if someone white says it...


Isn't this a reverse of the old situation?

Personally i think if your gonna get offended by a word then you should make sure that it shouldn't become part of your everyday language...

Just makes people hypocrites to boot!

Answer 9

It's offensive to me, and I cringe when I hear teens and younger use it to describe each other.

Answer 10

its offensive if you find it offensive. ive been called every name in the book and i could care less. cracka azz crackaz