N--i--g--g--e--r--just how abominable?

Question

This is a very unacceptable word in today's society....So why do black people derive pleasure in calling other black people 'n-i-g-g-e-r'...when this word is such an abomination...I know white ppl say it too but how comes it appears more acceptable when it comes from a black person to another black person...I have friends in the US who think it s fun to use that word to describe their collegues etc...when frankly I think its disgraceful!!!

by the way...whether its n-i-g-g-e-r- or n-i-g-g-a-...they all mean the same degrading word and will not appreciate anyone refering to me with either....

plain and simple

Thanks y'll for your input...it takes a lot of courage to talk about this topic...

Answer 1

i agree with you, no one should use the N word for no reason what so ever..its ugly and it looks just as bad when a african american says it...they want the whites to stop using the word but they say it every chance they get..I'm very glad you asked this question. Maybe everyone will see how bad it looks..

Answer 2

A couple of comments. Please do not say skin does not matter. I am Black and my skin matters to me...I love my skin. Secondly, I do not use the word, but know the context in which it is used among Blacks. For centuries, Blacks have "played the dozens," This word and other insults were hurled back and forth so the intendended recipient could learn to maintain their "cool," in order to be able to do the same when confronted with hostile whites. Fast forward to 2006. There is still much hostility and the term continues to be a kind of "defense." A way to "identify" or stay strong in spite of adversity. Personally, I hate the word, but as a Black person, I know why some Black people use it. It is not about pleasure...the reason goes much deeper.

Answer 3

Its a sickness. Some blacks still live in the slave mentality and call their fellow brethren n i g g a a so called term of endearment. Its a rather irritating issue and when I hear a black woman refer to her man as a n i g g a I cringe. The word is such an onus in the minds of the black mothers and fathers that came before us. The word implies ignorance and destroys the inner fabric of our minds becuase we make the assumption that since we "took" the word back from whites that it must be okay. its really something that seems to be societal not inborn. Its sad. My ancestors would be turning in their graves and crying their hearts out if they heard their beautiful black children today.

Answer 4

It's the context in which it is used that could be the reason.
For example, when racists use it , it is in a derogatory manner.
When blacks use it, it could be used in the same manner
racists use it, or in a complimentary manner....like What's
up my......? There are racist terms for whites too, like
honky (I'm guessing this a reference to honky tonk , which
is basically a type of bar with musical entertainment icommon
in the Southwestern and Southern United States, cracker
(referring to the cracking of the whip that slavemasters did
to keep their slaves in live).
Again, the most important thing to keep in mind is the context in how the word is being used. Yes, the N-word had only negative
connotations associated with it for most of its' history. However,
in the right context, it can mean dude or guy.

Answer 5

C'mon, hon. You know the deal. In the U.S., the term *** is used synonomously in the black community with "dude" "guy" "friend" etc. Yea it's fuked up. Just like it's fuked up when people call eachother bitchez and faggotz. Let's not put one word over the other. I don't give the word *** too much power anyway. I'm not that insecure. I don't think twice when I hear it because the word is so diluted nowadays. Even the white kids are calling eachother nigs, which I think is a good thing. Soon, the word take on an entirely different meaning. Hopefully anways.

I've been called a *** a few times. The first time, I got mad and violent, which took power away from me. Yea, the dude got his azz kicked by me and my bandmates, but when it was over, I felt like he still took something away from me. The next time, I just looked at the chick and smiled. I think that freaked her out because I never saw her again that night. I've since grown to not think twice about ***. It's a fuking word, for christ's sake.

Don't let it bother you. The more power you give something, the more powerless you become. Take it as a word comprised of syllables and vowels and write it off.

Answer 6

People are miseducated about "Black History", where we came from, what we've done, how we were and still are treated. The Indians, and even immigrants who come to the US. I hate the word too, but until WE ourselves can stop using it and start respecting each other; white people are always going to allow us to hang ourselves. I stick by what Bill Cosby said!

Answer 7

Hey sometimes the word N-I-G-G-A applies. Being black I do pertain the right to use it IMO. Just as gay men reffer to each other with names that may seem derogatory when used by someone outside of that circle and many other types of people do the same also. I could care less about it anymore at this point. Someone calling me a N-I-G-G-A or a N-I-G-G-E-R isn't putting money in my pocket so phuck it. Nor does it change whom I am.

Answer 8

I don't know nor care if you are black, but there are simply comments some people accept from others that they won't accept from everyone. That is one, b*tch is another. Such is life. I can call my kids spoiled, but I am offended if anyone else does.

However, use of currently or formerly hostile terms like that do confuse a lot of people.

Answer 9

I was surprised when I was watching the movie Glory, which took place during the civil war, and there is Denzel Washington using the term with his fellow soldiers. Was this common even 100+ years ago?

Answer 10

I detest the word too. I think so many Black people call each other n-i-g-g-a is because some of them have been called that some many times by white people back in the day, and they think that's they're identity because of the psychological wounds. That's just my opinion of it.

Answer 11

I agree. I do not use the word. It is not a term of endearment, it is meant to be hurtful and to bring back a something horrible. It means ignorance and something to be ashamed of. i think that when black people use this use, it is just dismissing what our ancestors went through. It is an ugly, hurtful word that should never be used. Black, white, yellow, or purple.