Has racism towards african americans really gone?

Question

i beg to differ its just more subtle. everywhere i go i see non blacks saying the n word to each other they think its okay because artists use it black artists to be precise. noone seems to understand the pain that the african americans 300 years ago must have felt noone seems to understand the meaning of this word. i am prud to be black and angered when non blacks use this word

Answer 1

don't be mad at the use of a word, be mad at what their intention was behind the word. racism towards "african americans" is still here just as racism towards all the other races is still alive. And I am caucasion and have not heard the "N" word used by non "people of color" in probably 20 years.

Answer 2

I don't know about african americans, but here in England the racism seems to be levelled at people from Eastern Europe. I was joking to a black friend of mine last week that 'cos of the Poles, people are leaving the blacks alone'. He didn't laugh. I was being ironic, by the way, I'm told Americans are starting to get that now (there I go again).

There's nothing really wrong with the 'n' word as you put it. It's just peoples perception of the meaning behind it that causes the problem. A perfect example is the remake of 'Heaven Can Wait'. The script was originally written for a black guy, but was changed in the first film, but put right in the remake. All of a sudden it becomes really funny, because if the way that people percieve the lead character depending on what he looks like.

The stand out moment of that film had to be the old, white, middle class version of the lead character (played by Chris Rock?) singing along with a rap song. Even the most uptight anti racist would have laughed it that scene. The track? If you haven't seen it I won't spoil it for you. Oh yeah, it features the 'N' word, big time.

Answer 3

You cannot deny the progress made in the last fifty years.

I think some of what you see comes the double standards that exist. YOU can use the "n" word because you're black, but I cannot because I'm white. YOU can belong to a very vocal and public exclusively black organization, but were I to do something similar, I'd be labled a racist.

All races build these fences between each other. Anytime any group attempts to maintain or promote their culture, color, religion etc, they antagonize someone...if only subtly.

I think the only way all of this will ever disappear is for us all to wake up tomorrow to an invasion of little green space aliens. We might then realize that our differences are really trivial.

Answer 4

There is racism in every race, and as long as people think they are superior than others based on race, there will racism. African Americans can be racist as well, but I think with those, its racism coming from Black rage. But there are more white racists than black.

Answer 5

I feel we need to get over it, and keep it moving. The point is that we are all humans and that every race has its negatives. Dont be moved or upset with other peoples ignorance, because that will then open the door for you to be racist in return... Yes we suffered 300 years ago, but often we use that excuse, to justify our failures. Used it to gain sympathy, make a difference so that your children will reap the benefits. Our ancestors went through so much to be free, and now that we have it lets use it to our advantage and sow love not hate.

Answer 6

Not by a long shot. When an African American becomes President ... I'll be happy.

But, I am curious .... if African Americans hate the "N" word so much, why do they continue to use it in everyday conversation? Why is it acceptable for them to use it ... but not others? Really ... you don't see whites calling each other "cracker" ... even as a endearing term. Sorry ... had to ask, this puzzles me.

Answer 7

One girl I know, who is half African American, half Hawaiian, was walking across campus and was called a stupid Paki. She turned around and gave him a list of racist comments he could have said to her, and told him that if he's going to be racist, he should at least be accurate. She has had many racist comments said towards her, enough to the point at which she can now throw things like that back in people's faces. So, yes, it is very much still here.

Answer 8

I don't use the word myself; I was brought up not to.

Yes, racism today is a lot more subtle.

I'm not sure that the 'n-word' is a good measure anymore, though, because it has taken on such a pop-trend use. a lot of kids today grew up without the word being used the way it used to be. [that does not make it right, or invalidate how you perceive the word, BTW]

Answer 9

racism will never be gone...and theres racism everywhere toward everyone...what do you think the people in a latino neighborhood think when a white guy walks down the street....its not just about afro americans...it's anyone who's different...so in a sense, if you mean that the specific prejudice of slave descendants, yes, I think that is gone

Answer 10

I don't like the word and going up in the South I've heard it a lot from older people. I think it's disrespectful and really, I don't like any of the slang words people use.