A question about Black People, White People, and the "N" word?

Question

why would black people use a word so freely, yet deny its use to everyone else?

The only thing that makes any sense to me is that it's a small demonstration of power - it's a way for black people to be able to do something that whites cannot.

I've read elsewhere that the actual term the use ends in "a" or "ah", not "er," and therefore is not the same word - in fact, it's a term f endearment. Then I've read that since that "ah" word was "invented" by Blacks, only they can use it. I didn't realize that words were copyrighted like that.

Anyway, if you have any ideas as to why this double standard exists, please share them. And please spare me the "you must be ignorant" crap That's just a copout for answering the question squrarely.

Answer 1

the entire black community does not believe or even do this most find it offensive no matter WHO is saying it.

Answer 2

Ok... first let me say I'm black, and I don't condone anyone saying the word. Regardless to what color they are or whether or not there is an "er" or an "ah" at the end of the word.

Technically, no one can ban anyone else from saying anything. So, if white people want to say it. Be my guest... but expect some kind of reprocussions. Some people within the black community do believe its okay to say "n!gga" and they feel they have adopted the term and it is now meant as a term of endearment. I personally don't agree with this. Mainly because the word still carries a lot of weight today. And, the fact thats white people aways use this as an argument as to why they can't say it. I get the impression that a lot of them are just waiting for it to be socially acceptable for them to call us "n!ggers" again.

I also think the double standard is there because, through out our experiences, whenever a white person has said the N word, it was definitely something negative, and they were in a position of power. I don't really see very many white people actually saying "n!gga" in normal conversation. I don't see how that could come up in anything other than a negative conversation.

Answer 3

Most people assume all blacks feel this way. I don't use the word and don't approve of anyone using the word referring to me. Don't care what color they are.

As for ignorant blacks behaving in public is no different that an ignorant White, Mexican etc behaving poorly in public.

For some reason THEY (Ignorant blacks) have this stupid double standard. But I'm sure all other races have words they would be upset if someone else used it.

Answer 4

hmmmmm. I think because going back in time when Black people were owned as Slaves and called this it has become a bad sounding word out of the mouth of a white person...When another Black person says it to his Black friend The whole meaning Changes.Like you stated it almost becomes a word of endearment.
Double Standards Apply in everything else in the world This is just another case. But Its understandable.The word really shouldnt be used by anyone Ever IMO.

Answer 5

Good question! I saw Anderson Cooper's 360 last night and Whoopie Goldberg said the N word herself, referring to the still not cleaned up areas of New Orleans as "N- Central" and that that was why the areas (parishes) hadn't yet been cleaned up totally, services 100% restored, etc.

The word comes from the term *******, referring to race such as the work Caucasian refers to whites. The word ***** used to be an alright word. Now it's not. Most blacks (and their parents and grandparents) have never been to Africa (which is a continent, not a nation), so I can't call them African Americans. If they can call me white then why can't I call them black.
And if the N word is so bad and so offensive then why do blacks use it so much and refer to themselves and each other as N s?

I wouldn't be concerned about the "ah" ending instead of "er". It's one of those linguistic anomalies I think, like how black (or white) people in certain areas of the U.S. say "ax" instead of ASK.

Answer 6

Because there is a double standard now. Blacks make fun of whites for having manners and not yelling in public. The squeaky wheel does get the grease.

Educated blacks have a life. Uneducated blacks have nothing to do but use our tax dollars and scream about racism. Bill Cosby is thought to be an idiot by the black community. Because he speaks the truth and wants them to take responsibility.

As a caucasian, I've been a victim of racism on a daily basis. I'm sick of it. But I don't have an ATTITUDE. And I don't think gold wheels and teeth give me class or sophistication. The facts are right there in front of us. Because of all the political correctness, we're letting a whole culture (hiphop) poison our children regardless of what race they are.

Answer 7

Welcome to America the land of the double standards. Hey my 10 year old was knocked over by someone who was not from our country because she was trying to gt a $25 docking station at the local Target. Then when I told her to be careful she went off on me in a language that is not English. Now if I did that to her kid I would be in jail for a hate crime.

Answer 8

I think many white people are playing dumb. What is your lust for this word? I heard three white dudes throwing it at each other like a football, I wasn't offended. Whites call one another *****, HOMMIE, DAWG, because the younger generations are not a product of this white power black power thing.

Answer 9

When a black person uses the 'N' word it has a totally different meaning than how it has historically been used by white people.
I think black people started using it to take the edge off the insult. Like a form of mockery of what they are called. It only really works well if you are black soory..... its like a group thing that can only effectively be shared by people in that group because they know what its all about.

Answer 10

I am not prejudiced against anybody, no matter the color of their
skin or their religion or their politics, etc. but I am sick of listening
to the blacks biching about this nonsense. If somebody calls
me a gringo or a honky - so what ? I could not care less. If
somebody gives me the finger - so what ?

Answer 11

i gotta say i agree with you. it's a show of power over white people, yet, the REAL question is, why do we, as white people, continue to ALLOW this practice? kramer (michael richards) is being lambasted, as have all the previous people who have even HINTED at using the "n" word, and why? because they were white and used the word. they can get away with calling us crackers, they can say "you white people" as a derogatory statement and get away with it, they can say in the rap music that it's a great thing to kill cops and every white person they see, as "reparation" for their ancestors' slavery. GIMME A BREAK!! and don't get me started on the whole "dwb" thing...they get tickets cuz they're black...try, they get tickets cuz they were driving either 90 or 30 in the left (fast) lane on the freeway. they got and continue to get tickets cuz they broke the law, just like every other driver on the road out there that gets tickets. (i know this cuz i work at a district court and see it every day.) ugh. thanks for the q though. i'm sure you'll get lambasted too, but you are not alone. good luck!!