saying "n*gger" is really really horrible, but for african american people saying "n*gga" is fine? whats the difference really?
2006-11-30 04:02:37 · 28 answers · asked by ♥Brown Eyed Girl ♥ 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
There is a researcher who wrote a book called n*gger. In it, he talks about this phenomenon. As he describes it, the word is a racial slur when used by anybody except the people it references. However, black people using the word (and the slang version n*gga) are attempting to take back control over the word - to lessen the negative effects of the word.
2006-11-30 04:13:53 · answer #1 · answered by hobbes84k 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Personally, I think it's terribly igornant for African American people to willy nilly throw around a horrific word that is the pure embodiment of of hate in a time in their history when they were beaten and tortured, and subjugated. However, if you look at it from Richard Pryor's point of view, he felt that the more you used the word, the less power the word had. I would never say it though. I think it's a terribly sad thing to say.
2006-11-30 04:12:06 · answer #2 · answered by blondes tease, brunettes please 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
There is no difference and if you were to watch the news more then you would notice that both Al Sharpton and Glenn Beck have come out against the use of that word be it said by anyone. They mean the exact same thing and the use for them is the exact same use. The only difference between those two words is who they are said by.
2006-11-30 04:07:20 · answer #3 · answered by ambr95012 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm a white woman and I have always believed "n#gger" to be a hate word. At first the word was used by black males to create a hierarchy amongst themselves - the "*******" in the group are "losers"; but its overuse caused the word to lose its potency (which was part of the reason it was used by the very people it was supposed to insult). So if non-blacks use the word now, it doesn't mean much, because the sting has been removed by Blacks using it in so many contexts.
2006-11-30 04:17:35 · answer #4 · answered by Miz Teri 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
It's who says it. If it's a word that belongs to your race, culture, creed, some people will argue that it belongs to them. And by using it freely, you take power over the word. But the friends I have who are black don't use the word and find it offensive. I don't EVER use it, but unfortunatley don't find it offensive anymore because of it's overuse in hip hop. So I can't decide if the word is now freed from discrimination or if it's a sad state of affairs when the most offensive, loaded slang word is not longer hurtful.
2006-11-30 04:07:43 · answer #5 · answered by shannonscorpio 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's a gray area in the fact that you hear people using it towards their friends while laughing and then you hear it other times and people get really offended. The word should not be used in my opinion. The fact that people use it towards their friends is beyond me...especially the black community who are the ones that you would think not to use the word the most...i don't care if it's meant in light spirits or not.
2006-11-30 04:20:33 · answer #6 · answered by Heather 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is one difference... Spelling. Other than that, it means ignorant person, or the slang version, the common term used to describe slaves and African Americans back in colonial times.
I understand your point, and anyone who has ever said it around me has not been a happy camper. Seriously, I really hate that crap. They can use the word they hated for MANY MANY years and turn it around and make it their peace sign? That never will make sense to us.
And, why is there still rap in the world? It should be banned.
2006-11-30 04:06:15 · answer #7 · answered by Cold Fart 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
both words are equally bad, they both mean '*****' which is like saying negative, its like saying to them that you are the negative part of society.
This is very bad, and a lot African American people don't know what it mean, but a lot do.
This word is very insulting, so unless you want to be an arrogant racist, DON'T SAY IT!!!
2006-11-30 04:16:07 · answer #8 · answered by Saby 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Personally, I don't think anyone should say it. However, I think it may be an empowerment/disempowerment thing; that is, taking the sting out of the word people use to insult you by using it yourself. The problem is, it's not working. The word still stings, I think.
2006-11-30 04:12:40 · answer #9 · answered by nosleepthree 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Its actually the same word believe it or not. Its just that a lot of black people cant say the "er" in words that end that way. Another example is gangster being pronounced "gangsta". Its a very good question though that needs to be axed.
2006-11-30 05:11:28 · answer #10 · answered by J D 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋