I don't understand why some black people get mad?

Question

My friend told me a story about some black girls that got mad at her on the Bus. She said her car broke down and she used the bus to get back home. While on the bus there were some black girls, about 3 of em in a group and she overheard them talking using the "N" word. She told me her phone rang and she had a 50 Cent ring tone that uses the "N" word. She said that when the ringtone went off and the "N" word was said, that the black girls made a big deal about it, and called her racist. That sounds very very ignorant to me, what is their problem?

Answer 1

The "N" word is one of those words that is better left alone. I don't think any race should use it but it seems to be an acceptable form of address for those who are of African American descent. Accordingly, it is supposed to be the equivenlent of "brother" and if you aren't of the same ethnicity and use it then it is considered a racial epiteph. Just avoid the entire word and don't try to argue it. It sort of like those in the South that like the rebel flag because it represents the south but to the African american community it represents slavery/racism. It is a waste of time and better to just avoid it and not debate it.

Answer 2

Hmmm. I don't get it. For the most part, any use of that word other than talking about it as a word is completely inappropriate. Yes, in certain circles it's acceptable for black people to call other black people the "N" word. And it appears to be acceptable for black artists to use it as part of their art form, in this case, a song. I don't understand why a white person liking the song enough to use it as a ringtone should be considered racist however. 50 Cent is a mainstream artist and his songs are heard everywhere. I don't get it.

Answer 3

Here's what I think the problem is: That the black people of the United States still want special treatment for the slavery their ancestors suffered. I think that slavery and segregation were abominable ideals, but the blacks of today (just like the Irish, Italian, Polish, Hispanic) have the same opportunities (sometimes more) than most Americans, and ought to get over themselves and STOP the reverse discrimination. How insane is it to get mad at a person for using the N word, if they use it themselves? (And, should all Italians be furious when other cultures say "Yo, Adrianne!" I mean, you could use that example with any ethnicity)

Answer 4

i completely disagree with the whole hip hop r & b industry using the 'n' word. so first of all i wouldnt even bother buying or listening to music with it in. and the thing is ye i know some black people use the 'n' word flipantly just like some asians us the 'p' word. the problem here is that if black people use the 'n' word some would not see any thing wrong with it 'but if any one else says it its deemed as wrong- well i think it is wrong whoever uses black or white. basically its wrong full stop in songs when black people say it and when white people say it. now ur friend didnt say it too them offending them it was on her ringtone? so ye i dont see why they are mad. and not all black people are like that so be careful not to generalise =)

Answer 5

I have wondered about this for a long time. I am the least racist a person could be. God created all races, not just whites, not just blacks, not just asians, etc. What happened to black people was truly disgusting, but it was a very long time ago and it doesn't mean that white people of today think that they are above another race. Okay, it's kind of like this-(some)black people can make fun of white people maybe thinking they are posers(think Eminem) if they act "black" and that is supposed to be their right and it's supposed to be okay for them to say, but if a white person says something wrong about a black person, (which is NOT okay), they (some people) get offended. Sometimes it seems like SOME black people don't like white people and look at US like we have three heads because of what happened so long ago. MOST OF US ARE NOT RACIST, SO STOP THINKING WE ARE OUT TO GET YOU. It's as simple as this-black people, have enough respect for yourselves not to call each other nasty names. If you say it, expect other races to think it's okay for THEM to say it. In turn, white people will stop thinking that the word is universally acceptable. White people, stop disrespecting others and don't use the horrible word either. It's not okay for ANYONE to say. It's immature and ignorant. We're all the same under our skin.

Answer 6

I am white and I find that word very disrespectful. I don't care if people of black color use it I still see it as rude and disrespectful. They may have been upset that someone would use a song with that word as a ring tone. I know I would. I am a Christian mom and homeschool my children. I teach them to respect people of all colors. I would be upset if someone's phone rang and my children heard that song. So I can understand why the girls were mad. I would too. I'd suggest your friend think of others when she picks her ring tones.

Answer 7

I feel that as a culture most can accept the word coming from one of our own, but when someone who can never comprehend the depth and scope of hurt and anger the word projects uses it...NO. Period. Its like get over it, if you are not black, didn't grow up black, had to live life as a black person, you can't say or use the N word. Look they threw it at us as the lowest slur and black people turned that same slur around and not necessarily embraced it but accepted as a word only we 'can' use. So I guess be careful of words you use as negative leverage towards others, as you can see u crying cause you can't use it now...

Answer 8

It's funny isn't it? Black people want the rest of us to accept them as they are with their slanguage, music, and lifestyle choices. Then, when we do accept and adopt some of their culture into our lives (ie. 50 cent ring tones) they jump up and call us racist. If they weren't so stupid they'd realize that by having black music on your cell phone you are in fact supporting black rights. After all you didn't say the N word, 50 cent did...I agree with you completely.

Answer 9

I can see where your friend is confused. I try to teach my children to be sensitive to others feelings. We have lived in many
diverse areas (we are of Italian decent, white) . When I hear someone (usually a black male) say that word I will usually just smile, and say ouch! I really don't want my kids to think that word is okay, they might get their butts kicked if they say it. I have never had a bad response. Most of the time, whoever said it laughs and apologizes. I really dont think we should get to upset about it. Heck, you dont here them saying much when a white person is blarring country music. lol

Answer 10

The same double standard we all have to live with for now, what they fail to realize is that by using this word in casual speech and music they are in effect sanitizing it and making it slowly but surely ok for everyone to use it. Slowly but surely we will see this taboo die off. If they want to keep playing the racist card every time a white person uses it they need to stop too. We can't have two set's of rules that in and of itself is racist, or at least thats what they called it when whites imposed two sets of rules.