Should White People be able to use the "N" word?

Question

The reason that the “N” word angers black people when it comes out of the mouth of whites is because when a white person calls a black person that word it historically meant that harm was about to come to that black person. It is like a golfer when he yells “FOUR.” All of the other golfers know to look out for danger. When a white person calls a black person the “N” word, that white person becomes a potential danger to me.

Why do some white people try and justify their use of the “N” word by saying that black people use it? Were do you think that black people got it form. It didn’t just pop up out of nowhere. We learned it when we learned how to speak the language. When we learned English, we learned the “N” word right along with it. White people taught us that word. White people who use the “N” word would us it regardless as to whether or not black people use it. Why would white people fight for the right to use this word knowing the violence that it has caused? To say that you use it because black people use it is an attempt to excuse your racist attitudes. Black people who use it are victims of white supremacy (You don’t like that word ‘victim’ do you) but white people who use it are Racist/White Spermists plain and simple. Your thoughts on this???

I agree that no one should use the word but that is not the question.

Answer 1

Should whites be allowed to use it? Absolutely. I am a strong believer in the freedoms that the US affords its citizens and especially believe that freedom of speech is one of the most important rights we have. If we outlaw the use of a word, where do we stop?

But let's consider another question:

Given that whites are allowed to use the "N: word, should they use it?

Absolutely not!

Answer 2

I would not want a white person to use the word around me just because there is such a thin line. Even though black people use it both as derogatory and as a term of endearment I just feel its kind of a right. I kinda feel the way about the N word as Native American feel about the Chief Wahoo logo for the Cleveland Indians baseball team. Even though they may not mean it as derogatory it is too easy to cross into being racist and so for those reasons I think it should be avoided. Its kind of like when girls go out and they call each other the B word playfully. But if a guy calls them the B. word or a girl they don't know does it, then it takes on a whole new meaning. _ usually fighting words. I think that people in general should not use the word but I can see why Black people still use it. We were nothing but N's at one time and now we can mock the word or the idea. We are allowed to say it to each other. In other countries they have words for Americans and or non-natives and even the natives, which they can use among themselves but is in essence a derogatory word. And if an American or some other non-native said it they will end up insulting the people who use it all the time. Life isn't fair, oh well. Do they need to say it that bad? No. so why even make it an issue? Just stop it. I think that I should be able to walk around at any time of the night with a mini skirt on and a tube top but it just is not likely to yield good results so why do it. To white people(hopefully) its just a word- so don't use it, act like it is a curse word and your kid is standing there. Alot of people said well then Black should not be able to crackers, but do they realize that that stem form slavery, as in Whip crackers, it was turned into a derogatory term because white people were as a fact whippin the hell out of Blacks -so I honestly think its wrong to put that on people now because nobody whips anybody but at the same time I want whites to know the root of it - I know that does not make it right - i do not use the word plus its corny anyway.

Answer 3

Sigh... I've answered this same question multiple times. The dictionary definition of the N word was up until a few years ago was simply "an ignorant person". It had never until recently given any indication to color. Whether it ends in "er" or "a", it shouldn't be said. Do you think it's right for blacks to be able to say it and not let other say it as well? It's like blacks stressing the word "white" when talking to a white person. That usually is followed by a degree of hate and/or violence. Until the race card is no longer played and the word "racism" (sadly only used to describe white people) is no longer used will the diversity end. By using the "he's racist" defense for anything, it only perpetuates the differences and also the hate.

Personally, I am white and have two uncles and a cousin that are black. Do I hate them? My uncle John is my personal hero. He is what I tried so hard to become in life. He told me that there are two types of people. The name is not used by color but by actions. Most of the time ignorance is what gets blacks called the N word, unless it's by someone so blindly racist they need to be euthanised. Even the white people do not like the white supremacists. You think the whites want to be led by a bunch of incestual hee haws even if they bought into that "superior race" BS?

Answer 4

"because when a white person calls a black person that word it historically meant that harm was about to come to that black person. It is like a golfer when he yells “FOUR.” All of the other golfers know to look out for danger. When a white person calls a black person the “N” word, that white person becomes a potential danger to me."

This statement is absolutely correct.
When white people created and utilized the word in conjuction with racist actions, they owned the word - but racist actions and speech are always wealth-divesting.
The ownership of the word passed onto the person whom the word was used against. With each blow, hanging, economic destructiion, family destructiion, negative public policy change, private industrial/resource "redline," and otherwise anti-American effort directed specifically against Black Americans, the ownership of the word passed from White to Black through the payment made by the entire group.

Whites can't use the word publicly because they do not own the word anymore. They gave up the right to use the word because they misused it. This is not the only thing that Whites have given up. They gave up their freedom for Black slavery, they gave up any semblance of life for Black Hangings/Holocaust, they gave up moral authority for the denial of Black American citizenship/rights.

Whites in America have been given by other whites the wrong information and attitudes, and if they continue the cycle, they will continue to pay with the lives of their children, just as the children of White parents pay today.

It pays off economically to be White and to sustain White supremacy, but it only comes to a fiery conclusion. Why is this? because of such great historical untruths, Whites cannot be trusted at any time for/with anything.

It is White supremacy notions that has created the rift between Americans and all other nations today. Even Germany looks to America with disgust. You may gain great wealth by being White, you will however, lose your ability to reason coherently about the world - because your only choice left will be to remain in denial. Becoming "White" is a recipe for self destruction because the reality is "White" is just a concept - not a reality. People who do not live in reality cannot be trusted with anything.

Answer 5

The way that I was brought up was believing that the "N" word means a nasty, filthy person and that the term is associated with the black race as a cruel racial remark.
I DO see how it would strike fear into the hearts of Black Americans and African Americans because some white people in the past and some in the present are VERY violent and rude toward them.

I have many black friends and African American friends. They are different to me because my African friends made a very good point that Black Americans that did not come from Africa or have a close relative (father, grandfather) that came from there have never really experienced what it is like to be African. Just like, since I have English and Native American heritage, I am still merely White because I was not raised in England or experience the same things as Native Americans. My pure Native American blood goes farther back than my grandparents as does the blood and experience of living in England.

Back to my point, the "N" word, in my opinion, should not be used by anyone lightly, if used at all. I think that it is EXTREMELY rude for a person that is not of the Black race to use it, and I think that the black people that use the term are not showing proper respect for themselves or their ancestors.


I hope nothing that I said was taken offensively, I tried to explain myself as best I could.
I think that all people should appreciate themselves, their relatives (living and deceased), and respect and appreciate others.

Answer 6

First of all I think you meant "supremest" not spermists. That aside, using the word ******, (let's be adult and not attempt to be all politically correct here) is just wrong. There is no denying this fact. As far as racists go though let me assure that as evidenced by the "missive" that you have penned here and your Yahoo ID name you sir, are every bit as racist as whites are. As a matter of fact I have found that in some cases black men and women are much more racist than whites. I am truly sorry for what happened to your ancestors all those years ago. I further think that it was a shame that your own people sold your ancestors to the slave traders who brought them to America. Please study history and get facts prior to just laying blame. Africans sold other Africans to the slave traders who then brought them to America and sold them into slavery. I owe you only the respect I owe any other human being. I don't owe you anything else. As to victimization, you can only be a victim to the extent that you will allow yourself to be one.
I had the personal honor of knowing, respecting and caring for as his hospice nurse at the end of his life, the father of James Chaney, Mr. Ben Chaney. If anyone ever had a reason to be racist or to hate a group of people he did. But what a precious, loving, generous Christian man he was. I learned so much from that gentle soul. He told me one day as I sat by his bedside that if we(meaning people) could just try to treat each other with respect and dignity, we could put the past behind us and look forward to a future together. Wouldn't that be nice.
Hope you can work through your "rage" and come out on the other side a happier individual. good luck and God bless.
NO ONE should use the word "******" for any reason.

Answer 7

Well I responded to your last or other question. I can respond to this as well. I think the music culture such as rap has freely used and profited from the use of it. I don't think that Webster's dictionary has issued a meaning quite like it is charecterized. We get called honky, I get called fag personally. It is an issue if one is made an issue from it. Try to be a bit more spirited and uplifting in your life, rather than being faulting. I am in a town near Pittsburgh. The community is primarily caucasion, however, the college here has a 60% minority ration I believe that is the correct number. We don't have any issues here. In fact there was a chapter of the KKK close. Keep in mind I said WAS a chapter here. It is no longer-- People don't like hatred today. You have a great deal of energy and passion I credit you for. Why don't you use some of that to fight to bring the troops home and protest the war. Keep in mind, on the battleline there are no colors except the red, white, and blue.Good luck to you and God bless

Answer 8

My thoughts on this as a white person, I refuse to use the word and I say something to anyone who uses it around me. It doesn't matter if they are white or black or green. Knowing what the original meaning of the word was angers me and I find it obscene to use it. Now, not all white people who use it are Racists or "Spermists" (I think you meant supremeacists) because I have had teachers use it in an examplatory fashion. I.E. at an interview, you can't say you hate "n" 's, or "what's up my n?" because many people are offended by it and it is horribly bad workplace ethic that could get you fired or worse. I don't think black people using it is appropriate either, though. It is one of the few words I wish deep in my sould never stepped foot onto the lips of anyone.

Answer 9

This is a serious question indeed and to be honest I feel nobody should be using it period.

Now look at it this way .. Say all Italians for some god foresaken reason start calling each other "guinea bastards" would you think it was normal to hear them talk to each other that way?

Words do have a consequence and if you read your comment on white people ...

You said "Racist/White Spermists" lol that is too funny and could take away from the value of your question.

Answer 10

Well, now black people use the "N" word to their friends and family as if it's okay. If the black community wouldn't use it in a friendly way with each other, then the word may die out . Now the black community sees it as it's okay to use it with one another, but has anyone in the black community who uses the word ever stopped to think about what it means and where it came from when they are calling each other saying "what up my "N"?? They are actually doing what they don't want the white community to do. The black community is calling one another the "N" word. So until it's pass down to the children of the black community thats not a word we call one another, then word will not die out.

Answer 11

I personally don't use the word. The only time i ever say it is if i'm just being dumb or i'm ticked off. I don't think anyone but black people should use the word because even though i kinda get mad when black people use the word i know where there coming from with it. When someone non-black says it, i don't know if they're trying to get a reaction out of me or what. Like an example of this is, in my senior year of HS i was in art and the teacher always keeps the radio on. well kanye west's gold digger came on. this girl who claims to not be racist just because she considers me her friend started to sing the hook of the song and rather than edit herself she says the n-word (ending in ga not er but still) me and the white girl i was sitting next too just stared at each other in disbelief. She then questions her on why she said it, she said that she said it because the word ni**a isn't offensive. In my head i'm thinking wtf! I told her i don't even really tolerate black people saying the n word, so why wouldn't i be offended by it when she said it? The way i knew she was just saying it to say it was because she kept singing but the next time she did edit herself. As far as people justifying saying the n word cause black people say it, that's stupid! What goes on in the black community has nothing to do with them. It's like if white people decided to call each other the h word. I would care less what white people call each other because it has nothing to do with me.