Is it ok for a white person to say the "N" word if singing along to a song?

Question

some good songs say that word and I like singing along

Have you ever tried not singing along to a song you like??? It's f*ing impossible!!!!!!

Answer 1

Interesting question...
Well as an African American, I can say that I have just as many white friends as I do black and other friends of different ethnicity. In addition, while driving in a car we have all sung along to songs that had that word in it and they have *never* said that part - at least not while I was in the car anyways. However, in theory, if they had, I imagine that I would not be offended by it (in a racist sense anyway). I only say this because as I said, looking back on it, I happen to like the country song "Redneck Woman" by Gretchen Wilson, and I sing and say that word with her in her song.

I would think that just as I would say "redneck" only to sing along, my friends would also (in the privacy of their own car/room) only say the "N" word because it is apart of a song they like - not to be racist or hurtful. I know my friends are not racist, so I know when/if they said the word it would hold no denigrating intent. Therefore, again, I do not see it being such a catastrophic thing in that circumstance. Nevertheless, I can only speak for myself as an individual – not as a representative for all black culture as it still is a sensitive issue. Just take notice how even on here, Yahoo Answers, I can freely write the word redneck without any word blocking but not the word ******.

Answer 2

Being an African American I don't think it's good whether blacks or whites say it. It is not alright for a white person to sing it......especially in the presence of a black person. Just the other day, me and a white coworker was listening to Tupac. He picked the song. Not one time did he say the "N" word. And were really good friends. Whoever responded saying if blacks can say it why can't whites........I dare you to say the "N" word in a black person face. Like that guy said, hope you have 911 on speed dial. By the way, whether you use the "ger" or the "ga" it still hurts the same.

Answer 3

If they dont like the n word (which I might add I DO NOT use) but if they dont like the n word WHY IN HELL IS IT OK FOR THEM TO USE IT IN THEIR SONGS ? I do not understand! They been yelling enough about how they want all the cotton picking and "song of the south" banned because all that is history of the past, it happened we cant forget it but our generations certainly do not condon it and then they go & sing about the N word, talk about a double standard. I have plenty of black friends and they would be appaled IF I were singing that, and I am like you if you think and feel its wrong DONT DO IT! I think someone needs to be yelling at the artists who are using the N word and protest it. Because my mama always said to remember this one thing... if you have to ask is something ok to do, its probably NOT ok!

Answer 4

That is a difficult question to answer. I know that my daughter and her friends have ON occasion done exactly that. My daughter is biracial P.R. /Italian) some of her friends are white, some of her friends are black. They have never been accused of being racist by their black friends. However,some black people might be offended so I guess it would be something you might want to consider . Do you have any black friends? Is the friendship deep enough that they would understand that your only singing along and have no hateful intent. It really is HARD not to sing along to song you like. MY Daughter cracks up everytime I sing "to the windows to the wall". Anyway thats the best I can do for you I never assume anyone Is racist unless I truly believe that what comes out of their mouth is said with the intent to demean, cause harm or incite hatred of another.....Good luck!!!!!!

Answer 5

Yeah,
Then throw glitter.

That is a joke from a comedian in the same situation.

He spoke of songs that you will be singing in your old age.
His grandpa would play some old song.
Then he imagines what it would be like when he gets older.
"Yeah, I can remember when your mother was a Ho!, we used to sing this all the time"

P.S. If you ever get a chance, check out Nick Swardson,
No mention of using the N word in the transcript. You will have to see the standup act.

http://paing.com/index.php?section=reviews&page=comedians&file=nick_swardson

Answer 6

I'm nuetral on the subject, being hispanic, but I don't see anything wrong with it. The word "n igga" doesn't even have the same meaning as the word "n igger". N igga is used on the streets to mean "person". It's used by anyone to refer to anyone. I see it as a way to kill the negative history behind the word "n igger", although some people say it just to be down. It's all gravy either way. Words are just words. It's the context you need to worry about.

Answer 7

Is it okey for any person to say the " F " word if singing along to a song...

Answer 8

I do not see why it is a big deal, your singing along to a song. There are many thoughts, acts, and words that are said or conveyed through music that most would not use or do in real life.
In a social/conversational situation this becomes much more confusing and tense.

Answer 9

Sing along Adam. That's the way the song goes, so sing it. Why should you feel bad? Now if you wrote it, I'd say that is a different story.

If I had a song I was too scared to sing I'd find another one to listen to.

Answer 10

I always enjoy questions with the double negative involved.

I do not think it is OK in the presence of an African American to use the term, simply because it implys that the word has no meaning, which is preposterous. The "N" word is a term applied to African Americans during bad years of this country, which everyone is aware of.

As someone else has already stated, it is generally accepted to use racial terms towards whites, but they do not have the intense meaning of the "N" word, so no one takes it quite as seriously. I would say that in the presence of someone who takes offense to any word, it is not OK (as there are many others not of the African American race who do not like the word as well), which would apply to other words such as the "C" word towards women which I personally do not like myself.