BLACK PEOPLE. What do you think of younger black people calling each other "the N word"?

Question

I know in my Junior High (8th and 9th graders), black people are just letting it FLY! They call each other it. AS A GREETING!

For some reason, they think that they have changed the meaning. Can you change the meaning of a word like that?

after all the slaves that went through hell, and after all the men and women like Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks, who fought to change the image of black people.

They had to fight for the right to GO TO SCHOOL! And learn to read. and now, not long after they had finally succeeded, there are millions of black people that are shooting each other and other people, they drop out of school to join gangs, and many of them, honestly don't care about their grades.

Don’t get me wrong, I know that not all black people are like this. Some of my closest friends are not only black, they are really smart (not to mention GREAT athletes)

I don't know. I am anxious to here your guys’ thoughts on the matter.

yes, in case you didn't already know, i am white.

Answer 1

I'm a younger black person(not as young as you,but I am),and I find the word just as displeasing to hear from a black person than a white.Hip hop culture(which caters to young blacks)promotes alot of behaviors that go against what our ancestors fought for.Sitting in the back of the bus,calling eachother ******,seperating ourselves from other cultures(BET,UNITED ***** COLLEGE FUND,BLACK HISTORY MONTH).Then the same blacks want to complain about not being treated equally!They want to shout Martin Luther King HA! I'lI bet Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks,Malcom X,and all the other influential blacks are spinning in their graves!! All that work and pain in vain!

Answer 2

Many younger blacks are so displaced for the Civil Rights era that they do not feel the need to honor those who came before them and fought and even died for them to be able to walk around freely. To go back to your original question about blacks calling each other "ni**a", many younger people believe that "ni**a" is different from "ni**er". While the "er" ending is disrespectful, the other has a more positive meaning of brotherhood. They believe that they have taken ownership of something that was meant to derisive, and made it uplifting in a way. Now as far as the unappreciated free education, and the destruction of black neighborhoods due to gang and drug activity, all I can say is that these problems are not unique to black-americans. I was watching a documentary the other day about the effects of crystal meth on certain neighborhoods, which has had almost as negative of an effect as crack on black areas. The difference is just that crystal meth is not as widespread. And, also you have to remember that a combination of factors have lead to the breakdown of the family structure in black neighborhoods. In a world where instant gratification is desired, and those who have money are admired and respected more than those who have degrees, many young blacks have fallen victim to this short sightedness. It's sad, but hopefully one day another powerful leader can rise up and lead black people out of the despair that can be seen in so many neighborhoods.

Answer 3

Personally it makes me sick to hear the way that word is used today. I mean I hear it now again and obviously I'm not gonna go up to every person and lecture them about it, but it reveals to me a real lack of knowledge on their part. Why did Martin Luther King fight for the rights of black people to call each other the same word they were trying to escape from? It just doesn't make sense to me. But rappers are all about saying it these days...

Answer 4

There are many people that have to face racist remarks and hate in life. Not just black people. I don't think anyone should call each other the N word. Just as I don't feel we should lable other races with mean words. It's degrading no matter who is saying it. I really wish everyone would stop harping on the color of peoples skin. It only seperates us. We are all God's children and should learn to accept our differences and even embrace them. Cats and Dogs can get along. So could birds and cats. So too should we! It's just all about respect and understanding. Just love each other and throw away all the hate!

Answer 5

The N word is offensive no matter who uses it, how or why! Just because a persons black doesn't give them special permission to use a word that is offensive not only to other black americans but to other people as well! There's no excuse for it just like there's no excuse to call anyone any names. Be it the N word, the S word, The D word. Whatever! They are all offensive names and no matter WHO is saying it doesn't matter! A black person shouldn't be given special privledges to say it just because they are black! That's stupid!

Answer 6

As I scroll down the list of "answers" my mind begins to reaffirm the fact that the hatred and white supremacy that built this country is so deeply embedded in the minds of Americans that it is useless to try and extrapolate it. To all of you that state that it is simply in our barbaric nature to demean eachother answer me this

What is to be said of a nation of people who steal, rape, pilage, brutally kill, dehumanize and enslave someone using the index of skin color? Is that not the epitome of barbaric?

The meaning of the word cannot be changed ...there is simply too much pain and misery behing those 5 letters. But it is none of anyones buisness why black people do what black people do. This is an experience banine to Blacks and therefore it is something that we as a people have to determine how we feel about it and how we want to approach the situation.

So please don't let our problem burden your troubled mind young boy it is not in your interest to do so...better yet your thirst for knowledge would be better quinched by reading a book.

*Oh and I love the comment about how your black friends are such great athletes*

Answer 7

I think the N word has become main-stream. I've heard preppy white kids call each other the N word because they got it from listening to a lot rap music. So not everyone uses it to offend African Americans. But as far as African Americans using it on each other, I really wish we didn't. I don't hear Jewish people calling each other kikes or Latins calling each other wetbacks because they feel those worlds are disrespectful. So even though blacks usually use it in a friendly manner, still, I really think it would be better if we didn't use it.

Answer 8

Actually it is not the word N 1gger that is wrong. Words are nothing more than vocal utterance... I really don't believe in "Profanity"... We, all of use give the word it's meaning, it's not the word that actually defines itself or what speaker means. So When too black kids, who are best friends and have no reason to hate one another call each other N 1gger, I am sure that the hatred and racism that the word historically carried is not there. That's why it is OK for two black kids to call each other N 1gger and not for a white whom they don't know and who's intent is not certain.. does that help.

you can't call a black man N 1gger unless you are his true N 1gger... know what I'm saying?

Answer 9

First off you are in MIDDLE SCHOOL. Those black people there are still IGNORANT and you are too. They have not yet experienced any hardship in their life. Wait till they get a job, and they see what happens before them; discrimination, all kinds of crap. Sorry to say it but they are out of touch with reality, young and in their own world. Hopefully they will grow out of it.

Answer 10

Who cares. I have white friends too and we call each other the "N" word. It's like another way of saying man.