i do not agree with ethnic slurs but i ask ...should black people that the use the "n" word to other blacks ?

Question

be the same as being a raceist to there own race ?

Answer 1

it's their prerogative...until you are on the receiving end, you can't really have a say...is that a double-standard? perhaps, but that's the way it is

Answer 2

It's not the same as being 'racist' simply because: Racism = racial discrimination + power. So if a person who has more power/status is racially discriminatory towards someone with less power/lower status then it is racism. If a Black person were to use the 'n' word towards another Black person it could only ever be considered racially discriminatory (yes there is a difference) if at all discriminatory.

But it is not that simple. It totally depends on the context of the situation and what the sayer and the hearer perceives to be the meaning attached to the word. If I call you 'heavy' you might think what I'm saying is you're overweight. But if you belong to the subculture of London youth you might understand the word 'heavy' to mean excellent (which it does in London slang). You have to be a part of that group to understand whether I'm saying it as an insult or a compliment.

So in the same way you have to be part of the group (ie Black) to understand what is meant by the 'n' word in any given situation.

Another important factor is to consider the connotations of the word n****r. It has a massive history of being used negatively by racists so it's a bit of a 'hot potato'. I think it depends on your politics, your upbringing, your social circles, how you interpret the word.

I personally am not comfortable with the word. Whether it's being used by Blacks, whites to Blacks or anyone else. I just don't like it. But I know in other parts of the world among certain subcultures the negative connotations have been done away with to a certain extent and the word has taken on a new meaning.

Basically what I'm saying is you can't generalise about the use of the 'n' word. It depends largely on the context within which it is being used.

Personally I am particularly against the idea of white people using the word and if any white person brought that word to me I would not be at all pleased. But then that's because of where I'm at. My social circles, my politics and my experiences.

What's important is that you recognise that the word will be received differently in different contexts and therefore that you act accordingly. Ie. just be aware of where you're at and how it might be received. This is about being responsible not about conforming.

Answer 3

Not black so I don't know for sure, but I think they shouldn't say it either. I've heard that "well, if it's coming from another it's okay" but I don't buy it. I've also heard that they try to turn the word around so that white people have no reason to call them that because they are already calling eachother it. I think that time has come and gone because while some still use the word, society as a whole does not tolerate it. I think it's unique at least. I would never call a friend an offensive word.

Answer 4

I'm not black, but from what i've researched, they use that word as someone else would say "dude" or "bro"; but there are blacks that don't take kindly to even their own race using that word, mainly the older generation. They actually use the "n" word ending with "a" rather than "er", to soften the tone of it. But that word should only be used by blacks (if someone of another race uses it, it's still considered offensive).

Answer 5

its not what you say but how you say. and when a white person uses the word in intent to be racist then there is a problem and that is when a black person gets upset. there are white people who hang out with black people and use the word and black people don't jump on them. I do agree that the word should be scratched out period, because i think it makes other feel its okay to say it to blacks because blacks use it, and thats not true. im black and i don't want to be called ****@ even by a friend because I know where it comes from and thats not my style.

Answer 6

while there are some black people who actually are "racist to their own race," most of the ones that use n****, use the word as they would use "homeboy", "dude", "dog", "boy", et cetera, et cetera. so on the whole its not being racist but i do believe that there are plenty other words that they could use in place of it. being black myself, i admit i used to use n****, but i realized that its really no point to it. you have a word that is associated with so many negative things, why turn around and try to use it when you have so many other words in place of it. in school teachers try to have the discussion about the word and try to imprint on African- American students minds that we shouldnt use it-"its shameful to use", "you dont see other races glorifying racial slurs" and other arguments but i guess it doesnt stick. i have friends who still use n**** but i dont get mad at them for it because that is their choice. in all n**** may be just a word, but its a word that people should think more carefully on throwing it around so much

Answer 7

Everyone should have free use of the word, as it can be used to define certain undesirable types of people and their concomitant behavior.

What we really need is a really offensive term to define the speech police.

Answer 8

I call them what I wants to call them when I wants too. But If a white man call me that I be flexin up in no time ....Thug word.

Answer 9

Call a spade a spade? Thats all fine unless your white, then your a racist. What do we call this? Reverse inequality? I have other terms for it. Remember, this is Yahoo. Tell the truth & you shall be banned.

Answer 10

I really think this is a double standard and I have no respect for it. To me, it just helps to further racism along.