why is the "N' word so offense to black people?

Question

I live in Jamaica, and was born here.Whenever I visit the U.S.
I hear the African-American call each other the "N" word.I think
if they hate the word so much, they should not say it at all.

Answer 1

This word is offensive to us because thats what the slave owners called their slaves and they even let the slaves wear huge chains with the "n" word an them.

Answer 2

Blacks call each other the N word with affection or as a put down, as the situation merits. When people of other races use the word and especially when used in an offensive tone or with hateful intent, itis of course offensive. It is a Black's perogative to use the word whenever s/he sees fit, and other races need to respect the past harms and avoid this offensive term at all costs.

Answer 3

The "N" word was created by the slave owners to degrade & belittle the slaves. To make them feel less than human.
Today people in the black community continue to call themselves that and it's okay to them.
But it's not okay for someone outside the race to use that word. Because they don't have the right to it. They didn't come from the same place. They don't have to deal with the same predjudices.
As to why blacks are even using the word to begin with...
I can't help you there. I sure don't feel the need to use it.

Answer 4

It has a really lengthy historic past. and under no circumstances in simple terms black rappers say it. it really is quite offensive. "Masters" used to call their slaves n*****, it really is a derogatory be conscious, it really is a be conscious of oppression. they say it because, for the most area, they could get away with it. They shouldn't use it, no individual could use it.

Answer 5

This is a great question. As a caucasian from the South I find the use of the word in any form offensive. I remember growing up in Atlanta, Ga and the gas station attendant not letting a little girl use the restroom (and it was a nasty restroom) because she was a N******. And that was in the Mid 70's.

The word is a slave word used by ignorant people to describe the color of their skin from the spanish word "*****" meaning black. But it wasn't used as a descriptive of color, but of a station of society-- a slave.

I find it offensive for people to use because it is wrong to use a person's skin color to identify his place in society. it shouldn't be used by anyone. African-Americans shouldn't use it in jest because it defames and belittles the suffering of their ancestors. it is a Hateful Word.

Answer 6

Not all blacks use that term. I definitely don't use it, and I hate that there are blacks that do use it for themselves and such because that's just like saying it's okay for others to use it.

My family is also originally from Jamaica, so they didn't deal with the racism from slavery times and such, but I still find the n word offensive since it came from all that racism.

Answer 7

So you hear every person of color use the word? I don't believe you have. I don't use it not that many of my partners use it, it depends on your level of self respect. Don't pigeon hole every one, and 1 quick question are you a dark skinned person. If you are there will be a time when a Caucasian will toss it at you study the history of the word then get back to me.

Answer 8

because the "N" word is derogatory, it has demeaning connotations.

Like calling a brown person a "paki" or anyone with a head scarf an "arab" or a "terrorist." I did research on Romani people a while ago and I know they get hurt and offended if you calling them "gypsies" because it implies that they gypped people, which they didn't.

But I guess they call each other that...cuz they think it's cool and funnny.

Answer 9

Between themselves they can joke about it. When whites say it, it relates to the centuries of mistreatment the whites subjected them to. And the way the whites have continually looked down on them. So coming from white people, it's no joke at all!

It's like two girls might joking call eachother b--ch, but if some guy comes along and calls one of them that he deserves to get his face slapped, or more.

Words carry different emotional meanings, depending on who uses them.

Answer 10

I think it's one of those things where someone turns a negative into something that reminds everyone what it used to be but it's not going to hurt anymore...unless someone says it to them again.

I dont really know and Im having a guess..