The N word, why the obsession?

Question

Lately I've noticed white people complaining about not being able to use it.
Why WOULD you want to use it?

I never said white people can't say it, but I can't for the life of me, figure out why it seems they want so badly to use it?

Robert S - Check the question again, I didn't ask for a list of your aliases.

Francine - Do you know who Crispus Attucks is? He was the first to die in the AMERICAN revolution so I think blacks had just as much to do with the founding of this free country!

Answer 1

I see what you're saying

Answer 2

ok, i'm gonna give you my take on this.....I work in a very diverse area, and it's not the point that people want to say it but that they shouldn't say it because they're white, when it's used so freely by some of the black population. Some people see it as a double standard. I can't tell you how many times I've either walked by a group of men hanging out, or even with friends who refer to each other by using the N word. However, when a white person uses it, reguardless of the context (yes, there are some people who honestly don't mean it in any kind of hateful way....trust me, I know a guy who really wanted to fit in with a bunch of co-workers and said it- you could of heard a pin drop after he did) it automatically means they're racist. I really feel if a word is that offensive (which I feel it is) then it shouldn't be used by anyone, black or white.

Answer 3

It is all about context mac man. Suppose you and I were discussing the adventures of huckleberry finn and in this conversation I said to you that I understand that the book can be offensive because of the use of the word n igger. I didn't say "N word" I just simply said the word in question, that of course being n igger. I didn't call you one or disparage an entire race, but I uttered the word in the context of the discussion. Would you be offended? I would hope not. I understand that the word is insulting and a provocation and if I said it in that spirit I would have to deal with the situation I created, whatever form it took. We are adults we shouldn't have to say "N word". That is like going to the urologist and telling him you have a problem with your "pee pee." It's childish. And I don't know why people complain about not being "allowed" to use it. Use it as far as you can back it up. A lot of power is given to six letters strung together when people get emotional about it.

Answer 4

It's the double standard thing. Nobody should use it, or any other hurtful term. But for some reason people feel they can say derogatory words if they are of a certain culture. I've heard all sorts of different people (all cultures) put down their own, thinking it is okay for them but not for anyone else to repeat. Most white people (I know) don't understand why it is okay for black people to say it but it's not okay white people to say. Once again I don't think anyone should use such hurtful words even if as a joking or friendly way. I wish we didn't even have to be described by skin color. Bob Marley said something about how great it would be if "skin color was as significant as the color of our eyes", hopefully someday.

Answer 5

I don't. I don't let my kids use it.

It was once used freely, and derogatively, by whites. With the Civil Rights Movement came social and, later, legal pressure to never use it again. (I know you know this. Follow me here.) So most whites never use it, or are very careful in whose company they use it. Many whites consider it a dirty word and refuse to use it because it is such a powerful reminder of the way we used to treat you guys, and we do not want to give such attitudes a toehold.

And then--WHAM!!!!!--Blacks use it of each other!! Whazzup here? It's kinda like you're pulling the rug out from under our feet, blindsiding us, etc.

So I think some want to use it out of anger and frustration: We worked hard, self-evaluated, monitored our speech, broke our habits. Now you come along and use this word that we quit using because it was so offensive to you! So, heck, if you use it, we'll use it, too. (Personal note: Not in my family!)

I know it does not carry any where near the same meaning when you use it as when we did back when, but it's hard not to pick up what you hear.

I think whites who complain are really complaining about the double standard. At least I hope that is the motivation for most. Some probably would like to be overtly racist; I am sorry.

As for me, I think it's only 1/2 a double standard because of the double meaning. But I do pity the poor white 2nd grader who picks it up from his Black buddy and is confused as to why he gets in trouble for it. If it hasn't happened yet, it's only a matter of time.

In one sense, it's a positive sign, albeit a warped one. Would your grandparents have believed the day would come when Blacks would use it of each other, not derogatorily (I'm assuming that), and whites wouldn't use it?

Answer 6

I don't personally notice that amongst white people, but then again, I don't surround myself with the type of people who would be prone to use that word AT ALL.
But honest to goodness, can you answer ME a question, as well?
Why the heck is everyone so bent on specifying race all the time?! I feel that by asking the question you just did, you're "picking on" another race--and to me, that's just as bad as what you presented in your question. I HATE it that so many different races (especially black and white people, against each other, from what I've noticed) are quick to point out the race of another person when talking about different situations. Do you realize that if I asked why black people are so obsessed with calling each other the N-word, MY question would be deemed as racist by many people? So what makes it so different when YOU ask the same thing?
I'll quote something that my grandmother said to one of her friends, back in the day: "Racism is a matter of the heart, and it's not exclusive to just one race".

Answer 7

My opinion has changed since participating in Q&A. Since Blacks want to perpetuate that word, I'm thinking we all should use use the word N I G G E R, and eventually it will lose it's impact.

Frankly, I wish Blacks would stop using it in films, music and socially so the word would die.

To answer your question, it isn't that Whites WANT to use the word, we're TIRED of hearing about the word, and disgusted that Blacks continue to use it, and then act " shocked " when it is used by someone without their permission.

I don't think there are any other words in common use in America like this; and it is discriminatory and very ignorant to make excuses why one group can use a WORD in this day and age another another person cannot. You won't like the answer, but you got an answer.

Answer 8

because white people have no understanding of the meaning and emotion behind this word. i think if white people understood what it was like to have that word used in its older racist form on them, including not just the word but the feeling of the situation, they wouldnt be so quick to use it. many people of color can relate to either blatant racism or the feeling of discrimination. that feeling sucks. so imagine what it would be like to not only feel that but to feel it daily and to be reminded by a word that is used against you to ensure that you feel demeaned. that is the root of the n word.

nowadays though white people see dave chapelle or rappers using the word and they think its just a saying that friends use to address each other. in actuality though the word has simply been reclaimed. so now black people are saying that they arent going to let white person use that word to demean them, they are going to use it on themselves to show they cant be hurt by it. that's why now its even less cool for a white person to use it.

some will read this answer and have no clue what i'm talking about. they'll say that it's just a word. but those people lack an understanding of the power of language and likely lack any experience with the history of this word's usage.

Answer 9

Because of a little thing called equality. Whites are getting more and more tired of giving you special treatment. One set of rules for everyone is the optimum way to go.

I use it all the time because I am white and it is the only word left with any power. I could say i want to assrape a nun and no one would care but if I say N!ggger, people get really upset.

It is not a term of endearment even between blacks, how is "broke a$$ n!ggger" a term of endearment.

How can we be equal with two sets of rules?

Answer 10

i'm not one to use the word so I will defend this as far as I would if i were not allowed to use another.
who has the right to tell me what i can say and how to say it. if we allow one word to be censored, what stops it from becoming 2 words? 3? 300? Where does it end? Even if i never use the word, i should still have the freedom to say it without repercussion. Now, context plays alot into this but nearly any word can be used to be offensive. Why isolate just one word?

Answer 11

It is not the fact that I want to use it. It is the fact that some of the black community wish to say it but will scream the loudest when someone not of their group uses the word.

In my opinion if any group finds the word offensive they they need not say it but say if someone else says it they are offended