This is probably going to sound totally ignorant, but why is the word "nappy" considered so bad?

Question

The reason I ask is because I remember reading it when I was little with no racial connotations, and now you are not supposed to say it. I know this question probably sounds incredibly stupid, but I live in a mostly white and Hispanic neighborhood, so I don't know these things. I am seriously asking and not trying to offend anyone.

Answer 1

As a Black woman with natural hair, I am personally not offended by it. Choosing to embrace your "nappy" hair rejects the Eurocentric notion that straight and blond is better. No, African Americans do not have the patented right to be upset about the word, but it was orginally targeted toward us to hurt us. Much like the infamous N word. And as with that, it all matters in the context of which you use it.

The Imus deal is different. The intent was racist. The other person who was in the studio with him had previously commented that the young women were a bunch of rough hoes (I'm paraphrasing) b/c of the tattoos and such, and Imus retorted/corrected that the young women were "nappy headed hoes."

The language, tone and intent was disrespectful to women first and certainly a familiar back slap to the African American community.

Circuling to answer your question directly, the word "nappy" was bad because it was one of the many ways meant to make African Americans feel inferior simply based on their hair texture. As ridiculous as it seems, it is a deep seated pain that still lies in many perms, weaves and dyes. Many men and women have caused permanent damage to their skin and body in attempts to not only straighten their hair but lighten their skin... in efforts to be white? Have you seen the scene in Malcolm X when he first straighten his hair with lye? He proudly strokes his head and says with a smile, "it look White don't it?"

Many of us have moved past that pain and can use the term with no offense, but not from Imus. It wasn't a joke. Not now, not ever. And it's easier to say we're too sensitive rather than acknowledge that in a media/entertainment field, you need to check the ignorant prejudices at the door. Black or White.

Answer 2

The word nappy to African Americans is a derogatory word because of the way it was used back in slavery times. I'm an African American woman, and when I desperately need to go to the salon, I will refer to my hair as being nappy, something I don't want it to be. The word nappy has a derogatory meaning because back in the early 1900's and even in the 1800's slave owners and wealthy African Americana's gave out the stereotype that dark skinned people with kinky (nappy) hair were considered ugly. Only light complected individuals with "good" hair were considered attractive, and as a result, the word nappy became a word that made people offensive. It's all about the way you say a word. Some people used the word nappy, as a joke, only to playfully make fun of someone, and others use it to demeanor. Hopefully I have made some sense! I did my best!!!

Answer 3

I think Black people are more upset at the fact that those women were called "hoes". However,the word "nappy" implies that these women were black in that most black women do have nappy hair. (But that is only if the woman is not taking care of it; My mother being black, her hair is hardly ever nappy) However nappy by itself is not racist. To say I have nappy hair or that some one has nappy hair is not racist. However, to say "nappy hoes" is racist, simply because these womens' race became a factor to Imus. If he had just said "hoes" then it would have been just a sexist statment. In that he said both terms, it was racist and sexist. However, It could be said that the reason why most people are upset with the word "hoes" is that the term is also apply more to black women. For any other race, people just use terms like whore, slut, or skank.

Answer 4

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Answer 5

Honestly, I don't know either. I guess it's because of its obvious connotation with the texture of black people's hair, but I never really thought of it as a word exclusive to black people. When I was a kid, the mean girls called me "Nappy" as a nickname because my hair was a frizzy mess. I'm white, so they weren't meaning it in a racist way. They were just using it as a cut-down about my hair. If anything, "Nappy" is an appearance-based insult, not a necessarily racist one.

Answer 6

It's not what you say as much as how you say it or the context you use it in. Nappy's is not bad it's just a descriptive word for tight curly, hair. It should be no more offensive than saying strait haired. But if you say it like a smart *** or in a hatefull tone that's different. Like if i recognize that a child is mentally retarded its okay to cal him or her that but if I use it to insult or make fun of someone that's hateful. It's not the word it's the hate that's disrespectful.

Answer 7

It's not a stupid question, it's very legitimate. Calling someone "nappy-headed" is basically calling them Black because who else has hair that needs a perm in order to be straightened?
"Nappy hair" is hair that is rough, course, and not easy to cumb and generally, many Black people's hair fits this description.
When Imus called those girls "nappy-headed ho's," he was directly insulting the Black girls; eventhough that tea, has a few white girls on it. The fact that he added "ho's" on the end made it that much more worse.

Answer 8

nappy is not a necessarily bad word it just describes the texure of someone who has that kind of hair its another version of curly hair its just a more tightly curled look. but some people may take offense to it because they are uncomfortable and insecure with themselves or what they believe hair should look like. it dosent necessarily refer to black people because i know black people who have bone straight hair without using any chemicals or staightners and i know white people who have nappy hair also.

Answer 9

It is usually used as a reference to the hair of Black people. It can be used as an insult because it can be degrading to call someone something they cannot control. Having "nappy" hair is a product of their race, and it isn't really something they can do much about.

If you're thinking about the comments that guy made about the basketball team, I think people were more mad that he called them "hoes."

Answer 10

When the word is used in that context--it is considered offensive. It is meant to demean a person. "Nappy" refers to hair of a coarse nature that is difficult to manage.