Why did the urgency to have the "N" word banned come about only after public and vicious use by a white man?

Question

I don't like the use of the "N" word by anyone - friends, family members, rappers or any other entertainer. I find it peculiar that society accepted - even though we may not have liked it- the use for so long. Now, Mr. Richards is even more famous because his racial slurs caused black society to want the "N" word banned. I'm not saying that it is a bad thing to have the word banned, I just don't understand why we were not able to do it ourselves for ourselves? Don't misunderstand, this is not about Mr. Richards; it is about us as black Americans.

Answer 1

I think you're totally right, I dont get why is it that sometimes black Americans call each other like that, even if it is with the purpose of joking or saying hi, for example, I've heard this expression so many times: "what up my n....", they are degrading themselves!!! degrading their race, their culture, everything, and giving some white people another reason to criticize them, dont give them that motive!!!! respect yourself people!!!
It's nice to see that there are still people with conscience and capable of seeing and accepting the bad side of their own people, it's not very common to see nowadays, not from any race or ethnic....

But also think that someone had to ban the word, it doesnt matter who does, I see it most as an action of respect toward the black community, neither whites nor blacks nor any other race should offend others, and the "n" word is pretty disrespectful...

Answer 2

I do not think that it is an appropriate word either, but I do think that it is hypocrisy.

I realize that the black community does not think much about using it with each other. It is still a hateful word no matter who uses it. The word came about as a put down. It meant property. One hundred and fifty years cannot change that definition. A tree is still a tree, the sky is still the sky, and a rose is still a rose. To reference Shakespeare, although a rose by any other name would still smell as sweet, a ‘n’ by any other name is still the same too. Even Webster’s defines it as insulting and the most offensive and inflammatory racial slur in English.

The thing that bothers me about it is that some of the black community responds to people using it with racial, hateful, obscene words. Two wrongs do not make a right. Just because someone calls you something, that doesn’t make you that. Eleanor Roosevelt said that no one could make you feel inferior without your consent. Just don’t accept the word. Making a big deal about it only makes it worse. As long as you add fuel to the fire, it will still burn.

I know that ignorant people have offended me too. (FYI ignorant means lacking information – not stupid. Just like the definition of beotch is an intolerable woman.) I do not let it get to me. I walk it off. I do remember once that there was a group of people on a bus who would not let things go. They continued with their slew of insults. When my ignoring it didn’t work, I pulled out my drivers license and said, “hmm, it says hear that my name is. Now does that mean that you cannot read, or you just choose to bring shame on your mothers.”

People just need to remember that if you wouldn’t talk to your mother like that, don’t say it. I am sad to say that I don’t think I will see that in my time.

Answer 3

The n word has been around for centuries. Its a bastardization of the Spanish word negro. It's been inflicted on black people for centuries and we've developed a sensitivity to hearing that hated word from white people. Some people believe if we use it among ourselves, we desensitize ourselves to it. that it won't mean anything. I don't agree. My parents are from the south and they grew up surrounded by Jim Crow laws and tried to make it their business that their children wouldn't be subjected to it. And now, here we are years later, calling each other those same names. Not in some misguided effort to desensitize ourselves, but because we don't know any better and could care less about the origins or the word. I don't use the word and I don't accept my friends using the word around me. Michael Richard and Imus are probably not racists. Certainly, Imus isn't. They're stupid, but not racists. It's impossible to ban a word,.or tell one group of people that they can't use it. That's stupid, unrealistic and ridiculous. Besides, the word doesn't just apply to black people. what do you think Arabs were called? what do you think dark skinned Hindus were called? Its a word that has NEVER had any good connotations to it and there should be more than black people protesting its use.

Answer 4

Actually the "N" word issue didn't come up with Michael Richards it came with the emotionally charged testimony during the O.J.Simpson trial. Remarks contained on a tape of Mark Furhman using the word some "40 something" times. Or something like that. It just proves in my opinion, the depth of distruction that can be done by racial slurs. It set a vicious double murderer free. And how anyone can believe he was anything less is a mystery to me.

Answer 5

It is a disgusting phrase and people should think before saying something like that. But I don't agree that it should be banned or outlawed. It opens up a can of worms then. If this is a free society then one person is free to use that word, just like I am free to tell them that they are a disgusting, prejudiced individual that has no other way of expressing himself....and to Fcuk off as well.

But if we ban just one thing what is to stop people from banning another and another and another until we live in a facist society that is based on the ideals of a few people, who are telling the majority how to think, behave, act, believe. It would be a boring place.

Answer 6

This happened because it made white people look like pure idiots. So he went all the way there with it and now if a white person says it, it makes them feel like him or look as ridiculous as him. Why ban the word? Did white people not know it wasn't acceptable to say it? especially to a black person? I mean really, Do you really get offended if someone says it? I don't. I just chalk it up to lack of home training and keep on pushing. I don't give that kinda stuff too much energy.

Answer 7

I agree. even though the word is used between people already acquainted with each other as a term of endearment, the underlying meaning still implies a less than favourable slur. This i consider to be unconciously created self indignation.

Answer 8

There has been an outcry for there to be a ban against the N word. It depends on who you choose to be around as to whether or not it affects you or if you are even aware of it.

Answer 9

Like Malcolm X once said , Democracy is hypocrisy.

Answer 10

I think it's being taken so seriously because it still means a great deal to black Americans to have white people respect them.