Do white people have the right to get offended when black people use the "N" word?

Answer 1

I've answered questions like this before. Surprise, surprise (being sarcastic), it looks like my last response was deleted.

To answer your question, "Do white people have the right to get offended when black people use the "n word"?"- No more or less than anyone else. The word is what it is. A person's preferences and intensions is what matters.


This is the response that I posted as an answer to previous "n word" related questions:

Many people use the "n word" in an offensive manner, which was the first reason for the use of the word. But many black people have chosen to combat its original intended meaning, so to speak, by using the word for other purposes. It's often used as meaning friend, brother, confidant, companion, supporter, chum, etc...
I've also heard some black people use the term to refer to other black men, but in a non-offensive manner. In other words, "That n♥gga..." is often said rather than specifying "That black man...". And I've heard some use the term to refer to men regardless of race. I've also heard it used by some black people as a way of indicating that they believe a particular black person (or people) to be obnoxious. For example, a black person might say, "Why do n♥ggas have to ruin all the good clubs?" or "N♥ggas make us all look bad."
You can usually tell how it's being used if you familiarize yourself with African American culture. But, as I said, not all black people feel the same about this issue... There are several who do not condone the use of the word at all regardless of intension. And, please, don't take offense to my saying "African American culture". I am NOT saying that the "n word" is accepted as being a part of African American culture as a whole. (As I said, there are black people who do not condone the use of the "n word" at all.) But rather I am saying that the use of the "n word" is embraced by some people and subcultures within the African American community.

I'm just taking a "stab in the dark" here, but is the following question the one that you really wanted to ask?...."Why do some black people who use the "n word" complain when a non-black uses it in the SAME MANNER as they do?"
If this was your intended question, I think it's understandable that you would ask as such. If it's clear that a person isn't using the "n word" in a negative manner, no one who uses the word should be offended regardless of the color of the speaker's skin. If you do use the word and you are offended by someone else's non-negative use of it, you're just as guilty of making color/race an issue as anyone else who makes it an issue.

Anyone watch the show called "Girlfriends"? If you do, you might remember the episode in which Lynn's sister offended the ''girlfriends'' during a visit. (And, of course, if you watch the show, you know that Lynn is mulatto/bi-racial (black & white), the other "girlfriends" are black, and Lynn's sister is white.) Well, during her visit, she said "n♥ggas" while rapping along with a rap song that was playing on the radio. The "girlfriends" were angry at her about this, and they also didn't appreciate the fact that she was a "w♥gger". And yes, the word "w♥gger" was used to discribe her. In case anyone doesn't know, "w♥gger" is a term indicating that someone is a "white n♥gger". I have three questions: Why would anyone, regardless of race, be offended at the use of the "n word" while not being offended at the use of the word "w♥gger"? (After all, "igger" is "igger" regardless of the letter that preceds it.) Why would anyone, regardless of race, be offended at the use of the "n word" by someone who is rapping along with a rap that includes the "n word" while not being offended at the rapper's use of it? And why would anyone be offended simply because a person has embraced another culture or parts of another culture? I know that "Girlfriends" is just a television show. But situations, such as what occured during the episode I've discribed in this post, do occur in "real life". And it's such a shame. No person (or group of people) own (owns) any particular culture or any aspect of a particular culture (such as foods, vocabulary, fashion, etc...). Individuality would be nonexistent if such were the case.

Personally I don't like the "n word" regardless of what variation of the word is being used and regardless of the speaker's intended meaning. But, honestly, I can't claim that I never say it. During my childhood and "teen" years, most of my friends, neighbors, and boyfriends were black. Naturally I was influenced by my environment and the people I came in contact with on a daily basis, so my vocabulary became a mirror of what I heard. I heard variations of the "n word" used all the time, so I employed these variations in my speech. What may come as a shock to those of you who stereotype people is the fact that I can't remember one single instance in which a black person expressed to me that I offended him/her by using that word. I did experience prejudice regarding other matters, but not concerning the "n word".

Anyway, due to having used the "n word" for so long, I often let it "slip out" (never with a negative intension). When I do this, I'm usually using it to "replace" another word (such as "man", "friend", "silly person", etc...). But, as I said, I don't like the "n word". However, while I don't like it, I am not offended at others' use of it. I realize that everyone has the right to say whatever they want to say, so it doesn't bother me.

Answer 2

Everyone should be offended at the use of the word considering its origins. It is sad that the hip hop industry has made the use of this word among black people as acceptable. But you are dealing with an industry that is focused on making money and if the use of the word contributes to the coffers of the music industry then that is what they are going to promote, end of story. I don't accept it from anyone no matter what color they are.

Answer 3

People are so weird about what is "politically correct" these days. I have talked to a lot of black people who say that they would rather be called black than African American, because they are American like everyone else. And it seems to be pretty much acceptable to call white people white, so why can't we say black? Just my opinion.

Answer 4

As far as white people getting offended, I can't see why they would...I'm a black man, the word doesn't hold much weight with me...my mind is much deeper than that. As Far as my usage of the word, I use it when addressing any brother or sister or makes it and forget where they came from...uncle toms...It's to remind them that no matter how far they get in life, a majority of white America will still see them in a negative way...If it takes a Word such as N!GGER to wake up minds, so be it...I just want my people to not be so naive as to think that because they're successful , they're not going to be prejudged because of the color of their skin... To totally abolished the word people have to stop running from it, address it, learn from it, and then move on...

Answer 5

No, white people should not be offended when black people use the N word. But ... if black people are going to use the N word they should not get offended when a white person uses the word.

Answer 6

anyone should get offended. black people should be offended, but instead they use it like articles and won't let it go away. in a way it is a little hypocritical. why get mad at whites for using that derogatory term, and then turn around and use it yourself? It's still derogatory regardless of how many letters were changed.

Answer 7

I think so. I am white though so I don't understand why some blacks do it. From my point of view it seems that they should be MORE offended when someone of their own race does it. Isn't that like a white person saying to another white person........Hey, **** for brains.? I mean, isn't it hard to gain respect if you don't have any for yourself and for others? I was taught to respect all people no matter what color so it's hard for me to understand ANYONE who would resort to name calling of any kind. To me it seems like a severe lack of respect for others.

Answer 8

I didn't know that offensive words were categorized as offensive only to blacks, or only to whites. Offensive speech is offensive, and, although it should not be censored, nor should it be listened to. By the way, nobody has the "right" to be offended; it is not guaranteed by the constitution. And why would it, as it seems, bother you to whom such language is offensive? We need to stop dividing things along color lines.

Answer 9

yes you do! if a black kid in skool said that the white teacher has the right to be offended! I dont understand why we have to use that word , we are settin a bad example in front of whites and our own race. i hate taht word

Answer 10

anyone who hates ignorant insults has the right to get offended. i'm black myself and i hate to hear the world. it makes the person using it sound as if they're too ignorant and lack common sense for a better word. out of all the words in the dictionary....