The N Word?

Question

with all the news surrounding Big Brother at the moment I wondered what people thought of this..

On a Big Brother forum people were saying black people can refer to each other by this term but if a white person says it then it is offensive..

Is the N word offensive?

If the word is offensive surely no one should be using it regardless of skin colour..

Is it OK for black people to use the word and NOT OK for white people..

Should everyone wipe this word from thier volcabulary?

Personally it is not a term I ever use but the discussion earlier has me thinking

ROBERT C there is no need to call anyone stupid for asking a question.. in case you hadn't noticed this is a question and answers board.. who's the stupid one??

Answer 1

I agree if the word is offensive then no one should be using it. Especially considering the connotations of some words and the deep seated feelings that go with it, so better to be safe and remove it from society all together, yeah.

However, words are just sounds that we humans use to communicate with each other. These sounds (words) in one language can mean something totally different in another language.

eg. That F-word in English can be taken to be rather nasty, but in Thai it means "pumpkin" (fak thaawng).

eg. The name Ian/Iain in English is the word for "shy" in Khmer.

eg. And this one is very interesting; the N-word of this topic is the same as "aahh" or "umm" in Mandarin. Next time you hear two Chinese speaking, just listen and you'll hear it repeated regularly (my gf didn't even know she was saying it until I pointed it out).

So there you go, words are sounds, which mean many different things throughout this planet. It's all about the interpretation that we put onto them. For the sake of proving we are sensitive to our fellow humans we should ALL refrain from using unsavoury words and/or language, no matter who we are.

Then again, I hope freedom of speech is never extinguished and that people learn to be tolerant and accepting of others, no matter who they are.

Answer 2

It's offensive no matter who uses it. The very definition of the word is degrading and dehumanizing.
Insulting your own group is still an insult... it may sting less because it's done by someone who understands your situation and your struggle, but it's still an insult.

I can see how some black people might use the word in an attempt to redefine it, much like how the word b**ch was reclaimed to include an alternate and more positive definition of "strong, outspoken woman", but I just don't think that will ever be possible with the N word. There is far too much incredibly negative association with the word, and so far the only alternate definition is "black man," a neutral term which doesn't offer a positive balance to the extremely negative connotations of the main definition.

I think everyone should have too much self-respect to need words like this in their vocabulary.

Answer 3

To Johnny (see above)
Not only white people can be racist.
My family went to India to visit a family friend and went to just a normal local town, not a tourist place and the indian people were very racist to us, so much so we cut our hols short. And in Detroit, the black people HATE white people with a passion. Is this allowed? I am not racist, you would care what colour packet your sweets come in, why should you care what colour packet a person comes in?
However, I do not think Emily was trying to be offensive, she's just a silly ignorant little posh girl who has no idea of the real world.

Answer 4

The "n word" was first used as a derogatory term. With time, it has evolved into two meanings; coming from white people, it's seen as it was back then, whereas from black people, it's being used as "brother/sister". Russell Simmons, the hip-hop producer/etc. is pushing to have "the n word", "ho", and "the b word" removed from the regular lyrics of large hip-hop acts; from existing songs and also ones not yet written.

So to answer your question: because it is seen as offensive to some people when coming from some people, yes, it is an offensive word; just not to all people.

Answer 5

If an American black thinks the "N" word is offensive, I will not use it. I will use whatever term to describe him that he feels most comfortable hearing people use. I will call him a black, African American, colored, person of color, brother, or whatever.

I have been called "whitey" a number of times, and the EEOC officer [an African American] of the company I used to work for had to ask me if I found it offensive. I said it did not bother me, and I did not want anybody to be reprimanded.

It is irrelevant if African Americans use the "N" word with each other. I think what they want from the rest of us is just a little respect. We all need to respect each other, and we need to be CORDIAL and NICE to each other. Smile and be respectful. I appreciate that from other people, and we need to live in a world with FRIENDLY and SMILING people.

Answer 6

The word gay used to mean happy; then it meant homosexual; but now it is starting to mean stupid. I think the N word has also evolved over time. But it will continue to be viewed as offensive as long as people keep holding onto the past negativity associated with it.

The N word is only offensive if you are insecure.

A word is just a word and has no power unless you decide to give it power.

People who freak out over the N word are keeping racism alive.

It's just a freakin word people. Grow up already.

Answer 7

the n word used in bb by that girl was not said in a nasty or offensive way so y should it offend if it was said in a nasty way then yes that can be classed as offensive but when the WHITE girl slipped up and said the n word there was 2 black girls either side of her and they said the n word more than once but nothing happens to them which is not fair.if the black girl had said yea move it ya white ***** would we be causing so much **** over it no and she would still stay in the house.2 many race cards being pulled out once again.

Answer 8

I don't like the word, it's offensive to me, it feels degrading. By the way, I'm a multi-racial person (9 nations), and I've had black friends call me that. I think the word reinforces "race relations". I personally don't believe race exists. Race-believers are seeing reflections of themselves in people every day, but they can't figure out that it's coming from their own mind.

Answer 9

I think it's offensive for anyone to be called that no matter what color you are. I'm not black but I'm brown and I wouldn't want anyone calling be that or any other name that's negative. And what is up with people saying..."What's up My Ninja"...um that's not cute. Very irritating.

And to what that one guy said that only white people can be racist. You don't live in my family... some of my elders who are Mexican-American are hella racist. They talk mess about White People, Black People, Asian people, Dark Mexicans, Filipinos, Indian people...they don't give a rip. It's kind of messed up.

Answer 10

You have echoed my thoughts exactly!!!

Almost rang of double standards did nt it.

I cannot understand where Emily was coming from, and she will probably carry this regret for her own stupidity through her entire life.

However, as I understand it, its OK for one black person to use this term to another black person on a specific term.

But its an insult from particularly a white person, as it echoes racial history of slavery.

So it should be left in the past where it belongs.

And let us all learn by our mistakes and move on together.

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