If a black person can say the word n****r, can a white person????

Question

I live in Australia and am very confused about the word n****r used in American culture. In Australia aboriginals more commonly call each other cuz- like cousin. I watched an episode of Oprah where she asked some black actors and a rap star why they used the word and they said it was a loving word. I agree with Oprah when she said there is too much hatred and history attatched to the word for it to ever be attatched to love. If it shows love from one black person to another, and yet for some reason some black people dont like it when "some" white people say it, I do not understand how a word can mean so much love and be so offensive????? Why not just erase it all together???

I think I need to clarify a few things. I had this opinion before I watched Oprah and I think the word is disgusting regardless of the colour of the person saying it. Also why should I leave this alone? why have some people become so desensitized and complacent that anything too cotroversial should just be ignored?

Oh I forgot to mention I am Polynesian and German. I have olive/tan skin and am obviously not a full white German and obviously not full Polynesian.

Answer 1

NO ONE should utter that word, NO ONE!!! *u*

Answer 2

Any demeaning language is not tolerated. If some one speaks that way, I try to imply that I do not behave that way and neither should others. High and mighty, maybe. But saying nothing is just the same as doing it. Everyone should be treated equal in general. But don't ever let someone walk all over you either. Handle it with care and talk polietly. Never be agressive or loud. But be prepared to leave an unstable situation quickly, because there are unstable people. All-be-it some temporarily from a situation and some permenantly for no forseen reason

Answer 3

The word itself has been abused since it's ill conception. You're right, when so much hatred and blood shed has been associated with a word, there can never be anything but anger and animosity derived from it. Our world will never be completely free of racism until words, euphemism's, or any other derogatory term related with such acts and injustices are completely abolished by us as a whole. Not just the society that used them or the society that they were inflicted upon, but the world collectively.

Answer 4

I agree. I actually saw that very episode of Oprah you were talking about, even though I usually never watch her show and I hardly ever let her opinions become my own as so many of her viewers seem to do - not to say that is what you did. I myself am a 21 year old African American (African American / Brazilian Mix to be exact) but I am one of those people who sides with eliminating the word altogether. Personally I feel we (the African American community) create an enormous hypocrisy by allowing our own to call each other that word, and then chastise the other cultures and majority white population in doing the same. Now, I am in no way implying that Caucasians and other cultures should be allowed to call us such a bad word – just that *no one* should be using that word at all in my opinion.

I think it is so terrible that what our ancestors and those throughout history were denigrated, discriminated, and hated and called such a terrible name. Now after all of their struggles and fight to gain us just the slightest bit of respect and equality that we ourselves as a black people go around saying the word without thought of how it effects us. Even if it is so-called done with "love" behind it. However, the reality is that music, movies, and a the general media have used, allowed, and accepted the word without confrontation so long that is now immersed itself in everyday society as something that is accepted. A sad reality.

Answer 5

I live here in australia too,and from New Zealand,and the word n....r is offensive.We treat everyone the same and sometimes most of our native people would greet strangers by saying Bro or cuzzie bro just like our neighbouring aboriginal folk. And to say that it means so much love hmmmm, maybe it depends on the situation or environment we're in, don't you think.

Answer 6

I agree with erasing it all together but I don't feel that white people have any say in the word; why do some want to use it so bad. Still I don't think anyone should be using it

Answer 7

No they can not becuz back in slavery and segregation that wat caucasion called African Americans it is against the law to be called that by A white person u wouldn't like it if a black person called u a cracker now would u???? But I do agree that if Black ppl. don't want to be called a n***** then they shouldn't call each other that but have u heard the N word is banned so what r u talkin about they had Funeral the N on the 8th or 9th at Hart Plaza in Detroit Michigan Downtown so no one should say the N word anymore.

Answer 8

I'm white and even I know that the word is offensive towards black people. Just think were it came from. If you can't understand why A black person wouldn't like a white person calling them that word then you should go up to one and call him that. He will quickly let you know why.

Answer 9

The word itself can and will never be erased. The hip hop world and movies have insured that. I would never associate that word love.Black people that have lived with it like Oprah have every right to be offended. Everyone should be offended by it. It is a nasty word,but we have to accept it is here to stay. People have said silly things like it is used for LOVE so much until they have convinced themselves. Just like the Eminem incident with the *** word. Multiple meanings or not we all know what it means and stand for.

Answer 10

I think among blacks, rather than showing love, it expresses solidarity. Also, I believe blacks own the word, because it was developed to describe them. They have the right to use it as they see fit. That said, I believe many blacks (especially educated adults) understand the history and hatred behind the word, and choose not to use it at all out of respect for themselves. I don't believe whites have the right to use the word (except for its use in literature, such as "Huckleberry Finn" or "To Kill a Mockingbird," or in the repitition of a story, etc.), as they were the ones that developed the word as a derogatory one. The feelings behind the use of the word are no longer acceptable, so neither is the use of it.

By the way, the use of it is not illegal in the U.S.

Answer 11

The NAACP has said that the "n" word must be laid to rest and I agree. Certainly whites must not use the word, and a
brief look at the history of America will tell you why no one should use it. The "n" word brings to mind the oppression and the horrific violence inflicted on blacks in the U.S. in order to try to perpetuate that oppression. It is not, by any stretch of the imagination, a 'loving word'.