Black people....please answer. The *N* word....your views please.?

Question

There's a prog on TV just now, discussin' the use of the N word between cultures. It seems most people see the N word as relating to the slavery era as opposed to an endearing term for people from Nigeria. eg, as in Brits, Japs...

The discussion raises the issues of it's valid use if it was reclaimed by black people and made into a POSITIVE word as opposed to it's alleged derogatory term, though whites and blacks alike are saying maybe the word should be dropped altogether as it's a form of degradation.

I've noticed, black people will call each other My *n* etc, as a friendly term as if empowering the word with positivity and thus removing the potential emotional derogatory and abusive context.... Yet if a white person used the term, even if he was in your circle of friends it's still seems offensive.

This is an ongoing issue, though looking to the future and your childrens future, how do you feel about the use of the *n* word, Should it be taken out of use altogether?

I'm going to let this question go to vote so that YOU can read ALL the answers and vote for each one's creditable value, the answer that closely relates to how YOU feel and gives the best honest and sensible solution. Thanks guys (and girls)

Answer 1

White people always like to discrimate, they are after all only crap colour, so whats the big deal. They are so brainless and idiotic and whats with being crap colour. Being another colour dont make anyone less human. Infact the other colours are far more intelligent and superior in many many aspects.
White people going into africa and taking away the land which rightfully belongs to the coloured people, and then calling themselves south africans, they should be ashamed of themselves.

Answer 2

I'm a bit confused with the use of some derrogatory terms popularly used today by kids. Well, I come from a different generation when kids did not use foul language anywhere near adults, and we respected adults whether they were right or wrong. The so-called "N" word (I really abhor the delicate use of the expression "the 'N' word" because is so so DAMNED hypocritical that it is obscene in and of itself, and it reeks of disrespect in the face of one's listeners). I just don't understand why it's OK for some to use said word but claim being offended when someone of another race use it... when did someone pass a law saying that one's skin color or culture has the exclusive right to use a particular word? IF a word is deemed offensive, then it shouldn't be used AT ALL, period! But, if those that claim it is offensive are going to go around using it... then it's just total and absolute Tauraus Excresia! Just like the "Q" word around those of a particular sexual orientation; THEY use it but not the rest of society? Or, the "S" word around Hispanics? Well, I've never heard a Hispanic use the term, except when some other Hispanic does anything to make the rest look bad in the eyes of others. IF a word is deemed "offensive" then it is offensive regardless who uses it. But, if a particular group finds offense they hear others use it and then turns around and uses it... the so-called "offensiveness" they bemoan in public is nothing more than just for attention-grabbing, and it is total crap! I've even heard White kids use it amongs themselves... calling one another by that offensive term as though they were just say, "Hey, buddy!" Times change, and so does our vocabulary, I guess. I guess a time will come when said terms (The "N," "S," "H," "C," "K," "W," "Q" etc., words are really making such sissies out of some groups that are so "delicate" that can't bear to hear such terms uttered... oh, dear, their delicate ears will fall, they might even faint! Give me a break! They're the first ones to use those terms and feel "offended" if someone else says it? I have a solution: don't use any derogatory terms at all if you are going to feel offended if someone else uses it, PERIOD! I don't use such terms , never did (and those that have known for for well over 45+ years can attest to this), and I DO NOT KNOW anyone in my family that would even dare use it... we have a very heterogeneous or multifarious family, and we'd be offending our relatives.

Answer 3

The question is: If there are so many black people, and some white people and a lot of other minorities, in America that view the word as positive, then what gives white America the power to say it is not, and nobody should use it regardless?

I know it is not God.

Answer 4

i am white and i agree with Donald duck always double standards!!!! i see us all as equals and if someone is being racist towards a black person they should be ashamed but why is it ok for blacks to call us milky or pearsil,daz etc (i had this all through collage) and nobody bats an eye lid. i even hate the feeling that by using the word black i may be classed as a racist. if i was trying to describe a person who wore glasses i'd say 'him with the glasses' i wouldn't be discriminating. same as describing a black guy but why are we made to feel so bad about it? i never use the 'n' word though don't feel the need. i think we are paying for the mistakes white people made a long time ago. please note....... WE ARE NOT THEM!!!!!

Answer 5

I was thinking about this today...I'm reading Bill Brysons new book, the life and times of the Thunderbolt kid, quite good, funny etc...The 'N' word was used on several occasions in one particular chapter..albeit in a post modern ironic kind of way. I've also listened to many many songs, hip hop, gangster rap etc and the word is routinely used. i think it's very strange and, if i'm being honest, a little unfair that when a white person says the 'N' word then they are automatically branded a racist, but writing it and singing it seem to be ok.
In my extended family there is a black woman of Jamaican descent, she's married to a white guy and they have 2 children. She's an absolute hoot and tells jokes brilliantly. no one is safe! Blacks, whites, Chinese, indians, pakistanis, the irish, scottish, welsh, english, americans etc etc ....why then do i feel awkward if i have a joke which could be considered racist? it's a strange one...she can take the 'p' out of herself and her own race but i'm embarrased to do so?
It's a big bad conundrum and to feel stifled to use a particular word as it might be considered offensive according to the colour of your skin is racist in itself isn't it?

Answer 6

I am white and not from America or Britain. I grew up where the N word is the official name for Afro-American people. I see nothing wrong with it.
I think that black people have equal rights as the white now and they should stop milking the past. If they are ok with calling each other the N-word, it should be ok for whites as well. Otherwise it is double standards TOWARDS THE WHITES.

Answer 7

I think the N word has been dropped my most cultures / societies. Now just the black people need to drop it also and move on.

They seem to be the only people left in the world that use it. It doesn't make sense to me, they don't like it but they use it on a daily basis and in rap songs. I'm confused!

Answer 8

It should be dropped by everyone.

Get this though, "I am white and not from America or Britain. I grew up where the N word is the official name for Afro-American people." Where is this then, planet Zod?!

Answer 9

I am white. I don't like that word and would never use it. However, I don't like the double standards that seem to be operating with regard to the 'n' word.

A friend, who is black, sometimes calls people 'black b**ch' or 'black b*****d'. I ask him not to because I find it offensive, and if I said it I could be taken to court and sued!

Answer 10

society have a problem,it is a black day,the sky is black. Seems everything to do with the N word is fearful, ,< noir nero nubian ,how about the country NIGER.why not say AFRICIAN and be done with.