Hip White People Using The N-Word: Right Or Wrong?

[Bboy]

Hate the word period. It's unnecessary hey. A lot of (uneducated) people think it's just cool slang. It's not... Do some research.

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

the n-word shouldnt be used by anyone, ESPECIALLY blacks. the idea of flipping it to be something positive and bonding is just plain ignorant. if i were a black person, i'd honestly be more offended by hearing another black person use it than anyone else.

Why should the meaning be determined by racists only?

The intent and context is totally different when used by blacks. The term is no way as offensive when used that way.

For example when Kramer goes on stage and responds to a heckler by shouting the N-word it is meant to hurt. When Richard Pryor uses the term at a concert the blacks in the audience understand exactly where he's coming from. The word convey implies a common experience and similar fortitude as a persecuted group. Totally different intents. One causes tears of pain the other tears of joy.

If white racists are the only ones who are able to say the word in a single context they themselves have chosen it simply gives the word more power. Blacks have chosen to make it an exclusive word for blacks rather than an exclusive word for whites. You should trust their judgment and resilience.

The word has multiple intents and meanings. It is your choice to only acknowledge the white supremacist version.

 

[Shemtov]

Restricting the use of a word to a pirticular race is as racist as Hating black people, IMO.

 

[Motown Marvel]

Why should the meaning be determined by racists only?

The intent and context is totally different when used by blacks. The term is no way as offensive when used that way.

For example when Kramer goes on stage and responds to a heckler by shouting the N-word it is meant to hurt. When Richard Pryor uses the term at a concert the blacks in the audience understand exactly where he's coming from. The word convey implies a shared experience and similar fortitude as a persecuted group. Totally different intents. One causes tears of pain the other tears of joy.

If white racists are the only ones who are able to say the word in a single context they themselves have chosen it simply gives the word more power. Blacks have chosen to use the word for their own purpose. You should trust their judgment and resilience.

The word has multiple intents and meanings. It is your choice to only acknowledge the white supremacist version.

changing the intent of the word dillutes its history and connotation, and i dont think that should be done. what that word means should not be diluted, it should not be forgotten, and it should not be condoned in any form. to dilute that word, to me, dilutes the atrocities that everyone has suffered under that word. and lets not pretend that black people use that word exclusively in terms of respect. i hear it used by blacks towards blacks more often in a negative manner. and lets not pretend there arent more acceptable terms of endearment people can use. words that arent rooted in racism.

 

[JStorm]

If I get called 'cracker,' I bring out the big guns: "Pligga, nease."

 

[-Arya-]

It's all about context. It can be used like any other 'profane' word in a derogatory or non-derogatory manner.

Personally, I don't see any intrinsic value in it just like all the other ethnic slurs. So therefore, I don't use it at all.

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

changing the intent of the word dillutes its history and connotation, and i dont think that should be done. what that word means should not be diluted, it should not be forgotten, and it should not be condoned in any form. to dilute that word, to me, dilutes the atrocities that everyone has suffered under that word. and lets not pretend that black people use that word exclusively in terms of respect. i hear it used by blacks towards blacks more often in a negative manner. and lets not pretend there arent more acceptable terms of endearment people can use. words that arent rooted in racism.

Giving the N-word a singular place and purpose in history does not take away from the atrocities of the past. It solidifies the connection.

It doesn't soften the blow of the word. It increases the impact.

By giving the word multiple purposes and intents you evolve the word itself making the hateful intent a throwback to a distant past rather than something present and relevent. The hateful usage seems even more outdated when it's used in an innocuous manner day to day.

The fact that blacks can openly use the word and laugh about it is the whole point to reclaiming it. You take the most hurtful word used against blacks and turn it into an inside joke. It's the best thing you can do. Reserving the word for exclusively racist use is the worst thing you can do.

 

[Sawyer]

I dont think the word should be used. By anyone. If you dont want others to use the word, why would you use it yourself? It just doesnt make a whole lot of sense to me.

Having said that, I know there's really no way of changing it, so effective immediately, I will start calling all of my white friends "cracker" and "honkey". But, heaven help you if you decide to use it, other ethnicities.

 

[zanos]

"N***a" is the new "Black." It'll be common very soon. The next time you take a census, they'll ask you if you're "White/Causian, Middle Eastern, Asian or N***a."

 

[Majic Walrus]

First of all Zanos... you might want to edit that post. We all know what the word is you don't have to bypass the autofilter to explain better.

Second of all... It's a word that only has a much meaning as the intent behind it and the affect it has on another person. I would be much more offended if someone called me bad father than I would be if someone used a sexist, racist, or sexual slur at me because being a father is more important to me.

That said I don't like the stance that it's okay to use a derogatory slur if you're using it in reference to a group that you belong to but then get offended when someone else uses it. Pardon the pun but you don't get carte blanche to use a word like the n-word just because you're black unless you're okay with anyone using it.

On the same subject I've used the word before especially when singing along to a song, referencing a quote or in casual and jovial conversation with close friends who I know won't be offended by it. I am not a racist and have no ill-intent behind the word so it shouldn't matter...

However I don't just throw such a powerful word around to anyone because let's face it, a lot of people are offended by it. I also don't use any other profanity unless I'm in polite company.

 

[Lightning Strykez!]

I see nothing wrong with blacks taking ownership of the N-word the same way gays take ownership by using the term F-A-G. I think it's kind of silly for whites to resent not being allowed to say as if it somehow hurts them. I don't resent the fact that gays can refer to each other as F-A-G and I can't because I'm heterosexual. Why should I?

Some words of persecution are exclusive to the persecuted. What's the big deal? It's one way to alter the intent of a word.

You take an insult and turn it into rallying cry. It's more offensive that whites feel blacks don't understand what their doing when taking ownership of the word. Blacks know exactly what they're doing. They're taking a word of persecution and showcasing it as a word of comradeship.

Why would, anyone say, "hey that word is exclusively for persecution, the persecuted cannot use it for their own purposes".

That's an interesting observation.

 

[Lightning Strykez!]

"N***a" is the new "Black." It'll be common very soon. The next time you take a census, they'll ask you if you're "White/Causian, Middle Eastern, Asian or N***a."

Zanos:

The Asterisk is our friend. Use him when utilizing the N-word please. I realize we are talking about two different derivatives of this slur but still...use the power of the asterisk, k?

That goes for all of you. Thanks.

 

[Lightning Strykez!]

I also want to commend everyone for keeping this debate so civil. There is nothing I love more than a healthy debate that makes a person think, and you guys are doing a great job of articulating yourselves (with the exception of a few tart-azz comments from Crook ) without resorting to stupidity.

Keep up the good work ladies and gents.

 

[B]

I have a few different opinions/views/comments on this, problem is one probably contradicts the other in some capacity so ignore that & think of them what you will:

- I think it could be ok for a white person to use a variation of the n-word in certain context. I myself would personally never use any version of the word in any context for the simple fact that I wouldn't want to unintentionally upset anyone, white or black.

- On another draw off from the previous comment, When would be acceptable context or a time to use the word?
For example, on only one occasion that springs to mind. I met up with a close friend who casually greeted me with (what I'd consider) a more "friendship orientated" version of the n-word. I'm white, he is black. After a few seconds of awkward pause I replied with "how's it going?"
It is terribly confusing, I could have easily greeted him back with the same term & offended him. (I don't think it would have bothered the friend I am referencing had I said the same thing back to him, but still, I wouldn't say it incase he took it the wrong way or misinterpreted how I'd used the word.)

- It has got to a point that where the context in which the word is used matters more than the history behind it's use due to the fact that its meaning/use has been obscured because of singers/rappers etc releasing songs with the word blurted out every 20 seconds.

- I don't think the n-word should be treated any different from any other ethnic slur/term. I mean, by all rights if the n-word can only be used by black people without causing offense, then the term 'paddy' can only be used by the Irish, 'redneck' by southern Americans etc.

It is such a touchy matter, people are different. Some will/would be offended by certain terms that describe their skin color/religion/appearance & other people in the same situation would be completely fine with the same term.

 

[Manic]

I also want to commend everyone for keeping this debate so civil. There is nothing I love more than a healthy debate that makes a person think, and you guys are doing a great job of articulating yourselves (with the exception of a few tart-azz comments from Crook ) without resorting to stupidity.

Keep up the good work ladies and gents.

Of course. This isn't the Politics forum.

 

[Marx]

Of course. This isn't the Politics forum.

You'd be surpised at the number of intelligent and civil debates that go on in the Political forum.

 

[Jager X]

I don't care about the word. People can say it all they want, but that's just me.

 

[Manic]

You'd be surpised at the number of intelligent and civil debates that go on in the Political forum.

Yes, I would be surprised. The amount of baiting that goes on in that forum is insane.

 

[Majic Walrus]

I see what you did there.

 

[Poetic Chaos]

I used to karaoke to Flashing Lights by Kanye West. One of the lines though is "these *****s got me, I hate these *****s more than a nazi." On the screen in showed as it does on here, in stars. I was never sure whether I should use the word or not. I usually just substituted the word with "guy" lol. But that's only because I was in a public place. I personally don't have a problem with using the n word, in non-derogatory ways, as a filipino american.

And regarding the gay stuff. My friend, who's in a lesbian relationship, hates using the term partner for her and her gf. She says "that's sounds so gay! Just call her my girlfriend."

 

[Manic]

I personally don't have a problem with using the n word, in non-derogatory ways, as a filipino american.

Filipinos saying the N-word used to bother me so much when I was a kid. I used to hear it more from the Filipino kids in high school than the black kids. Now I just find a way to squeeze "Flip, please" into conversation for the hell of it.

 

[Jager X]

All races are *****s to me.

 

[imaperson2]

Keep in mind, I haven't read through the thread yet...

If white people can't use the word "n***a," then I don't believe African Americans need to either. It's a stupid excuse to say that it has become an empowering word for the black community, and then get mad when others use it as well. "N****r" has always been a derogatory word and it's dumb that an "empowering" word come from this. It keeps the meaning alive, which is opposite of what was intended.

 

[Gilpesh]

You'd be surpised at the number of intelligent and civil debates that go on in the Political forum.

Until Norm shows up.

 

[Nell2ThaIzzay]

Keep in mind, I haven't read through the thread yet...

If white people can't use the word "n***a," then I don't believe African Americans need to either. It's a stupid excuse to say that it has become an empowering word for the black community, and then get mad when others use it as well. "N****r" has always been a derogatory word and it's dumb that an "empowering" word come from this. It keeps the meaning alive, which is opposite of what was intended.

No, it hasn't.