If I may, a modification: we as a Modern Society should be able to handle the ramifications of the usage of such a word.
Don’t you?
Nicole Richie of TV fame is black, but you could not guess from looking at her. She looks white.
Before you mentioned that, Jomo, I figured she had a white mom (a blonde, white mom); I didn’t look too closely at her.
But I googled, and here’s what I found:
I’d like to pick up on the theme expressed by Hey you! above.
Words, in their base form, as either a composition of letters or combination of audible intonation, are perfectly harmless. They can become offensive, perhaps even harmful, by their implied meaning derived from their context.
Personally, I choose not to use the word “nigger” (and as that statement is technically internally inconsistent, I hope you can derive from the context my implied meaning). As a white American, I understand that it may offend listeners and reflect on their opinion of me.
OTOH, I also believe such words are only harmful or offensive if the listener chooses to empower the speaker. Let me attempt to elaborate, but suffice to say, my point is easily summed up by the children’s saying: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”
Growing up, I was often teased by other kids (as I suspect most everyone experienced). While in public schools in the south, I was often teased for my intellect and vocabulary. Sometimes, however, I was teased simply because my first name nearly rhymed with that of a then-popular fictional black character (I was living in a predominately white suburb of Atlanta). When I was teased, it had nothing to do with some trait associated with the character, the purpose of my persecutor was to simply inflame my emotions.
At some point, I learned that by allowing my emotions to become inflamed, I was empowering my persecutor. It was only offensive if I chose to take offense. If I did not take offense, the words they used were completely neutered.
Over time, I sincerely believe that my ability to subjugate the power of the persecutor has made me a stronger and healthier individual. It has improved my self confidence and my self-esteem.
This philosophy can be adopted into other non-verbal forms of communication as well. For example, while I am generally a safe and non-aggressive driver, I sometimes take actions that will cause another driver to become highly irritated. On some of those ocassions, the other driver has taken the initiative to offer me the one finger salute. My response? (at least when I don’t feel I did anything improper) To gain eye contact with them, smile real big, and wave. The action is like an emotive mirror, reflecting the intensity of the ire right back at the originator. While I run the risk of further raising their emotional level, I don’t get worked up myself. It is a self-protective measure.
I have the same philosophy, btw, regarding profanity. Profanity can be useful for conveying emphasis and strong emotion. Used too frequently, it loses its value. But in the right context, it can be particularly communicative. And, after all, that is purpose of language.
http://www.petitiononline.com/ebony/petition.html
It states he said the word “nigga” in one of his past recordings. I myself won’t believe it 'till I hear it, as most of the crap on that site is hogwash.
Let us please remember that the color of someone’s skin does not indicate the content of their character.
Some black people use the word, some do not.
Some white people use the word, some do not.
In the same way that some black people use crack, and some do not, and some white people use crack, and some do not.
How about this…
If a black man were to hang another black man, do you think it justifiable for you to hang a black man because “black people do it”?
Maybe because black history is so repressed in the American school system, that people have been desensitized, and do not think to the baggage the world carries along with it.
The word was meant to be a disparaging term, do you ever walk around and say “Hi retarded person who I am smarter than, how are you doing today?”
Maybe some blacks call each other the word because deep down they do feel inferior, they have been suppressed so long, as if you beat a dog throughout its life, the dog will always be cautious, after all lets not forget that segregation ended less than 100 years ago.
Do you have a reason to use this word? Is there some reason that this word has to be used in a particular context? For example, my bed may have white sheets, but I see no need to put them on. I may own a handgun, but should I shoot it just because of the high crime rates of a particular ethnic group?
We have evolved to the point where we can cook our meat before we eat it, So why can we not evolve to the point where we can discontinue the use of colloquial vulgarity?
It is easy to laugh at things that make us uneasy, thats why it is so easy to use the word in jest.
Rap music does not represent the entire race of african americans.
Most times, an african will take offense if called a nigger by anyone, saying that “there are no niggers in Africa” … Nigger is a syndrome invented in America, if you are to beat your kids, they will grow up hating themselves, as if they did something wrong
When asked if I would rather be called “Black, African American, or Negro” I simply respond “Call me by my name”
Your post is very well put and seems honest and sincere, but I don’t think the use of the word can be equated with crack usage.
More black people use the word than white people do. I don’t have stats to back that up, but that’s certainly how it seems - mostly because most white folks understand it can be a hateful word.
Now, it’s possible more black people are on crack than white people - I don’t know - but that’s something that’s more of an environment thing (i.e., there are more poor people on crack than those who are well off) than a race issue. The word in question here is much more closely related to race than crack usage is.
I know that was a convoluted explanation, but certainly the entirety of your post was spot on.
the crack usage was just an example of something trying to show that just because some people do one thing doesnt mean they all do. I was just showing how stereotypes are invalid, so by trying to say that because black people use the word gives an excuse for it is also invalid. Also, if it seems that many black people use the word, maybe it is because most of the black people seen on TV, in movies, and heard over the radio reflect the hip hop culture. Not every black person raps, and not every black person uses the word, its just the mainstream usage that people mistakenly think represents the entire race.
Seems like a poorly constructed syllogism:
I saw a black person using the word nigger
You are a black person
You must use the word nigger
but then again, all asians do martial arts stunts like jackie chan and jet li right?
It IS just made up slang. And when you hit adulthood you should be exempt from expecting to know it. It’s childish BS and should be given the respect it deserves. NONE. Kids have always used slang and will continue to do so. It’s part of growing up. I have no intentions of learning it and I sure as hell wouldn’t look to Enima-m for cultural advise.
And stop using the “N-word”. The word is “Nigger”. It’s not improper to write it in a forum like this if you are referring to it. It’s improper to CALL someone that. If any word becomes THAT socially blasphemous that we have to mime it then, then we are truly a bunch of PC wonks. And if “wonk” means something in rapland I don’t care, I’m an adult (OK I’m old).
Well I’ve got to go listen to old folks music so y’all can take turns ragging on me.
All excellent points.
Sorry, Magiver, if I feel more comfortable saying “the N word” instead of the actual word, that’s my prerogative. Please do not take it upon yourself to instruct me on which words to use.
ekow, Thursday (:)), there are similarly-hateful racist words in Africa. How analogous are those words to our word “nigger?”
No need to apologize for being PC. It’s certainly a badge of politeness in a world filled with vulgarities. You’re a H of a P in my book.
no idea, i was born and raised in the states by african parents i guess i could ask them…
I’m not being PC. I’m saying that the word makes me uncomfortable, not other people.
I mean, it makes other people uncomfortable as well, but that’s not the primary reason I don’t use it. I just don’t feel right about the word. Maybe in 100 years, it won’t be a big deal for anyone, and if I were alive, I’d feel more comfortable with it.
But thanks for the compliment.
You know, I’ve just watched myself in a mirror, at the prompting of Mrs. B whilst discussing this thread.
Whenever I refer to “nigger” in a conversation, I generally say it with a pause, moderate inflection and one eyebrow cocked. Seems to me it’s an oratory asterisk. Does anyone else work this way, or does nigger just blend into the rest of your dialog?
BTW: an H of a P?
Maybe I’m coming out of left field here, but does anyone else dislike the notion that some words are just offensive, regardless of context? I don’t use the word nigger in conversation, although (because I’m a jerk) when people start discussing “the n-word,” I make a point of saying ‘nigger’ instead of “the n-word.” Hard to have a useful discussion of something when you won’t even use the word you’re talking about.
Can you give an example, Marley, of a “useful” discussion involving the word “nigger”?
oo. OO! I know, I know!
This one, only belly-up, over a bowl of mixed nuts.
Also, anything involving Huckleberry Finn.
Hell of a Person. A good natured ribbing on my part. I operate the same way. I can’t imagine using the word in a sentence other than to discuss the use of the word. In which case, I would use the word. I was making a commentary on the unnecessary implementation of political correctness. A pet peeve let loose upon the world.
I’ll certainly buy the discussion of Huck Finn as a “useful” discussion involving the word. Of course, not every mention of HF must also include “nigger.”