# The Word "Nigger" **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [July 22, 2009, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-word-nigger/503857 "2009-07-22T14:31:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2009, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-word-nigger/503857/21 "2009-07-22T17:45:16Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > What I don’t get is why the very utterance of the word is taboo. IOW, all this “N-word” stuff. Why this tremendous hypersensitivity to the utterance of these syllable whatever the context? Let’s say I’m quoting something to a friend and it includes the word “cunt”. I may very well say “the C-word” if there are other people in earshot. Why the tremendous hypersensitivity!? Similarly, if I were a public figure and I said “cunt”, even in the context of “This is a very offensive word that someone else used…”, I still may need to apologise later about uttering the word. So I don’t think your examples work, but nonetheless I think I agree with your general observation – that there is something special about that particular word. I guess it’s because race relations are still an emotive issue in western society, even if it’s not out in the open most of the time. ---
**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2009, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-word-nigger/503857/22 "2009-07-22T17:57:20Z")
> [@MOIDALIZE](#): > > Ooh, what an edgy thread. I learned there exists the term “timber nigger” to insult Native Americans because of this thread. Wow, is that lame. ---
**Author:** ![enomaj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/59ef9b/32.png) [@enomaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enomaj)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2009, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-word-nigger/503857/23 "2009-07-22T19:43:56Z")
Black people don’t use the word “Nigger” to refer to the homies, the peeps, etc. The term is always nigga. It may be a distinction without a difference to most people but it really does matter. Even in anger nigga is just another curse word. Fuck you bitch would be worse than fuck you nigga coming from a black person. However fuck you nigger would be worse than fuck you bitch coming from a white person . It’s all in the context. There was only one time I was called a nigga by a white person where the intent wasn’t to insult me. And even he said oops. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2009, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-word-nigger/503857/24 "2009-07-22T19:50:43Z")
It seems to me that the egregiousness of it’s use (in context) is being used as an excuse to make another “swear word.” Carlin’s list would have to grow. That being said, I’m constantly baffled by why the utterance of the word (whether it’s “fuck” or “shit” or “nigger”) has to be translated through euphemisms for thinking adults. If there’s a headline on CNN that reads, “U2’s Bono Says F-Word on Live TV”, is there anyone who thinks he said, “frankfurter?” Chrissakes, we’re grown-ups, we can handle hearing words that are used offensively. If someone is quoting someone else, I don’t get why they should have to apologize for it. It’s ridiculous. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2009, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-word-nigger/503857/25 "2009-07-22T19:53:48Z")
[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/MgjwjaBJ5Do/hqdefault.jpg "Tokyo Breakfast") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgjwjaBJ5Do) ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2009, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-word-nigger/503857/26 "2009-07-22T20:14:05Z")
> [@enomaj](#): > > Black people don’t use the word “Nigger” to refer to the homies, the peeps, etc. The term is always nigga. It may be a distinction without a difference to most people but it really does matter. Even in anger nigga is just another curse word. Fuck you bitch would be worse than fuck you nigga coming from a black person. However fuck you nigger would be worse than fuck you bitch coming from a white person . It’s all in the context. Is there really a difference between Nigga & Nigger, or is it just that Blacks say Nigga and whites say Nigger and it’s not as offensive coming from another black person? FWIW, Al Sharpton apparently said, as he schemed the Tawana Brawley hoax, that if he and his associates successfully pulled it off [“we will be the biggest niggers in New York”](http://www.nytimes.com/1988/06/16/nyregion/abrams-considers-a-possible-hoax-in-brawley-case.html?pagewanted=all). So apparently it’s not necessarily insulting at all when used by blacks, at least in some circles. (I’m not disputing the rationale for this, BTW. My point in this thread is that there are other circumstances when it also should not be considered insulting, e.g. Rep Maloney’s.) ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2009, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-word-nigger/503857/27 "2009-07-22T20:30:47Z")
Call me a nerd, but I think the real problem here is people not getting the use-mention distinction. If I say “It is very offensive to call someone a ‘nigger’”, then I am not using the word, I’m mentioning it. If, on the other hand, I say “Hey, nigger, get over here!”, then I am using it. Use of the word is offensive, and I’m not going to argue that it shouldn’t be considered offensive. But mere mention of the word should not be construed as offensive, by anyone who understands language. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2009, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-word-nigger/503857/28 "2009-07-22T20:37:12Z")
**Chronos** , I agree, but my point is that the word “nigger” has now been given “fuck status”. You still can’t say, “‘Fuck’ is a dirty word” on the 6:00 news. ---
**Author:** ![Nation](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@Nation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nation)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2009, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-word-nigger/503857/29 "2009-07-22T20:57:28Z")
Its offensive to black people? Have you listened to a rap album in the past 15 years? Its offensible to them when its convenient for it to be offensible. I’m not a racist. I had tons of black friends in HS and we used to hang out all the time and they had NO problem with the word when they played their CD’s. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2009, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-word-nigger/503857/30 "2009-07-22T21:18:36Z")
> [@Starbreaker](#): > > Black people are only offended by the word when white people use it. Black people call each other that word. It’s hypocrisy. > [@Nation](#): > > I’m not a racist. I had tons of black friends in HS [announcer voice]Are you white? Feel like you’re being cheated out of something because of the color of your skin? Now there’s a solution: complain about black people using the word “nigger!” It’s hours of fun…[/av] Thing is, not all black people do that, and I hear they don’t like being discussed as if they all act the same. Crazy, I know! And what exactly is your problem with the state of affairs on this word? Context is important in all forms of communication. ---
**Author:** ![enomaj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/59ef9b/32.png) [@enomaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enomaj)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2009, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-word-nigger/503857/31 "2009-07-22T21:29:31Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > Is there really a difference between Nigga & Nigger, or is it just that Blacks say Nigga and whites say Nigger and it’s not as offensive coming from another black person? IME Black people use nigga because racists use nigger. You can argue that nigga is the lack of enunciation of the word nigger but to most black people there is a difference. I’ll take the Al Sharpton quote as proof of exceptions. Plus Dick Gregory’s autobiography is titled Nigger and Richard Pryor has an album titled That Nigger’s Crazy. But I’ll bet being called a nigger by a racist would piss off all three of them. Personally, l’ve used it(nigga) but it’s never been a huge part of my vocabulary. I’ve listened to plenty of gangsta rap and def comedy jam but I still bristled when Steve Martin used it in The Jerk and Jaime Pressley in NATM. ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2009, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-word-nigger/503857/32 "2009-07-22T21:38:15Z")
> [@enomaj](#): > > IME Black people use nigga because racists use nigger. ISTM that black people leave off the final R on a lot of words, e.g. mother, brother, sister. (It might be a Southern thing.) > [@](#): > > You can argue that nigga is the lack of enunciation of the word nigger but to most black people there is a difference. I’m sure there is, but the question is whether it’s OK because it’s black guys saying it in the black pronunciation, or a genuine distinction. (If a black guy wants to be really really insulting, does he say “Nigger”?) > [@](#): > > I’ll take the Al Sharpton quote as proof of exceptions. Plus Dick Gregory’s autobiography is titled Nigger and Richard Pryor has an album titled That Nigger’s Crazy. I wouldn’t be surprised if all three of them pronounced it “nigga” but just weren’t focused on the distinction. (In the case of Sharpton, it would be reporters who weren’t making the distinction.) ---
**Author:** ![enomaj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/59ef9b/32.png) [@enomaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enomaj)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2009, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-word-nigger/503857/33 "2009-07-22T21:42:43Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > FWIW, Al Sharpton apparently said, as he schemed the Tawana Brawley hoax, that if he and his associates successfully pulled it off [“we will be the biggest niggers in New York”](http://www.nytimes.com/1988/06/16/nyregion/abrams-considers-a-possible-hoax-in-brawley-case.html?pagewanted=all). So apparently it’s not necessarily insulting at all when used by blacks, at least in some circles. > > (I’m not disputing the rationale for this, BTW. My point in this thread is that there are other circumstances when it also should not be considered insulting, e.g. Rep Maloney’s.) As to the OP, there are circumstances under which non-black people can use the word without offending. -I overheard your waitress call you a nigger. The OP probably counts as one of those times but just to be on the safe side she apologized. ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2009, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-word-nigger/503857/34 "2009-07-22T21:57:31Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgjwjaBJ5Do](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgjwjaBJ5Do) Just for everyone’s information, the linked video is not actually from Japanese television. It was [made in America](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0415321/) with American writers and directors and an Asian-American cast. ---
**Author:** ![Nation](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@Nation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nation)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2009, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-word-nigger/503857/35 "2009-07-22T22:03:51Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > [announcer voice]Are you white? Feel like you’re being cheated out of something because of the color of your skin? Now there’s a solution: complain about black people using the word “nigger!” It’s hours of fun…[/av] > > Thing is, not all black people do that, and I hear they don’t like being discussed as if they all act the same. Crazy, I know! And what exactly is your problem with the state of affairs on this word? Context is important in all forms of communication. Are you insane? I’m not complaining about anything. I could care less what anyone calls anyone else. But what you dont hear is uproar from the black community about the word when used by other blacks. If a black man got on national tv and called another black person a nigger, you wouldnt hear anything about it, but if a white person did it, they would be rioting in LA, NOLA, etc. Why is it so hard for people like you to accept the truth? ---
**Author:** ![freep5637](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/cdc98d/32.png) [@freep5637](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freep5637)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2009, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-word-nigger/503857/36 "2009-07-22T23:05:17Z")
nigger, nigger, nigger. I think that the context SHOULD matter. I have tons of black friends who toss it around; even in reference to me (i’m white) as a term of endearment. but they also use it negatively to describe people who they consider ghetto, unkempt, shady, skanky, or overall trashy. i also know white people who use the word in the same exact way, and don’t take offense to it. people should just be smart, if you’re around anyone who doesn’t know you or if you’re racist, then don’t use it. that goes for anyone of any race. as far as the PC BS goes, i say drop it. i’m sick of people apologizing for it if used in a joking context, everyone needs to lighten up. also, i realize america is a melting pot but common, how’s about a little bit of nationalism? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2009, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-word-nigger/503857/37 "2009-07-22T23:16:01Z")
> [@Nation](#): > > Are you insane? Not very. I’m asking why you care about this, though. > [@](#): > > But what you dont hear is uproar from the black community about the word when used by other blacks. Are you sure? [Jackson and Sharpton have been saying for years that everybody should stop saying it.](http://www.cnn.com/2006/SHOWBIZ/TV/11/22/sharpton.richard/index.html) I made a direct reference to this earlier. > [@](#): > > The use of the “n-word” by both blacks and whites needs to be stopped, Sharpton said. [Here’s Jackson:](http://newsbusters.org/node/9251) > [@](#): > > Interviewed by weekend host Lester Holt [one of my MSM favorites for his level-headedness, I might add] on the Michael Richards mess, Jackson floated his proposal in these terms: > > “I might add that we’re really going to begin to fight to prohibit that word in public usage as hate language.” [And when Jesse Jackson made a derogatory reference to then-Sen. Obama…](http://cbs5.com/campaign08/sharpton.jackson.slur.2.773494.html) > [@](#): > > Rev. Al Sharpton spoke out Thursday against Rev. Jesse Jackson’s use of the N-word that was caught on tape while preparing for an interview for Fox News. > > Sharpton, who has joined Jackson in opposition of the word, said on CBS News’ The Early Show on Thursday that he was “very disappointed” by this latest revelation. > > “I think this certainly does not reflect the Reverend Jackson that we all know and love,” Sharpton said. “I think that we have to be consistent. We have denounced the N-word at National Action Network and other groups. Those of us and many of us who have used it privately said we must refrain from it if we’re going to challenge people using it publicly.” [Ebony and Jet ban use of the word in their magazines.](http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/31904939.html) [A push to eliminate the word from 2004.](http://www.banthenword.org/directory/) > [@](#): > > but if a white person did it, they would be rioting in LA, NOLA, etc. What a bunch of garbage. There was no rioting over Don Imus’ comments, there was no rioting over Michael Richards’ “bad joke.” There were complaints, but no riots. I like your assumption that black people riot whenever they get mad, though. _Very_ subtle. > [@](#): > > Why is it so hard for people like you to accept the truth? Post one truth and then we’ll talk. ---
**Author:** ![Nation](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@Nation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nation)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2009, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-word-nigger/503857/38 "2009-07-23T00:51:11Z")
Are you trying to tell me that if a WHITE person got on National TV and called a prominent black person, or hell, ANY black person a nigger there wuddnt be an uproar??? Are you honestly saying that??? Gimme a break holmes. If OJ had been convicted and walking out of the courtroom and some white person said, “I hope you die nigger” or some shit like that it would have been an all out riot. Don Imus didnt call anyone a nigger that I know of. Al Sharpton and whatshisname are two of, if not THE most racist people on the planet. ANYTHING those two clowns say should be discarded immediately. Like I said before, I dont care about the subject, but this is a discussion board so I’m discussing. Thank You. ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2009, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-word-nigger/503857/39 "2009-07-23T01:12:11Z")
Every American needs to read _Hogg_ by Samuel R. Delany. There is no other book which so poignantly brings blacks and whites together in harmony, taking away all of the hatefulness of the “N-word” and reclaiming it as a symbol of brotherhood and honor. > [@](#): > > “Right in my hand here I got a _big_ piece of funky nigger meat,” Red went on. “Here it is, right here. Got this big black nigger bastard partner of mine’s big old black dick right in my fist. You see what’s in my other one - workin’ on old red-capped leaky? Both of 'em big, both of 'em juicy…which one you want? You like cheesy nigger meat? You like smoked salmon? You can have 'em, one at a time or both together, in whichever hole you want - anyway you want 'em, cocksucker!” ---
**Author:** ![Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimmy_Gibbler)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2009, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-word-nigger/503857/40 "2009-07-23T01:27:09Z")
> [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > Every American needs to read _Hogg_ by Samuel R. Delany. There is no other book which so poignantly brings blacks and whites together in harmony, taking away all of the hatefulness of the “N-word” and reclaiming it as a symbol of brotherhood and honor. Thanks for your contribution. I suspect your thoughtful and topical post will generate lots of good discussion. Let’s watch it ensue, shall we? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-word-nigger/503857.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-word-nigger/503857.md?page=3)