Why the N word is not a racial slur

[Wickatricka]

The N word (I would write the actually word if they wouldn't ban me for this reason) is not a racial slur and was never intended to be a racial slur towards any race. The true definition of the N word is a person of any race or origin regarded as contemptible, inferior, ignorant, etc. Now I understand that the reason why people associate this word with African Americans is because of what they called slaves in America and somehow the word is still associated with them hundreds of years later which really doesn't make any sense because people called each other that way before there were slaves and somehow the word stuck to black people. I for one just think its ridiculous that the word cannot be used anymore (besides by black people for some odd reason which also doesn't make a god damn lick of sense to me) and I just think the whole thing is ludicrous and I was wonder how my fellow escapists feel about the word.
Alright thanks for your time.

 

[davidmc1158_v1legacy]

The origin of the word (at least in the U.S.) was that it was a slang form of the word "negro." During the Colonial period. it was specifically used to describe Africans brought to North America as slaves. The term became inherently intertwined with the racism/white supremacy concepts of North American slavery, and thus actually began as a racist term.

The connotations associated with it were meant to define the targets of the term as inferior and essentially dehumanize them so that no form of rights could be applied to them.

In more modern times, the term still carries the weight of its racist past, but elements within the African-American community have taken the word and adopted it as their own, with the understanding that NO ONE ELSE may EVER use the term on them again. Somehow (and I don't claim to understand the psychology as an outsider to that community) its use amongst members of the African-American community changes the inherent meaning of the term. However, that original, racist origins of the meaning return if used by an outsider.

 

[Amethyst Wind]

I thought you might've been pulling a Zeph-esque (He's a character in The Beach) notion here. Well you kinda are but he was trolling and I assume you aren't.

 

[exessmirror]

where i live we can still say neger which means negroid, it isn't a racial slur but thanks to american culture i tend to avoid the word because it might offend someone i know

 

[LetalisK]

Agreed. "Nougat" is not a racial slur, but rather a tasty treat.

 

[Fasckira]

-snip-

Regardless of its origins, its still considered by many a racial slur today.

However I find it more offensive when people use the term "N-word" in conversation. I appreciate you've done it in this instance to avoid the wrath of a mod which is understandable but I hate it when people are talking to me and they use it in person. My ears aren't sensitive and wont burst into flames upon hearing it, and I like to think that I keep learned company that can discuss these matters without getting antsy. The word has taken the same kind of fear to utter as "Voldemort".

Cant recall which comedian it was but he made the very good point that by saying the "N-word" you' be as well saying what you mean; you're still putting in the listener's mind exactly what word you're referencing so you may as well just come out and say it.

 

[Vault101]

Agreed. "Nougat" is not a racial slur, but rather a tasty treat.

yeah well I dont see why nougats can call each other nougats..where as I'm not allowed..I just say "chocolate" or somthing

 

[Realitycrash]

'True definition'? What, do you think all words have inherent definitions written in some universal dictionary? They don't. Meanings change over time, going back to the past for meanings is utterly useless. You're ignoring the nature of words by doing so.

Plus I see no reason to believe you about the origins of the word.

This.

Also, "Negro" comes from the old Latin word for "Black" (Niger).

Words is how you use them, and change over time.

 

[Revnak_v1legacy]

Niger. Looks a whole lot like negro, an extremely common word for black in Latin based languages. I'm pretty certain it has more to do with black things and people than whatever the fuck OP is claiming, not that that means anything at all. Language is not something set in stone, it grows and changes. What matters is not what the word meant fifty years ago, what matters is what it means today, and it certainly doesn't mean good things.

 

[the darknees abyss]

Agreed. "Nougat" is not a racial slur, but rather a tasty treat.

who dose'ant like nougat

 

[SlaveNumber23]

Origin of the word is irrelevant, what matters is what the word refers to now, regardless of what the dictionary says it means or what it used to mean.

 

[hazabaza1]

Language adapts, man. While it might not have meant to be a bad word specifically for "black man" that's what people think of when someone says ****** nowadays.
Just look at how "gay" changed over the years.

Oh, also:

 

[Luftwaffles]

Nougats should go back where they came from and keep candy candy. Ever since nougats were introduced tooth decay statistics have been through the roof.

 

[Queen Michael]

Look. Look. Do you go around thinking that the word "pretend" means "lie"? If you don't that's because you decide the word's meaning based on what peoplee use it to mean today and not in days of yore, since that's just how you decide something like that.

FACT: Words' meaning change.

FACT: The meaning of a word is decided by what people use it to mean. That's how words work.

OPINION: The way you say "It can't be a racial slur today if it wasn't one when it was first invented" is kinda stupid.

QUERY: Do you use that kind of reasoning with all words (in which case you're most likely speaking an English that's very different from the one the rest of us use)? If you don't, why not?

FACT: The meaning of a word is decided by what people use it to mean. That's how words work. IF people regard it as a racial slur, then it is one for that reason. The meaning of words aren't stuck in amber, forever unchanging, as you claim. You'll just have to accept that this is how words work. Saying it's not a racial slur because it wasn't one when it was first invented doesn't make sense according to how language change works.

tl;dr: When you say that the meaning of a word can't change, you're just plain wrong.

 

[Luftwaffles]

Nougats should go back where they came from and keep candy candy. Ever since nougats were introduced tooth decay statistics have been through the roof.

Aw c'mon man, that's discriminatory against nougats.
Other candies are equally to blame.

Nougat sympathiser. I spit on you

 

[Spinozaad]

It's very amusing that the 'n-word' is allowed, but '******' isn't. The former already invokes the latter, and therefore ought to be as offensive as the latter.

It's pretend empathy. Words are only offensive in a greater cultural context. If someone is offended by a mere word, the problem is not society, not culture, not history, but you yourself.

 

[Moderated]

Even if it wasn't then, it is now.
Something tells me you're the kind of person who has a gay old time.

 

[AngloDoom]

I don't mean to be awkward, but this post sounds like when teenagers first find out that 'shit' is in the dictionary, and then argue it is no-longer a swear-word.

If it's considered a swear by the general populace, it's a swear. It's really as simple as that. You can argue all you want that no-one should consider 'shit' a swear-word, but people don't casually use the word 'shit' in an interview, or tell their mother that their cooking was 'shit' without expecting to cause a stir.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

The N word (I would write the actually word if they wouldn't ban me for this reason)

The reason you would ever get mod wrath for using the term ****** is if you were actually using it as a racial slur.

Also, you can say it isn't a racial slur until the cows come home, but you're wrong.

The general population have decided what that word means, and they have decided it's a racial slur.