Why the N word is not a racial slur

[Wraith]

****** will always be offensive to me and my people. Always. No one uses that word with good intention and no matter what the dictionary suggests it is ALWAYS directed at one race. When people use or even think of that word they think of a black person. Why? Because that is the race it was created to degrade. I see so many times over the internet that-- mostly white-- teens try to justify their use of it with the dictionary's description, but then go on to use it offensively for only black people. Not only are they contradicting themselves, but they are hiding behind that dictionary's definition so they can have an excuse to abuse that word freely. It's not cool, bro, not cool.

Now onto evolution, this word descended from the words negro (Spanish: black) and niger (Latin: color black). With that in mind it's easy to see how the word became wildly used a few hundred years ago. And since it was always used offensively it became a slur. But as time goes on the slaves started using it themselves. But the 'er' was dropped off the edge, replaced with an 'a' and the word was pronounced 'nigga'. This method changed the meaning for some.Some believe the changing of the 'er' doesn't affect the meaning: Brother- Brotha ; Sister- Sista; Mother- Motha etc.

But I think, like to, two, and too the words may look and sound the same, but they have different meanings and different uses. I live in an area where practically every black person I have met uses that word. And whenever we use it, it is used as a pronoun mostly for men or a group of people in general. It is also synonymous with other male pronouns like dude, brother, sir, guy etc. You can replace that word in any rap song with a different male pronoun and it would not change the meaning of the song at all.

Example:
Niggas out here are crazy.-- People out here are crazy.
That nigga is crazy. -- That man is crazy.
I'm looking for that nigga, Jeff. -- I'm looking for that dude, Jeff.

It is used as a mostly male pronoun, because even when women use it, they don't direct it to each other. They direct it towards men.

Example:
I'm looking for a real nigga.-- I'm looking for a real man.

It can even be used for males of different races, but it is usually accompanied with their race because, like the original term, when used people automatically think black.

Example:
Where's that white nigga, Brandon?
Where's that white dude, Brandon?

This term is less offensive because, over the ages black people were able to remove a good amount of the hate from the word by dropping the 'er' and spread it around as a regular pronoun for all races. I, myself, allow my white friends or friends of any race to use nigga around me if they understand the differences and can use it in non-offensive terms.

What most people of the... uhm... lighter skin color seem to think is that it is used as a term of endearment between black folk. Nope. Not true. No one every goes "OMG, he called me a nigga! That means we're best friends now!" Yes, the word can be used in a friendly way, but that is because the word isn't offensive between friends.

Example: That's my nigga.-- That's my man-- That's my pal.-- That's my buddy.

But don't think because one person is okay with one term that the next person will be. Just because I allow my friends to do it around me that doesn't mean the next black guy will like to see them using it. I know a large group of black people who use it daily, yet will jump at the chance to scream "racist" to a white person who uses it. I know people who don't use it at all, just because they feel no need to. Hell, I know people who'll go on a gigantic speech on why we shouldn't use it because of its past history. There are hypocrites everywhere, but most importantly of all, different people will take offense to different things.

 

[The Consequence]

Yep. It's definitely a racial slur. I've heard this before 'it doesn't mean what means' kind of thing. Regardless of history it's mainstay is to offend, or better word, insult, black people (people who look like me). You can cut however many corners you want to justify its usage, but no, I do not agree that it is just a word, as in, "your mother is a piece of shit," is JUST a sentence. See, that there was meant to insult, you can chose to get mad about it or not, but still, its intent is quite clear.

As the N-word is a word that's meaning is quite clear in it's utilization. Even if you were to call someone who isn't black a ******, you still mean the word as an insult.

And I will add this, these forum subjects are becoming more and more ridiculous as hell. It's almost as if some people think they can break common sense by Googling whatever given subject, look through its history, and then present some weird, sideways view of looking at things. 'Hey! I did research so aren't I right now?'

Come on man. If you're going to try and justify calling someone ******, don't try to excuse your use of it. At least just fucking own it already. Own the fact that you don't know any better, or you simply lack the strength to care about what comes out of your face. Don't try to bend the word like you see a old white lady walking down the street and say "yep, that's a ******," because you don't. What God awfully stupid subject matter.

 

[Schtoobs]

A word, by itself, with no context, cannot POSSIBLY be offensive. It's ALL about how the word is used.

I see the use of context explained in this way alot and I'm glad that some people try to understand why they are offended without just being offended due to Pavlovian conditioning. But I think it's even simpler than that, I think it's the intent to offend that should, and infact does, cause offence. I haven't managed to think of a single instance or scenario where this isn't, or wouldn't be, the case. (See my post above if you care to see a longer but not necessarily clearer explanation of what I mean.)

Hope you don't mind me quoting that small part of what you said Dense_Electric. I totally get what you mean about HOW the word is used, I used to think the exact same way but ended up modifying it a bit.

 

[The Consequence]

You're right on the money Kendale Anderson. I agree wholeheartedly.

 

[Queen Michael]

It's not a racist slur because I say so. I like calling people it, and it's my freedom of speech to do so, so they've no right to stop me by saying it's racist.

Nobody's trying to put you in jail for using it, but they do have the right to tell you they don't like it at all. They have freedom of speech too, so they've got the right to say what they think about what you're saying. Freedom of speech: You're not the only one who has it.

WAY too many people think that if somebody voices an objection to what they say then they don't have free speech.

Also, you saying it's not a racial slur doesn't magically change its meaning. Almost everyone else still regards it as a racial slur, and when you use it, you use it knowing that they'll regard it as a racial slur.

 

[loa]

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

"Niger" means "black" in latin.

 

[Daveman]

No.

Words all have intrinsic meanings beyond a pure definition. Saying "I made love to your mother" is different to saying "I fucked your mum" even though they describe the same event. There is a vulgarity to the word "fuck" as there is to "******" that is well known and therefore, even when taking into consideration any original meaning, the insult is intended as any other usage would require deliberately ignoring it's nature as a racist slur.

You may as well debate why any word is insulting. Is calling someone a "twat" bad? It would suggest that there is something bad about being a vagina when objectively there isn't much wrong with one. It's only because we know it to be an insult as well. There are similarly situations where it wouldn't be an insult such as use of it's literal meaning. Basically it's all about context, but we all knew that already.

In short, "******" is a racist slur because it's a racist slur. It is a racist slur because everyone KNOWS it's a racist slur. The meaning of words is subjective but appears to be objective due to general consensus. In this case the general consensus is that it's racist.

You can argue that it ORIGNALLY had some other meaning and that's fine, and a great etymological debate to boot. However, suggesting, as the title of the thread does, that it "is not a racial slur" is clearly incorrect.

I'm David and my hobby is responding to troll threads with a pointlessly well-reasoned argument.

 

[Durgiun]

Here's how we solve the problem related to the word ''******''. We use it to refer to any black person who's acting like the equivalent of a white-trash redneck.

For instance, Morgan Freeman is a black man.

Gangstas are niggers.

 

[Uhura]

I kind of agree with you, but for different reasons. This ties in to my take on swear words in general and what it is to give offence. Racial slurs are no different to any other intent to offend. It is not the N word that causes offence, rather the intent to offend. That is why when used between friends with friendly intent it isn't hurtful. Offence is given, not taken. If you take offence when none was intended then you are wrong to take offence and are only wasting your own time being miserable for nothing.

I seem to be in the minority of people that grasp this concept. If someone calls me a dick, am I offended by the meaning of the word? No, don't be daft. I judge their intent by body language and tone. If they are trying to offend me it is that that I take offence to, not the fact that they called me a penis, which is just not literally true.

So the idea is, if I say to someone "my N-word" and truthfully have no ill intent, then it shouldn't offend. But again it isn't the meaning that offends anyway, rather the intent to offend. I hope I'm making sense to someone? It seems so simple to me, yet I don't think I've met anyone who fully understands it.

It's frustrating because it is the cause of so much ill will and completely based on a misunderstanding. We are taught to have negative feelings in response to certain words. It's called Pavlovian conditioning I think. It's complete bullshit

You don't really get to dictate how other people ought to perceive the words you use. People aren't mind readers so it's not on them to figure out what you mean when you use words in atypical ways. The hurt these words carry doesn't really come just from the intent either. It comes from their connotations, the historical baggage. Racism and racial profiling are still alive and well in the US so it's useless to pretend that the word '******' is just a word. You know, there are people out there who face racism every day and for them the 'n-word' actually has a real meaning. It's not just an insult word but something they have to deal with in their normal lives.

 

[Lilani]

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.

Different words mean different things to different societies, and the meanings of words change with time. This is neither a good nor a bad thing, it's just a normal part of language and how it relates to society.

 

[easternflame]

It's not a racist slur because I say so. I like calling people it, and it's my freedom of speech to do so, so they've no right to stop me by saying it's racist.

The fact that it's freedom of speech does not exhert you from the consequences of saying so.

OP:
Kinda, I guess, you are right. However, it's like the Swastika (I hope I didn't get that wrong), Nazis used it, originally it was a hindu, or budhist symbol for peace, now we can draw it (even if we don't tilt it) because people find it offensive. I understand that they do though, and I understand why a colored person would be offended by this.

 

[easternflame]

It's not a racist slur because I say so. I like calling people it, and it's my freedom of speech to do so, so they've no right to stop me by saying it's racist.

Nobody's trying to put you in jail for using it, but they do have the right to tell you they don't like it at all. They have freedom of speech too, so they've got the right to say what they think about what you're saying. Freedom of speech: You're not the only one who has it.

WAY too many people think that if somebody voices an objection to what they say then they don't have free speech.

Also, you saying it's not a racial slur doesn't magically change its meaning. Almost everyone else still regards it as a racial slur, and when you use it, you use it knowing that they'll regard it as a racial slur.

That and also, freedom of speech is there, sure. That doesn't exhert you from the consequences. Just as I can buy a gun and shoot a person, that doesn't exhert me from going to jail.

 

[Spinozaad]

****** will always be offensive to me and my people.

It can always be offensive to you, but not necessarily to 'your people'. Who are your people? Who are you to decide who's part of 'your people' and who's not?

Using history to legitimize 'truth claims' in the present is a dangerous game to play. The word '******' is far more value laden (and, at the same time, far less value laden) than it ever was in the 19th century. People who are offended by the term are invoking a sanitized interpretation of history to legitimize behaviour in the present.

Here's what I hear: "****** used to refer to a person of my 'colour' in a denigrating manner, I hereby use that particular history to feel victimized in the present."

It's not unlike "groups" today acting recompense for slights done against this "group" in the past. This can be the "African-Americans" asking for apologies over slavery, the Chinese for apologies over Nanjing, the Indonesians over the Dutch Indies, etc. All the while forgetting that a) those who slighted are long dead, and nobody in the present is responsible for the misdeeds in the past and b) history is always more complex. Victimizing the past in order to fashion another Other to define one's own "identity" (the question, again, being who's claiming the identity and for whom), is an abuse of history.

But I long since digressed, and I shall now leave this discussion.

 

[Sgt Doom]

The origin is completely irrelevant, to be honest. A word is given meaning by those who use it, and therefore is prone to change over time as new generations come and give them a new meaning.

 

[Schtoobs]

You don't really get to dictate how other people ought to perceive the words you use. People aren't mind readers so it's not on them to figure out what you mean when you use words in atypical ways. The hurt these words carry doesn't really come just from the intent either. It comes from their connotations, the historical baggage. Racism and racial profiling are still alive and well in the US so it's useless to pretend that the word '******' is just a word. You know, there are people out there who face racism every day and for them the 'n-word' actually has a real meaning. It's not just an insult word but something they have to deal with in their normal lives.

Hey Uhura thanks for reading and responding to my post. I didn't mean to imply that racism and racial profiling doesn't exist. I understand that the word has a negative connotation and no I can't dictate how other people perceive my words, but if someone takes offence to something I say when I meant no offence then they are wrong to do so. It doesn't make them a bad person, it's just a misunderstanding. All the examples you are thinking of are the n-word being used in a derogatory manner with intent to offend. I would still argue that it isn't the meaning of the word that causes offence (outside of an automatic response) but the intent to offend. The actual meaning of the word is either true about that person or not. If it's true then whats the problem? If it's not then what's the problem? The answer to both questions is the intent of the speaker to cause hurt.

I think our difference of opinion comes down to whether or not words can carry an emotional characteristic... I would argue that they do not without a human intent.

There is no real life situation where I could, or would, go up to a black man and drop the 'n-bomb'. This is because as you pointed out I cannot guarantee that he will not be offended but that's irrelevant in my case as there is no situation where I could say it where I wouldn't mean it with ill intent. But with friends I can and on occasion do. It would be such a shame if someone were to take offence. What a waste of their own potentially happy time.

Hope this made sense. Don't want to seem like I'm making light of people being treated badly for the stupidest of reasons.

 

[Wraith]

****** will always be offensive to me and my people.

It can always be offensive to you, but not necessarily to 'your people'. Who are your people? Who are you to decide who's part of 'your people' and who's not?

Using history to legitimize 'truth claims' in the present is a dangerous game to play. The word '******' is far more value laden (and, at the same time, far less value laden) than it ever was in the 19th century. People who are offended by the term are invoking a sanitized interpretation of history to legitimize behaviour in the present.

Here's what I hear: "****** used to refer to a person of my 'colour' in a denigrating manner, I hereby use that particular history to feel victimized in the present."

It's not unlike "groups" today acting recompense for slights done against this "group" in the past. This can be the "African-Americans" asking for apologies over slavery, the Chinese for apologies over Nanjing, the Indonesians over the Dutch Indies, etc. All the while forgetting that a) those who slighted are long dead, and nobody in the present is responsible for the misdeeds in the past and b) history is always more complex. Victimizing the past in order to fashion another Other to define one's own "identity" (the question, again, being who's claiming the identity and for whom), is an abuse of history.

But I long since digressed, and I shall now leave this discussion.

Of course by "my people" I mean people of my race: African Americans. I do not decide who is a part of the black race, however. That is totally decided upon by their lineage and skin color. (Though don't read that as me seeing every dark skinned person as black. Again, that is decide upon lineage as well.)

Also, I am not using history to feel offended. I don't need to when the word is being used aggressively in modern times. I don't need to be offended from what I read in a history book when certain people will go out of their way to offend me on the internet, or out in public. The word is still offensive because people still use it to offend.

Captcha; Break the ice

So Spinozaad, how was your day? Nice weather we're having, right?

 

[Dense_Electric]

The idea of an "offensive word" is completely absurd. A word, by itself, with no context, cannot POSSIBLY be offensive. It's ALL about how the word is used. I see a friend of mine in the street and say, "what's up, my ******?" then there is virtually no way that could be offensive to anyone except overly-prudish people. However, if I go into a racist rant and start throwing around phrases like "dirty niggers," that's a different story. But even in that case, it's still not the word "******" itself that is offensive, it's the fact that I made a racial slur. I could have just as easily said, "dirty people of African ethnicity," and that would be equally racist and offensive.

The word is merely a tool. Blaming a word for being offensive is like blaming a gun for shooting someone or a car for running someone over. They were the tool that enabled that to occur, yes, but it's the person using the tool who made them do that. In other words, it's HOW you use the word, not the word itself, that determines whether something is offensive.

The function of representation comes to grief when words lose their connection to things and become sounds to be exchanged, separate from purpose -- to use the words of a favorite author of mine. Basically: you can't claim words cannot be offensive, because words aren't empty symbols to be ascribed their own purpose. Words are references and representatives of meanings and of intentions. ******, no matter how you personally spin it, exists to serve the role of condemnation. That you choose to use it for anything else is irrelevant.

Oh, I certainly don't mean to argue that words don't have meaning, but I completely disagree that a word can have an inherent value. The fact that word "******" can, or is even usually used in a negative way does condemn the word to always carry with it a negative connotation. Once again, if I say to my friend, "what's up, my ******?" - where is the negative connotation inherent? Objectively, it's no different from saying, "what new events have recently transpired in your life, person with whom I share a strong personal connection?" In that context, you would have to construe the word to have a negative value, not to not have it.

Words can carry meaning, but it is the intention of what one says that carries with it the value. A insult is still insulting even without any "bad" words, while a friendly greeting is still friendly even if laced with profanity.

 

[Spinozaad]

Of course by "my people" I mean people of my race: African Americans. I do not decide who is a part of the black race, however. That is totally decided upon by their lineage and skin color. (Though don't read that as me seeing every dark skinned person as black. Again, that is decide upon lineage as well.)

Also, I am not using history to feel offended. I don't need to when the word is being used aggressively in modern times. I don't need to be offended from what I read in a history book when certain people will go out of their way to offend me on the internet, or out in public. The word is still offensive because people still use it to offend.

Captcha; Break the ice

So Spinozaad, how was your day? Nice weather we're having, right?

Not really, a storm is coming (in the literal sense). Or well, a storm to Dutch standards, anyway.

What follows is a honest query, by the way. I'm not attacking your sense of identity, but I wonder... "African American", aren't you just 'American'? What's the added value of feeling 'rooted' in a continent and (in a sense) in a past that's so far removed from your daily experience?

Aren't you really (ab)using history to legitimize certain claims in the present? Perhaps not to victimize yourself, but still to ground your own sense of identity against the identities of others? As I hinted above, using the phrase "African American" already refers to a past long dead.

And, if a word, a phrase, an image is aimed to offend, do you have to feel offended? That's the part (be it Jews and the Holocaust, Christians and Jesus, Muslims and Muhammad, the Chinese and Nanjing, etc. etc.) I am never able to understand. Do you not allow yourself to be 'put down' by a simple symbol?