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The N Word: Who Can Say It, Who Shouldn't, and Why

I have a business partner who is black and was born in the Caribbean. He is the only Negro I know and associate with on a daily basis so admittedly my exposure to the black community is limited compared to those who live in Toronto or Montreal.

Anyway, we were discussing Erin Caplan's review of the book and more pointedly, this consideration:

"African American artists, scholars, activists, comedians and thinkers have all argued in favor of the n-word's respectability, or at least its viability, and they have failed; those in the opposition who have argued its cultural irrelevance have failed too. The irresolution was driven home to me last year when I was listening to a radio debate among a group of black nationalists who were responding to Michael Richards' now-infamous rant at the Comedy Store. The group was politically progressive and radically Afrocentric, yet it could not agree on what should be done with the word "nigger," whether to treat it as poisonous or empowering."

I think it can be done, look at the word "redneck". My partner however believes it will always be an insult but conceded he had never actually been called a "nigger" by anyone other then other blacks which I felt supported my argument.

Obviously though we are not there yet.

   

I find the word offensive, but it really annoys me that those who are black can say the word, write songs with the N word and yet if someone who isn't black utters the word they are "Racists". The ole double standard doesn't sit well with me.

   

And that is the odd thing. You as a Caucasian find the word offensive yet a Negro will not unless the word is spoken by someone outside their ethnic group and with malice as intent. Instead of keeping this nuclear type word sacrosanct and always a potential super insult, I agree with the black rappers who are trying to take away the power of this word. (Though I've heard cats copulate with more harmony).

   

It all depends how you say it. It is like Newfie many won't be offended by that anymore unless you try and use it in a negative way. If you say "you are just a goofie newfie" you will both probably have a laugh. If you go and say "you are a stupid newfie" then the Newfoundlander may take offence and might smash your head in like the seals on the ice flows.

I have a friend who will call himself a chink sometimes or when he gets his words crossed. He will say "I have been here for six years and still talk like a dumb chink."

So nigger I guess is the same deal and many might find some humour in the word or will try and take the teeth out of it.

   

Oh I have never seen any blacks call themselves niggers here. I know someone who is black but he is from Jamaica and I don't think he would like being called that. My great grandfather used to trade with them and sailed there from Newfoundland so we have a special relationship and wouldn't be right. I think mostly black Americans use it more than people in this country because their blacks are much different from most of ours.

   

I just call people what they want ot be called. Sometimes it's hard to keep up (e.g. First Nations or aboriginals?) NIgger is prtety much out. Right up there wiht Holocaust jokes.

I hate being called Caucasian though. What's wrong with "white"?

   

I hate both.

   

The only time I have a tendency to use the word is in describing something as a nigger-rig... just means something is build without skill or is of poor quality.

   

In the West we call it "jerry-rigging" though the correct term is probably "jury".

   

We had to study this in media class. It could very well be the black community taking back a word from the white man, because white people used to call black people niggers(I can say it, since my dad can easily pass for a black man, which makes me half. ) when they had black people as slaves. So the black people decided to "burn" the white man by taking a word that used to be used by white people and calling it their own.

Granted, I think the whole thing is stupid. Black people also call Asians chinks, but that's apparently okay, but god forbid the "chink" calls a black guy a nigger.

   

Nigger, chink, newfie, redneck .... they are all offensive when they are being used to put some one down.

i have a friend at work who lives in Orangeville (small town Canada). Every so often she brings her daughter to work where we are quite the "united nations". The only black person that little girl had ever met works in my office. On their way home they stopped at the grocery store in Toronto and the cashier was also black. The little girl asked her mother in a whisper "is that her sister?" to which her mother asked "who's sister?" She blushed and responded "You know, the other chocolate lady at your office".

Unless we are taught how will we know. DirtyLilAngel has an awesome sig "The only things that should be sorted by color is laundry."

   

As long as it's all in fun:

   

I love the laundry analogy, good one Kitty.

I've noticed if you are "White" you sometimes have to talk with marbles in your mouth less you offend anyone who isn't white. I don't see a persons color, or I try not to because it doesn't matter to me.

Ruez I hate rap music, it's worst than finger nails going across a chalk board.

   

I believe there are many words beyond the n-word that just shouldn't be said. Some words are always 'putter-downers' and should be avoided.

   

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