Should the N-Word Be Erased?

By Shamontiel, published Jan 26, 2007
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By now, everyone has heard about Kramer's lash at a black audience member for messing with him during a comedy performance. There have been magazines circulating and politicians lecturing about using the word and the repercussions of it. Others have debated back that the word has changed meaning or it can be used by certain groups. One dictionary even agreed to not have the word in their next printing. On an episode of the embarrassingly popular reality show, "I Love New York," New York flipped out when a Latin cast member wanted to call her "negrita," even though he explained to her that it was a term of endearment in his country. In America, many have convinced themselves that it is a term of endearment here as well. So to those who say the word has changed meaning and lost its power, I say to them, "Has there ever been any other word in the English language that has caused such controversy?" The answer is no. I say English, but the origin of the word is from the Latin Word niger. Terms for African Americans have gone from Nigger to Negro to Black to African-American, and for the most part, each term has been accepted in the African-American community. The late James Brown made the song "I'm Black and I'm Proud" to put the stamp of approval on how Blacks should be proud of their culture. Even in today's society, many people of African descent use the terms Black and African-American interchangeably, including myself. But the term nigger has never been equally accepted by us, and especially not mutually accepted by members of other cultural groups.

 
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Nigger

Credit: Afrocentric.Info

Copyright: Afrocentric.Info

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Takeaways
  • Kramer called Jesse Jackson to apologize for using the term, nigger.
  • Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton have lead the argument in banning the word altogether.
  • Aaron McGruder continues to use the term, nigga, in his comic strip, the Boondocks.
Did You Know?
Richard Pryor, who regularly used the term nigger, in his comedic performances went to Africa and heard a voice that asked him if he saw any niggers in the room. When Pryor said he didn't, the voice told him the reason was that there are none.
Resources
  • Ebony magazine (February 2007 issue)
Comments
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Excellent article. That's how I feel about both words we have previously discussed. I'm still trying to find the other article you suggested. :

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Posted on 09/02/2007 at 9:09:00 AM

 
Disregarding the whole issue of prison guards (because that's not what this article is about nor do I care to discuss it within this piece), I do believe that prisoners may call you that to get a rise out of you just as white people may call black people niggers to get a rise out of them. It's sadder to me when black people do it, but even worse when nonblack people do it and don't understand the hostility or history with the word. The guy who read it aloud from the book didn't even take into consideration that I was sitting there. Regardless, the word nigger is a VERY strong word.

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Posted on 05/23/2007 at 6:05:00 PM

 
By the way, I've heard the term "redneck" more from white people than anybody else. That comedian (I can't remember his name) makes that a regular joke on his show. I have no clue where the term "honky" came from, but the term "cracker" actually came from slaves because the crackling sound was what you heard when a slave was being whipped. Either way, none of these terms have the history and depth that the term "nigger" does.

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Posted on 05/21/2007 at 6:05:00 AM

 
Deez, I have a question for you. Give me an example of WHY one of the prisoners called you one of those racial slurs. Master P's brother wrote a book about how prison guards regularly beat up prisoners and start fights within the institution for entertainment. That kind of treatment can make the average person snap, regardless of what their morals are.

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Posted on 05/20/2007 at 9:05:00 AM

 
Deez, Initially I was going to ask you why would someone call you that. It's extremely rare that I've ever heard a black person refer to a white person as a honky, cracker, or anything else. I wouldn't even form my mouth to say such a thing, but again, the profession would make a difference. I don't believe I would learn anything from a corrections officer...at all. And that has nothing to do with this article. Regardless of the source, the history involved will make a difference. Without being black, it is very difficult for me to explain to you the underlying hurt when a black person is called a nigger or nigga or it is repeated. It's just something you'd have to be to understand, and even people who do use the word STILL understand the pain of it. Glad you enjoyed the piece regardless of disagreeing with it.

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Posted on 05/20/2007 at 9:05:00 AM

 
By the way, Lori Borys, I'd suggest you reread this one. Nothing about my article says that the word nigger is only a word and only gives meaning when used by that person. The word is deragatory no matter whose mouth it's coming out of, simple and plain, and if fists start flying when certain people use them, I have no sympathy for them and hope they get knocked the hell out.

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Posted on 04/21/2007 at 10:04:00 AM

 
Lori Borys, I don't understand why you view this as a fantastic article when I'm basically disagreeing with everything you just said. A word is NOT just a word when it carries over 400 years of history with belittling a group of people. The word bitch or cunt does not even remotely carry the weight of the word nigger. I don't know if it's just because you are not of the culture that you don't understand the strength of a word, but sticks and stones are for words like "poopyhead," not words that disrespect a whole race of people. There is no "getting over it" when there is that much history behind it. People need to watch their mouths and understand that certain words are not just "words." They carry weight and this is one of those words.

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Posted on 04/21/2007 at 10:04:00 AM

 
Fantastic article! I was a literature major in college and don't get why people are so touchy about words. For example women and "THE 'C'" word! They don't care if they're called a bitch but use the 'C' word, which by the way is basically the same meaning if you ask me(at least in the context I hear it used in), and fists are flying. Get over it. They are just words and only mean what you allow them to mean. How much you care about the person saying it to you is how much you allow or disallow it's validity. Sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt...

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Posted on 04/17/2007 at 5:04:00 PM

 
Thank you for commenting Alyce. I'm glad you enjoyed the article. You hit the nail on the head when you said people are becoming desensitized to it. This is primarily why the word is being embraced by some. I was desensitized to it through my adolescence (although I could count on one hand the number of times my parents ever used the word) and up until NMU, I never regarded the word as so strong. But wow, NMU gave me a whole new view of the term. It makes me cringe to even hear my friends or family say it now.

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Posted on 04/16/2007 at 8:04:00 AM

 
Growing up "60's" I find the word offensive to this day. It does not bother me to read it in literature, but I would be unable to read it aloud. It's use has become so common place in music, movies, comedy acts and "on the street". When I hear people using words that have negative meanings applied to any ethnicity, I tend to label the person a "bigot". While you are learning to hate the word, I am becoming desenitized to hearing it. Still I would like to see it (and all the other slurs) erased. Excellent article.

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Posted on 04/12/2007 at 10:04:00 PM

 
So when people offend you, you just chalk it up to them having the right to do it? Damn, sounds like a rug. It's never okay to let people walk all over you, but after reading your article, I see that you are not around people who use the term. Honestly, I wish you could've chilled with me at NMU for even a week. I have the feeling you'd come back singing a different tune.

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Posted on 04/10/2007 at 12:04:00 PM

 
Nice work! I don't share the opinion, but it was well reasoned and written. I don't use the term myself, but don't believe that I should have the right to impose my feelings on those who do use it, even in situations where I might find it offensive.

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Posted on 03/30/2007 at 8:03:00 AM

 
Lighten up? This isn't the type of word that was ever meant to be positive. Bitch is actually the name of a female dog. The word "nigger" was translated through the years, but its meaning during slavery was to be deragatory to Blacks. Yes, people have the right to say what they want, but when they get popped in the mouth, then people who want us to lighten up wonder why. I still cringe at the use of the word "bitch" and not many women I know take it as a sign of affection. Words CAN hurt and when seminars and the newspapers target a word, it obviously has power.

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Posted on 02/26/2007 at 11:02:00 AM

 
This is a tough one. Being mixed (surprise, like I havent told EVERYBODY that one!) I have not always felt "accepted" by some in both the black and white community. Ive used the word, with my black friends, but I have considered if any blacks who overheard thought "I know that mixed girl aint..." Race is so damn sensitive here and its a shame. No word should have so much power, warranting articles, its crazy. People should be free to say what they like, if they mean it negatively, then so be it. Its kind of like when men call women "bitches". Some of us use it affectionately, but its a whole other thing when men use it. We could all lighten up.

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Posted on 02/25/2007 at 9:02:00 AM

 
It is very hypocritical, but I cannot say that I was not one of those people who used it and then was not appalled by others using it. From my beliefs, I felt like since I was of the race, it was okay to use it. But after hearing others use it, my beliefs changed. I just can't stand the word altogether now, but appreciate that you enjoyed the read. Do you use the word?

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Posted on 02/25/2007 at 7:02:00 AM

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