Comments on: The Great Debate: Who Can Say The N-Word?

By: Ismael

Ismael — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:47:51 +0000

Hi I have also wanted to share something to this page. I grew up being Hispanic, and I knew I wasn’t allowed to say the n-word ever. But pretty much most of the other Hispanic kids i grew up with said it. I thought it was weird, but it didnt seem hateful. Also, I had just recently discovered that I am in fact part black. I didn’t know if this somehow entitled me to say the n-word, but I just kept thinking about how to explain it to a black person if they misunderstand. Please comment back.

By: MichelleHuxtable

MichelleHuxtable — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 16:15:29 +0000

Thanks for the comment. I’ve definitely been in similar situations and it’s true. If you speak up that person most likely isn’t going to have the gall to continue using the word… Well… Around you anyway. Me telling someone to stop using the n-word probably will not change their whole mindset and life goals but they won’t be using it around me anymore.

By: Katie

Katie — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 06:51:55 +0000

Hey, sorry I’m so late on the topic, but I just started reading your blog and I feel like I might have something to contribute. I am white but I did grow up in an all black neighborhood, so I always heard the word growing up, it was just part of the culture. However, among my friends it was just understood that I didn’t use the word, (I wouldn’t have told them not to use it though, it wasn’t really my business) I just didn’t think about it growing up. We had discussions about it sometimes and they held similar opinions about how they wouldn’t really use it around white people, so they wouldn’t get the wrong idea. Still though, especially coming from the south, there are an overwhelming number of young white people (and older white people who hear it from the kids) who think its OK to use the word. I recently was hanging out with a white girl about 13 who was scrolling through my text messages on my phone when she saw a text from someone with an obviously black name. She then said in just a questioning tone (not hateful mind you) “So he’s a —.” I just cringed and resisted the urge to yell at her (which is what my friends would have done haha). I asked her why she said that and she said, oh its ok cause I said it with an A on the end. I said that it didn’t matter, we still shouldn’t use the word. I think its time that African-Americans in the media begin to limit their use of the word..its a responsibility thing. Or, although it might be difficult because you don’t want to stir up trouble, if a white person says it, just tell them, can you please not say that word. Trust, they will shut up right quick, cause they’ll get scared of what your reaction might be. It’s just like Wale says, once you let it go, that person thinks its alright to use it…and then they’ll get in trouble when they use it around the wrong people (especially in my neighborhood lol). At the same time though, I completely get that its a part of the culture. Do I think the use of the word will diminish? I hope so, but only time will tell.

Anyways, crucial post, great writing. Definitely a fan of the blog, keep it up

By: Jim13onez

Jim13onez — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 10:49:45 +0000

Post is tough! i dont understand the word. It means ignorant but used positivly… but “Bad” means Good? and “Stupid” means Cool?… so maybe. but i understand the meaning of it among the black culture… and it should be used by the “Black Culture” Only. NO exception, if’s, and’s or buts.

By: Katrina

Katrina — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:25:14 +0000

To each his own.

I personally dont like to use the n-word, but trust–it slips out every now and then. I was all for the NAACP’s burial of the word because I dont get the whole “we made it into something positive” steez. The word was birthed under negative connotation. It is not a term of endearment.

I certainly dont think its okay for caucasian people or any non-black person to use the word.(I say non black bcuz i find it common for hispanic people to think its okay to use the word. no) However, the reality is that hip-hop has become a culture and i would say its part of pop culture. The mass population immerses itself in pop culture and at the end of the day will want to say every word that jay-z says in his songs, which will undoubtedly include “nigga.”

but like I said, to each his own.

By: Shannon

Shannon — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:42:39 +0000

I’m with Lady N on this one. Anyone can say anything at any time but they must be prepared to deal with the consequences.

Some groups of friends call each other bitch, slut, and hoe and they’re all ok with that. But if someone outside that circle of friends calls them either of those names, it’s not ok. Personally, I view those words as insults and I’m not, nor will I ever be ok with them being used as terms of endearment that refer to me. Same thing with nigger or any of it’s derivatives. Some people use it as terms of endearment but don’t ever call me one.

I use those words but when I do, it’s not in a pleasant manner (i.e., bitch/nigga please). I don’t talk like that around my parents, in an essay, or while being interviewed for the local news. Nigga is the equivalent of shit, damn, and fuck to me.

By: MichelleHuxtable

MichelleHuxtable — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:16:40 +0000

You can’t really leave emotion or opinion aside in a conversation about the n-word. That’s the whole point. It’s fueled by racial tension and a history of hatred. While there is a freedom of speech to say what you want, at some point I think common sense should prevail. Like you said, if you’re white and try to use this word there WILL be repercussions. I’ve already expressed my opinion that I don’t think anyone even black people should use the word. With that said, a black person using the n-word does not give a white person all rights and access to use the word. It’s exclusive. The author of Stuff Black People Hate said it best in my opinion. Say you have a boyfriend/girlfriend. Yes you can kiss him/her. Does that mean everyone else who observes that act can do it as well? No. Exclusivity.

By: Lady N

Lady N — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:56:00 +0000

Leaving all oppinions and emotions aside here are the facts:

1. Everyone has a freedom of speech and anyone can use the N word.

2. If you are white and choose to exercise this right be prepared for the consequences that may come from angry black people, or anyonelse who feels obligated to do something.

3. If you are black and choose to exercise this right be prepared for the consequences that may come in the form of getting offended by white people using the word around you because they see that you are comfortable with it.

I am black by the way and I use the N word particularly because of the influence from the vernacular of the town that I come from. Its a part of my culuture there…. in a sad way I admit but whatever. However, I essentially don’t really use it when I am around white people. Everything works out fine.

By: Lady N

Lady N — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:54:44 +0000

Leaving all oppinions and emotions aside here are the facts:

1. Everyone has a freedom of speech and anyone can use the N word.

2. If you are white and choose to exercise this right be prepared for the consequences that may come from angry black people, or anyonelse who feels obligated to do something.

3. If you are black and choose to exercise this right be prepared for the consequences that may come in the form of getting your offended by white people using the word around you because they see that you are comfortable with it.

By: Marcus

Marcus — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:49:15 +0000

At first, I thought to myself “ah here we go again”. But my demeanor changed when I realized that the use of this word will always be in contention. This is easily realized when one sits back and realizes the numerous books and songs dedicated to this word and its etymology: (the book titled “nigger”, Nas’ last album featured a song called “nigger the slave and the master”, and I forget what song it was but Lupe also comes to mind as another artist with a song that addresses this word). I say all that to say that whether you are a scholar or rapper, this issue still carries weight and will continue to do so until we (blacks) reach a consensus.

Point blank: no one should use the word. bitch and biotch are still cuss words. Nigger and nigga are still degrading and both were born out of hatred and agression. White people should never use the word because of the obvious historical irony. Blacks people who use it (especially publicly) need to realize just how stupid they look using a word that was used when our ancestors were enslaved in order to demean them and let them know they were nothing more than property and a color. Subhuman. Hell, it’s just like saying “what up my monkey”. Go ahead. Get mad. If you are then it’s because you use it and see no alternative. But I do have an alternative. Stop using it in public. When you use it in public in front of company (those who are not black) then you give it approval for mass consumption and public use. Hence Wale explaining the white boy who thinks it’s cool. Also, you must consider the snowball effect. When one person, whether black or white or asian or hispanic gets away with saying the word then they consider it the norm. Since it is the norm to them, they are shocked and appalled when someone like myself corrects them and gives them a prompt, and embarrassing, public display of a history lesson. Trust me, I’ve done it. And the dude (hispanic) looked at me like I was crazy. Can ya’ll believe that?? This motherf*cker looked at ME like I was the crazy one for not wanting to have my heritage publicly disrespected! You know why this fool felt comfortable talkin crazy? Because he heard the word from his other black friends and in the music they listen to. Also, he isn’t smart enough to know that you just don’t go out in public and use the word…but again, many people aren’t smart, now are they?

My two cents.