Wednesday, September 10, 2008
The bad word
Today in class (in north mankato) we had an arguement/discussion about the "N" word. Some say it is a term of endearment and others say its ok to say because of rappers, and others think its ok so say because they grow up hearing it all the time so they no longer see it as a "curse" word. What do you all think? Is it offensive or a way to great a friend jokingly? Is it still one of those bad words we were taught never to say? Or is it something just that race can say to one another?
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I think that people do take it offensively and that we should respect that.
ReplyDeleteI do know two white girls who call each other the "n" word and they mean no harm by it. They also do NOT come from an area or are ever around any groups of blacks. I know that they do not mean it to be cruel or to have a bad effect with it.
I do not use it. I don't call it the n word but some people call shit a swear word so you just gotta respect it. :)
I believe that no one should ever use the "N" word. It is not funny and it is not something blacks should use with each other. It is a word with a derrogatory meaning and blacks using it amongst themselves just keeps the word alive and in the spotlight, so as long as blacks use it among themselves it will never go away. I think it is a word that we should teach our children never to say. I have heard of some black people say that they "took" the word from us and turned it around so now it is ok for them to use it but not us. That is a pretty ridiculous idea, as I said as long as they use it it will always be there. Ian
ReplyDeleteI personally think that it is a very derogatory thing to say to anyone no matter their color or race. I don't think it should be said by anyone even if they seem to be ok with it. I feel that it can be even worse than cursing at someone. I think that some think that it's ok to say just because they were brought up with others saying it and they just seen it as being ok to say so they use it. some would say that it is their right to be able to say what they want because this is America and we have the freedom of speech but that still doesn't mean that there are some things that you probably shouldn't say. i think that as the years pass people seem to not care about it as much but i still feel strongly about the use of the "N" word; maybe it was just the way that i was brought up and was told to never say it. These are just my opinions and perceptions on the topic so no offense meant to anyone and i will listen your views but i just may not agree with all of them.
ReplyDeleteSo Ian what about other derrogatory words? Becuase I have heard a lot of racial slurs for many other races. Do you feel the same about "cracker" or "wet back"? What about the use of these words in popular music and movies/shows. Like the Dave Chapelle show and the words he used on national t.v.? Is the N word worse than other racial slurs?
ReplyDeleteI really agree with Ian comments we as a people shouldn't use the word "N" it has bad meanning and it represent a whole different new concept. As a black man my oppion why black people called them selves the "n" word is to regonized themselves as black person it does not have the vernom but when a differnt race used the word it has diffent meaning and it brings back memory that our ancestor felt back then.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with Ian's comment. The "N" word should definately not be used by anyone
ReplyDeletetrying to reinvent this word will only be keeping a part of it's negative meaning. It is a word born of ignorance. We should forget that word and move forward.
This is in response to Becky. I feel the same for other derrogatory words the "n" word does have a worse history than a lot of others but I wouldn't say it is worse than others like cracker or wet back. They all have histories that are hurtful to the people they are directed to. Ian
ReplyDeleteI think that the only people who can say that word are the African American culture they had to go through the history so they have the right to call each other that if they choose to. Other races have NO right what so ever to say it to anyone. Yes rappers do use it in their songs but that is just how they express themselves through their music. You dont really see anyone complaining about it so its going to continue to happen.
ReplyDeleteYes rappers use the "n" word in their songs to express how they percive things, but they also use women as objects, and their defense is thats just how they see it or thats just how it is where they come from. Does that make it any more right?
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ReplyDeleteI agree with Nate, It shouldnt be said. It shouldnt be said be any color or race. I think it is worse than cursing at someone. Just because rappers use it or africans Americans use it amogst themselves doesnt mean it is still good or okay to use it. correct me if I am wrong but wasnt that the term used for African Americans and they fought for it be changed to African Americans, SO why are people still using it. It just isn't right i feel it is a bad word and shouldnt be used.
ReplyDeleteI also feel tht the N word has a derrogatory meaning. I feel that when most people use it, they don't realize what they are actually saying. I feel that most say it to "fit" with people and it makes feel "cool". Which I beleieve is pretty dumb. I find the word as being very offensive, not just to Black but also to other races.
ReplyDeleteI think it's strange that any race would want to continue to use a word that was created to dehumanize them in the first place. Regardless of the use in popular culture, the word was still created to create the image of a lower form of creature that wasn't a problem to have as a slave. The entire idea that people still use the word is absurd to me.
ReplyDeleteI think people no matter what ethnic background you come from shouldn't say the n word at all. I think because rappers and other celebrities that are black Americans that say it, other people are starting to believe it's okay. The n word as all people know, knows that it was something to bring down African Americans during slavery. so it's not okay in my book.Even if you are saying it to describe something you heard in the neighborhood that you live in. That was being discussed by two boys. It's not okay to say it. Even if you are black or from any other race.
ReplyDeleteI think that the N word is nothing more then a symbol used due to the past experiences of slaves. I dont think it should be used but because of the world we live in, that isnt going to happen. I personally dont take offese to the word unless it is used to be offensive. As long as a person can respect me enough to not use it in my presence. But people use other bad words to communicate with others which is all the same to me because all of them have negative meaning behind them!
ReplyDeleteFrom where im from, they drive trucks with their cowboy boots and confederate flags, throwing the N word around as if its the early 1900's. Espusally if they get a few beers in them. I dont agree how they flant it around because they are meaning a lot more than usuall. In a town like this were everything moves a little slower its going to take a lot longer than what is expected to get rid of the term. With the whole rap thing, thats how people sell records. Our culture wants to hear about f-ing some n..... up along with all of the drugs and money. Until our culture wants to hear more pure rap music then we will have a chance to change.
ReplyDeleteThe N word is noot ok either way. It is true thru time, the meaning of it has changed and has less of an impact. It still is a slur, even worse than a slur. No one should say it.
ReplyDeleteI myself don't use the word at all, but I am from the East side of Saint Paul and I grew up hearing it all the time. My friends vary in races, Asians, Hmong, African-American, and even Indians! Needless to say I have a diverse group of friends!
ReplyDeleteI heard the word used all the time by mostly my African American friends, but sometimes the Asians and Hmongs would use it occasionally. I don't really have a stance on it as far as African Americans using it to address each other. I don't see it wrong, or right.
I just know I will never use it, I have no need to.
I feel in this day and age it is not ok what so ever to use the "n" word or any other racial slur that is out there. The word carries bad history for an entire race of people. It's disrespectful to call anyone that name. The thing is I don't know if we stop using the word, if it will dissapear or not. the first step in trying to rid our language of the "n" word is to respect people and never use it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with leeroy, i see no wrong or right in the word. Yes it is a derrogatory word that has a very large history so it shouldnt be used, but people have the right to free speech and can say what they want. I dont use the word and i usually only hear african americans using it anyway.
ReplyDeletewhite people definitely have no right to say it but i guess there is a freedom of speech issue involved and if you can respect those who are offended by the "n" word or any other derogatory names or comments and restrain form using it in their presence no one can tell you what to do
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