Definition Essay: Should We Use The N-Word?
The n-word, whether it is spelled nigra, nigger, or Negro, is seen as a term used to inflict pain on colored people. "The poison is still there. The word is inextricably linked with violence and brutality on black psyches and derogatory aspersions cast on black bodies. No degree of appropriating can rid it of that blood-soaked history", everybody is using the word as a term of endearment, but neglect to realize that however you say it has a history behind it. Today's society is using it and have no knowledge of how the word where the word originated from, " It’s not just a matter of overt discrimination. Societies don’t, overnight, completely erase everything that happened 200 to 300 years prior.” Racism still exists today and the n-word is one of the many reasons why it is still alive.
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However, many may argue that the usage of the word may not be as important as other issues.
“African-Americans need to get together to get rid of the word...it meaning anything. This is such a stupid issue the fact that we’re still sitting here discussing a word. Do you realize how many black people don’t have education, places to live, food and shelter - and like ...we’re discussing a word?! Who cares? ...Call them ‘niggers’ all day long but don’t put them at disadvantage positions. Because it doesn’t matter what you calling people, you can be calling them ‘niggers’ or anything - anything you want. If you’re gonna do the things that you do or if the overall dominant power structure is gonna do whatever is done to these people then it doesn’t matter what you call them .”3 What this source is explaining is that African-Americans are allowed to reappropriate the word but they should not dwell on whether a word should be banned or not. Understandably, there are many issues that are much more of concern than a word. Why focus on something very little when change can be made over something with
significance.
Yet, the problem with that perspective is that present day we still are experiencing racism and controversy. “Those experiences...those intentions you grew up around white people who meant harm. So, when they use the n-word it was something they used to inflict pain. But what if that's not the intent of the kid. Instead of saying “that white kid” just think “kid”. That’s us- us always labeling race and saying this person's white (and) this person’s black or white is just American and black is “African-American”. Now we added a hyphen. Now we’re separating what kind of American this person is. But now our generation is just simply saying white, black whatever…..We’re not seeing color the same. “ As you can see this source is explaining how today as a society we generalize and label humans for how they look like and we use the n-word to categorize. Though we do not realize the effect the other person has when saying the word because of past experiences. Other problems are important, but how can many move forward when the issue is still around and will continue to pester many. “It is a word of endearment, of neutrality, or negativity. It is everything and nothing. We’ve heard it in everything from stand up routines and routinely in the rap and hip-hop world.” The n-word originally derived from dark times, used to purposely hurt a person of color. Though many choose to use the word as a term of endearment. Many decide to ignore the vivid dark past of those who experienced and know what it felt like to be on the receiving end of the word. Nevertheless, others argue that there are far more important issues to be dealt with. That anyone can call another the n-word but put those “black people” at a very low point in life. The mistake of this perspective is that, “‘Well you hear it in rap music and you hear it [...]Is it okay for others to use it?’ And the answer is hell no. It’s not okay and I don’t think it’ll ever be okay. Because when I think others use it’s more dehumanizing and they don’t take on the historical responsibility and the affection around the word." The constant brutality that came with the word is still here today. Which is why is brings controversy between the white and blacks today; It also brings bigger conflict on who may say the word and who can't due to skin color differences.
However, many may argue that the usage of the word may not be as important as other issues.
“African-Americans need to get together to get rid of the word...it meaning anything. This is such a stupid issue the fact that we’re still sitting here discussing a word. Do you realize how many black people don’t have education, places to live, food and shelter - and like ...we’re discussing a word?! Who cares? ...Call them ‘niggers’ all day long but don’t put them at disadvantage positions. Because it doesn’t matter what you calling people, you can be calling them ‘niggers’ or anything - anything you want. If you’re gonna do the things that you do or if the overall dominant power structure is gonna do whatever is done to these people then it doesn’t matter what you call them .”3 What this source is explaining is that African-Americans are allowed to reappropriate the word but they should not dwell on whether a word should be banned or not. Understandably, there are many issues that are much more of concern than a word. Why focus on something very little when change can be made over something with
significance.
Yet, the problem with that perspective is that present day we still are experiencing racism and controversy. “Those experiences...those intentions you grew up around white people who meant harm. So, when they use the n-word it was something they used to inflict pain. But what if that's not the intent of the kid. Instead of saying “that white kid” just think “kid”. That’s us- us always labeling race and saying this person's white (and) this person’s black or white is just American and black is “African-American”. Now we added a hyphen. Now we’re separating what kind of American this person is. But now our generation is just simply saying white, black whatever…..We’re not seeing color the same. “ As you can see this source is explaining how today as a society we generalize and label humans for how they look like and we use the n-word to categorize. Though we do not realize the effect the other person has when saying the word because of past experiences. Other problems are important, but how can many move forward when the issue is still around and will continue to pester many. “It is a word of endearment, of neutrality, or negativity. It is everything and nothing. We’ve heard it in everything from stand up routines and routinely in the rap and hip-hop world.” The n-word originally derived from dark times, used to purposely hurt a person of color. Though many choose to use the word as a term of endearment. Many decide to ignore the vivid dark past of those who experienced and know what it felt like to be on the receiving end of the word. Nevertheless, others argue that there are far more important issues to be dealt with. That anyone can call another the n-word but put those “black people” at a very low point in life. The mistake of this perspective is that, “‘Well you hear it in rap music and you hear it [...]Is it okay for others to use it?’ And the answer is hell no. It’s not okay and I don’t think it’ll ever be okay. Because when I think others use it’s more dehumanizing and they don’t take on the historical responsibility and the affection around the word." The constant brutality that came with the word is still here today. Which is why is brings controversy between the white and blacks today; It also brings bigger conflict on who may say the word and who can't due to skin color differences.