I always got annoyed when African Americans would use the word nigger all the time in their conversations, songs, and raps; but if any other race uses the word, its RACIST. Reading this essay showed me that African Americans use this word as a sense of pride, praise, and bravery. It says in the essay that in “singular form the word was used as an approval of strength, intelligence or drive” (Naylor, 235). But if it was plural then it was for disapproval. I like the idea of the African American community using this word to show Whites that they don’t have power over them; that they have transformed the “n” word to a new meaning, a meaning of not “worthlessness or degradation” (Naylor, 236) but of empowerment. I have been in the author’s
The n-word is considered one of the most vicious racial slurs in the English language today. True that the n-word is closely associated with slavery and the oppression of blacks. Even after the abolition of slavery the word still haunted African Americans, especially in more segregated areas; where blacks were viewed as inferior to whites. In recent years the n-word has become less of a malicious slur in parts of our country. Public figures who use the n-word run the risk of losing their jobs. However, since the 1960s African Americans have coined the term “nigga”, when addressing one another. The rise of hip hop culture also enhanced the use of the word-they felt as though they are using the word as a term of endearment. Critics of the
In conclusion, I love my Latino and African American people. Of course I see the division between us, but refuse to let it happen. So when I do see that a Latino or African American is the minority at a location I go up to them and try to make them feel as comfortable as they can in the place they’re at. I’m all about the: Black & Brown Unity because I’ve always felt a real connection with the African American Community. I think that Latinos and African American are the closest related so why shouldn’t we stick together. I think we would be stronger if we stick together and if we get passed this “envy” that we have with each other, good changes can happen in United States for us. Honestly Latinos and African Americans have always been attacked
Contrastly, many older people in the black community feel that this word is disrespectful and is some form of internal racism, which causes blacks to remain inferior in society. But how can that be the case when we turned lemons to lemonade. We changed something with negative denotation and made it positive. Even Hispanics call themselves "essays" which is similar to the word nigger in Spanish. Also, the term "Yankee", which is a term that has described Americans for centuries, was once an insult by the British. So do we ridicule the founding fathers of this country for accepting this name? Even if we did not change the meaning and spelling of the word nigger don't we have the right to call ourselves the word (like the founding
The essay “The Meanings of a Word” by Gloria Naylor discusses the many definitions of a word and how its meaning can change according to context and delivery. She made this point by telling a story of her childhood and the first time she heard the n-word used by a white person in a derogatory, demeaning way. She described her this situation that took place when she was in third-grade and a boy in front of her in math class called her the n-word. She had no idea what it meant to be called that in a negative way because the people she grew up around only used it as positive and empowering. At the end of her essay, she once again emphasized how easy it is to change a word into something hateful simply depending on who says it and their
In the English language, the word "nigger" is an ethnic slur, usually directed at black people. The word originated as a neutral term referring to people with black skin, as a variation of the Spanish and Portuguese noun negro, a descendant of the Latin adjective niger . It was often used disparagingly, and by the mid-twentieth century, particularly in the United States, its usage became unambiguously pejorative, a racist insult. Accordingly, it began to disappear from popular culture, and its continued inclusion in classic works of literature has sparked controversy. In the contemporary United States and United Kingdom, using the word is taboo, and it is often replaced with the euphemism "the N-word". "Nigga" is sometimes used among African Americans in a non-derogatory sense or as a term of endearment. Etymology and history
The use of the term nigger can be used as a amicable greeting between two blacks, or as a “hideous pejorative” (Marriott 94) towards blacks. Marriott notes that the use of nigger is usually condoned and used by younger blacks as a “term of endearment” (98), in hopes to gradually alter the meaning of the word. Their goal is to normalize the usage of nigger between blacks to “dull its edge whenever whites use it” (Marriott 95). This has been proved somewhat efficient, as most whites dread the word and express feelings of disgust whenever it is heard from the mouth of whites. Many younger blacks believe their efforts are stimulating a progression in society, but older blacks and the majority of whites assert just the opposite- it illustrates “anything
We have all heard the phrase “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” However, depending on how words are used, and the opinions associated with them, they can indeed be very hurtful. Gloria Naylor writes about this in her article “Mommy, What Does ‘Nigger’ Mean?” She states “words themselves are innocuous; it is the consensus that gives them true power” (Naylor 481). She explains that African Americans’ use of nigger does not in anyway invite Caucasians to use it. Naylor is accurate when she writes that the word ‘nigger’ would not be offensive had it not been for the thoughts, and sometimes, action others associate with it.
The word "nigger" has become a popular saying amongst our current population. The word appears to be used more each day by an assorted group of people. I've conducted a research in order to gather a better understanding as of to why the word "nigger" is so commonly used. I've collected responses from my fellow class mates and read a book called nigger to acquire addition information about the different opinions brought on by its usage. In these responses were patterns that helped me to get better acquainted with this idea. Most writes provided me with the same answer, that the reason why people call each other "nigger" is because it is used in a positive way. With this information given, the next question that came to mind was is it
Should Nigger be Used as a term of Endearment in the Black Community and Everywhere?
“The Word “Nigga” Is Only for Slaves and Sambos” was written by Rob Nelson and first published in a university newspaper in North Carolina. Later on, the article was so meaningful that it was re-published in the academic journal, the Journal of Blacks in Higher Education. In the article “The Word “Nigga” is only for Slaves and Sambos”, Rob Nelson uses ethos, logos, and especially skillful pathos appeals based on the history of slavery and the illustration about the future of African American, to prove why he thinks the “N-word” is not acceptable. By using ethical argument and those clever appeals, Rob Nelson definitely persuades his young African American audience.
But it's the way that they use it. Because some blacks use it their way and then there are whites who use it in their ways. For blacks they use it in a form of saying what's up. They use it as a way of playing around. They be like what's up my N word
In Season 1, Episode 5 of the The Netflix Original Series: Dear White People released on April 28, 2017, Reggie, a black college student and the leader of Winchester University’s Black Student Union is seen at a fraternity party surrounded by mostly white students. All is well until Reggie’s white friend, Addison, repeatedly utters the N-word while singing along to a hip-hop song. Reggie asks him not to say it anymore however, Addison questions him and attempts to justify his use of the word which leads to a debate. The creator of Dear White People uses characterization and setting to convey how non-Black people-especially white people- who use the N-word regardless of whether or not they understand its historical context, reinforce the notion that Black people are inferior which helps to maintain white supremacy.
The majority of their fans, however, did not truly understand the authors’ true intentions and many are split between if the shows are racist or not. As of result of this disagreement among fans of these shows and other series that have aired in the past many have wondered if this satirical form of comedy is just an excuse to get away with racism on television, especially in animated series. For instance, the animated series The Boondocks uses both forms of the “N-word,” n*gga and n**ger, without censoring it. The most notable episode that does this is episode 11 in season 2,“The S-Word,” which is about a “white” teacher calling a student the “N-word” (McGruder and Barnes, 2008). Using this word and other images in The Boondocks has caused many debates among Reddit forums, Youtube comments, and websites that have been created to discuss if the show is racist or not. Sadly though many people that are in charge of these forums and Youtube channels allow their personal feelings to get in the way of the logical debates, very few of them, that take place and will remove the post or
To begin, Samuel Clemens, a.k.a. Mark Twain, use of the “n-word” expresses the racism that was involved in the history of America. Samuel Clemens was a realist and believed it was better to convey the truth and reality of society than to be sugar-coating society because it teaches valuable morals to inexperienced adolescents. To regard “slave” and the “n-word” as identical, is to “undermine the meaning of Jim's struggle for existence and the larger African American experience”(Smith). Nevertheless, the connotation of the word “nigger” generates tension and pressure for school communities about whether they should jeopardize advertising such a compelling innuendo of history to students or not. The “n-word”, which appeared more
I think that word shouldn’t be used at all , it's a offensive word and needs to be gone. It should never be used because that's not how we treat people with different skins , Even if you are with friends it should never be used. I hear the word come out of everyone's mouth , some people say it to make people mad. I feel like we shouldn’t use this word that we should not treat it like a gold ticket to say it whenever you want. I think the usage of this word is dumb and ridiculous and it needs to stop. They way people use this word is offensive , people of not of different color go around and when the see a person with a color they think it is a free right to say it whenever they want , and they think it's okay to say it when it really hurts