The N Word: Ignorance In Hip Hop Culture

In the world we live in today even mouthing the word “nigger” can silence a room. Why is that? Why does a word that has changed its definition drastically over hundreds of years still have people reluctant to use or acknowledge it? Many would debate its derogatory demeanor, its context , and its user to judge its use to be socially acceptable or morally disgusting. When can this slur be used? When is it acceptable and when is it out of line?

In Michel Marriott’s “Rap’s Embrace of ‘Niggers’ Fires Bitter Debate,” he addresses the contrasting views regarding the use of “nigger” in various contexts with a persuasive undertone against its mainstream usage. His purpose is to juxtapose the polar views and underlie his subtle perspective: the ubiquitous racial strains revolving around “nigger” are difficult to diminish, and contemporary attempts to desensitize its derogatory context conversely normalizes the racism and abuse underlying the slur. Unexperienced in the particular field of social sciences, Marriott, nevertheless, effectively utilizes a compare and contrast structure to substantiate for and against its usage. By introducing a brief background history of past tensions, he aligns

Wazzam...Yeet... Take an L. What the heck do these words even mean? Generation by generation, language shifts and words take on new interpretations causing these words to be the "superlative" words and more confusing than ever. Why does this happen? Because, teens want to "fit in," and social media has become such a major influence on youth that it is as if social media is their third parent. Famous singers now a days are not afraid to drop in f-bomb in their songs because music has evolved to accommodate the utilization of cuss words. The N-word, which was use to dehumanize and break down a human race, has transformed to mean my pal or my family and only said among African Americans themselves. People utilize language in such a way that

Derogatory words stem from perception. If enough people believe that N-word is a slur, then its meaning will have that connotation. However, if people keep viewing the N-word in a derogatory sense, then it will always hold that meaning of insulting black people. It’s double standard that people who cannot use the N-word, but more like who determines that become a social taboo. Look at Eminem and he is also part of mainstream culture, and why he can rap with the N-word? So, race is a factor but not a determining one. The attitude of people saying the N- word is to determine the meaning of the word. Whereas, when white people use the word, and they may abuse it, and makes the word become aggressive.

If one were to pay attention to the lyrics of most hip-hop/rap music, they would find that there are many racial slurs. But because the artists who wrote said slurs are using them against their own race, it isn’t considered racist. For example, according to an essay written by Bennie M. Currie, if a black man were to call another black man the “N” word, it would be the same as calling him a brother. But on the other hand, if a white man were to say the “N” word in any context, it would be taken to the highest offence. Now, that one word which can be the downfall of one man is also the word that can help make another man famous, like

From a historical perspective, the N word has been utilized in the same way and for the same purposes as any slur. Its intention: to generalize, to dehumanize,

In the documentary directed by Todd Larkins, he shows the history of the “N” word and the different meaning it has depended on the context. It shows that when the word was first used, it was used to express a group of people that had a dark skin color. It became an offensive word based on the way it was used.

"There will never be an N word at SAE" these are the words that were chanted by a frat group on a bus earlier this year. After hearing these racist words many were quick to point the finger and blame it on hip hop. For years this particular genre of music has been the target for the numerous acts of violence, and racism throughout the country. Could the explicit rap lyrics that describes living in low income housing, poverty stricken neighborhoods, and violent communities really promote such vicious acts? Or are their lyrics a form of art that is simply expressing the eerie lifestyle many of them have lived before success? Although many believe hip hop is to blame for the racism and violence in our country, the real source that should be held accountable are the media and corporate executives of record labels..

There are major differences in the way we talk now than how people talked in the 1800's . Especially on how we use the N word in modern society. Me, being African American the word n!@#$ is often used around me especially when I'm around family members and friends of African American descent. I, myself have used the word often and I realized over time that the meaning of the word as change as a whole, although many people do not see it that way, it has on the way we use it. Although, sometimes the word is still used in a negative way in today's society. I have had two very different experiences with the N word, both with white males. The first guy I encounter used the word very negatively towards me and said the I was an n!#$@^* and said some

But many of the altercations that become physical should not occur if the word is not as offensive anymore due to the new meanings. Within America, everyone has the right to their own speech. People are allowed to voice their own opinions without going against the law. Other people opinion on the word or how they feel can not stop anyone from using the N-word, “That is because the defense of freedom of speech is most necessary when the message is one most people find repulsive. Constitutional rights must apply to even the most unpopular groups if they are going to be preserved for everyone.” “Not trying to control others by telling them what to say or how to think, but rather trying to figure out how we think and how the words we use mirror our thinking.” It is impossible to completely ban the word because of the right to

The author is asking people to be self-aware about how we use language and to what extent and limitations should we put on ourselves when speaking and voicing our thoughts, especially not being insouciant when using the "n-word". Some things we say may not come out as intended, and other people may be affected or offended by how we use language because we don't put any thought and self-reflection upon what we say or do. I agree with this message because the "n-word" was used in deragatory manner to upbraid and offensively disparage people of color in the past, and still is considered today. But the use of this word among African Americans and many other people have increased, not as an insult, but as an endearment. This will need to cause people

One of the most obvious signs of a changing language is the rapid development of its lexicons. As society changes, so does its language. American dictionaries have been expanding vastly over the past thirty years, with words created for many different purposes. Words are created for many different reasons including scientific use, technological advances, and lastly, words that are created in contemporary culture. Expressions that have been created by the youth have become such a part of American culture, that they often times end up being added to the dictionary. A large portion of these words coined by the youth are making their way into mainstream media through Hip Hop music. The creation of these words stems from the youth feeling the need to label their realities with new expressions and phrases that represent ideas, activities and new ponderings. Hip hop was at one point, was limited to urban American music and dance, but is now a prominent culture around the globe. Hip Hop was not the first genre of music that influenced the youth and culture, Rock ‘n’ Roll had the same effect on language, and held its own set of ideas, concepts, style and values, just like hip hop. These types of music are creative means of self-expression and heavily influences culture as well as the way we speak. Through the influence of Hip Hop culture, many words and phrases have become integrated and commonly used by communities who understand the context and definitions of these lexicons. Hip

From when I could first remember my parents always taught me how everyone is equal and receives the same opportunities. This being a core belief that I still wish to hold onto, but unfortunately not everything is as black and white as it should be. My doubt in my parent’s words started as early as middle school. I would hear the n word used as slang in every other sentence. This being a word that was taught to me as being worse than any curse word. Many of my friends would say it around me, and some would even call me one. Once I made the fatal mistake of talking to one of my friends and made the mistake of using the n word as slang in one of my sentences. Instantly the room went silent and before I knew it a black kid had walked up to me and scolded me on how I was lucky I was not being beaten right in that moment for using that word, when I had heard him use it within the same minute as me. I have been told similar things like this (not making the same mistake of saying it) throughout my life. I was often told this when asking people why I can’t say, often the answer being because I am white. If it was such a derogatory term that should never be used why is it okay for certain races to say it but not others? Is it true equality if double standards are held? Some to use this word and others to not as

The essential affair America has always had is its history of bigotry and racism. Many people in society frequently tend to use derogatory comments towards African Americans. The word that is uttermost unacceptable, outside their own community, is the N-word. Kendrick Lamar, a Grammy Award Winner, has been quoted in saying "Where [were] you when I was walkin, now I run the game got the whole world talkin'...everybody wanna cut the legs off him, Kunta Black man taking no losses." Whichever way society wants to degrade African Americans, inclusion of using said word, they will still prosper and find a way to not lose. With that being said the general public shouldn’t use the n word because of these three reasons it is xenophobic, corporate executives are guiding society in the wrong direction, and it is simply unethical.

History is the cycle that repeats itself. Most people neglect to add in, how history adds changes to itself. Words are often repeated;however, they may have a new definition. Words such as idiolect, used in the 1940s and formally defined in the dictionary as “Own or personal dialect”. Now, it is formally defined in the dictionary as “ the speech habits peculiar to a particular person”. Idiolect is most influenced by relationships and experiences, which help shape one’s view on the world and their life. The N word has always been a racial slur and still is;nevertheless, it still is but it it is used to take away the power, and negative connotation from those who abused the word. This type of jargon differs for my grandmother's generation as does, “Stay woke”, “Do it for the culture”, and “No shade”;however, they have shaped my view on the world just as my grandmother’s has for her.