Why is it that blacks can use the term "cracker" , but whites can't use the "N" word?
352218
Racism is wrong no matter who it comes from. I'm black and I don't use the word cracker to say anything about a white person. Ignorance knows no color and any racism isn't right.
193854
Well, I have been discrminiated against and racially profiled. I am a militray wife and been just about every where and because of my fair skin I have been assumed to be Everything but, black. Because they say I "sound" white. Many people are under the assumption that all black people are "brown skinned". NOT TRUE. we come in different shades. I am mixed with Seminole Indian, African American, German and Irish. Despite of my many mixed nationalities I am abdominatly "Black". But, it's ashame to see that people still use the "N" word even within the black community. But, as soon as a person of a different race says it, it's offending. So, why call eachother that. It is a sticky discussion and can go on for years to come.
436090
It's so funny you mention that. I work with an 83 tear old man who still uses "negro" and every one thinks he's like the Grand Dragon or something , what they fail to realize that in his generation,that was the acceptable terminology.Jesse Jackson came up with African-American and most blacks,including myself really cannot accept this because we are all mixed anyway. If you took all of us and dropped us off in Africa,we'd be lost. The N word,however,is unacceptable no matter what. It has become envougue for the younger generation to use,that disgusts me.
636182
I find that it's like the "N" word.  They use it all the time, but if you do, you are being "insensitive".
678309
I'm not black and I think that is very offensive even if it is not directed towards me.It is just an ignorant word that ignorant people use in my opinion.
362996
I don't enjoy the word no matter who says it. It has been incorporated into black culture as a way of claiming(power)it from negative to positive.It has been handed down from slavery times. It is a bastardized form of the Spanish word negro which means black. It was used to demean a people thus even today if a white person uses the word it is viewed as racist.Check and see which group of people use that word as much if not more than some blacks.Let me give you a hint-White Power!!There are various groups of this type however i think that you will find not only some whites follow this line of thinking. Check other races as well. Peace!!
1122897
I am black and i use the term nigga. I could be talking to a white person.....It really doesn't matter. But basically black people turn that word from something negative to something positive. Symbolizing that since black people use it while talking to each other that it has lost the powerful meaning it once had as an insult, and now basically means dude,bro,etc. But that all changes when a white person says it because they first used it as a word to put black people down and insult them. Although i really don't care if somebody calls me that unless they are using it in an offensive way, because I'm cool with people from all races.
606218
It came from the word "Negro" which is Spanish (I think) for the word black. In slavery times and for a while afterword, it was a more polite way to refer to black people (if polite can be used in this context at all). The 'n' word was a more derogatory, more crass derivative of the word "Negro".
993649
disagree. what they DIDN'T tell you about that meeting was that only black people can say it. If a white person says it we get in trouble. I personally think we should outlaw the word in it's entirety as socially unacceptable, but that's never gonna happen.
161102
I think the N word is very crass for both blacks and whites,and it should be taken out of the vocabulary of every person on earth!I dont think its cool and everyone should stop using it.And to answer your question why do you care if blacks use it verses whites?I mean just because they are talking with dirty mouths doesnt mean you have to stoop to that level.Just dont use the words,and ignore others who do! they are not nice at all coming from anyones mouth whether,black,white,mexican,chinese u name it...its just racist slang and its just plain rude.
910038
Yes, and I don't really understand why you're defending him. When people get angry or drunk their true colors come to the surface. Him using the "n" word wasn't even the big point, it was the context in which he used it. If saying the "n" word doesn't mean you're a racist then why is the "n" word a racial slur?
901632
Technically, its not a racial term. It is just a term blacks used to identify whites who were abusive. Since it carries emotional hatred, it became a pseudo racial epithet but to be honest it is pretty weak and silly. It's basically using an old slang that meant "racist" as a racist term. See the problem?
888604
Your right Dan.\n\nAlot of people say the "N" word is rude and hurtful and while i agree but i wonder why do black americans call each other that all the time? If a white person walked up and said it all heck would break lose.
959106
THANK YOU!!!!!  I am soooooooo sick of this double standard with the black race-- if you watch the Wire, that's all they call eachother is nigger.  So WHY is it okay for them to use it to eachother but it is a major faux pas if any other race uses the word?  You dont see Jewish people calling eachother kikes, or Polish- polaks, Germans -krauts, Chinese-chinks, Puerto Ricans-spics, etc, etc.  This is a multiracial, multicultural world and if YOUR RACE ENJOYS calling eachother a nigger, and use it so proficiently, then you are opening pandoras box to allow everyone else to use it, whether it is acceptable to you or not- by the way, I dont particularly care to be called a "cracker" but at least I dont go around calling other white people this.
783149
Why JUST the "N" word?  We "need" (please note the quotes) to have words that hurt.  Some people would not be able to speak if they weren't able to deride somebody else in doing so.  Small minds produce small ideas.  The answers lay in the Bible.  IF were were to follow its (God's) word, we would all be treating each other a whole lot better.  God bless.
812788
i think it's because black people grew up sayin' it & it became kind of a cultural thing cuz black people have always been called that throughout history. so it's kind of ironic that we can call each other nigga, but if a white person says it, we get offensive. it's kind of like when see a girl call her friend b*tch, but if you call her a b*tch, they'll get mad. it's the same overall principle.
821469
Social Norms at work. Cracker is kind of funny, honkey is funny too, but N*GGER will never be funny, unless spoken by a black man.