Why is it horrifying for a white person to say the "N" word but its the most common term afro-americans use ?
930744
like, i call myself a cracker all the time.  yeah, i know, it's a bad word, but so is the n word.  but see, if a black person who i ddin't know called me a cracker, i'd feel half insulted, half about to laugh.  it'd depend on how he/she said it and what they said afterwards.  if it was someone i knew tho, they could hella call me a crakka anytime and i'd totally laugh along with it.  but even if they called me that, i'd still be apprehensive to call them the n word, just b/c of how other folk might react to it.  unless he called me a cracker immediately before or after and others around could see that it's all in good fun....and i wouldn't do it around kids, don't wanna set a bad example to them.
623406
I don't want to use it.. I think it's a tasteless word in my personal opinion.. but I have seen instances when I have been around black people where they use the word like I would say "Dude" in my own personal slang.\n\nI wouldn't want to use that term, it just isn't in my personal vocabulary.. I've asked this question before because I was curious as to why is it ok for this term to be used, or even accepted.. it appears to be sometimes.\n\nI know when I hear a word that is set in different tones what the meaning behind it is. When I have heard a white person say that word, it bothers me because I see it as a negative racial term.  But when I hear the word between two black people, it makes me curious as to why why why?\n\nCultures are different.. I don't know why others would want to use that specific word...but I do know there are many slang terms that seem to be universal in meaning.. this one is not one in my opinion.
928972
Jesse Jackson has a point.  By black-media's (not all of course) insistence on adopting the term in order to (fill in whatever justification you have heard over the years) they have basically stripped away the true negative meaning of the word.   It's just a word that non blacks think is a "term of endearment" among blacks.  While that couldn't be further from the truth it does make clear the fact that African Americans do have some measure of control of how the world views us.  Personally I feel that rap artists and black comics share a major role in this.  These are the two main groups that are capable of influencing our young ones.  If no one was using the word in the first place a person wouldn't be able to play off their racial outbursts as just using the words they have heard used.  \n\nUnfortunately this goes way beyond just the use of a word.  The negative aspects of black culture gain far more attention then the positives.
76318
A redneck in American terms is the "n-word" that applies freely to white people. But since US is only  racially aware of its injustice (which is made obvious thanks to Civil Rights movement of 60s)it is okay to call people rednecks, white trash, hilbillies, hics, etc  because it only points to economical, social and cultural condition (and occasionally a racial one but since the concensus is that "white people are evil" its okay to call them names.)\n\nOf course you may say "If it is also obvious that these people are poor, backwards due to the similar reasons why black people were oppressed how and why can we freely call them rednecks?"\n\nExactly my point. \n\nBut then again like the question says: it's the American terms. The terms and conditions in US is such that there's none. \n\nMaybe it's because no one cared or dared to fight for them.
393988
its an word that many racial supremacists from the majority group use to defend themselves by going on the offensive and implying that the traditional victims of racism, like blacks, latinos and other minorties are racists also.
71527
My black friend told me it was okay for his white friends to say nig-ga, but not okay to say the other. It was just his view. I think one is a more affectionate term, an attempt to take the sting off the origonal racist slang. Wether intentional, or accidental, it seems to have been effective. The more it's used and the more creative dirrivitives that arise, the less we are reminded of our divided past. Keeping the term taboo only allows it to keep it's stinging power. I don't prefer the black culture at all, but I couldn't imagine america without it. Keep it loose and friendly, we can get along famously forever.
636182
I find that it's like the "N" word.  They use it all the time, but if you do, you are being "insensitive".
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.
385351
It has been called the nuclear bomb of racial epithets. The filthiest, dirtiest, nastiest word in the English language. A word that has an undisputed pedigree of hate. The word? \nN-I-G-G-E-R
443638
I think blacks(African Americans) feel comfortable in using the word,because they have adapted an separate meaning from the word's original intent, but get mad when other races use it because it was used as an insult to our race for so long! But to be honest, some black people are offended when they word is used so carelessly and freely by other blacks, because it was a word to express the ultimate disgust and disrespect for a race that whites did not even consider human...we were considered 3/5 of a person!!! So actually, NONE of us should use "their" (not their meaning white people, but their meaning RACIST people) term of disrespect for us as a term of "brotherhood"...but it happens.  I don't know why its so comfortable for it to just slip out of our mouths!!! But when I think about how painful it must have been for our ancestors to be disrespected in such a way, it always makes me think more conciously about what come out of my mouth and not use the word freely as a slang term.\n\nBTW...I like your question because you were not a smart azz in asking it!!! And its something that Black people definitely should think about!!!
814181
I am white, and I am offended by the "N" word too!  I think only trash uses that word no matter what their race is.
1019535
I don't think so.  If you say "Hey you chinc" or "What's up ni**a"  then yes that's rude and offensive.  I'm white and I grew up with many different black people and I consider many of them close friends and I never have to think twice about saying "black" because calling them "African American" is too long and official, she's my irish friend, he's my cuban friend, and they're my black friends.  Why is that offensive?
849441
Only in USA, i am not a racist but i do believe that african american people have no respect for othjer cultures and are extremely racist. This is accepted world wide because if any other culture spoke out against a person who is dark they would be branded as racist. It is the countrys fault for being afraid of cultures for giving too much tollerance to intollerance in fear of losing votes or being faced by a civil suit... rediculous.\nIt is ok to call other cultures names and have hatred towards them but not ok to use a word ni**er ( even yahoo blocked out the word ni*g*ger... here look ...nigger? Eh.. when will the world just wake the fu*k up.\nThere are too many one sided policies.
700807
You know, Jesse's a trip.  Sometimes he seems a complete wacko and other times he makes very good sense.  I think he's right on target with this one though.  I agree with many people in the black community - Oprah, and my stepmom for example - that feel the use of that word, even the altered use among blacks, is never anything but degrading and just causes the word to be used carelessly by those who are ignorant.  We all know white people who love to try and "act" black, talking ghetto and using the "n" word because they want to fit in with that culture.  They are laughed at and deserve the derision they receive for doing so.  So even though many black people feel their use of the word negates the negativity of it for them in their culture, it still serves to propel the word forward as fodder for those who just aren't too bright.  I can't even count the times I have chastised someone for using that word and have them reply back to me "well black people say it why can't i?"  At that point I realize they are too much of a moron to even continue with the conversation.
21614
It is such a hot-button topic, however, here's my take on it. First, for the black people who use it, I feel that they are seriously disrespecting their cultural history, their elders, & so forth. As for the whites who use the term...well...I think they are nothing more than ignorant bigots  who give the rest of us a bad name.\n\nAn interesting story for you regarding this & my reactions to the word's usage. I was in a store earlier this year & this young black man was shopping with his grandmother. He sees a friend a few aisles away & yells the word to him in greeting. I took a quick look at the grandmother's reaction & just LOST it..yeah, me, possibly the most white-bred woman on the planet :) I reamed that poor boy out & embarassed him so badly in front of everyone that he was practically on his knees apologizing to his grandmother. Still irritated, I turned to her before leaving & asked her why she didn't care enough about her heritage or the struggles she went through to impress them upon her grandson. I was so hot I had to leave the store in order to calm down. While outside, the boy comes out & actually apologized TO ME! He said that, until that point in time, he'd never thought that him using the word could upset a white person so badly & had never thought about it disrespecting his grandmother. Turns out, the woman had raised him most of his life & he couldn't believe he'd been doing something that could hurt her feelings.\n\nThe point here is that, if more people would have the nerve to react, whether black or white, we might have a chance of making this generation realize that they can't have it both ways; if they are going to use the word, they can't then get upset if others do the same & they also can't use it & then sit back & talk about being kept down or treated with bias by others. Usage of the word denotes acceptance or it's context, yet I feel that this is totally lost on most of this generation.
859291
i just wrote a letter today to the editor of a newspaper on this very subject. when people make the statement that "blacks use it", they make it seem like its a universal thing throughout the entire black community. it is not!! a small segment of society, namely the hip-hop industry has taken to using this word. as usual, society had chosen to take the actions of the few to mean the attitude of the many. it is a hate filled, ugly, vile word that should not be used by anyone & it's especially ugly when used by young people who have no clue as to its origins. it is not a word that can be adapted or "taken back" or any of the other nonsense people (who are looking to capitalize on its usage) come up with.\n\nThe main think I want people to take away from this answer is that  ALL Blacks DO NOT USE THE WORD "NIGGER" NOR IS IT OKAY WITH US. Its usage IS AN ACT OF SELF-HATRED BY WEAK MINDED, IGNORANT INDIVIDUALS. \n\nSorry about the caps. I just hate to think that there are folks out there who think we all use this ugly word.
508747
Ask the black folk. Besides duh (the) dat (that) woot (would) and a host of other words in the English language they were raised with and will not pronounce, they say nigger pretty much with every breath they take. Watch how they edit the word in my answer. Yet these same people in media will air the word if a black person utters it. The person under me here is a good example of what I mean. Nigger is a no-no for white people for voting reasons. We got to get dem (them) people to vote for Democrats.