How do you feel about the n word?

[Pulp501]

Do you think white people can use it? Can black but not white people use it? I don't understand how it can be so offensive if a white person says it, but if a black person says it, then it takes on a different meaning. What about in songs? When I'm singing along to a song with it, I usually say it, at least if I'm not around a black person that might get offended.

[Etcetera]

I don't see why black people are allowed to say it and white people aren't. They say "because you invented the word, so you can't say it." But when a black person looks at another black person and calls them a nigger and then proceeds to turn around and get butthurt about a white person calling them that, it's wrong. And it always gets blown up real huge out of proportion.

I refer to my friends as "my cracka's", because if black people can call each other their niggas and it be okay then I can say cracker and it be okay too.

I think America has been bashing into their kids in schools that it's a horrible word to say, and yet it's okay for someone to use "retarded" or "gay" as a slur? It's no better, at all. But nobody cares.

[Pulp501]

I don't see why black people are allowed to say it and white people aren't. They say "because you invented the word, so you can't say it." But when a black person looks at another black person and calls them a nigger and then proceeds to turn around and get butthurt about a white person calling them that, it's wrong. And it always gets blown up real huge out of proportion.

I refer to my friends as "my cracka's", because if black people can call each other their niggas and it be okay then I can say cracker and it be okay too.

I think America has been bashing into their kids in schools that it's a horrible word to say, and yet it's okay for someone to use "retarded" or "gay" as a slur? It's no better, at all. But nobody cares.

And I actually think retarted and gay are acceptable when used in the right way. Retarted is a legit word meaning someone is mentally handicapped. It shouldn't be viewed as an insult when calling someone who is retarted retarted.

[Saint]

It's a word that shouldn't be used at all.

It all mostly came from hip hop culture & movies man,media. Used so much that it just became a switch for the word dude.

If you're white or of any other race though,it's really not a wise idea to use the word with random people,or even with your friends,unless you know that their totally cool with it. It's just how it is honestly.

[sieg]

to me, the word doesnt imply race at all. yes, historically it was a racial slur, but recently i think it's taken on a different meaning more along the lines of "ignorant person" rather than "black person." this is of course talking about the word nigger. the other spelling takes on a different meaning with a different pronunciation and generally a MUCH different tone. nigga is just a more controversial way of saying compadre. Truth be told, taking offense to specific words dependent on whose saying it is stupid. Most people i refer to as niggers aren't black at all.

[Etcetera]

And I actually think retarted and gay are acceptable when used in the right way. Retarted is a legit word meaning someone is mentally handicapped. It shouldn't be viewed as an insult when calling someone who is retarted retarted.

It's spelled retarded with a D. And no, it's not right. It hurts. Everyone should be treated the same. I'm epileptic, but would it be right for someone to point at me and call me epileptic? No, because it shouldn't be pointed out.

My 11 year old cousin has Down Syndrome, and while he is high-functioning, he is at the level of a 7 year old. When he was around 6 years old, we went to McDonald's. He has pretty much claimed me as his, so when he pulled my arm and said he wanted me to go play with him, it wasn't weird, even though I was 13 at the time. I went into the playground with him, and while we had only been inside for about 5 minutes, another child pointed at my cousin and called him retarded. Immediately, Isaac grabbed my arm and pulled me towards the entrance and said "go out." We went out and he buried his face in my shirt and cried for like 15 minutes. He was so upset, and I'll never forget it.

When some kid took a video of me seizing in class junior year and it went viral through the school, I was labeled as the retarded seizure girl and to this day it's stuck. Do I have disabilities? Yes. Should that be pointed out? No. I should be treated the same as everyone else. My cousin should too, just because someone has something doesn't mean it should be broadcasted. Sometimes you just want to be treated normally for awhile, even if you know you aren't normal.

The R word is used so out of context now days. Now, it has become a synonym for stupid, irrational, senseless, or just something that people think negatively about.

"That's just retarded."
" Don't be such a retard."

It's used playfully, and so is the word gay, and that's wrong. If/when you say it, you are making people like me, my little brother, my boyfriend's brother, and my cousin feel less human, and that is not okay.

I know this post was supposed to be about the word nigger, but I wanted to point out that retarded and gay are very overly used.. but yet it's viewed as okay.

[Lovelife090994]

It's spelled retarded with a D. And no, it's not right. It hurts. Everyone should be treated the same. I'm epileptic, but would it be right for someone to point at me and call me epileptic? No, because it shouldn't be pointed out.

My 11 year old cousin has Down Syndrome, and while he is high-functioning, he is at the level of a 7 year old. When he was around 6 years old, we went to McDonald's. He has pretty much claimed me as his, so when he pulled my arm and said he wanted me to go play with him, it wasn't weird, even though I was 13 at the time. I went into the playground with him, and while we had only been inside for about 5 minutes, another child pointed at my cousin and called him retarded. Immediately, Isaac grabbed my arm and pulled me towards the entrance and said "go out." We went out and he buried his face in my shirt and cried for like 15 minutes. He was so upset, and I'll never forget it.

When some kid took a video of me seizing in class junior year and it went viral through the school, I was labeled as the retarded seizure girl and to this day it's stuck. Do I have disabilities? Yes. Should that be pointed out? No. I should be treated the same as everyone else. My cousin should too, just because someone has something doesn't mean it should be broadcasted. Sometimes you just want to be treated normally for awhile, even if you know you aren't normal.

The R word is used so out of context now days. Now, it has become a synonym for stupid, irrational, senseless, or just something that people think negatively about.

"That's just retarded."
" Don't be such a retard."

It's used playfully, and so is the word gay, and that's wrong.

I know this post was supposed to be about the word nigger, but I wanted to point out that retarded and gay are very overly used.. but yet it's viewed as okay.

Slurs are never right. But the word retard is actually a French word meaning slow or late, so in a sense it depends on context in my view.
Sorry about your cousin.
About the "N" word, I hate it in general. But generally people give words meaning not the word itself. You could call someone the N-word in say China and they have no clue what you just said to them because of cultural difference.

[StoppingTime]

Words are words, no matter how many petitions and days of silence and whatever else you do, you'll never actually stop people from saying specific words, and I don't see that as a problem.
If someone's using gay/retarded/nigger/whatever else you could possibly think of in a way that is both knowingly and purposefully being used to degrade a person of that "demographic" then of course it's wrong.
What I find rather ridiculous and almost childish is that people take offense to the word "retarded" or "gay" or whatever when those words are in absolutely no way being used in the way they'd appear in a dictionary. They're being used colloquially, so to say that you, someone who is mentally and physically able to understand the difference in connotation from when someone's using such a word, are offended by a word that isn't directed at you, to me, is ridiculous.

[Sph2015]

Considering the thread is entitled "The n word", I think you answered your own question. I personally never think it is appropriate. Even in songs. I frankly don't listen to music that uses it. For me, it crosses a line. You can drop f bombs all day, but the n word is different. I live in an area of the country where that word still carries a lot of weight. It's certainly still a very real racial slur. I look at it this way. Would you say it in a job interview? Of course not. Why? Because you'd look bad. Really bad. It's not appropriate. There are so many words in the English language, and if you choose to use one of the few extremely controversial ones, you're, quite frankly, an idiot.

As for retarded and gay? Same idea. Now, I'm a 17 year old high school student. I've used both words as synonyms for stupid and lame many a time. That doesn't make it right. You can pretty much substitute gay for the n word in my first paragraph. Where I live, there are certain people who will say something is "gay" because its dumb or bad or they don't like it, just like being gay. To them, it's wrong. So, that makes saying something is gay a pretty heavy insult. It's awful, but its just how they are. So again, would you call something gay in a job interview? I sure hope not.

As for retarded, it's an outdated term with a negative connotation. You wouldn't refer to someone who is black as a negro, would you? However, not too long ago it was the politically correct term. Just because its definition may fit a situation, in your opinion, doesn't mean it isn't offensive. Would you ever say it in a job interview? Are you sensing a trend?

Now, there are plenty of things you shouldn't say in a job interview that are perfectly acceptable in day to day life. However, lets look at it this way. If you let one of a few four letter words slip in an interview, you may be perceived as unprofessional. However, you say the n word, gay, or retarded? You've just called your moral integrity into question.

Like I said, the English language has hundreds of thousands of words. Why use one of the few that has the ability to hurt others?

[Pulp501]

It's spelled retarded with a D. And no, it's not right. It hurts. Everyone should be treated the same. I'm epileptic, but would it be right for someone to point at me and call me epileptic? No, because it shouldn't be pointed out.

My 11 year old cousin has Down Syndrome, and while he is high-functioning, he is at the level of a 7 year old. When he was around 6 years old, we went to McDonald's. He has pretty much claimed me as his, so when he pulled my arm and said he wanted me to go play with him, it wasn't weird, even though I was 13 at the time. I went into the playground with him, and while we had only been inside for about 5 minutes, another child pointed at my cousin and called him retarded. Immediately, Isaac grabbed my arm and pulled me towards the entrance and said "go out." We went out and he buried his face in my shirt and cried for like 15 minutes. He was so upset, and I'll never forget it.

When some kid took a video of me seizing in class junior year and it went viral through the school, I was labeled as the retarded seizure girl and to this day it's stuck. Do I have disabilities? Yes. Should that be pointed out? No. I should be treated the same as everyone else. My cousin should too, just because someone has something doesn't mean it should be broadcasted. Sometimes you just want to be treated normally for awhile, even if you know you aren't normal.

The R word is used so out of context now days. Now, it has become a synonym for stupid, irrational, senseless, or just something that people think negatively about.

"That's just retarded."
" Don't be such a retard."

It's used playfully, and so is the word gay, and that's wrong. If/when you say it, you are making people like me, my little brother, my boyfriend's brother, and my cousin feel less human, and that is not okay.

I know this post was supposed to be about the word nigger, but I wanted to point out that retarded and gay are very overly used.. but yet it's viewed as okay.

I get what you're saying. It isn't right to point out someone's disability, but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. It doesn't mean retarded isn't still a medical term though. Many doctors still refer to people has being mentally retarded. It isn't okay to mock people who are, or use it as an insult for stupid.

[conniption]

I see a lot of black people call each other the n-word all the time. I think the meaning has changed drastically and perhaps the reason black people use it so often is to sort of take back the power the word possesses and the negative connotation associated with it and make it their own. I had a black friend call me her n-word once and she in no way meant it in a bad way. Do I like when people use the word? No, but I find it interesting how much the meaning of the word varies from place to place and person to person.

[isaiah]

Well i am black and i don't care if White, Mexicans, Asian whoever use it because other blacks use it i don't i think it stupid and ingratiate and the fact that my grandpa is white which makes me mixed i really never really was taught the word or nothing my family says stuff like u jerk and stuff never the n word and thats what i use and like and the fact that my grandpas family owned slaves just makes me not really care about race cause my family is just so diverse and crazy i say

[AlexOnToast]

Nah, Im not a user of the word nor is anyone I know really.

[Loner_97]

Bottom line.. It's just a word. Doesn't mean much.

[JollyToes]

I personally don't say that word but if someone wants to say it, it's whatevs.

[Desuetude]

I hate it. I don't care who the fuck is saying it I never have and never will use it outloud. I'm not black myself but I am Asian and the amount of times I've been called it by people trying to offend me is disgusting. I don't know why I hate it so much though, it just sounds like a dirty word no matter how pathetic that may seem.

[Aajj333]

I dont know any black people that are offended by it I guess the word just has a bad reputation like the swastica

[Synyster Shadows]

I don't think there are good words and bad words. Those are just labels we superimpose on words. Does that I mean I'd go around using slurs like that? Certainly not, as I have no idea who would take offense and who wouldn't. Nigger is one of those words that I would not use, not because I think it's a bad word, but because someone could take offense.

[comical]

I don't see why black people are allowed to say it and white people aren't. They say "because you invented the word, so you can't say it." But when a black person looks at another black person and calls them a nigger and then proceeds to turn around and get butthurt about a white person calling them that, it's wrong. And it always gets blown up real huge out of proportion.

Well if you think about the historical context behind the word, what sensible White person would say the word and not feel wrong about it? Blacks were tormented for hundreds of years with that very word, and it even continues today.

Being a young, Black man in the South, I don't like the word at all. Racism and prejudice are still heavily present here, and the word brings strong emotions when said. I don't like when the word is used as a term of endearment period, whether it be nigger, niggy, nigga, or nigguh. Also, just as I don't like the use of nigger/nigga, I wouldn't promote anyone saying cracker, beaner, etc.

If a Black person calls me their "nigga", I'll tell them not to refer to me as that, and explain my reasoning. If a White person refers to me as their "nigga", I'll tell them (probably in a more angrily manner) not to refer to me as that, and explain my reasoning. Like I said, with a word that carries such negative history behind it, why would a sensible white person use it? I don't like when Black people use the word, I hate it. But it is totally different than when a white person uses it.

I get what you're saying. It isn't right to point out someone's disability, but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. It doesn't mean retarded isn't still a medical term though. Many doctors still refer to people has being mentally retarded. It isn't okay to mock people who are, or use it as an insult for stupid.


Actually, many doctors do not refer to people using mentally retarded anymore. I think nowadays they use terms like "mentally disabled/handicapped" or they diagnose the patient with an "intellectual disability".

[Etcetera]

Lol, well I call my friends my crackas, because I don't see a difference in me saying that and black people saying niggas.

I went around the lunch table and said "you my cracka, you my cracka, and you my cracka" and then I said "and courtani, even though you're black, your still my cracka." and they all busted out laughing. Every single one of them.

[comical]

Lol, well I call my friends my crackas, because I don't see a difference in me saying that and black people saying niggas.

I went around the lunch table and said "you my cracka, you my cracka, and you my cracka" and then I said "and courtani, even though you're black, your still my cracka." and they all busted out laughing. Every single one of them.


I guess you'll never be able to understand the difference unless you're a Black person, who has been called a nigger. When you're getting whipped on a plantation because you're a nigger, you may understand the difference. When you're getting hung for no reason, other than you're a nigger. Or when you're an 8 year old boy walking home from school, getting jumped and beaten by adult white males, just because you're a "nigger", you may understand the difference.

[mychalo]

I think it's an ugly word and would never think of saying it for any reason, joking or not.

[Croconaw]

White people should be allowed to use it. I hear black people use it all the time, yet it's considered wrong when we use it?

[Vlerchan]

One of my favorite Hip Hop producers has a blog called Phat Friend. It's mostly full of shit but sometimes he makes interesting points. He once wrote a post about his - as a white males - relationship with the word nigga - differentiating it from the word 'nigger'. In the end he states that it's all to do with intention and context, summing it all up with " ... whether you think it’s right or wrong for any white guy to throw that word around is on you. I certainly understand how that could rub all sorts of people the wrong way. But , much like the girl at McDonalds and the guy in the lawn chair, a lot of how we should accept words is in the intention of how they’re used. Basically, what I’m saying is that it’s okay to be offended by this kinda thing but don’t ever become one of those assholes who overlooks context and intent of how words are used." I personally think he's the right idea: it depends entirely on context how you use a word; taking offence o the use of a word in a positive context is pretty ridiculous.

Here's the full thing if anyone is bothered: http://phatfriend.com/tag/nigga/

[britishboy]

Terrible word, nobody should say it.

[Tarannosaurus]

I would never dream of using it, I've seen how upset it makes my friends to be called that, and it makes me so angry. I really think it's a disgusting thing to make someone feel ashamed of their skin colour.

[raempu]

I think that if you don't mean the 'n' word offensive or discriminating, you can use it.
I have a lot of coloured friends too, and they don't mind if I call them the 'n' word.
They think it's funny.
I understand how some people are feeling discriminated by it, but i think it's something that depends on the person.
Some see that it's not meant in an evil way and some just don't.

[Zachary G]

using the N word by any race, especially the black race, is totally disrespectful and degrading by all means. its a rude word and represents only ignorance.

[dsi411]

I guess you'll never be able to understand the difference unless you're a Black person, who has been called a nigger. When you're getting whipped on a plantation because you're a nigger, you may understand the difference. When you're getting hung for no reason, other than you're a nigger. Or when you're an 8 year old boy walking home from school, getting jumped and beaten by adult white males, just because you're a "nigger", you may understand the difference.

But that was like...hundreds of years ago!

I don't really care when people who aren't black or African American use this word at my school, what I don't like is when a black or african american person uses this word. Why? Because I know what all the white people think when they hear a black person say it at my school. They think, "How come they can say that and I can't?" , which only deepens their dislike for black people. I don't want white people to hate me. Therefore, I disapprove of the use of this word.

[Southside]

White people should be allowed to use it. I hear black people use it all the time, yet it's considered wrong when we use it?

Its the way its used, I don't mean to sound all bad ass but I live in a inner-city area and its no shortage of Blacks here.. The way we/they use is just how you might say "Bro" or "Dude".. I use it daily even though im half Hispanic and its never been a problem. I don't see a problem with a white person using the word "Nigga"..however I'd take offensive if they used it 'Nigger".

Its a difference between Nigga and Nigger.

Example."Aye nigga you trying to go play ball after school
"Let me borrow a dollar nigga", "You doing anything this weekend nigga"

Or as the great Tupac Shakur put it

N.I.G.G.A.-Never Ignorant Getting Goals Accomplished