Can the N word be cross-cultural?

[Spiderman]

Some people in my complex say I called someone the N word last July while I was out of my mind.

I don't recall it but am convinced that they are telling the truth. Finally I got the guy to give me an elbow pump and say "We're cool".

Why must a word have so much power to enrage people. I have been called ugly racial slurs and my attitude is "Sticks and stones can break my bones but words shall not hurt me."

See, my hope is that we can somehow change the meaning of the N word. I tell people I am the most illest N ever.

I have a criminal record, dropped out of college, was homeless and often unemployed, been a welfare and free handout parasite, and lack common sense and prudence and have drug history. Why can't the N word apply to me and such people of any ethnicity??? It would make so much more sense if the word didn't apply to educated, law abiding, compassionate, and wise people of any ethnicity.

6 billion people could call me any racial slur at the same time, including the media, congress, and president (lol), and I'd find it amusing to be honest.

My ethnicity is demonized all the time. I just wonder why people forget how many hundreds of thousands of Caucasians sacrificed their lives and shed their blood to stop slavery and white privilege. Oh well! Life isn't fair and I've come to terms with it.

Why can't the N word become cross cultural?

The word "gay" used to mean happy. Now it is rarely used in that context. The word has simply changed in meaning or we have grown in our understanding of what the word actually means. LOL! Why can't we do that with the N word so people are less enraged by it?

 

[Salvador]

Some people in my complex say I called someone the N word last July while I was out of my mind.

I don't recall it but am convinced that they are telling the truth. Finally I got the guy to give me an elbow pump and say "We're cool".

Why must a word have so much power to enrage people. I have been called ugly racial slurs and my attitude is "Sticks and stones can break my bones but words shall not hurt me."

See, my hope is that we can somehow change the meaning of the N word. I tell people I am the most illest N ever.

I have a criminal record, dropped out of college, was homeless and often unemployed, been a welfare and free handout parasite, and lack common sense and prudence and have drug history. Why can't the N word apply to me and such people of any ethnicity??? It would make so much more sense if the word didn't apply to educated, law abiding, compassionate, and wise people of any ethnicity.

6 billion people could call me any racial slur at the same time, including the media, congress, and president (lol), and I'd find it amusing to be honest.

My ethnicity is demonized all the time. I just wonder why people forget how many hundreds of thousands of Caucasians sacrificed their lives and shed their blood to stop slavery and white privilege. Oh well! Life isn't fair and I've come to terms with it.

Why can't the N word become cross cultural?

The word "gay" used to mean happy. Now it is rarely used in that context. The word has simply changed in meaning or we have grown in our understanding of what the word actually means. LOL! Why can't we do that with the N word so people are less enraged by it?

A white person shouldn't call a black person Ni**g**a, but black people can call other black people that or white people can jokingly call other whites that word.

For example, I as a White Anglo-Saxon could do a rap song claiming Christ is my ni**g**a, cause he's commonly perceived as being a white dude.

 

[dianaiad]

Some people in my complex say I called someone the N word last July while I was out of my mind.

I don't recall it but am convinced that they are telling the truth. Finally I got the guy to give me an elbow pump and say "We're cool".

Why must a word have so much power to enrage people. I have been called ugly racial slurs and my attitude is "Sticks and stones can break my bones but words shall not hurt me."

See, my hope is that we can somehow change the meaning of the N word. I tell people I am the most illest N ever.

I have a criminal record, dropped out of college, was homeless and often unemployed, been a welfare and free handout parasite, and lack common sense and prudence and have drug history. Why can't the N word apply to me and such people of any ethnicity??? It would make so much more sense if the word didn't apply to educated, law abiding, compassionate, and wise people of any ethnicity.

6 billion people could call me any racial slur at the same time, including the media, congress, and president (lol), and I'd find it amusing to be honest.

My ethnicity is demonized all the time. I just wonder why people forget how many hundreds of thousands of Caucasians sacrificed their lives and shed their blood to stop slavery and white privilege. Oh well! Life isn't fair and I've come to terms with it.

Why can't the N word become cross cultural?

The word "gay" used to mean happy. Now it is rarely used in that context. The word has simply changed in meaning or we have grown in our understanding of what the word actually means. LOL! Why can't we do that with the N word so people are less enraged by it?

WARNING....a really pedantic lecture follows....

Because it simply isn't. It's a variation on the word 'negro,' which means 'black' in a whole bunch of languages, and used to be a perfectly acceptable word to use to apply to people of native African descent. (That's 'negro,' not the N word) "Negro" still IS used in medical terminology, when dealing with situations that apply to those of native African descent more than people with slightly different DNA profiles. You know...the way 'black' men are more likely to get Multiple Myeloma than 'black' women or 'white' people. The same goes for sickle cell anemia; 'black' people and those of Mediterantian descent are more likely to get that than other people.

Like the way Ashkenazi Jews are more likely to get Tay Sachs than other groups.

But I digress. Sorry.

the "N" word has been used to denigrate black people for a very long time. The reason it was so effective in "Hucklberry Finn," and is still effective today, is because the use of it in this adventure book points up the real message of it...which was decidedly anti-slavery and anti-discrimination.

The "N" word simply doesn't work when applied to anybody else, because its origin and meaning are so very much tied to the denigration of black people.

Yes, "gay" has changed meaning in the popular culture. I sorta resent that, myself, but it is what it is. However, 'gay" as a word is not so closely tied to a specific insult/meaning. The "N-word" is.

My own view of this is that it should simply not be used. By anybody. As a teacher (of mostly black teens, amof) I heard it used all the time. They called each other 'N", modern popular songs use it ALL the time....but heaven help the 'white' guy who uses it. The problem is, it's JUST as insulting when a black kid uses it as when a white one does. This simply isn't one of those words that can be co-opted by the target group and turned into something positive so that everybody forgets that it was originally an insult.

You know, the way they did for "Christian," or "Mormon," or "Funky" (used to mean 'smells really bad'), or, hey....'bad,' 'mad,' 'sick,' 'wicked' or some other terms.

So nope, you may be characterized as pretty much anything uncomplimentary you want, but unless you are black...and another black person is talking to you, the "N" word simply isn't going to get used. Nor should it even then.

 

[Subduction Zone]

Right now in today's culture that still has far too much racism I have would have to say "no". It cannot be cross cultural, but some day it might be.

 

[SalixIncendium]

Why can't the N word become cross cultural?

Because it's original intent behind its use was to disparage an entire race.

 

[SomeRandom]

A white person shouldn't call a black person Ni**g**a, but black people can call other black people that or white people can jokingly call other whites that word.

For example, I as a White Anglo-Saxon could do a rap song claiming Christ is my ni**g**a, cause he's commonly perceived as being a white dude.

Ahh rapping for Jesus. Curiously always followed by watching the “sex offender shuffle.”

 

[Unguru]

Because it's original intent behind its use was to disparage an entire race.

Negro - Wikipedia

 

[SalixIncendium]

Negro - Wikipedia

Not the word referred to in the OP. Try the variant that is a racial slur.

 

[Spiderman]

If you are a serial killa, that is a compliment.
If you are a serial Killer, that is the epitome of evil.

I don't get the whole idea of it being okay with an ugly word ending in A rather than an R. Just one of those mysteries God and angels ponder I bet, lol.

 

[SalixIncendium]

If you are a serial killa, that is a compliment.
If you are a serial Killer, that is the epitome of evil.

I don't get the whole idea of it being okay with an ugly word ending in A rather than an R. Just one of those mysteries God and angels ponder I bet, lol.

Then I am claiming the title of originoo gangsta.

 

[lostwanderingsoul]

By the way Pope, how's that wonderful girlfriend you were talking about a couple months ago? What was her name?

 

[Thief]

Some people in my complex say I called someone the N word last July while I was out of my mind.

I don't recall it but am convinced that they are telling the truth. Finally I got the guy to give me an elbow pump and say "We're cool".

Why must a word have so much power to enrage people. I have been called ugly racial slurs and my attitude is "Sticks and stones can break my bones but words shall not hurt me."

See, my hope is that we can somehow change the meaning of the N word. I tell people I am the most illest N ever.

I have a criminal record, dropped out of college, was homeless and often unemployed, been a welfare and free handout parasite, and lack common sense and prudence and have drug history. Why can't the N word apply to me and such people of any ethnicity??? It would make so much more sense if the word didn't apply to educated, law abiding, compassionate, and wise people of any ethnicity.

6 billion people could call me any racial slur at the same time, including the media, congress, and president (lol), and I'd find it amusing to be honest.

My ethnicity is demonized all the time. I just wonder why people forget how many hundreds of thousands of Caucasians sacrificed their lives and shed their blood to stop slavery and white privilege. Oh well! Life isn't fair and I've come to terms with it.

Why can't the N word become cross cultural?

The word "gay" used to mean happy. Now it is rarely used in that context. The word has simply changed in meaning or we have grown in our understanding of what the word actually means. LOL! Why can't we do that with the N word so people are less enraged by it?

so....in spite of your hardships.....you still have a brain

 

[Jumi]

I think the wise thing to do is to avoid using all slurs both in private and in public. Any speculation as to how bad it is to use becomes useless if you enrage someone without reason.

 

[Spirit of Light]

Why use negative words toward others in the first place? Just see them as human beings

 

[LuisDantas]

For what it is worth, Brazil has a slavery of African descendants history to rival any other. And as it turns out, our words for "n-word" and "black people" are one and the same.

Sometimes that word ("negro") is perceived as offensive, other times it is a badge of pride. It is very circunstantial.

 

[Spiderman]

By the way Pope, how's that wonderful girlfriend you were talking about a couple months ago? What was her name?

Dreya and Cheri. One is Hispanic, the other black. I lost my virginity to another black girl as well. I like my women like I like my coffee. Strong and black!

I went panhandling with Cheri and she would literally jump in front of cars waving her arms and asking them if they could spare the change to get her and myself ice cream cones. Haha! I cherish such moments but our relationships were far from healthy. Dreya attacked a guy in a wheelchair and I had to get in between the two of them. Definitely fun and entertaining young ladies with a chip on their shoulder, but not healthy. Dreya sleeps on the train, got evicted, and is with other guys.... but I love to still communicate with her when we see each other on the streets.

Cheri approached me in the dark and hugged me and wept about her mother dying. We held eachother and I told her that her mom is still alive in spirit and is looking out for her. I asked her if I could walk her home and she pointed to the streets and said "this is my home". We really bonded and she helped me clean my room and put everything in the right places.
She told me she has hepatitis and we exchanged coodies so I'll need to get tested now. Ah well, the worst thing that happens is I die. The best thing that happens is I die. No problem! 10 out of 10 people die lol

Ciao!

 

[lostwanderingsoul]

Dreya and Cheri. One is Hispanic, the other black. I lost my virginity to another black girl as well. I like my women like I like my coffee. Strong and black!

I went panhandling with Cheri and she would literally jump in front of cars waving her arms and asking them if they could spare the change to get her and myself ice cream cones. Haha! I cherish such moments but our relationships were far from healthy. Dreya attacked a guy in a wheelchair and I had to get in between the two of them. Definitely fun and entertaining young ladies with a chip on their shoulder, but not healthy. Dreya sleeps on the train, got evicted, and is with other guys.... but I love to still communicate with her when we see each other on the streets.

Cheri approached me in the dark and hugged me and wept about her mother dying. We held eachother and I told her that her mom is still alive in spirit and is looking out for her. I asked her if I could walk her home and she pointed to the streets and said "this is my home". We really bonded and she helped me clean my room and put everything in the right places.
She told me she has hepatitis and we exchanged coodies so I'll need to get tested now. Ah well, the worst thing that happens is I die. The best thing that happens is I die. No problem! 10 out of 10 people die lol

Ciao!

Glad you are happy/