This may ruffle some feathers but, as the song says, “you can hate me now…” It is of this writer’s opinion that we love being able to use the “n” word without, or at least with fewer repercussions than people of other races. Hear me out, I am not justifying it’s use, but I am pointing out that my white friends would suffer a serious consequence (of either a physical, mental, verbal, or spiritual discomfort –or a combination of any of the aforementioned) for using that word; we know that our consequences will not be the same. Other Black folks will not call us racist, ban us from the airwaves or kick our natural black (insert expletive here) for using that word. At the very least we’ll receive a severe tongue lashing about how we can’t use it without justifying other people using it. Let’s tell the truth and shame the devil…literally minutes after the “n” word was ceremoniously buried last year, Nilla Bean resurrected it…several times…sorry. I won’t use this article to justify my use of the word, in fact, I do understand both sides of the arguement, and I feel they are both valid. I wrote this article to admit that there is some inherent, infantile joy in being able to get away with something when you know good and well the next person cannot.
Have you ever had a person of another race involved in a conversation where someone used the “n”word? It’s like time stands still. Will the non-black person join in and use it, or do the smart thing and act as though they didn’t even hear it? Worse yet, will the non-black person admonish the user? It’s uncomfortable. But, go to your local barbershop, sports bar, school yard, bus stop, train station, dance club, skating rink, library, fundraiser, PTA meeting, church…you get the point. Somebody is going to utter the “n” word at some point, (and it might be me). I’m not proud of it, or lauding it; right wrong or indifferent, it’s the truth.
A non-black friend of mine once made the remark, “But it’s not fair, why do you get to say it and we can’t? It’s just a word like stupid or dummy.” Because I considered this person a dear friend, I explained the sordid history of the word and its origins during the times of slavery when it was used to belittle us as human beings, creating a history of low self-esteem and a self-fulfilling prophecy of substandard achievement from generation to generation. Then I went on to describe the history of African-Americans reclaiming of negative words and turning them into something that we owned. We called the shots with how these words and phrases were used, and it gave us a sense of power. My diatribe continued on, remarking upon how the times have change into one of buffoonery and apathy, a time in which youth no longer acknowledge the painful history of their forefathers and languages of all types melded into one heaping pot of Webster’s Dictionary. I talked about how our children have been duped into thinking that no one is racist anymore, and that multiracial families are loved by all. And then after I stated all of that, I politely told him, “N’ Word, because you can’t!”
13 responses so far ↓
1 R. Lee Gordon // Apr 6, 2008 at 10:28 am
I believe we have bigger fish to fry then “N” word debates such as ensuring our our children have a complete compliment of the English language and we accelerate their academic and professional successes . . .
R. Lee Gordon
UniTeeDesign.com
2 tecumseh.john // Apr 6, 2008 at 1:36 pm
The “W” work is expecially offensive to me and many people of my heritage: The Black and White of Racism
Does this make any difference to people who like to call themselves Black?
3 Kash Sayles // Apr 6, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Dear thoughtful black person,
hey, it’s your word, why shouldn’t you get to use it ,claim it make it mean what you want it to mean? It was Sly Stone waaay back when who set the boundary: “Don’t call me “n word” whitey”
I suppose I could, with similar justification try to claim my birthright to “honky” or “cracker” but ya know what? It’s no fun.
Love your blog, read it every day, along with stuff white people like.
Oh, and a lot of white people also get a kick out of seeing white people in shorts when it’s cold out!
4 Alexis // Apr 8, 2008 at 9:59 am
You know what? You said it best with this line:
‘I wrote this article to admit that there is some inherent, infantile joy in being able to get away with something when you know good and well the next person cannot.’
That shit is TRUE. I’m a lesbo, and nothing is more hilarious to me than saying in front of my straight friends, “Damn, that shit is gay.” Seriously, I crack myself up. But woe betide the straight bitch that says something is gay in front of me. ‘Cause then it just ain’t right!
It’s hilarious just because I can.
5 Anti-Obama // Apr 10, 2008 at 12:09 am
Wow, must be nice to be black! I sure wish I could use that word on regular basis. Oh wait, I can! Your race take a step back every time that word is muttered from the lips of a non-Caucasian. I think I feel some “infantile joy” each time I say it as well. Though I must admit my joy comes from the fact that I am Caucasian. Maybe you and your “people” should focus on being more productive in society and less worried about getting government handouts. Lets face it, you will never get your forty acres and a mule and yes I would like fries with that.
6 mi32KE // Apr 13, 2008 at 3:16 pm
WOW! Kash wants to be black in the worst way. “Dear thoughtful black person” who says this shit but some prissy white girl who wants to be accepted by anyone in the worst way.
Anti - Obama, you need a hug, hitler called, he needs you to come home. I didn’t think the trailor park had internet yet.
In case you wondered, i’m white
7 tecumseh.john // Apr 14, 2008 at 10:19 pm
Can anyone describe briefly what White People are and what Black people are are? Are there any pure bred Black people or White people?
Is mi32KE an albino?
8 Kash Sayles // Apr 16, 2008 at 1:37 pm
mi32KE,
don’t wanna be black, just trying to be polite.
yours,
thoughtful white man
9 nillabean // Apr 17, 2008 at 11:42 am
tecumseh.john, c’mon now, we all know it’s probabaly a great rarity to find a pure blooded person of any race or nantionality. Not impossible, but rare indeed. Your inquiry though has reminded me of an excellent book that I read years ago , somewhat related to the topic. it’s called Kingblood Royal by Sinclair Lewis. It “satirizes a self-satisfied town called Grand Republic, whose name makes it a metaphor for the United States. The hero and victim is Neil Kingsblood, a white World War II hero who believes that his family tree is covered with royal ancestors but finds to his distress that he is a direct descendant of a 100 percent Negro adventurer. This comes as a disabling shock because Neil had been brought up to view Negroes as less than human. That view was reinforced during the war, when he viewed black soldiers as lazy and dimwitted because they were denied arms and used primarily as laborers.” more info can be found at http://www.racematters.org/kingsbloodroyal.htm .
10 tecumseh.john // Apr 20, 2008 at 12:52 am
I remember coming home after seeing a movie devastated at having been described as a savage redskin and hearing a person of mixed breed like me being called a half-breed. My dad told me that I was a full blooded American. He said that all Americans are of mixed breed.
The only pure breeds left in America today are White and Black racists. They generalize, polorize, and stereotype exactly as you illustrate in your story.
It is unfortunate that some dark skinned people group themselves separately as Black, and some light skinned people group themselves separately as White. Their bigotry and racial attitudes keep them from integrating into mainstream America society as full blooded citizens.
We could throw all the Black racists and White racists in a big hole and we could not really tell them apart. Good thing, after a while they would divide up and kill each other off. Then mainstream America could get on with standing united in the World.
It struck me as I was reading about Neil that most people who call themselves black have what would be called white blood. Wonder how shocked they would be if they knew their resentment toward Whites is an ridiculous and self directed as Neil’s towards Negros, since we are all slightly different mixtures of the same ingredients.
We can all learn from that story can we not nillabean?
11 nilla bean // Apr 21, 2008 at 10:34 am
Yes tecumseh.john, we can all definitely learn from the story laid out in Kingsblood Royal… and it even serves as a good reminder of how ridiculous racism and its foundations and ideaologies are. Please do read it if you have the opportunity, because it is not only a powerful commentary on American society (its past and present) but it is so well written and filled with humor, reality and insight. One of my very favorite all-time reads
12 tecumseh.john // Apr 23, 2008 at 5:25 pm
I’ve enjoyed everything i’ve read by Lewis. Will definitely pick up a copy at the Libary this week. Thanks for the suggestion. If this post is still active once i’ve read it, i’ll comment further.
13 Jerel Ellegood // Jun 15, 2008 at 5:43 pm
I formerly became upset at hearing the ‘n’ word from anyone but I guess I’ve kinda’ take R. lee gordon’s approach and taken a serious look at the bigger picture.
but then again, whether people want to sweep this debate under the rug or not, it’s STILL central to many issues blacks face today, more so because we are so divided still. . .
but yeah, i really enjoy reading your blog, I wish mine was half as interesting, lol
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