The N-Word

It could be argued that the “n-word” was once the worst word in the English language. Within the last few decades, however, it has become something different. Now some people use the “n-word” as a way to display friendship. It is synonymous with the slang term “homie.” The Black Community has taken a word with centuries full of baggage behind it and morphed it into something else. Although the term is used by other minorities as well, it affects black people the most. Seeing as how African Americans were enslaved, beaten, lynched, raped, pillaged, murdered, and tormented all while being called “nigger.”

In 2017 the term has taken on a double meaning. A lot of black people do not take offense to it when it ends with an “a.” Meanwhile, the "n-word" is taken offensively when it concludes with an “er.” Many believe that it all comes down to context and the way in which the word is being used. For non-black people, this type of logic may seem a bit confusing. It might not make sense to a person whose people have no history of the term being used against them. I am proud to be a descendent of the slaves, who played an essential role in building this country. Thus, I refuse to throw it around carelessly.

The n-word was used by racist whites as a way to degrade and lessen the values of blacks. At this point in history Willie Lynch, a slave owner from the Caribbean, wrote a letter stating that the word must be used religiously as a ploy to steer slaves. He stated that language leads to the heart of the people. If a foreigner is well-versed in the language he/she will have less of an issue moving through the various ranks of that particular society which is not what owners or overseers desired. Some African Americans may use the word as a way to reclaim their culture. This attempt to turn a negative into a positive is foolish and far from dominant or noble.  It displays worthlessness and inferiority.

Malcolm X spoke on this topic during his speech at the Basic Unity Program of the OAAU in 1965. This excerpt will educate you about the history behind the “n-word.” In the speech, he states, “ Persons who recognize the emotional thrust and plain show of disrespect in the Southerner's use of "nigra" and the general use of "nigger" must also realize that all three words are essentially the same. The other two: "nigra" and "nigger" are blunt and undeceptive. The one representing respectability, "negro," is merely the Same substance in a polished package and spelled with a capital letter. This refinement is added so that a degrading terminology can be legitimately used in general literature and "polite" conversation without embarrassment. The term "negro" developed from a word in the Spanish language which is actually an adjective (describing word) meaning "black," that is, the color black. In plain English, if someone said or was called a "black" or a "dark," even a young child would very naturally question. "A black what?" or "A dark what?" because adjectives do not name, they describe. Please take note that in order to make use of this mechanism, a word was transferred from another language and deceptively changed in function from an adjective to a noun, which is a naming word. Its application in the nominative (naming) sense was intentionally used to portray persons in a position of objects or "things." It stamps the article as being "all alike and all the same." It denote  a "darkie," a slave, a subhuman, an ex-slave, a "negro. Afro-Americans must reanalyze and particularly question our own use of this term, keeping in mind all the facts. In light of the historical meanings and current implications, all intelligent and informed Afro-Americans and Africans continue to reject its use in the noun form as well as a proper adjective. Its usage shall continue to be considered as unenlightened and objectionable or deliberately offensive whether in speech or writing. We accept the use of Afro-American, African, and Black man in reference to persons of African heritage. To every other part of mankind goes this measure of just respect. We do not desire more nor shall we accept less.” The Black Community is very prideful. The Civil Rights movement forefronted by the likes of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. have made this apparent. When faced with injustice, African Americans unite to overcome our unique circumstances. The Black Struggle should not be cheapened by self-denigration. We display a pessimistic attitude when we call one another the “n-word.” This type of behavior is a result of the psychological anguish our predecessors went through. One of which, we are still paying for today. Black American’s usage of the n- word amongst others displays a pessimistic demeanor. The psychological and physical abuse that our ancestors endured resulted in this type of behavior.

Black people in America should command respect. Other's opinions aren't the "end all be all" of what is or what is not “good behavior”. We were continuously discriminated against when we were “well-behaved”. In reality, it doesn't matter how you carry yourself it will not change the feelings of someone who does not like you based off of your skin tone. Others may see African-Americans using the n-word and use that as a means of validation. Nonetheless, It is unacceptable regardless of whose mouth that the word is coming out of at any given moment.

One instance in which I disagreed with someone’s use of the word was on YG’s song “My Nigga.” The song dominated airwaves peaking in the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100 in 2014. The rapper describes his “nigga” as if he’s a loved one. Someone who is loyal and trustworthy. A person that he is willing to risk is life for. In other words, a “ride-or-die”. That is one of the real issues with our generation. People would probably refrain from using the n-word if they would educate themselves about its past. The media uses the n-word frequently. It has become socially acceptable for our youth to use it. So frequently, that our youth thinks that it is socially acceptable. In reality, those who use it are contributing to the destruction that has already taken place. Whites are not “allowed” to use it. Thus, they may not feel entitled to address the issue. Blacks feel as though they are the only ones allowed to use it. Meanwhile, other minorities are left without a clue. Ultimately, no one should be participating in this type of demolition.