Monday, July 27, 2020
Who has the right to say the N word?
Let me start this discussion by saying, if you are not black you really shouldn't be saying it. The word has a long and horrendous history of being used as a derogatory term against black people. Nowadays, it seems like everyone under the sun who isn't black feels the need to say it. When called out, these people often make the excuse of "well everyone says it" which is just plain stupidity. If you have to fight for your ability to say it doesn't that show that's it's a huge deal in the first place? Additionally, some use the word as just slang or to "honor" the black community by using their language when it in fact does the opposite. Even if it's not meant to be offensive, a non-black person saying it is just wrong. Some say that no one should say it which is also understandable. It is offensive and carries serious weight. However, I see it used in black communities in a nonhurtfulway. I also think that they've earned the right to use it as they please because it is part of THEIR history, not anyone else's. As a mixed person, I do not feel comfortable saying it, but that does in no way discredit other mixed black people from saying it because again it is part of their history. To conclude, saying the N-word can also seem trashy and is definitely unnecessary so saying it or singing it is really pointless. How do you feel? Who should say it and who shouldn't?
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I don't understand why this word is something non-black people want to fight so bad over be able to say. It has been used negatively to be racist against black people for so long, it does not suddenly become something unoffensive. I agree that no one, unless they are black, should say it because there is simply no logical reason for them to use it. It is clear that the N-word is disrespectful to a whole race of human beings and not saying it is the easy, logical thing to do.
ReplyDeleteIn addition, I know many different words can be seen as offensive to many more people but the N-word has a very long and painful history that cannot just be erased. And when a majority of people agree that the word should not be used by non-black people, it is the reasonable action to take.
DeleteHi Karen I totally agree! If you have to fight so hard to use a word that should be a sign that something really is wrong.
DeleteI completely agree with you Amia, non-black people saying the N-word should not be normalized at all. My problem, however, comes with people getting canceled for accidentally saying it like in a song. The word has been normalized in songs especially in genres such as hip hop/rap and even R&B. Sometimes the word is accidentally uttered out when a non-POC is rapping/singing along. I, personally, am pretty good at not accidentally uttering the word in a song but for others it's harder.
ReplyDeleteIm addition, cancelling people that intentionally say it because it is normalized should not be the first option like it is. Maybe talk and and educate them on why it is wrong. Im just against cancel culture in general, but that's another conversation.