How do you feel about the "N" word?
By Angel
@Angelee_27 (3460)
United States
June 29, 2011 4:31pm CST
Hello fellow myLotters,
This is an interesting, somewhat controversial topic that I would like to discuss. I am sure most of you know the "N" word that I am speaking of. So, there is no need to spell it out. 
I do not feel comfortable actually putting the word here on myLot. 
Personally, I feel the word is very rude, disrespectful, and racist. I do not use this word, and I do not like to here it. It's a very inappropriate word.
I think those who use it when talking to or about another person are very ignorant, and disrespectful people.
How do you feel about the "N" word? Do you say it? How do you feel when you hear it?
Please share your thoughts. 
I do not feel comfortable actually putting the word here on myLot.
Personally, I feel the word is very rude, disrespectful, and racist. I do not use this word, and I do not like to here it. It's a very inappropriate word.
I think those who use it when talking to or about another person are very ignorant, and disrespectful people.
How do you feel about the "N" word? Do you say it? How do you feel when you hear it?
Please share your thoughts. 1 person likes this
10 responses
@rosegardens (3034)
• United States
29 Jun 11
It is a word that needs to be put to rest. I feel the same as you, I do not like it and do not like to hear it. I hear people joking using that word and it drives me up a tree. It is a violent word, a demeaning word and should not be used by anyone. I hate to hear black people use it. I rarely ever hear whites saying that nasty word.
@Angelee_27 (3460)
• United States
29 Jun 11
Hi rosegardens,
I agree.
I mostly hear African American's calling each other this name, and it's usually not meant in a bad way. I don't understand why they would choose to call one another this derogatory would though. 
Often times, when a Caucasian person says it, it is very racist and demeaning. I don't understand how the color of someones skin has to do with anything. Racism is something that really bothers me.
I mostly hear African American's calling each other this name, and it's usually not meant in a bad way. I don't understand why they would choose to call one another this derogatory would though.
Often times, when a Caucasian person says it, it is very racist and demeaning. I don't understand how the color of someones skin has to do with anything. Racism is something that really bothers me. 1 person likes this
@rosegardens (3034)
• United States
30 Jun 11
It is a double standard as you point out. I recall a tv show I was watching, it was a group of black kids in college. A white cousin came to visit, and she was enamored with the black culture. She dressed , talked, walked and decorated in the African style. They were all dancing, singing along to some terrible rap and that word came up. She kept singing away, and everyone stopped what they were doing and stared at her as though she had done something wrong. Some left, very miffed, and the ones that stayed told her she had stepped over the line, she was not black, etc. I thought what? She was singing, that is a word in that particular number. So, it is a black group rapping, saying that word. They all really liked the group and the song. A white girl comes along and happens to like it as well, but she is not supposed to sing it? Even though everyone else is? Huh? 
I'm not sure even to this day if the show was trying to point out the double standard, or if it was trying to make the point if one is white, they should never, ever say that word even if the blacks are doing so. If the latter, then it is promoting racism rather than attempting to stamp it out. We should be working toward the goal of being together in acceptance and love. After all, we are a part of this world and we can and do affect each other.
I'm not sure even to this day if the show was trying to point out the double standard, or if it was trying to make the point if one is white, they should never, ever say that word even if the blacks are doing so. If the latter, then it is promoting racism rather than attempting to stamp it out. We should be working toward the goal of being together in acceptance and love. After all, we are a part of this world and we can and do affect each other.@Angelee_27 (3460)
• United States
29 Jun 11
**replace "would" with "name" ... LOL 
1 person likes this
@bewarewin (6)
• Philippines
30 Jun 11
it's kinda rude when people uses the 'N' word. however, nowadays people prefer to call them black people which is nicer than the 'N' word.We should always consider their feelings towards this kind of issue because it is very disrespectful on their part like what you have said.
In my part, i dont use that word, for i'm scared that they might hear me, and i might get in to trouble or something but at the same time i also respect those people for they dont deserve to be called like that and in way it hurts their feelings touches their dignity as a human being. I notice that they dont use that word anymore even i dont use it, like what i said they prefer to call them black people. however, i feel bad when people starts using that 'N'word and instead use a different kind of word. In the end, we are born as unique individual with different points of view in life. and for that we should all respect each one of us.
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
30 Jun 11
I totally agree with all you said, bewarewin.
On the first place, in the bible it is said that we should love our neighbors as we should love ourselves. They are our brothers so why should we keep on hurting them, by using that N word.
Maybe we could be models by not ever saying that word again.
@missliss08 (766)
• United States
29 Jun 11
I think it is truly a hateful word and meant to be hateful. I do notice when African Americans say it to each other it doesn't seem to be hateful, but I don't understand why they do it. It is such a degrading word, meant to instill hate and disrespect.
@Angelee_27 (3460)
• United States
29 Jun 11
Hi missliss08,
I agree!
That is exactly how I feel about it. I too do not understand why African American's call each other this either, considering how derogatory the word is.
That is exactly how I feel about it. I too do not understand why African American's call each other this either, considering how derogatory the word is. 1 person likes this
@misslindsie (245)
• United States
1 Jul 11
It just makes me sick when someone says that. It either makes them feel good or they are from the south and act like you are not going to get in trouble. No one should say that to someone or they would get slapped, beated, or killed.
@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
30 Jun 11
Perhaps the n word you are referring to is nipple? I have 2 and so do you, so whats the problem? or is this word nincompoop?
A nincompoop is a person who has more than 2 nipples. I went to school with a boy who had 3 nipples, and was that boy ever proud of his third nipple! Who could blame him for being a complete nincompoop!
@jeneias (608)
• United States
29 Jun 11
I think I've been a little desensitized to the word. My father/uncle use the word daily, but of course not in a rude or disrespectful way. I personally don't say the word at all because I just don't feel right saying it. But I have nothing wrong with it unless it's used to disrespect someone. Some people might think that it shouldn't be said at all but honestly, there's no getting around it now. It's become the norm for some people and they just will not stop because you tell or ask them to.
@knoodleknight18 (917)
• United States
30 Jun 11
It's just a word like any other. How we view it internally is a different matter.
But basically it's usually used as a form of reverse discrimination or a derogatory term by bigots. It either needs to be accepted or not used. You don't hear any other groups engaging in such a double standard.
It really comes down to the individuals and context of it's use. There are plenty of Afro-Americans that are offended by it. At the same time there are some black people who will greet their white friends with it and aren't offended if they say it back.
It's cultural, ironically the culture it was meant to degrade became more accepting of it; while the other side demonized its use. Had both sides gone in the same direction it probably wouldn't be a big deal.
There are a lot of words like this, and because we are taught they are bad and hateful we grow up associating them as such. In reality there's no sense in shedding blood over a word. As the saying goes, sticks and stones, but not words.
@bostonphil (4459)
• United States
29 Jun 11
I, personally, have never used the word when speaking about an African-American person or any person who has African roots. But I live in Central Texas and I have heard the word used in a very derogatory manner. it is really jarring to hear it. It is not the word itself. it is how it is used -- the way it is spoken and what it means. The persons who I have heard use the word say it with such hate.
I have not heard the word in many years. Things have greatly improved in Central Texas.
Even when people talk about the past, they now just say the "N" word. They are not using the word in a derogatory manner -- they are talking about past history when the word was used.
In some ways, this is possibly a result of political correctness. Are we going overboard that the word itself can never be said? It can never be spoken??? When it is all said and done, it is only a word but it is an ugly word that was used in a derogatory manner about a group of people just because of the color of their skin.
Are you aware that Tom Sawyer was banned from a school district until the "N" word was replaced by a different word . I recently saw a feature about this on a TV program like 60 minutes or Nightline. Is this going too far? I don't know.
