http://www.ferris.edu/jimcrow/caricature/
Click the link above and read the article on the history of the "n" word. How is it that words come to have such power in them? Is it because of the word itself; how it is said; to whom and by whom it is said? Do words change in context and over time, or is the history of the word always prevalent? Post your thoughtful response by the end of school on Monday. Remember to post to another classmates' response if you're not first. Enjoy your weekend.
Words come to have such power in them when they are used often to insult a person or race of people. It is not the sounding of the word or anything like that, it is just the horrible connotations associated with the word. A word needs to be used a lot by a race of people against another race in an extremely derogatory way for a word to become as offensive as the n word is. Words can change in context over time, as the n word currently is in some black communities. It can be a term of endearment if one black person says it to another, but I do not think it will ever be acceptable for a white person to say even in the very far future. The history of the n word is still used by whites to insult black people in some places and that prevents it from being completely in the past and prevents it from being covered up. I think the history of the n word will always be prevalent and an insult to blacks when used by whites.
ReplyDeleteThe “n” word came about just as a way to classify people who are black. The reason it became known as such a “bad” and racist word is from the way it was used throughout the early days of our nation. When slavery still existed, black people were treated extremely poorly and were seen as property. Because of this, the “n” word changed from being a classification to a word that expressed a person as weak, worthless, unimportant, or just plain old bad. Because the way these people saw blacks and treated them, the context and use of the “n” word totally changed. An example of words associated with the “n” word are: to “n”: To wear out, spoil destroy, “n”ish: acting in an irresponsible manner, “n” shooter: slingshot, “N” tip: leaving a small tip or no tip at a restaurant. Obviously the context of the word has totally changed from classifying a group of people to being used as a way of describing a “worthless” person. The “n” word never would have become what it is today without the attitudes of the people who changed its meaning. Words can be changed simply by how and for what reason people use them for.
ReplyDeleteOver the years, words can change in meaning like the “n” word did long ago. Recently, the “n” word has really not changed in meaning at all. It is still seen as an extremely racist and “bad” word to say. Reasons for this may be just because it was used so much and for so long in evil manners that it cannot be seen otherwise. Even so, many black communities have used the word while greeting each other in a manner of more just classifying themselves as people. This type of use is similar to how it was originally used long ago. The use of the word by whites though brings back historical meanings and therefore is seen as extremely "bad." Without slavery, maybe the “n” word would be used the same as classifying a religious group or a type of people.
I agree with Carl in that it is not the sounding of the word that gives it meaning but more the connotations and how it is used. These connotations made it extremely powerful. The "n" word is a "bad" word to say by whites because of how it was used by whites in the past.
Words have power mostly from the connotations associated with the word. The connotations associated with the “n” word are very negative and hurtful. The “n” word means “a black person, member of the dark skinned race, member of socially disadvantaged class” (Merriam Webster). Used in pejorative terms in relation to African Americans by whites, this holds negative connotation. How the word is interpreted is based on the tone, manner, attitude and context of how the word was said. If said by a white an African America could easily be offended depending on ‘how’ it was said. The “n” word was used for so long in relation to the African Americans as an expression of lazy, animalistic, unintelligent, repellent beings that had no worth. They were barely considered humans, but as “slaves”. Overtime words do and can change, developing new meanings. The “n” word already holds a different meaning when used in African American communities. However, it does carry its long history and must be used with caution by whites. Its history and bad connotations came because of how the word was used. This proves that words derive their meaning not from how the sound or mean so much as how it is used.
ReplyDeleteas i have shown through my response, i perfectly agree with carl that how a word is used gives it meaning. Since brendan agrees with carl too i also agree with brendan. they made some good points. i also think that brendan might be right in saying that the "n" word might not have become such a bad word if it hadn't been used as such during times of slavery.
ReplyDeleteThe “n” word once began as simply a Latin word meaning black. It was once a descriptive name. But it was then used as a derogatory name towards African American’s in their time of slavery. Back then being African American was a degrading thing. So the word soon transformed into a whole knew meaning. The “N” word now meant disgusting, ugly, poor, etc, basically all the associations with black people of that time. The word soon didn’t just related to African american’s but to other people and situations as well. It was used for objects like a “n” stick, as a police officers bat, being “n” rich meant being in great debt, and “n”ish meant acting irresponsibly. People also began using it as loathsome nicknames of other races or religions. People called Asians yellow “n”s and jews white “n”s. As slavery and segregation finally ended the word was hardly used again. Nowadays the word is rising up again in the language. Most still feel uncomfortable saying it because of the terrible history that comes with the word. However, I believe that this word could eventually come back into our language as a more common term than it is now. Look at the word gay. A long time ago it meant happy. Then it became an offensive word, calling someone gay for being wimpy. Or using the phrase “that’s so gay” as a way to put others down. But now the world has opened up and gay is used as a more descriptive and regular term for someone attracted to the same gender. This is what makes me see how the “n” word could potentially come back as a descriptive word for black- the literal meaning in latin. Yet, I still feel this could take a long time because the past is still recent and too vivid for us to forget the associations with that word.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Bethany: I agree with Bethany in her statement that the word is filled with past associations and that specifically whites must be carefully when using it. Although right now it may be ok for an African American to call each other than or refer to themselves or friends as an “n” in their raps, it’s still a sensitive subject to whites, and can still be seen as offensive if used.
The "n" word originated as a derogatory name for people who are black. It was used and continues to be used to describe black people in a unfavorable light. A "nigger" was lazy, stupid, violent, and self indulgent. The word became powerful because it was used to create a racial hierarchy in the United States. The reason the "n" word became so powerful is because it created a divide between the whites and blacks. White people were taught that blacks were nothing but niggers and therefore did not deserve respect or rights. However the meaning of the word has changed over time and now the word is used in two separate ways. The first is similar to its original use. To insult black people and classify them as a certain type of person. It is used derogatorily to put down black people. But it is also used as a term of endearment in urban black areas as well as other parts of the country. This version of the word is often pronounced "nigga", ending with an "a" as opposed to an "er". This word is used as slang for your friend or brother. I think that this is counterproductive to trying to eradicate the negative connotation of the word. Because it creates an atmosphere where people are using the word in two different ways. If a white man called a black man his nigga it could be interpreted at he is calling him his brother or he is insulting him. This is a dangerous middle ground. Additionally, I don't think that just ignoring the word and calling it the "n" word is helpful. We all know what the word is. If some one says, "the N-word" you just think in your head, "He means nigger". Its just a way to say the word without actually saying it. The word can never lose its history and therefore will never be shook of its meaning. I disagree with Carl that it will never be accepted for whites to say it. I think that it is already accepted in many cultures. In New York it was said all over the place by people of every race. It was never used in a derogatory way just as a term of endearment. I think that in the upper valley it is still a huge taboo to use the word but in many places in the country where there is more racial diversity the word has become part of the common lexicon.
ReplyDeleteI think that certain words become powerful when they are used to gain power by people. When a word is used in a derogatory or belittling way then it becomes a word that has a negative power. I think that the idea of using the words come from the word is self. The "n" word is a perfect example of this because its origin is the latin word meaning "black". I think this is interesting because the word "black" is a socially acceptable term for someone who is African-American or of a certain skin color, but in truth it really means the same thing as the "n" word. I think that who says the word is an important part of what a word means. Because the "n" word was originally used by whites in a derogatory manner towards blacks it has become a bad word.
ReplyDeleteI think that the history of a word is important because it helps the user of the word understand why and when it is to be used and how it got to that point. With the "n" word its history is especially important because it really has defined how it is used today. The "n" word was originally used to belittle black people and push them down the social ladder. Now because of the civil rights movements people are strongly against putting down people who are a different race. This is why it is often seen as acceptable for black people to call other black people the "n", because they have the excuse of being the same race as those who they are calling a certain name. The context of words can certainly change over time, but I think that they change because of their history and how the world surrounding the word has changed.
I agree with what Sammy said about the root of the "n" word and how it has changed over time. I also think she makes a good point about the word possibly being able to become a comfortable word in our language again as we start to repair the damage racism has done to our country. I also think that also the logical connection to the "n" word from its Latin root to its usage today is still too strong of a connection for a lot of people to feel like it is an acceptable word to use.
The “n” word was used as a title to classify people of the coloured race it simply meant black. The reason it became known as a derogatory and prejudiced word was because of the context it was used in. This word came around in the early days when slavery existed, when people of the coloured race were seen as property. This is how the “n” word changed from just being a classification to being to a word that was demeaning to the coloured race. The “n” word was soon not only related to African-Americans they were also related to other people as well. The word was used in many different ways for instance being “n” rich meant a person being in grave debt. Not only was the “n” word used for only the coloured race it also became known for religions for example people who were Jewish became known as white “n”s. Overtime words do and will change, evolving into new meanings. The “n” word has not changed meaning it has stayed true to be a racist and inferior word to say. This might also be because of is severity towards people of different race and how we remember in the past how the “n” word was used. Although it seems as if the coloured race using the “n” word within them is okay, but this does not justify how the whites had used it making the “n” word a “touchy” subject for many people.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Carl when he says that it is not how the word sounds or the meaning, but it was the way that whites used it in the past, which made the “n” word seem derogatory when used by whites.
Most words used today have slightly different meanings than they did in the past. The Romans used the word “niger” as a descriptive word for black objects, yet they didn't use this word to describe colored people. “Niger” was an everyday word with no known negative connotations, even though the Romans had thousands of colored slaves. As slavery again developed into a very profitable trade fifteen hundred years later, especially in the Americas, the “n” word for colored people became a derogatory term. There is, however, one major difference between Roman and American slavery: the Romans had just as many, if not more, white slaves as black slaves so they could not necessarily label all slaves with the negative term “niger.” It is clear in the case of this word its intended meaning relies entirely on the different contexts used over time. It does not matter who says a word or the definition of the word; all that matters is the intended meaning and the context of the word. There are many words, such as the “swear” words in today's culture, that have developed nefarious meanings over time. I think that Sammy has a great example for this in the word “gay”. It is used in many different ways, both positive and negative, but increasingly more frequently is positive ways. A couple decades ago the word “gay” may have been seen as a wholly negative word, or simply “happy,” but in another two decades in may be positive with only some traces of negativity left over from the past. Though I don't think the “n” word will come to be used as a neutral descriptive word in America, simply because slavery left such a black mark on our history as a nation, there are many words that may change from negative to positive, or even from positive to negative, in future years. it all depends on the contexts.
ReplyDeleteWords obtain power in the same way as anything else. Christianity prevailed throughout the middle ages because people believed in it and supported it. Our current president became president by having people support him. Words are no different. Words gain power because people support them and use them. The “n” word is not the only racial slur that America has come to see. The “J” word was widely used in the states and overseas during World War II and the War in the Pacific. In both cases, the majority of people in the states had a similar mindset. They all thought that these “n” or “j” word people were all just the same people with the same stereotypes.
ReplyDeleteThere lies the problem. If most people in a population believe in something, that no doubt has an effect on multiple aspects within the country. The government is affected by politicians having stereotypical ideas about a certain race. The social aspects of the people are affected because the stereotyped race is often eschewed.
I believe that the word is changing in context, but not in a good way. The “n” word is becoming much more frequently used. Ironically, it is the black people that use the word the most. Many rap artists that are black seem to endorse the term as something to spice up their songs. It would seem that the “n” word has become the same as any other derogatory English swear. What makes it worse is that these songs are quite popular especially among teens. These songs in some sense actually advertise the “n” word and other swear words to younger generations. Since some young minds are “underdeveloped” according to some, teens automatically turn these words into stereotypes.
On the bright side, as a word gets used a lot, it becomes diluted. If people no longer find offence to a word, then it loses its meaning. This ties back to what I said earlier about how a word gains power if people support it and use it. If people no longer support and use the word, then it loses its meaning and it becomes null. However, there lies the second problem. The word is losing its power, but people are using it more and more. This is about the limit of my understanding, because I don’t see how using such a hateful and belittling word so much can make it any better for the human ear to listen to. In my personal opinion, using the “n” word a lot turns the soothing sound of the English language into a cacophonous noise.
I liked Henry’s interpretation of the word as he said it was a way for the white people to gain power. The white people were taught that the black people were nothing but lazy people with violent tempers. This, is what I think is the buzz that started the noise. Racial slurs don’t disappear overnight. In fact, I doubt they’ll ever disappear in general. I agree when Henry says that it’s considered taboo to say the “n” word in Hanover. I’ve never heard it spoken here. Let’s hope it stays that way. I like to live listening to the beautiful song of the English language rather than the dissonant noise of all these jumbled up derogatory terms.
Words can come to have great power for many reasons. One way a word can have great power is the way it is said and by whom it is said and to whom. The word nigger for example is spoken with hatred by whites directed at Africans and African Americans. When a word is used to demean and completely disrespect a whole group of people the power of that word increases. And the more the people referred to in the term hate the word that makes it even more powerful.
ReplyDeleteWords definitely change context over time and the word nigger is a great example of that. In the past, the word nigger was a horrible word used against blacks, but over time it has come to be a word that African Americans use with each other with no problem at all. The nigger or “nigga” has become part of their everyday speech witch has helped to decrease the power of the word. But the history of the word is always prevalent, because while black people can call each other it, it would still no be ok for a white person to call a black person a nigger.
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ReplyDeleteI agree with Henry that we shouldn’t ignore the word nigger by calling it the n-word. That just gives the word more strength when a lot of times as Henry mentioned people of all races use the word nigger without being derogatory. People should say the word nigger so it isn’t as big a deal when someone says it. I don’t think I can remember a time when I heard somebody use it in a derogatory way against a black person. So if it isn’t being used in a bad way there is no reason not to say it.
ReplyDeleteThey way the "n" word has gained so much power is through the negative connotation of it due to its past. In our country's history, this word was used derogatorily and really scarred our nation. It was used to put an entire race of people to shame, to make them feel horrible about their identity and who they were. Today, I agree with Liam when he says that we continue to give it this power by ignoring it. The word is used in rap music by all different ethnicities of people, and this has most definitely helped decrease its power. Its very controversial to say we should incorporate this word into our everyday speech, in a non hateful way of course, because it may not decrease its power. Doing this could start many arguments because our nation hasn't healed from the scars of slavery or segregation, and it is a very sensitive subject. For me personally, I could not incorporate the word into my everyday speech and feel comfortable, or at least it would take me a while to get used to using it.
ReplyDeleteWords have power by what they stand for. In the article it said that, “Historically, “n” defined, limited, and mocked African Americans. It was a term of exclusion, a verbal justification for discrimination.” The “n” words meaning was hateful from the beginning, which gave it power. For instance, since it was so bad, you only brought it out at the worst times. You wouldn’t call anyone in your family such a hateful and offensive word. It’s like our modern curses; you only bring them out when it’s especially bad. I think a words power is also about who is it said to, and what your relationship with that person is like. Your tone plays a big role in your dialect because if you are serious, they will know you mean it. If you say something sarcastically they will understand you aren’t using it to offend them. I think words do change overtime. For example, the “n” words use definitely shifted. It went from being a very serious and heinous word to a word that people almost jokingly use among themselves and to their friends. People say it openly in poems and songs as the article stated. I think that history has a huge role in the context of a word, but it doesn’t mean that the use of it will stay the same generation after generation. Although, most people I know probably wouldn’t dare to say it, I’m sure there are different takes on this topic across the country.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Sammy, I agree with her examples of the words “gay,” and how its meanings have shifted back and forth between the years. I think it would definitely take a very long time for the “n” to become a word used colloquially, but it very well may happen.
Words come to gain immense power over time through repetition, continued relevancy, and background. The "n" word gained it's social connotations through its repeated use for over one and a half centuries. It carried and still carries hateful meanings and prejudiced messages. The "n" word has been used to represent many negative black caricatures and depictions in the past, as well as standing for adjective synonymous for lazy, bad, or worthless. I believe that words do change over time, and usually gain more definitions or connotations, rather than loosing any. This is because the people that use the word change, and the word has to be adapted to fit the more modern people. For example: urban blacks refer to their friends as "niggas" and have adapted the word to be used as a term of endearment. Even though the "n" word has taken on new meanings, I don't believe that its history is gone whatsoever. I think that people still know just how hurtful the word has the potential to be, and so do the urban youths who use it to refer to each other. They are probably using it in the same sense that one might refer to one's friend using the "b" word if they are particularly lucky.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what Henry said about the "n" word being adopted into other ethnicity's lexicons. He made a very good point about other racial groups using the "n" word in cities nowadays, and I think this will only continue to happen. His point about the word being taboo in the Upper Valley is especially true. In pockets where there is very little racial diversity (such as the Upper Valley) the "n" word and other such modern ethnic slang will not be adopted for a long time in my opinion.
Words carry the power of the speaker. The speaker possesses his or her own power for one of two reasons, they are given power by those to whom they speak, the listeners, or they impose the power given to them by resources, strength, and oppression. When Obama addresses the nation, millions from across the country tune in to listen, and to try to hear in his words a solution to their problems. He has the power to do something, to solve our problems and better our world because we give it to him. We voted him into office, and in tuning in every time, we listen, we give him our attention, and we recognize him, giving him to power of support, or if not support than reluctant acknowledgment. His power, and therefore his words are powerful, only because we (not the powerless but those from where the power originates) decide to allocate to him the power he possesses. The word “nigger [please see my peer comment]” gained power through the second route, because those who originally used it in its most modern meaning (a derogator racial epithet against black people) used their resources, strength and oppressive rule to impose power on the powerless. The slave masters, politicians, authorities, and, in general, the whites of antebellum America used this word to demean, display hate, and strike down the blacks who could not choose, and were forced to listen, deprived of the right we have today: to decide to whom we lend our power. By continuing to use the word “nigger”, those who used it passed their power onto it. Today, this word still holds the power if the racism very much alive in America today. It also however, recalls a time when the cruel and the hatful who see the word through racist eyes, held the majority in government, law, and the media. it recalls a time when blacks were still subject to the punishment acceptable with being a “nigger”. In this case it seems the history of the word “nigger” is prevalent but this is not always the case. The history of the word “gay” does not match its modern meaning. Now, to say “gay” is to be treading on thin ice in many social settings. I believe that words do not maintain their most historic, or their most modern meaning, but rather they maintain their most offensive meaning, be it new or old. This is the case because when a word acquires an offensive meaning, it can never be heard with the same innocence as before.
ReplyDeleteI agree very much with Henry that We should not ignore the words we find offensive or don them with “less offensive” pseudonyms. To reference Harry Potter “fear of a name (word) only increases fear of the thing itself” – Albus Dumbledore, and I feel it is the same with the word “nigger.” We should not hide it or reference it as something else, but rather simply choose never to use it unless necessary for discussion, such as in the case of this post.
The “n” word came about from a translation of the Latin word meaning black and America’s want for a derogatory term to call African Americans. Because the word came to light during such a tensely racially charged time, it was able to spread very quickly and become much more meaningful than it might’ve had it been introduced in a more accepting period. The power of the word came from how widely spread the use was. Each time another person says it, or publishes it in their advertisements or writings or music they are contributing to it’s power and influence, it doesn’t matter if it is a black, white or a person of any other race who uses it.
ReplyDeleteThe word itself without any of its connotations simply is a descriptive word meaning black, so it is not the word itself that makes it more powerful, it is one-hundred percent because of the way it has been used. It is intriguing that blacks picked up the word in their vocabulary as a word meaning more “comrade” or something like that. They do not necessarily find it offensive when used between one another in certain contexts. But I think that the word still holds some of its negative connotations, even when used within a race, simply because its roots as a derogative term are so strong and because it can only be used at specific times without being considered a bad word. Anything with that many restrictions plainly cannot ever have a derogatory-free meaning.
Words and their meanings never change in context or over time, only their social acceptability and prevalence in language changes. I was bored on vacation at my grandmother’s house a couple years ago and came across one of those earlier versions of And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie with the “n” word in the title and all over it’s pages. Its use shocked me, because I have grown up with the knowledge that it is a belittling and pejorative word. The connotation is no different than it was 60 or 70 years ago. The difference now is that where the word was a frequent part of the language years ago, it has become much less socially acceptable and most people have realized how egregious it’s use is.
I really like the way Rita began her response, she said, “I think that certain words become powerful when they are used to gain power by people.” This statement is a very interesting and clear way of stating how the word gained so much power. This point is backed up by what Carl said about how a word really has to be used a lot, and with a very negative connotation, to get to the point that the “n” word has reached. The “n” word’s history is all about the fact that it was used as a way to bolster the white person’s false sense of superiority. Because so many people wanted to believe in this, the word quickly became one of the most vicious words in our vocabulary.
Words such as the “n” word amass such psychological power due to the association it brings with it. As explained by Dr. Pilgrim on his website, “Blacks… have internalized the negative images that white society cultivated and propagated about black skin and black people,” (Paragraph 17). These images that come with the word at every use are what makes it so powerful and the constant use has made it retain it’s power even until today. As with the “n” word the power varies between who says it and in what context. When a white person says it to a black person it is always considered derogatory and carries with it the bad images, while when two black people use it in conversation or in a greeting or in a reference it is the context that matters. Words have the capability to change in context over time. Many words that were taboo decades ago are now in common use, and vice versa. Many sayings elderly people use are laughed at by the younger generations. Even some sayings parents use are made fun of by their children. In other cases, such as the “n” word, I agree with Carl that the history will always be prevalent. It will always depend on the word and how people used it, whether it changes or remains with the same connotations and context.
ReplyDeleteWords don’t become powerful due to their definition. Instead, words gain power by their connotations. The “n” word is no exception. During the times of slavery, the “n” word was used to describe a stereotypical African American, who was lazy and stupid. Along with the “n” word, many variations of the word rose. For example, “n” luck is when somebody gets luck and doesn’t deserve it. Since the “n” word and all of its variations came from a time when tension about black people was so high, the word represents that time period for us. Whenever someone mentions the “n” word, we instantly consider it derogatory, because makes us recall how terribly African Americans were treated. Therefore, words such as the “n” word don’t become powerful due to their definition. Instead, they become powerful by the people who said them and why they were said.
ReplyDeleteThat said, the nature of such words can change over time. The “n” word was originally used as a direct insult to African Americans. Over time, however, this has changed. People use the “n” word as slang on the streets. Even African Americans who meet each other use greetings such as, “Wasup “n”ers.” Rappers, especially African Americans, have chosen to use it in their rap music. If the “n” word still had the meaning it had many years ago, then Black people wouldn’t use the word as often as they do. The fact the African Americans have begun to use this word demonstrates that its power has been subdued.
While the “n” words power has faded over time, I do not believe that it will ever go away completely. History can not be completely left behind. For example, my mother’s roommate in college was from the Southern United States. When they were studying the Civil War, my mother was surprised at how differently they had been taught about the war. My mother had been taught that the war was to end slavery, so that African Americas would be free. Her roommate had been taught that the was fought because the South wanted the North to stop telling them what to do. This story proves that history doesn’t fade completely. The North and South still feel angry at each other over the civil war, which is reflected when they teach about the war to their students. In the same manner, I believe the meaning of the “n” word will never completely go away. History can’t be erased or forgotten, so this word will always be considered a bad word to some extent.
I agree with what Ziqi said about how words gain power through the people who use them. If fewer people had used the “n” word, it wouldn’t have become as powerful. I also agree with Brendan’s statement about how words can change over time. Each generation views the world from slightly different eyes as the previous one. Finally, I also agree with Bethany’s statement that the “n” word is most powerful due to its connotations. Without them, using the “n” word would be no different from calling someone mindless of dumb.
The "N" word has allot of power. But also an ever changing definition. It got to be this way because of generations of derogatory and offensive use. Started to refer to brutish and ignorant slaves, the "N" word was then adopted to refer to any lazy or unwanted black person. It was considered common practice to use the "N" word in common advertisements and products. This then evolved to having black people say it the "N" word in a friendly and almost positive way. However the word nigga is now considered colloquial terminology in black majority neighbor hoods.
ReplyDeleteThe evolution of words is never changing shown to us by the "N" word. The "N" word is still extremely offensive when used in context to have it be so. However when not used in offensive context this extremely hurtful word is completely neutralized. This is because in situations where an entire race is singled out, that race will try desperately to stop the offensive use or that term. In the case of the "N" word it was neutralized by having its meaning changed from useless and brutish to brother or friend. Rap has played a key role in the pacifying of the "N" word. Rap has become the one media based product that has had people openly saying the "N" word with ether positive or negative connotation. Just the exposure to the public makes a word like the "N" word less powerful because people are used to it being said and so it fazes them less. The word Nigga has become so commonly used that it now has the simple slang of "NIG". The use of slang is because something is said often enough to need to be shorter. The fact that the "N" word has evolved enough to have its own short term and be commonly featured in pop culture shows that no matter how offensive a word is people will eventually neutralize it to ovoid racism.
Black people are often referred to as the “n” word; a derogatory title that implies that they are objects, or like Brendan said, property. It was mainly employed during slavery, when masters would talk harshly to their slaves as if they were their possession (which they were at the time). The word gave power to the speaker, and therefore lessened the control that the slave had. This split the gap between whites and blacks and the control continually favored the whites, putting blacks at the bottom. Once the people started to use this slur, hatred eventually became even more geared towards slaves. It is not only known as awful because of the word itself, but also because of how it is said. Because it had such a powerful meaning back then, when it is used these days, it brings back that derogatory meaning. By whom it is said also is significant these days. Referring to colored people, the word is even more demeaning when used by white people today. I think that when they say it, it brings us back to those times that were very hard for most negroes. However, when negroes say it themselves, it is somewhat okay because they are referring to the bad times that they endured. The history of this specific word is always prevalent and reminds us how those people were treated. The connotation doesn’t differ nowadays but more and more people try to eschew from using it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Oren that this type of word is most often heard in urban areas. That is because there is diversity throughout cities and a lack there of in rural places. Personally, it should be shunned upon whenever the “n” word is said, no matter what the speaker is trying to say.
The "n" word is a name used to make people who are black feel powerless and worthless. They are put into the regular noun case and not the proper noun case. It's etymology comes from the Latin word "niger" meaning black. Saying someone is a nigger is like calling woman a "slut" or "whore". It makes black people feel insecure about themselves when they are just like any white person. Many people feel power over using this word every time they say it. Like what Claudia said, the tone of your voice plays a big role in your dialect. If you are around your friends and one of them is African American and you call them a nigger for fun, it most likely won't phase them or make them upset. However, if you are in public and an African American walks into the restaurant you are in and you blatantly call them out and call them a nigger, it's cruel. Your tone in your voice when you called that person out was serious and racist. The "n" word is still used today, but not as often. More people are accepting of colored people. If it was still the 1860's or 1950's, the word nigger would have more effect on people and you would most likely hear your parents or neighbors calling people niggers often.
ReplyDeleteLike Elise, I agree with Oren that the "n" word is most often heard in urban areas, like New York City. If you were to observe a group of African Americans for a week in an urban city, you would hear them call their friends niggers and refer to themselves as a nigger. That doesn't mean that the"n" word isn't a baqd word to say. It is still used today, but we don't see or hear it as often. I don't think there will ver be a time where you won't hear or see the "n" word being used. It may transform into another cruel word in the future, but the meaning of the word will be the same as the meaning of the "n" word.
Words only have power because of the meaning we ascribe to them. By themselves, they are simply vocal intonations, sound caused by the movement of air over our mouth, vocal chords, and throat. It is the repetition of use, the circumstance they are used in, that makes them more than simply noise. Words, and the meaning of words, change over time, based on how they are used. For example, “Nigger” evolved from the Spanish “Negro,’ which simply means “Black.” However, because it was used by white Slave owners, it because a racial slur, bringing up a history of cruelty, degradation, and oppression. When a white uses it to refer to a black, it basically is saying “Your kind used to be my kind’s slaves.” And “You are inferior because of that.”
ReplyDeleteIt is possible for a word to escape it’s history. Today, Black will sometimes affectionately use the word “Nigga” to refer to each other, as a term of fellowship, or admiration. The history of the word is still present, but the meaning is changed.