The N Word,

[Jaywebbs]

I'm unsure whether this belongs here or in Religion and politics, but here it is.
This is not an attempt to troll or anything I'm just slightly confused.

The N word is by far the most provacative racial slur that has ever been said. It is originally derived from the Latin word niger meaning Black or in some cases Slave. It has a long history and is highly controversial. Which brings me to wonder, why are there no other words that compare to it in offensiveness? The N word is the only word which has, from my personal experience, once uttered, turn a normally laid-back and care free person into a violent rage filled person. I'm not really asking why it is so offensive, I'm wondering why it's the only one so offensive.

 

[child of lileth]

Because most other people don't care. I couldn't care less if I get called a cracker, honky, chump-ski-honk, or whatever. Even dego and wop just make me laugh when I hear them.

For some reason, that's the only word people take seriously when it comes to racism.

 

[snowman6251]

There's an equivalent for Jews that I won't post because I don't know how to spell it.

Also I think a lot of people don't react to "****" well either.

 

[Agayek]

It's not the only one, just the one that the most people in the modern era are offended by. The whole thing is kinda silly, but if you start looking back through history, you'll see how the level of offense to things has shifted. 500 years ago, calling someone a heathen would cause just as much, if not more, of an offense than ****** does nowadays. Because of African slavery, and the relatively recent admission of its wrongness, we as a culture are much more sensitive to related terms.

Edit: On a quasi-related side note, being offended by any words, regardless of what they are, is a very silly reaction.

 

[TheTaco007]

My question is why some black people get offended when white people use it, but then use it when talking to each other?

(Not trying to be racist. I don't think this sentence seems at all racist, but I always feel guilty when I say "black people." I would have said "african americans" but I realize that a lot of people on this site are in Europe, and didn't know how to phrase it...)

 

[Con Carne]

Meh, most people who are offended by the "N" word, didn't even live in a time when it was used on a regular basis or even aimed toward them for that matter. They just have this hate programmed into them from previous generations.
The word I don't understand the hate for is the "C" bomb. Ladies get their panties in a bunch over that word. The UK uses that word all the time, and to my understanding it means something more along the line of "asshole" go figure lol

 

[zHellas]

There's an equivalent for Jews that I won't post because I don't know how to spell it.

I believe that would be "kike".

OT: Maybe we should make words that equal in it's offensiveness?

 

[0p3rati0n]

Because it lost it's effect over time. Decades ago if you said "I don't give a damn" it was a scandal. But after time passed and more people used it the line lost it's effect.

 

[Snarky Username]

Because no other words describe one of the most retarded thing that America as a country has done.

 

[Zero-Vash]

Been looking for a reason to share this

I think the whole hubbidy about the word is just silly

 

[ProfessorLayton]

Oh man... I want to link to the Boondocks so bad...

And it's more of the history of the word... if a word like that was used for years to cut down an entire race of people, it still has heavy meaning. Well, now I guess it's lost a bit of its meaning because I can't walk through the hallways at school or listen to a rap song without hearing it a good 10 times.

 

[Elephant Walker19]

new N word

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ns-kXeQCMk

 

[Elephant Walker19]

Been looking for a reason to share this

beat me to it.

 

[Giest4life]

I don't see what the big deal with the "N" word is. But being that I was raised in a culture were racial problems are largely kept under wraps, I have only but a vague idea about what offends people about the "N" word--******.

So basically, the "N" word is nothing but a cultural thing, and with with the turning of the wheel of time, it will too be forgotten.

 

[Lust]

The word ****** is exaggerated way too often. I thought more people would hate racist actions more than the slurs themselves.

 

[Jaywebbs]

Because no other words describe one of the most retarded thing that America as a country has done.

You mean the same thing that all countries have done and a large amount of countries do today?

 

[Zero-Vash]

Been looking for a reason to share this
*video snipped*

beat me to it.

Barely though. Good taste my friend

 

[s0denone]

Because black people are still sensitive on the subject, since it is fairly recent.
Also, it's the only racial slur to actually carry some meaning other than itself as a word.

I think it's bollocks, if I may be so bold.
Calm the fuck down and ease up on the aggressiveness. I'm not going to call anyone "******", but I wouldn't expect to have some asshole try to beat me up over saying it.

Then again that's how it goes with a lot of things.

There is a crowd that will take offensive to every racial slur you throw their way, and others who will just shrug it off. Way of the world.

 

[TheRealCJ]

Depends on where in the world you are.

Like you said, "negro" is Spanish for black (derived from latin/greek), and in Spanish-speaking countries, using the word is about a provocative as using the word "black" in the US.

Even politically correct terms in the US can annoy people. You try calling someone an "African-American" in Australia, don't expect relieved smiles of acceptance. Hell, you won't even get that if you call them an "African-Australian". You'd more likely end up facing a lecture about areas of the world that contain black people that aren't in Africa.

 

[Luftwaffles]

WASSUP MY NINJA!!!!!!


maybe because of their history??? Like being oppressed and whatnot.

Also, it depends on the culture too methinks. If i remember correctly Inuits do not like to be called Eskimos.

editAMMIT I GOT NINJAD!