You know how it is said words have power? The N word was used derogatively to refer to black people. I imagine black people grew real tired of that shit real quick. But over time, they fought back by depriving the derogatory nature of the N word by using it to refer to each other harmlessly. They owned the N word. Now, it is considered extremely respectful for anyone who is not black to not use that word to refer to black people without permission. Why? Because in being respectful to not using that word, you are acknowledging the plight of a generation of black people. That’s real classy.
Haha I could’ve structured that better - in this case I’ve said “not use that word to describe black people”, should work no? Or maybe I’m missing something??
It’s “mathematically” correct but the extra “not” gets easily lost and is in a weird place. Plus it’s not specifically respectful to avoid the use of the word but rather it’s just common decency. In your sentence it puts more weight on the act of not saying it, as if using it is fairly normal and not using it takes some amount of effort.
It is usually better to use phrases like “it is considered disrespectful” over ones like “it is not considered respectful” even though they technically mean the same thing. The first is postively a bad thing and the second is negatively a particularly good thing, if that makes sense. Nuance is tricky business.
I think “it is considered extremely disrespectful for anyone who is not black to use that word […]” would have been clearer, or at least make it harder to miss the “not”.
From Wiktionary (I’m not posting a link, look it up yourself):
There have been efforts by those of African descent to reclaim the word (especially in the form n___a), but these efforts are controversial and some people do not believe it is able to be reclaimed due to its fraught history and continued derogatory usage. Regardless, usage by non-blacks is still almost invariably considered highly racist and offensive.
That doesn’t seem to be a reclaiming of a word (since it wasn’t previously used in a good way), but a reuse of a historically insulting term. I can respect the effort, but I still cringe when hearing it used as an amiable word. I don’t know if that makes me racist because I have trouble moving past it being a slur and distasteful. Maybe it’s still too new and it’s going to take a few generations to become more normalized.
“Reclaim” is still the term we use for that, even though just “claim” or “seize” might be more fitting. See also
homophobic slur
removed
which some LGBT+ people use in an almost tongue-in-cheek way to refer to themselves and each other, as a way to invert and defang the hostility with which it is used by bigots.
Here’s something that most people need to know: not all black people feel the same way about that word.
Some called me an “N-word” in a positive way and were okay with me using it around them (I wasn’t). Some only want other black people to use it. Some don’t want anybody saying it.
As a white person in a committed relationship with a black person, no. It’s always a trap! Never say it! (Jk I know everyone is different, but I will never)
Can I ask where in the world you live? Not to be rude but just that I’m curious because this is one of those things that “everyone knows” in the US at least. Can’t listen to a lot of rap music without hearing it a lot!
Coming from a non anglo culture let me tell you, that debate about the use of the n-word doesn’t go the same way everywhere because the historic background is vastly different…
Only black people use that word? Why?
You know how it is said words have power? The N word was used derogatively to refer to black people. I imagine black people grew real tired of that shit real quick. But over time, they fought back by depriving the derogatory nature of the N word by using it to refer to each other harmlessly. They owned the N word. Now, it is considered extremely respectful for anyone who is not black to not use that word to refer to black people without permission. Why? Because in being respectful to not using that word, you are acknowledging the plight of a generation of black people. That’s real classy.
Interesting, thanks.
looks like you’re missing a negation here. It’s the opposite of “extremely respectful” ;)EDIT: disregard
Haha I could’ve structured that better - in this case I’ve said “not use that word to describe black people”, should work no? Or maybe I’m missing something??
It’s “mathematically” correct but the extra “not” gets easily lost and is in a weird place. Plus it’s not specifically respectful to avoid the use of the word but rather it’s just common decency. In your sentence it puts more weight on the act of not saying it, as if using it is fairly normal and not using it takes some amount of effort.
It is usually better to use phrases like “it is considered disrespectful” over ones like “it is not considered respectful” even though they technically mean the same thing. The first is postively a bad thing and the second is negatively a particularly good thing, if that makes sense. Nuance is tricky business.
oh, i see. You’re right, I guess I misread.
I think “it is considered extremely disrespectful for anyone who is not black to use that word […]” would have been clearer, or at least make it harder to miss the “not”.
From Wiktionary (I’m not posting a link, look it up yourself):
That doesn’t seem to be a reclaiming of a word (since it wasn’t previously used in a good way), but a reuse of a historically insulting term. I can respect the effort, but I still cringe when hearing it used as an amiable word. I don’t know if that makes me racist because I have trouble moving past it being a slur and distasteful. Maybe it’s still too new and it’s going to take a few generations to become more normalized.
“Reclaim” is still the term we use for that, even though just “claim” or “seize” might be more fitting. See also
homophobic slur
removed
which some LGBT+ people use in an almost tongue-in-cheek way to refer to themselves and each other, as a way to invert and defang the hostility with which it is used by bigots.
Huh, your slur got removed. Didn’t realize World did that, thought it was just ml or something.
Yeah, that was news to me, I wasn’t sure if it was just my client. I’m not complaining - but I’ve been half-expecting an automatic ban!
Banning would create a lot of false positives
It’s because you grew up in a different culture that you feel that way. Nothing wrong with it.
Not really to your comment, but adjacent to it.
Here’s something that most people need to know: not all black people feel the same way about that word.
Some called me an “N-word” in a positive way and were okay with me using it around them (I wasn’t). Some only want other black people to use it. Some don’t want anybody saying it.
A lot of white men with a lot of black friends very often make one crucial error:
That N-pass is only good for your friends.
As is any reclaimed slur when you’re not part of said social minority. (e.g. removed, dyke…)
Ninja edit: Lmao I’m getting censored by either the lemmy instance or my 3rd party app (Jerboa). For reference it was f*****
Lemmy world auto-remove certain slurs
They’re not very extensive though ^^
Yeah ml is much more restrictive.
It’s easier to moderate but it might also increase the likelyhood of Scunthorpe problems.
As a white person in a committed relationship with a black person, no. It’s always a trap! Never say it! (Jk I know everyone is different, but I will never)
Can I ask where in the world you live? Not to be rude but just that I’m curious because this is one of those things that “everyone knows” in the US at least. Can’t listen to a lot of rap music without hearing it a lot!
Coming from a non anglo culture let me tell you, that debate about the use of the n-word doesn’t go the same way everywhere because the historic background is vastly different…
Non-US, correct.
The only country where it had these historical negative connotations is the USA, so he might be from literally any other country on earth
There are countries that are probably more aware of the connotations through their connection to the US, I figured.