The N-Word

When I was growing up my parents taught me that “sticks and stones will break your
bones, but words will never hurt.” O.K. what about the the mind, soul and spirit that have no defense, for what are
sometimes called “fighting words.”

Being politically correct is usually attached to a phrase, when you do not want to offend
the subject(s) you are speaking about. Abbreviating a word is a tool that is used to show
that you are sensitive towards the meaning of the word you choose not to use. If no
offense is intended; why is it necessary to abbreviate or attach political correctness to the
phrase?

What are the origins and the motivations for someone to abbreviate one of the ugliest
words ever to be spoken? The first two words that come to my mind are ignorance and
racism.

Society today has become insensitive to the word “nigger” and it's meanining to denigrate Black
people. The origin of the word came from Southerners improperly pronouncing the
Spanish (negro) and French (noir) way of saying Black.


In the past it has been called a term of endearment or slang for Black people in the United
States. Currently non-African Americans have embraced the term in a so-called non derogatory
manner.

This has angered individuals and civil rights groups to the point of making public vows
not to use the word again publicly or privately. I am not moved or impressed. This would
not have ever come about if we did not break the rules from the start.


When you allow some people to break rules and punish others for breaking the same rule,
you are asking for problems. That is tantamount to laws of the land being for some
people and not for all the people. This is, of all things, one that African Americans should
be sensitive towards due to being the victims of race based slavery, racism and discrimination.


Credibility is seriously compromised and devalued when you allow hypocrisy and
ignorance to be a part of what you are supporting. It appears that we are at a crossroads
with who has a right or who does not have the right to use this word. The solution is
simple. It should be treated just as every vile word known to mankind is - no one should
use it.

I guarantee the following groups will be filled with displeasure and rage if they were
referred to as an abbreviated slur, to hide what is really meant and rightfully so. The b-
word (bitch) for women, k-word (kite) for Jewish people, g-word (guinea) for Italians, f-word (faggot) for gay men, d- word (dike) for gay women, c-word (cripple) for the physically challenged, w-word (wetback) for Mexicans, s-word
(spic) for Hispanics or Latinos. Does the abbreviation lessen or sanitize the meaning of any of
these?

There are some musicians who use the word nigger in their lyrics as a way of freedom of
expression, and it is tolerated. If the same musician used the following lyrics my kite, my guinea, or my faggot. How long would it take for the music executives to have those expletives deleted?

If the African American community placed as much value on education, as we do on who
can or cannot say a racial slur. There would not be a question of being politically correct –
just CORRECT.

Abbreviating words does not change the meaning of what I feel in my heart. If I call you
the A-word (asshole) because you use the n-word (nigger), does that make you any less of an asshole?

No, I think not.