[Opinion] Why non-black people should not say the n-word
The n-word has been plagued with a dark and tricky history in modern media. Photo illustration by Brianna Jesionowski
September 6, 2019
The usage of the n-word has been a debate since the creation of political correctness. Despite the dark and oppressive history attached to the n-word, the black community has managed to reclaim the slur and use it as a term of endearment.
In today’s culture, the n-word is primarily used in rap music and as the punchline of a provocative joke. Numerous individuals believe the n-word should not be used by white people, while others think the word should be off-limits. What people fail to realize is if you are not black, you should not have a say in how the word is used.
There is this mentality that because it is used so often in pop culture, the word has lost its negative connotation. That mindset is incorrect because if that were the case, the videos and tweets of people aggressively using the n-word towards black people would be nonexistent. People also would not receive massive amounts of backlash for using the word.
An example of that situation is earlier this year a former Marjory Stoneman Douglas student had his Harvard admission revoked because of his use of the n-word on Twitter and in private messages. Kashuv made very racist remarks in his tweets and texts and his words cannot be excused. However, that further proves the n-word still holds a negative weight despite how it is used in the black community.
If the n-word was just a word then people would not be fired or reprimanded for using it in past social media posts. The fact that this word must be censored when it is being talked about further shows its impact. Even though the black community has changed the connotation of the n-word does not mean that it no longer holds the same effect that it produced years back.
The racist past of the n-word continues to persist in today’s society. It does not matter if you are not racist or prejudice; when a white person uses the n-word, they hold power over minorities. From a racial standpoint, a white person is still in a position of superiority over minorities.
Racism may not be as prevalent as it used to be, but it still affects minorities on a regular basis. Using the n-word if you are not black is wrong and offensive. It is not hard to censor yourself and move on with your day.
Ahmet Demirici • Oct 9, 2023 at 5:44 pm
As a Turkish person, I’ve never seen a black person until I moved to Parkland last year and I had no idea of the word’s scale.
It basically has zero meaning for me, and it was also a really popular word in my previous highschool.
Most of time we didn’t mean harm, it was just a “funny word that makes Americans furious” for us.
I personally stopped last year, when I actually saw a black person irl. (Don’t worry I wasn’t like “Oh, wow, a real black person.”, I was more like “Oh, a black person. That’s new.”)
What do you think?
Jarquavius • Apr 8, 2023 at 3:40 pm
Let’s be honest here, if you’re not black don’t complain about people saying the N-word. It’s not your issue and if a black person is offended by it they will say something. Also if all races are equal then telling people they can’t say something because they look different is stupid and non-equalizing. Lmao, these people be saying they, “reclaim” the N-word when there isn’t a single person on this earth who has had to deal with slavery, or major segregation other than a little to medium amount of racism that every single race has endured. (No I’m not saying these because I’m jealous I’m not white)
lmao • Apr 19, 2023 at 10:55 pm
This is such a laughable take. “Little to medium amount of racism”??? Are you living under a rock??? LOL. Regardless of whether you’re white or not—if you aren’t black, you don’t have a say in this. If you ARE black, you should know our race isn’t simply receiving small-scale amounts of discrimination. But if that’s /your/ personal experience then damn you’re one of the lucky few! Don’t generalize and pull everyone else into it. You said it yourself, if you aren’t black, you shouldn’t complain about people saying the n-word. So I genuinely don’t understand what your point here is. And what are you talking about— “there isn’t a single person on this earth that had to deal with slavery or major segregation.” No way you’re a real person… You have to be joking.
Also, we don’t allow whites to say the n-word just because “they look different.” Yk damn well why, and if you don’t, then you must be pig-ignorant. Worry about yourself and don’t visit articles concerning black people just so you can type out your evident ignorance.
Elin • Apr 6, 2023 at 2:52 am
I myself have racist cousins that think the slur is funny to say or to joke about. Regardless of whatever I say to them they won’t stop. My family is full of our culture as asians but this is not a part of it. I am so disgusted by this generation, its so full of ruthless and misbehaved youths.
Luciana Kohl • Jan 13, 2023 at 9:53 am
I still don’t understand if white people can’t say the n-word then no one can PERIODT
Unknown • Apr 2, 2023 at 10:28 pm
Girl what…. That’s the most dumbest shit ever
anisah steele stan • Jun 16, 2022 at 12:17 am
banger article bro when then next one dropping plz respond
Sekhmet • Apr 10, 2022 at 4:48 pm
honestly,no one should be saying it: you don’t hear any other slur be used as a term of “affection” (save for rare cases and not nearly as much as black people use the n-word). if you don’t want other people saying it,don’t say it yourself and let the word die (or at least be greatly downgraded to something that only racist idiots say). you can’t reach equality with double standards and there are better ways to show affection anyway than using a horribly outdated word with a dark past. let it die.
Chloe • Nov 1, 2021 at 12:40 pm
This is unbelievable I was at lunch and my black friend stays the n word and some white guy gets into out conversation and thinks he can say it!
Valery • Nov 16, 2021 at 1:04 pm
he can it his prob not yours
Esther • Mar 8, 2022 at 10:00 am
Mk ms. girl and yes it is saying the n-word and not being black or any type of African is a problem, and they want to help their friend out then they can do that and you saying that shows that ur a sheep and a bystander and just keep quiet when you see something and don’t say something.
amelia • Mar 18, 2022 at 12:10 pm
no he cant that is racist are you stupid
amelia • Mar 18, 2022 at 12:10 pm
valery
Adiv • Oct 16, 2021 at 10:44 pm
I still don’t really understand the concept of “one can’t say the N-word unless you’re black”. If Black lives do matter shouldn’t they reject the word instead of claiming the word? Like yeah true, blacks did change the meaning for like affection, but it still holds all that negativity to just be used against another or used as a joke. Not to mention, there are a handful of others, even blacks who take the slur offensively. So in the end, I believe that nobody should say the word regardless of their skin color. The word can be changed, but it can’t change the mistakes that it has caused in the past.
irina • Nov 29, 2021 at 3:45 pm
Saying the word has nothing to do with that. It was a word used for years to degrade and hurt the African Americans and if they choose to use that word its okay however no other race can.
Justine • Oct 2, 2021 at 8:18 pm
Honestly, it’s so troubling how people who are NOT black use that word too much. I hate the fact that a lot of people keep saying it’s just a word it doesn’t mean much ‘anymore.’ When that’s not even the case, if you’re not black, just don’t say it. That simple. I literally heard about 6-8 people who are not black (nor white either) in my school say the n-word and think it’s fine. They say it like they’re no meaning behind the word and it’s really annoying.
Dawtmin Sung • Aug 16, 2021 at 7:13 pm
I agree, it isn’t hard to not say a word that is NOT supposed to slip out of your mouth.