by Roderic Williams

Created on: November 02, 2009

There has always been controversy surrounding the use of the N word. The main argument is that black people can say the word, but people of other races can't, mainly white people. I think that the negative connotation of the word still lingers about, and the fact that racism is still very much existent in our society, makes blacks more weary about who says that word. There is also the debate that white people say the N word with an -er at the end, while blacks use the word with an -a at the end. Somehow that changes the interpretation of the word; however, whites are still forbidden to use the N word with an -a at the end. It's almost similar to how women can call one another "b*tch" in a joking manner, but if a man says that word, then women are likely to get offended.

There are people who disagree completely with using the N word. I can see their argument, because it's a word that has represented such pain and cruelty to black people. So how can we continue to use the word and have the audacity to call it a "term of endearment"? There are also people who are in favor of only black people using the N word because they feel that they've taken the negativity of it and turned it into a powerful bonding mechanism for all blacks.

I feel indifferent on the subject. On one hand, I do use the word quite frequently to talk to other black people, and on the other hand, I look down on white people who use the word in my presence. It's a catch-22, at times I feel like there's nothing wrong with using the N word, but other times I feel such disdain when the word is uttered. There are people who advocate for never using the N word again. I doubt that will heal the pain of racism though. The N word is just a word, like any other word in the dictionary. It has no power outside of the value we place on the word. A word doesn't have to be erased to have its power taken. If we delete one racist term for black people, would that be fair for other races who still have racial slurs used against them? If we get rid of one racial slur, I say get rid of them all, black people aren't the only ones who suffer from racism. I think it boils down to education and tolerance, people who preach that to their children can help with the racism problem.

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