From today’s music, comedy shows, and top blockbuster movies, the “N” word, also known as “Nigger,” is thrown around without a single thought. Sitting in the library one will experience multiple conversations using the downgrading slur as if there is not another way to express love to his or her peers. In a 10-minute sitting, the “N” word was used 30 times.
So what’s so bad about this word? First, one must understand the history behind it’s meaning to fully grasp its negative connotation. Students across the campus were asked if they knew the history of this infamous word? Most students know only of its use during slavery and the civil rights movement when whites were the only people who used it against blacks.
Nigger can be traced to the Latin word niger, meaning black. Soon it traveled to the English language where negro meant black person, and the color black in the Spanish language. Later in the French language niger had been transformed to negre and negress (black woman).
When did Nigger become such a degrading word? As the students had known, in the 1800s, the southerners of America had mispronounced the word Negro and the word nigger was born. Ever since, the use of the word Nigger had been a racial epithet towards blacks. It is the cruelest word in American history to date, not just used against blacks, but Africans and African Americans.
So why do we use it? Junior Royce Norsworthy says, “It’s nothing personal against anybody, it’s just a figure of speech. It’s a part of my everyday language.” Unlike Norsworthy, all students don’t use the “N” word. Junior Jasmine Goudeau states,”Everybody has a name, why label someone as the ‘N’ word? If you know the definition behind it, why wouldn’t you take in effect what they labeled us?”
It seems as if every person has an opinion and spin on the word, whether it be nigger or nigga. Is there a difference in these two words? It depends on how you use it says Junior Chris Taylor, “If I’m saying, ‘what’s up my nigga?’ then it’s not bad. But, if I say, ‘I hate that nigga.’ then it is a problem.”
Nigga is actually more gender specific when it comes to African-American youth, and it usually refers to males. Older African-Americans don’t see it that way. It is offensive no matter who may use it in his or her language. “I think that the word has been taken and used to another meaning,” says Marvin Daniels, a library assistant. “A nigga is really a stupid person. We are not stupid people and never have been.”
In understanding the actual history, which goes beyond slavery, one shouldn’t be offended by the use of the word. On the other hand, during the 1800s up to today, the word is infused with negativity, and because of this, some feel that it should be removed from the English language. Whether the “N” word is used in a friendly manner, or offensive, it is the responsibility of the black culture to show other cultures how they should be portrayed.