Friday, March 20, 2015

The Power of the "N-Word"

This past week in American Studies class, while discussing Junot Diaz's The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, the topic of the "n-word" came up. Is it okay for white people to use this word? Is it okay for anyone to use this word, and if so, when? Personally, every time I hear the word I cringe. It hurts my ears. Here's why.

First of all, the "n-word" is extremely offensive and, to me, blantantly racist. In the words of Abiola Abrams, author of "The Sacred Bombshell Handbook of Self-Love," award-winning blogger, and 'Dare' speaker, "I just don't understand why white people want to use the n-word." The word started out as "negro," and in the 17th century, turned to "the n-word" as an intentional, explicit, derogatory towards African Americans. Now, in the era of extreme political correctedness and colorblindess, the word has become the ultimate insult, and is one of the most offensive words I can think of.

Secondly, the power of language. (This is something we talk a lot about in American Studies, too). Language is the most powerful tool we have, which is something some people don't understand. When teachers tell young kids that "words hurt," they're right. Words give people the power to "name" other people, and names are what define us. Calling someone the n-word is literally giving them that name, they are forced to believe that they are that insult, they are that name. Language is powerful, and in the words of Abiola Abrams, it has reprocussions. Let's think about how we use it.

In your opinion, is it ever okay for one to use the "n-word?" If so, who, and under what circumstances?

1 comment:

  1. Ellie,
    Personally, I feel that the only people who should be allowed to say the n-word are people of color. Besides that, the only case I can see someone appropriately using the n-word is if they are quoting a piece of literature such as "The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao" to demonstrate, as you said, the power of Díaz's language. And, even then, I still would not be comfortable saying this n-word out loud. I think you bring up a very good point about the power of language. I think we underestimate how powerful words actually are.

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