The Other Side of Black-Episode Four-The “N” Word and who can use it

Some time ago I wrote an article about this very same subject and for those who may have read it, please forgive me if I repeat.  For those who haven’t read it, then please ignore this request and stand by to receive the thoughts and opinions that I possess.

For many in the African-American community this word carries with it a term of endearment and others is stinks of disrespect.  Depending on which side of this issue you find yourself on, determines what you may feel about it.  While it is in my nature to respect the thoughts and feelings of everyone, I feel that no one should allow any subject, topic or idea to define them and please do not be unwilling to except the fact that not all you converse with on this subject will change their minds.  Excepting that premise, please bear with me as I detail my thoughts on the subject.

I believe that the original title came about when the slave traders were attempting to label the slaves that they brought back from Africa and all that they knew were where most of those on board came from.  I believe that the majority had originated from the country of Niger and with the style of pronunciation of those that made this description attempt it came out nigger.  Through the years the manner in which this description was used forced it to be defined as it may appear in dictionary today.  Now does that make it alright to use, in my opinion “no” regardless of how you mean it.

As I said before there are some within the community that believe that this is a term of endearment and only has the power feared by others because it is feared and not placed in it proper place as just another word.  These same believers think it is fine to use in songs and everyday conversations because it is not a defining word for them and they strongly request all others to stop trying to revoke their right to use it.  While I can respect their rights to believe whatever they choose to believe, I have to disagree with this idea that it is okay to use this word.  My reasons for this are quite simple.

To have the right to use this word should never be determined by the color of your skin yet those who strongly advocate its legitimate use find it quite hard to accept the use of it by any other race.  How one-sided is that?  If you believe that the word is okay to use and don’t hurt anyone then you should feel the very same when this word is used by others.  Another confusing fact is many of these same believers feel very strongly and sometimes violently about being called the “B” word that rhymes with witch.  Why then is it okay to promote the inclusion of a word with a much stronger punch but refuse to accept these same premises for any other word?  All this posturing does not make much sense to me which may explain why I think that only a selected few should be able to use the “N” word.

Another major reason I believe that the “N” word should never be spoken ever in anger is because in my opinion, this word carries with it a history of death and a derogatory refrain that we as a nation need to grow beyond.  If you check your history and take a few minutes to educate yourself, you will find that this is the word that was used to justify the lynching of many.  It was the word used to ignore black America and place all those with a dark pigmentation in second class citizen category.  Remember, it began as a time where the majority of those owning slaves were of a light pigmentation even though it must be pointed out that there were those of the same degree of pigmentation that also owned slaves.  I think that those who experienced the sensation of a noose tightening around their necks as their feet dangled are the only ones who should be allowed to use the “N” word.  Not their descendants or anyone else.  This word is one that I think needs to be deserved in order to use it and that right does not transfer to the next generation or belong to anyone because of the color of their skin.  Hearing that word bothers me and sends a strong shock to my very soul.  It conjures up imagines of human beings dangling from trees not because of any the major infractions that they committed upon the community where they lived but mainly because one person who had the hearts and mind of others were able to condemn them to death just on their word.  Grown men cowering in fear of another man not because of what he possessed but because of who he was.  Grown men being reduced as a man in front of their wife and children, creating a younger generation who began to seek violence as their only means of being a man.  Slavery was a road that this nation traveled and to some we still have a long way to go but if we take a few minutes to look back, we may be able to see the clear explanation of why things are as they are today.  A very wise person said that any journey begins with the first step.  This journey began with the slave ships and is now about the use of one particular word but where will this journey end, or will it ever?