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Quote:

A focus on the 'N Word'
Trio has documentary on cultural changes
Sunday, July 4, 2004 Posted: 8:00 AM EDT (1200 GMT)
http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/TV/0....ap/index.html

NEW YORK (AP) -- While music shopping one day, author Stanley Crouch heard a group of people behind him toss the N-word around in casual conversation -- with familiarity, not contempt.

Annoyed, he turned around to see four or five friends dressed in baggy shirts, huge pants nearly falling off and baseball caps turned backward.

They were white.

"I said to myself, 'Something's not correct at this moment," Crouch recalls in "The N Word," a documentary that doubles as a social history and proof of the dynamic, evolutionary force of language.

The film premieres Sunday on Trio at 9 p.m. EDT/PDT, the centerpiece of a week where the cable channel hands over programming to Chuck D, leader of the groundbreaking rap group Public Enemy and a radio host on the liberal Air America network.

At his behest, Trio will also air a documentary about the 1990s rap wars, "Biggie & Tupac," a Public Enemy concert special and the movies "A Rage in Harlem," "Cooley High" and "Nothing But a Man."

"The N Word" also prominently features Chuck, a New Yorker filmed incongruously with palm trees in the background.

For many blacks, the N-word can never be anything other than a slur. Others believe that appropriating the word is like defusing a bomb. Some young whites are ignorant of the word's history and, hearing it on their favorite rap songs, even feel it's fashionable.

Chuck leaves no doubt where he stands. "Us accepting it is like somebody catching garbage and loving it," he said in the film.

In an interview with The Associated Press, he said white people have used the word with him as a term of affection, or to show they're cool.

"They don't know any better," he said. "I have to be aware of their intentions and put them in their place. It's like somebody throwing a rock at you. Are you going to sit there and have someone throw a rock at you and you're not going to say anything?"

If Crouch had heard white people use the word in the same store 40 years ago -- if he'd even be welcomed there to shop -- there's no doubt malice would be intended.

Several black celebrities are asked, in the documentary, the first time the word was used against them. Chris Rock remembers instantly the second-grade setting, the little girl's name.

The word's origins are traced back to the 17th century. Ugly footage from the 1950s and 1960s shows whites using the word to make blacks appear subhuman.

Fast-forward to the 1970s, and the peak of Richard Pryor's career. The comedian uses the word liberally in his routines.

Pryor's use of the word gave some blacks a sense of empowerment. "No one can use the word more beautifully than Richard Pryor," Whoopi Goldberg said.

But Alvin Poussaint, an associate dean at Harvard University, said there have always been some whites who enjoy watching blacks make fun of each other.

"I don't know if we gained any respect from the white community," Poussaint said. "In fact, probably the opposite."

Less remembered is that near the end of his performing days, Pryor renounced use of the word.

In the early 1990s, the word became commonplace in rap songs. Chuck laments that it was only a few years between Public Enemy's "Fight the Power" and Snoop Dogg's "Gin and Juice." He lays more blame on music executives for encouraging its use than on the artists themselves.

Ice Cube, formerly of the rap group NWA, said that to him, the word has been used so much it doesn't affect him at all.

"We've taken this word that's been a burden to us, we've been able to digest it and spit it back out as a badge of honor, as defiance," he explained in the film.

Writer-director Todd Williams unearthed some priceless footage of the end result of the N-word being used repeatedly in pop culture, with Japanese actors using the word over and over in a television comedy skit.

Stripped of context, what did the word mean?

Any moral confusion over the word's impact today isn't cleared up by the film.

"I have a psychological problem with our sanitizing the word," former presidential candidate Al Sharpton told AP. "I do understand these young people who feel they are taking a negative and using it as a hammer back. The ultimate comeback is to take a word that's an insult and use it as defiance.

"But on the other level, are you giving license to anyone to use it and take away the ugly history of how the word was used for generations?"

Chuck and Crouch both have no tolerance for debate. They compare it to other derogatory terms such as any number of ethnic slurs that still sting when used.

Chuck averred that the N-word "is not a word of love. It's a word of hatred that is thrust upon us."

I missed this last night as I wanted to watch fireworks from the window of the apartment. But it's going tg be on again all this week the the fledgling Trio network.

This interests me because it's a two faced double edged sword. To me it's just a word as in any racial slur, but to other it represents oppression and hatred, for some it's an affectionate word of belonging.

I'm looking forward to catching this later tonight.

It's too bad about this word - too bad all around.

All of this reminds me of an episode of the simpsons.

"...Yeah, and thats another thing! I resent You people using that word! Thats OUR word for making fun of YOU! We need it!!" - Homer Simpson

Two points.

When the word is used with affection the R is generally not pronounced. It's pronounced "nigga". Also when young blacks use the word part of the reason is shock value.

I think spending so much time trying to analyze what a single word does to our culture is a waste of money. If the filmmakers and producers and the people of this channel wanted to make a difference, they could have taken the money required to produce this kind of crap and donate it to urban support groups, or minority college funds, or the like.

I think that it represents a sad double-standard, where a black person could use it while a "white" person would be berated for its use. However, since our entire society governs the use of the word, I find it hard to argue that I, as "white" person, should be allowed to use it. Truthfully, it has been ingrained in my mind as a word substantially "worse" than other racial slurs. I think that anybody who says it should be seen as a person propagating racial slurs, whatever the color of their skin.

This example illustrates a common misunderstanding - that words have meaning. Words have only the meaning we assign them. It is more correct to say that meaning has words, which is why our language changes. In my experience, people who understand this distinction tend to communicate more effectively because they realize that words are just tools, and tools are at the mercy of the user.

context. situation.

i can call my gay friend "poodle" or "girly boy", but he'd be truly upset if a stranger said anything like that to him or more than likely the stranger would say something quite worse.

what you say within a circle of friends is one thing, what you say to an anonymous group of people is quite another.

with my close friends, i swear like a sailor, but in circles outside my close friends, i refrain from swearing.

having said all that, i would never use the N-word even in jest except to my husband when we're alone cuz it's just one of my ways to yank his chain a little bit. :D
he's knows fully well that i harbor absolutely no predjudice. he just hates hearing that particular word, although he is fully aware that the few times i do utter it that i am just trying to get his goat.

he's not fond of my using the C-word either... yknow cunt.

Nigger. Say it all together kids, NIGGER. Now say fuck, cunt, and then say nigger again.

They're not the "n-word" the "f-word" or the "c-word." They're words used in the English language, and we should not stoop to using euphemisms when having an intelligent discussion. How can you possibly talk about a word if you can't bring yourself to say the word in the first place?

I think those kids are going to have a harsh lesson one day when someone gets offended and lets them have it. But if the use of a word is going to evolve, then let it evolve. Queer and faggot used to mean different things than they do now, and obviously they didn't evolve for the best. If nigger becomes a term of endearment, then what's wrong with that? I think having one less insulting term in the dictionary is a good thing.

Pac had a good definition on Resurection. Nigger is the one with the tied rope around his neck hangin from a tree. Nigga is one with gold ropes around his neck hangin out at the clubs. lol, dunno if that has any revelance :p

My white friends and my white self say this word all the time to each other, and to date, we have enslaved zero black people. We never use the word directed towards any kind of minority, so who gives a shit if we call each other 'nigs'? It's not your business. And not saying it isn't going to rewrite history and prevent slavery, nor will saying it bring it back.

One of my best friends is black, and we shoot "the n-word" around all the time. We say it all the time, directed or not, and he uses it more than us. I think, if anything, this should show anyone that we have entirely let go of any hangups and heartache that racism causes other people like this Stanley Crouch fellow.

Quote:

Originally posted by DelayedReaction
Nigger. Say it all together kids, NIGGER. Now say fuck, cunt, and then say nigger again.

They're not the "n-word" the "f-word" or the "c-word." They're words used in the English language, and we should not stoop to using euphemisms when having an intelligent discussion. How can you possibly talk about a word if you can't bring yourself to say the word in the first place?

I think those kids are going to have a harsh lesson one day when someone gets offended and lets them have it. But if the use of a word is going to evolve, then let it evolve. Queer and faggot used to mean different things than they do now, and obviously they didn't evolve for the best. If nigger becomes a term of endearment, then what's wrong with that? I think having one less insulting term in the dictionary is a good thing.

im with you, its just a word like any other. i dont care what intent is behind it. stop crying about it and move on.

Quote:

Originally posted by animosity
im with you, its just a word like any other. i dont care what intent is behind it. stop crying about it and move on.

I am too.

Quote:

Originally posted by bartgroks
with affection the R is generally not pronounced. It's pronounced "nigga".

I do have to agree to that, it's really only when you add the R on the end that it becomes offensive. It's a common greating among my immediate peers to say 'whats up my nigga?' when meeting a friend. No harm is meant by it, it's merely a bit of fun.

After seeing the show and watching Richard Pryor recant his use of the word and his reasons behind it, I find the word more offensive in it's ignorant form more than it's actual historical form.

sort of on the subject....the black derogatory term for white people is cracka, or cracker.

I always thought it was 'cause whitey is as white as a cracker

turns out, it's from the crack of the whips. cracka crackin' dem whipz.

weak shit. words are words...call me a guinea greaseball WOP all day, I don't give a fuck. I'm still prettier than you are hehehehe.

I don't use ethnic slurs, whether it be mic, wop, cracker(a), nigger(a), kike. People who use these words in a social setting around me instantly get pinged as having no class.

I work at a hospital. I am white. I work with alot of minorities, most being black or hispanic. Cursing is, by rule, not allowed. Minor cursing is used quite frequently, but not infront of your superiors (doctors, supervisors, managers, etc....) or in front of patients and their families. There is a fine line on when and where you can use profanity, unnofficially speaking.

Personally, It's easier for me not to use it at all, thus one less worry...

My black co-workers use the "n" word quite often and most times as a term of endearment towards eachother. "Nigga, Please!", "Coz You my Nigga", "Nigga, You Crazy!", "You one Lazy Ass Nigga, Nigga better get ta work!", ect...

I have never been called a "Nigga".

I have been informed (without asking) by my black co-workers, some friends some not, that I (a white person) am "not allowed" to use that word.... ever.

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When not at work I rarely curse. I have used the "N" word before but usually when I was in a state of anger and ready to "throw down" , and not exclusively for only black people....

I rarely find myself slipping nigger into my conversations.
I am not technically racists, there are just types of people I do not like. It has nothing to do w/ there skin color.
I don't like the steriotypical image of a black kid (think thug on the side of the street)

Quote:

Originally posted by Maveric

I have been informed (without asking) by my black co-workers, some friends some not, that I (a white person) am "not allowed" to use that word.... ever.

If people around me were using this word and told me I could not use it I would turn and say to them

Quote:

Originally posted by Maveric

"Nigga, Please!"

Quote:

Originally posted by Maveric

"Nigga, You Crazy!",

Who do they think they are to tell me what words I can and can not use!?

Quote:

Originally posted by mikec
sort of on the subject....the black derogatory term for white people is cracka, or cracker.

I always thought it was 'cause whitey is as white as a cracker

turns out, it's from the crack of the whips. cracka crackin' dem whipz.

weak shit. words are words...call me a guinea greaseball WOP all day, I don't give a fuck. I'm still prettier than you are hehehehe.

I love this Forum, I learn something everyday. If it is useful knowledge or not. I too thought Cracka/Cracker was referring to a saltine.

My friends and I call eachother Cracka, cracka ass cracka (thanks to Chris Rock for this one), ckracka lovin cracka.....
This did start because one of my friends wives did not like us saying "what up nigga?" So we use Cracka.
The word nigger, nigga has been reintroduced to society (although always prevelant in a certain sect of society) by the Hip hop generation, and its use by more mainstream society shows the influence of small portion of societys impact on a broader sense. That being said, the word still does have strong connotations when used as a hurtful word, or with ill intent. but at the end of the day its just a word. People say your a shit head, or Your a Shithead.... depending on the intention it means something different, as the word nigger/nigga should.

my two cents.

Quote:

Originally posted by Temporary_User

Who do they think they are to tell me what words I can and can not use!?

Unfortunately, I was the minority in that particular department but I worked my ass off and got promoted out of there :)

Had I "rocked the boat", I wouldn't be sitting pretty in my nice new job position collecting a bigger paycheck... :D

It's a word, people

It's ugly, and reflects ignorance, but it's a word, not a sword

use your own prettier words to drown it out

Quote:

Originally posted by ubertuber
This example illustrates a common misunderstanding - that words have meaning. Words have only the meaning we assign them. It is more correct to say that meaning has words, which is why our language changes. In my experience, people who understand this distinction tend to communicate more effectively because they realize that words are just tools, and tools are at the mercy of the user.

This isn't exactly true. If I tried to use this word, being white like I am, in the company of a group of black men, then I would get my ass kicked, no matter how I intended to use it. I've heard how blacks throw this word around, and it isn't always intended by the user as a compliment - quite often it's just as nasty as it was in the 70's, but that doesn't matter. The meaning in a word is assigned by the listener, not the user.

Maybe i'm just ignorant.. but "I'm black, so i can call other black people Nigga, but if i hear a white person saying it, they're being a racist." seriously...

What the hell?

I agree with Spanxxx though. Waste of money.

http://www.neoprodigy.com/tokyobreakfast.asf
*groan*
seriously, i really don't know how to comment on something like this.
but it is on the subject, so...

The idea that a person can use the word nigger without touching upon the negative history behind it as almost as ignorant as walking into a holocaust museum with a "Hitler was a decent guy" tee-shirt. The desire in using the word today lies in it's negative history and it's negative connotation - regardless of the color of your skin. Sure it might just mean another word for friend to you but if it weren't such a hot topic word you wouldn't use it.

You can tell yourself that the word has been re-invented and that now it means a completely different thing but you're only denying the real reason that you use it. From what I've seen, most blacks use the word because they feel as if the negative history behind the word and the suffering their ancestors suffered is a badge of honor to be worn - one should never forget the past but that idea is sickening. Most whites use it today because of it's negative history and the fact that the word has some sort of power because of it's negative history.

The word nigger along with the whole social construct of race should be abolished and whiped from the minds of all human beings. Besides, the whole system of race was created to establish a non-existent and unfair difference between people. Therefore by aknowledging any part of it and by using the words nigger, craker, wop....you only perpetuate the problem.

it is a word that you cannot understand the meaing unless used in a full sentence. take the word bitch for example, when used in different context is can have a negative or positive meaning. i can say, "your a bitch" i can also say " you're my bitch". two different sentences used to express two seperate ideas. one is negative, one is not meant to be harmful at all.

Quote:

Originally posted by Cynthetiq
After seeing the show and watching Richard Pryor recant his use of the word and his reasons behind it, I find the word more offensive in it's ignorant form more than it's actual historical form.

Agreed. Claiming to use it as an act of defiance simply demonstrates ignorance. If you want to defy the label and the historical use of the word, then go get yourself an education and stop talking like some gutter trash pimp. People will take you more seriously.

Quote:

I cant imagine any INTELLIGENT discussion I would ever have where any of those 3 words would be used.

maybe it was just being raised in the south...but the n-word has always been considered a dirty word in my family and it has never and will never come out of my mouth, same as the c word I find it very offensive and the highest form of degradation (sp?) that you can give a female.

I have no problem with the f word but I still wouldnt use it when trying to carry on an intelligent conversation.

Okay, seriously...

I agree with a lot of the threads regarding words simply being tools, used at the discretion of the speaker. Also that language develops over time and words meanings can change.

The ultimate ideal in language, however, is that any word is only as powerful to you as you let it be, praise or slander. Why does it matter if I call you a cock-knocking, dick-brained greasy nigger? Why does it matter if I call you an ignorant, homosexual person of African-American decent?

a) Both are negative... because one is "politically correct" doesn't make it less negative.

b) Who the hell cares anyway? If you choose to be offended by one or the other (or neither) then that is your situation to decide. Society should not hinder my use of my native tongue due to other people's sensitivities. That seems counter-productive in terms of social advancement. Get over it!

Quote:

Originally posted by xepherys
b) Who the hell cares anyway? If you choose to be offended by one or the other (or neither) then that is your situation to decide. Society should not hinder my use of my native tongue due to other people's sensitivities. That seems counter-productive in terms of social advancement. Get over it!

If that is the case then I send my deepest sympathies to all you deal with. Everyone adjusts the way they speak with everyone they speak to and that's not counter productive to social advancement - it's a matter of respect. Respect for yourself because you have some idea how your words will be percieved and how you will be looked upon by the words you choose and respect for the other person because you have a general idea of what words they'd like to hear. You wouldn't discuss your sex life with your grandmother - would you?

I'm indifferent to the word itself, the only thing that pisses me off is people who use the word in denial of the reason why they use it. Denotation and connotation might be two very different things but the reason why the word is used is because of it's once negative meaning. Generalizations of any sort do very little good if any good at all to any conversation as they fail to convey anything truly meaningful.

Catering how you speak isn't counter-productive to social advancement but choosing your words in utter disregard of how they'll be percieved by others is counter-productive to social advancement as it doesn't lead to good communication.