Lately I've had some people ask me why white people can't say the n-word "if they call themselves that!" And I know it's entirely wrong and I've tried to the best of my ability to explain but can you offer some better insight about that topic?
Asked by
Anonymous
This has been discussed a lot and I hope you can find a solution.
Read Slutwalk, Slurs, and Why Feminism Still Has Race Issues.
You will notice a theme about the use of the word is dehumanizing. White people used it to put black people in their place and to put them down. Do they want to carry on that tradition?
Also read this post from IAmATeenageFeminist:
They highlight the concept of “reclaiming” words that were previously used against them. That in no way condones the use of the n-word (especially by people outside the race). They also talk about how the context of it usually being used; black took it back as a way to use it as a term of endearment, but white always used it as a way to put black people down.
Two things from Tim Wise’s website
1. A Double Standard Worth Keeping
2. A video of him discussing the use of the n word on a panel
In general, it’s just shitty and WHY do they want to say the n-word so badly? What do they have to gain? Can’t they just respect what people say when they find the language to be dehumanizing and wrong? Can we acknowledge that our different points of privilege deny us the opportunity to be able to truly what it is like from others’ points of view?
hope this helps!
