Nigger: Difference between revisions

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Revision as of 08:39, 17 October 2002 view sourceAndre Engels (talk \| contribs)Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers20,762 editsmNo edit summary← Previous edit		Revision as of 18:41, 17 October 2002 view source Ortolan88 (talk \| contribs)10,369 edits niggaz not the same as niggers, markupNext edit →
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	'''Nigger''' is a pejorative term used to refer to dark-skinned people, particularly those of African origin. It is derived from the ] word 'Niger', meaning 'black', in particular from a dialect variant of the Latin-derived word ''Negro'', the ] for 'black'. It was commonly used in the ] and ] as recently as the ]. Its implications of racism are so strong that it is now unusual to hear it except in very specialised contexts. Many publications will not even print it, instead using the ] "'''N-word'''".		'''Nigger''' is a pejorative term used to refer to dark-skinned people, particularly those of African origin. It is derived from the ] word ''Niger'', meaning "black", in particular from a dialect variant of the Latin-derived word ''Negro'', the ] for "black". It was commonly used in the ] and ] as recently as the ]. Its implications of racism are so strong that it is now unusual to hear it except in very specialised contexts. Many publications will not even print it, instead using the ] "'''N-word'''".

	In the United States, the more neutral descriptive term ] is currently preferred in public discourse, in the pattern of ], ], ] and others. Acceptable words vary from country to country and, ultimately, from individual to individual.		In the United States, the more neutral descriptive term ] is currently preferred in public discourse, in the pattern of ], ], ] and others. Acceptable words vary from country to country and, ultimately, from individual to individual.
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	It is worth noting that the word has to some extent been reclaimed by black people in recent years, particularly in America.		It is worth noting that the word has to some extent been reclaimed by black people in recent years, particularly in America.

	Some young ]s, in particular, use the word to one another without any derogatory implication. In ] the album ''Straight Outta Compton'' was released by the ] group ] -- despite their own use of the word ''nigger'' the group's name was often glossed as "NWA", perhaps reflecting the extreme discomfort that still surrounds any use of the word. Other African Americans, however, consider the term offensive in all contexts and do not agree that it is ever appropriate to use it.		Some young ]s, in particular, use the word to one another without any derogatory implication. In ] the album ''Straight Outta Compton'' was released by the ] group ] -- despite their own use of the word ''nigger'' (sanitized via spelling) the group's name was often glossed as NWA, perhaps reflecting the extreme discomfort that still surrounds any use of the word. Other African Americans, however, consider the term offensive in all contexts and do not agree that it is ever appropriate to use it.

	As an illustration of the process by some of reclaiming the word, in ], ] had explained his refusal to be drafted to serve in the ] by saying, "I got nothing against no ]. No ]ese ever called me nigger." Comedian and activist ] used the word as the title of his best-selling ] in ].		As an illustration of the process by some of reclaiming the word, in ], ] had explained his refusal to be drafted to serve in the ] by saying, "I got nothing against no ]. No ]ese ever called me nigger." Comedian and activist ] used the word as the title of his best-selling ] in ].
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	It should be reiterated that the word is considered extremely offensive other than in the very specific context described above, and is rarely heard outside that context. Indeed, even the ''sound'' of the word is offensive to some.		It should be reiterated that the word is considered extremely offensive other than in the very specific context described above, and is rarely heard outside that context. Indeed, even the ''sound'' of the word is offensive to some.

	Careful speakers often refuse to use ''niggardly'' or ''snigger'', even though these terms do not refer either to black people or to characteristics or behavior attributed to black people. Nor do they have any etymological connection to the word "nigger". A bureaucrat in the city government of ] was briefly driven from his job in the late ] when he was overheard referring in a private conversation to "a niggardly budget", meaning only that it was insufficient and cheap.		Careful speakers often refuse to use ''niggardly'' or ''snigger'', even though these terms do not refer either to black people or to characteristics or behavior attributed to black people. Nor do they have any etymological connection to the word ''nigger''. A bureaucrat in the city government of ] was briefly driven from his job in the late ] when he was overheard referring in a private conversation to "a niggardly budget", meaning only that it was insufficient and cheap.

	See also: ], ], ]		See also: ], ], ]

Revision as of 18:41, 17 October 2002

Nigger is a pejorative term used to refer to dark-skinned people, particularly those of African origin. It is derived from the Latin word Niger, meaning "black", in particular from a dialect variant of the Latin-derived word Negro, the Spanish for "black". It was commonly used in the United States and United Kingdom as recently as the 1960s. Its implications of racism are so strong that it is now unusual to hear it except in very specialised contexts. Many publications will not even print it, instead using the euphemism "N-word".

In the United States, the more neutral descriptive term African-American is currently preferred in public discourse, in the pattern of Native American, Italian-American, Asian-American and others. Acceptable words vary from country to country and, ultimately, from individual to individual.

Mark Twain's novel Huckleberry Finn has been subjected to censorship numerous times because the word is used in the book in an everyday fashion, reflecting its common usage among rural Americans during the time the book was written.

It is worth noting that the word has to some extent been reclaimed by black people in recent years, particularly in America.

Some young African-Americans, in particular, use the word to one another without any derogatory implication. In 1988 the album Straight Outta Compton was released by the rap group Niggaz With Attitude -- despite their own use of the word nigger (sanitized via spelling) the group's name was often glossed as NWA, perhaps reflecting the extreme discomfort that still surrounds any use of the word. Other African Americans, however, consider the term offensive in all contexts and do not agree that it is ever appropriate to use it.

As an illustration of the process by some of reclaiming the word, in 1967, Muhammad Ali had explained his refusal to be drafted to serve in the Vietnam War by saying, "I got nothing against no Viet Cong. No Vietnamese ever called me nigger." Comedian and activist Dick Gregory used the word as the title of his best-selling autobiography in 1964.

It should be reiterated that the word is considered extremely offensive other than in the very specific context described above, and is rarely heard outside that context. Indeed, even the sound of the word is offensive to some.

Careful speakers often refuse to use niggardly or snigger, even though these terms do not refer either to black people or to characteristics or behavior attributed to black people. Nor do they have any etymological connection to the word nigger. A bureaucrat in the city government of Washington, D.C. was briefly driven from his job in the late 1990s when he was overheard referring in a private conversation to "a niggardly budget", meaning only that it was insufficient and cheap.

External Link

CNN story on Washington bureaucrat

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