Nigger

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(Etymology)
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==Etymology==
 
==Etymology==
Historically, it was a common term to use for referring to dark-skinned folk, along with "negro".  Increasingly, during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, it came to be regarded as vulgar.<ref>The correct term in modern times is [http://www.sinosplice.com/life/archives/2004/11/26/darkie-toothpaste "darkie."]</ref>  However, the word is still used by closet racists in the privacy of their own home, and has also been [[Reappropriation|reappropriated]] by some African-Americans as a way to disempower the term.
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Historically, it was a common term to use for referring to dark-skinned folk, along with "negro".  Increasingly, during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, it came to be regarded as vulgar.<ref>The correct term in modern times is [http://www.sinosplice.com/life/archives/2004/11/26/darkie-toothpaste "darkie."]</ref>  However, the word is still used by closet racists in the privacy of their own home, and has also been [[Reappropriation|reappropriated]] by some African-Americans as a way to disempower the term. Also, because it's fun to say.
  
 
"Negro" has in turn gradually lost its acceptability over the past 40 years or so, to the point where it now just barely acceptable and even then only in some contexts.<ref>Kinda like how [[Person-first language|"people of color" replaced "colored people."]] We don't get it either.</ref>  Changing attitudes to racial differences furthered this trend, as did the [[civil rights]] movement, and the rise of [[political correctness]].
 
"Negro" has in turn gradually lost its acceptability over the past 40 years or so, to the point where it now just barely acceptable and even then only in some contexts.<ref>Kinda like how [[Person-first language|"people of color" replaced "colored people."]] We don't get it either.</ref>  Changing attitudes to racial differences furthered this trend, as did the [[civil rights]] movement, and the rise of [[political correctness]].

Revision as of 17:36, 21 May 2012

NOTE: this article has been exhaustively vetted and checked by a real live multi-cultural diversity task force. It is definitely NOT RACIST. Besides, a black guy helped write it.

The word "nigger" (often referred to as "the N-word" in polite discourse) is a racist slang term used to refer to people with dark skin. It may stem from the Spanish "Negro" meaning black but is also closely related to (and pronounced identically to) the Latin word niger, meaning 'black'. [1]

Contents

Etymology

Historically, it was a common term to use for referring to dark-skinned folk, along with "negro". Increasingly, during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, it came to be regarded as vulgar.[2] However, the word is still used by closet racists in the privacy of their own home, and has also been reappropriated by some African-Americans as a way to disempower the term. Also, because it's fun to say.

"Negro" has in turn gradually lost its acceptability over the past 40 years or so, to the point where it now just barely acceptable and even then only in some contexts.[3] Changing attitudes to racial differences furthered this trend, as did the civil rights movement, and the rise of political correctness.

Modern usage

The word is commonly used in hip-hop culture, and some inner-city African Americans will use it, often pronouncing is as "niggah," as if changing the pronunciation somehow changes the word.[4] In that context, the word works as a term of friendship, and it can, in the correct context, be considered a compliment to be called "my niggah". In modern times it is seen as incredibly insulting and not politically correct for a light-skinned or "white" person to call a dark-skinned or "black" person a "nigger". However, when said by a dark-skinned person, it is generally accepted.

It has, on occasion, been humorously remarked upon that black people can use the term "nigger", but white people cannot.[5] "Damn niggers moved in and shot my son" is unacceptable racist bigotry if said by a white guy, but is the height of wit for a black guy. For the most egregious examples, just visit Youtube and enter "Chris Rock". This apparent double standard has sometimes been played for laughs in some popular culture. In Rush Hour, Chris Tucker walks into a bar and casually greets a friend with "what's up, my nigger", while when his partner Jackie Chan repeats the same thing a few moments later it ends in a fight.[6] Tim Minchin pulls a similar stunt in his song 'Prejudice' but substituting his own angry-white-boy "ethnicity", not to spoil the punchline.[7]

Every now and then, there's a controversy where someone gets in trouble for using the completely unrelated word "niggardly", which means "miserly".

Theft of urban culture

As is usually the case, the crackers ripped off the niggers and start using the word, slightly modified for themselves. Much as the blues became "rock and roll," "nigger" has been corrupted as well. As such, a white person who accepts urban culture may be referred to as a "wigger",[8] a portmanteau of "white nigger". Usually used in a derogatory sense, it can be a term of endearment to rich white kids who watch a lot of BET.

Modern examples

Hold it! Anybody makes a move, the Nigger gets it.
—Bart, Blazing Saddles

John Lennon's 1972 song "Woman is the Nigger of the World" was an attempt to highlight how he (and wife Yoko) felt women had been, and were still being, treated.[9]. Many people supported the song because of its allegedly radical content, but many others attack it for being shit.

Footnotes

  1. http://www.latinwordlist.com/latin-words/niger-19897685.htm
  2. The correct term in modern times is "darkie."
  3. Kinda like how "people of color" replaced "colored people." We don't get it either.
  4. VOTE FOR HILTER
  5. Except Quentin Tarantino, and one highly contrived exception.
  6. Rush Hour - What's up my nigger?
  7. Prejudice by Tim Minchin
  8. Like Tim Westwood, although he's probably more objectionable by the fact he's over 50.
  9. Lyrics
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