Do Black Parents Discourage Their Children from Using the "N-Word"?

[Anonymous]

These sound like teenagers. Teenagers, in my experience, like to use the most shocking language possible. Looks like a win for the teens on Metro with you last night!

And you know this, OP. Probably most of the parents do discourage its use because for whatever its history it's not a nice word. Most decent parents discourage use of such words in mixed company. See again: teenagers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was riding on the Metro last night towards Reston, when three black youths (late teens/early 20s) got on the train near Farragut West. Over the next 25-30 minutes, and in the presence of mostly white and Asian passengers, they spoke loudly, with about every 1/3 or 1/4th word out of their mouth being "niggas." As I listened to them speak it became clear it was used as a substitute for "we" or for "young workers in entry-level jobs" (like "they make the niggaz stay late to clean up at Shake Shack").

Do black parents discourage their children from using this term, or do they not care? And, if the latter, how can they take offense when youths of other races are then socialized to think it's an acceptable term?

This is not trolling, but a serious question that merits an honest discussion. As long as non-AA youths are routinely punished for using language that AA youths apparently can use in public places with no repercussions, some people will trend further right, convinced that the left is ready, willing, and able to enforce speech codes replete with double standards.

1. So is it the fault of these young people that others trend further right? Are they therefore responsible for the entire drift of political discourse in this country?

2. Are you advocating that non-black young (or older people) should be able to use this word? I mean, go for your life -- but you do understand there will be consequences to you if that happens, right? These young people are not the keepers of who can use the word. You cannot simultaneously believe that it is too offensive for them to use but you want white teens to be able to use it too.

3. Why were there no consequences? You were there, you are an adult. Speak up if you are offended. Who else do you expect to speak up? It takes a village.

4. Yes, of course Black parents enforce this. It is also not the responsibility of Black parents to educate you about what they do or do not do.

5. I don't think you are trolling, but please realize that your questions come across as very naive. As though "Black teens" are this completely other group of people, and you've never seen kids acting out on the metro before.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was riding on the Metro last night towards Reston, when three black youths (late teens/early 20s) got on the train near Farragut West. Over the next 25-30 minutes, and in the presence of mostly white and Asian passengers, they spoke loudly, with about every 1/3 or 1/4th word out of their mouth being "niggas." As I listened to them speak it became clear it was used as a substitute for "we" or for "young workers in entry-level jobs" (like "they make the niggaz stay late to clean up at Shake Shack").

Do black parents discourage their children from using this term, or do they not care? And, if the latter, how can they take offense when youths of other races are then socialized to think it's an acceptable term?

This is not trolling, but a serious question that merits an honest discussion. As long as non-AA youths are routinely punished for using language that AA youths apparently can use in public places with no repercussions, some people will trend further right, convinced that the left is ready, willing, and able to enforce speech codes replete with double standards.

When you observe white kids being obnoxious, do you wonder whether white parents teach their kids better manners and behavior? Or are only black kids expected to be a true representation of their entire race?

[Anonymous]

Forbidden in my house and the same with most intelligent (educated or not) Black people I know.

Don't paint a broad brush.

[Anonymous]

Such wayward yutes these days

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was riding on the Metro last night towards Reston, when three black youths (late teens/early 20s) got on the train near Farragut West. Over the next 25-30 minutes, and in the presence of mostly white and Asian passengers, they spoke loudly, with about every 1/3 or 1/4th word out of their mouth being "niggas." As I listened to them speak it became clear it was used as a substitute for "we" or for "young workers in entry-level jobs" (like "they make the niggaz stay late to clean up at Shake Shack").

Do black parents discourage their children from using this term, or do they not care? And, if the latter, how can they take offense when youths of other races are then socialized to think it's an acceptable term?

This is not trolling, but a serious question that merits an honest discussion. As long as non-AA youths are routinely punished for using language that AA youths apparently can use in public places with no repercussions, some people will trend further right, convinced that the left is ready, willing, and able to enforce speech codes replete with double standards.

When you observe white kids being obnoxious, do you wonder whether white parents teach their kids better manners and behavior? Or are only black kids expected to be a true representation of their entire race?

Of course people blame white parents for their children's behavior. Remember the MS bus incident a couple weeks ago 1, 2, 3, 4? Everyone was screaming "these kids are taught this home!" Not from a Vine made by black kids and viewed 10 million times.

[Anonymous]

I've never understood why some white people are so eager to use this word and care so much about not being able to use it. I find the whole "

[Anonymous]

OP...
Headphones.
Get some.

[Anonymous]

I've never understood why some white people are so eager to use this word and care so much about not being able to use it. I find the whole "I WANNA CALL PEOPLE NIGGAS TOO, IF NIGGAS CAN DO IT, I SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO IT" argument...well, interesting.

[Anonymous]

I still call my little bro "faeg" even though he is 42. Its a term of endearment and people need to get a life and quit being so PC all the time. When you are around your peeps, you are allowed to digress..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you really think all black parents are the same? Of course many do. I'm sure some don't care. Just like any other parenting issue there is.

Yes, I love these questions that imply that all black people do the same thing as if everyone is the same and they've all discussed it amongst themselves.

[Anonymous]

Say, do white people teach their children not to say "white trash"? I'm curious about that because I think it encourages people to look down on working class rural white people. How about it, white people? What is your practice?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was riding on the Metro last night towards Reston, when three black youths (late teens/early 20s) got on the train near Farragut West. Over the next 25-30 minutes, and in the presence of mostly white and Asian passengers, they spoke loudly, with about every 1/3 or 1/4th word out of their mouth being "niggas." As I listened to them speak it became clear it was used as a substitute for "we" or for "young workers in entry-level jobs" (like "they make the niggaz stay late to clean up at Shake Shack").

Do black parents discourage their children from using this term, or do they not care? And, if the latter, how can they take offense when youths of other races are then socialized to think it's an acceptable term?

This is not trolling, but a serious question that merits an honest discussion. As long as non-AA youths are routinely punished for using language that AA youths apparently can use in public places with no repercussions, some people will trend further right, convinced that the left is ready, willing, and able to enforce speech codes replete with double standards.

1. Op, were the parents present? If not then how do you know they condone this kind of language? A good majority of teens curse up a storm when surrounded by their peers and speak differently when around their parents or another adult that has authority over them.

2. My father would go ballistic if my siblings or I said this in front of him. It would probably start with something along the lines of, "You may think you're grown" and include words like "spank".

3. All black people are not the same. And, just in case you're wondering not all black people look the same. Oh, and just because someone has brown skin doesn't mean they're black. They could be middle eastern.

4. I don't use the N-word. I hate it when other people use it.

5. Why does it upset you so much? You are aware that you live in a country where people can, in most cases, say what they want.

6. Is the reason you're so upset because you want to use the word yourself? Well... technically you could though I wouldn't recommend it. Just like I wouldn't recommend going up to some random woman and calling her the b-word.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've never understood why some white people are so eager to use this word and care so much about not being able to use it. I find the whole "I WANNA CALL PEOPLE NIGGAS TOO, IF NIGGAS CAN DO IT, I SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO IT" argument...well, interesting.

It baffles this white woman, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was riding on the Metro last night towards Reston, when three black youths (late teens/early 20s) got on the train near Farragut West. Over the next 25-30 minutes, and in the presence of mostly white and Asian passengers, they spoke loudly, with about every 1/3 or 1/4th word out of their mouth being "niggas." As I listened to them speak it became clear it was used as a substitute for "we" or for "young workers in entry-level jobs" (like "they make the niggaz stay late to clean up at Shake Shack").

Do black parents discourage their children from using this term, or do they not care? And, if the latter, how can they take offense when youths of other races are then socialized to think it's an acceptable term?

This is not trolling, but a serious question that merits an honest discussion. As long as non-AA youths are routinely punished for using language that AA youths apparently can use in public places with no repercussions, some people will trend further right, convinced that the left is ready, willing, and able to enforce speech codes replete with double standards.

1. Op, were the parents present? If not then how do you know they condone this kind of language? A good majority of teens curse up a storm when surrounded by their peers and speak differently when around their parents or another adult that has authority over them.

2. My father would go ballistic if my siblings or I said this in front of him. It would probably start with something along the lines of, "You may think you're grown" and include words like "spank".

3. All black people are not the same. And, just in case you're wondering not all black people look the same. Oh, and just because someone has brown skin doesn't mean they're black. They could be middle eastern.

4. I don't use the N-word. I hate it when other people use it.

5. Why does it upset you so much? You are aware that you live in a country where people can, in most cases, say what they want.

6. Is the reason you're so upset because you want to use the word yourself? Well... technically you could though I wouldn't recommend it. Just like I wouldn't recommend going up to some random woman and calling her the b-word.

Np. Are you black? A lot of white people pose as black on here.