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

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Gotta go pop the popcorn...this is gonna be good.

[Anonymous]

Why do you care how they take ownership of that word? It's not your problem to police them on it.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

The N word can be used within the black community. It's an attempt to reclaim the word. There's another thread on Off Topic now about women calling each other the "B" word. Women are supporting calling each other that word, but men cannot call them it.

[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.

Because they feel their privilege taken away? How entitled can you get?

[Anonymous]

No, don't troll. Answer honestly. What are the dialogues that parents should be having with their children to promote a more respectful society?

[Anonymous]

The word is artistic in rap and known throughout the black community as a sign of brotherhood. Yeah. It's discouraged.

[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.

Because they feel their privilege taken away? How entitled can you get?

But aren't the entitled ones in this context the ones who can use whatever language they please, and the less entitled ones those who get punished, or at least criticized, for using language that others use in their presence.

[Anonymous]

Soundtrack to this thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Because they feel their privilege taken away? How entitled can you get?

But aren't the entitled ones in this context the ones who can use whatever language they please, and the less entitled ones those who get punished, or at least criticized, for using language that others use in their presence.

Why in the world would someone want the "privilege" of using the N word? Are you saying you feel left out because they can use it and as a white person you cannot? I personally have no desire to use the word, and don't know anyone personally who does. Just shut up and teach your children respect and tolerance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The N word can be used within the black community. It's an attempt to reclaim the word. There's another thread on Off Topic now about women calling each other the "B" word. Women are supporting calling each other that word, but men cannot call them it.

That sound like a university-level linguistics class to me, where the professor tells the students how language can be subverted. I don't think it's going to keep a bunch of non-AA tweens from starting to use the term "niggaz" if their AA peers use it in their presence, or they buy music where their favorite artists use the term.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Because they feel their privilege taken away? How entitled can you get?

But aren't the entitled ones in this context the ones who can use whatever language they please, and the less entitled ones those who get punished, or at least criticized, for using language that others use in their presence.

Why in the world would someone want the "privilege" of using the N word? Are you saying you feel left out because they can use it and as a white person you cannot? I personally have no desire to use the word, and don't know anyone personally who does. Just shut up and teach your children respect and tolerance.

No, I would not feel left out, and I would not use the term. But there seems to be a double-standard here and, until more black parents and leaders start teaching their children to respect themselves, we are going to have more conflict in this society.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Because they feel their privilege taken away? How entitled can you get?

But aren't the entitled ones in this context the ones who can use whatever language they please, and the less entitled ones those who get punished, or at least criticized, for using language that others use in their presence.

can't you see the difference between a historically oppressed race using the word with the purpose of taking away its power, vs. whites using a word that is dehumanizing and meant to keep people powerless? One group tries to gain power while another tries to continue to deny it?

Nobody should be using it and I say so when someone says it in front of me, black or white, or more often these days, Arab and Asian. But I absolutely can see a difference in its use, meaning, and intent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, don't troll. Answer honestly. What are the dialogues that parents should be having with their children to promote a more respectful society?

.
Sounds to me they were using it in a way that is respectful. I'm sorry the youths made you feel uncomfortable, Lmao.