I try not to use the word but it slips occasionally. And to be honest, the word in itself does not offend me, only how it is used. Now for the big but...about ten years ago I was at the mall. I saw a white kid and black kid hanging out together. They were going back and forth, saying nigga as if they were in a hip hop video.I wouldn't prefer it but still was not bothered enough to says something about it.
Now, this older lady walks past and she is at least in her 70's. She hears this white kid yelling nigga in the middle of the mall, laughing about it. I see her eyes and its not anger but hurt and fear. Those words meant something powerful and deep to her because she lived during that time when if you heard the word, there was a good chance you wouldn't make it home that night. After that, I as a black person feel guilt every time I say it. It still slips out every now and then but I try my best.
Words themselves do not matter, it's after all just a sound we make. The important thing is the emotion behind the utterance, the context and also the interpretation of the meaning of the word.
Like what you said, the n-word means different things to the old lady and the kids. The kids are at ease using the word while the lady is not. Words which are very acceptable nowadays may turn out to be taboo in the future.
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I try not to use the word but it slips occasionally. And to be honest, the word in itself does not offend me, only how it is used. Now for the big but...about ten years ago I was at the mall. I saw a white kid and black kid hanging out together. They were going back and forth, saying nigga as if they were in a hip hop video.I wouldn't prefer it but still was not bothered enough to says something about it.
Now, this older lady walks past and she is at least in her 70's. She hears this white kid yelling nigga in the middle of the mall, laughing about it. I see her eyes and its not anger but hurt and fear. Those words meant something powerful and deep to her because she lived during that time when if you heard the word, there was a good chance you wouldn't make it home that night. After that, I as a black person feel guilt every time I say it. It still slips out every now and then but I try my best.
Words themselves do not matter, it's after all just a sound we make. The important thing is the emotion behind the utterance, the context and also the interpretation of the meaning of the word.
Like what you said, the n-word means different things to the old lady and the kids. The kids are at ease using the word while the lady is not. Words which are very acceptable nowadays may turn out to be taboo in the future.