More handpicked essays just for you.
Racial stereotype research paper
Stereotyping studies culture racial power 1999
The impact of racial stereotyping
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Social Conditions of Nigger/Nigga in Today’s Youth
The expression nigger has been used to disgrace the African-American population and that is why the expression nigga should not be used by blacks or any other race in today’s society . The term originated as a word targeted towards Black-Americans during slavery to degrade them by displaying that they were not considered human and their only worth in America was to serve the wealthy and that is why most blacks today reject the use of the term but others have decided to bring a new meaning to the word by using it around whites and towards other blacks as a term of endearment to strip away its distressing meaning. Whites slave owners actually believed that they were inherently superior to
…show more content…
the African-Americans race the term nigga made sure that they established the African- Americans worth as humans was no longer . They were not considered human, they were only the slaves of their white slave masters.Although the use of the controversial terms nigger and nigga can spark powerful emotional responses, from anger to brotherly affection, the two terms can have varying degrees of meaning based on the individual who uses it and who the term is referring to. The youthful African-Americans that use nigga so casually with their peers make the argument that their use of nigga is intended to deconstruct the expression of its past meaning that contained so much hatred and ultimately devalued the African-American race.
The use of nigga has become more acceptable especially in black culture and other entertainment. “By using the word strictly among themselves, the linguists say, they change its context and in doing so dull its edge whenever whites use it.”(Marriott) Nigger was a term that tormented the African-American race all through slavery and throughout the civil rights movement. However blacks in modern society have made the word a term of endearment rather than an insult to the race of African- Americans, giving nigga the meaning of friend or brother by not only using the word around each other but around whites and other ethnicities. The use of nigga by African-Americans shows that the word doesn’t actually have an affect them the same way it did during the years of enslavement during the 17th century but also the civil rights movement because they use it to describe themselves and each other.but also around whites other ethnicities. Blacks use of nigga proves that the word doesn’t actually have an affect them the same way it did during not only enslavement but also the civil right movement because they use it to describe themselves and each …show more content…
other. Regardless of the original meaning of the expression nigga and how the use of the term has yet to be accepted by the majority of the United States .Black-Americans in today's society see as if using nigga in their daily vocabulary, especially when their around white americans provides knowledge to today's white americans that nigga is not a word that affects them the way it did during slavery. “Black music, dance and film, the role of black culture in popular culture has driven it into the mainstream.”(Michel Marriott ). The expression nigga has has made its voice as a term of endearment since it has been used in such popular formats such as popular television shows, movies and music which made nigga a mainstream term and is more acceptable to use in conversation especially by today’s young society.”For the last several years, rap artists have increasingly used "nigger" in their lyrics, repackaging it and selling it not just to their own inner-city neighborhoods but to the largely white suburbs.”(marriott). Not only African Americans but any race that listens to Rap music are exposed to the word nigga and other explicit terms which contributes to the acceptance and popularity of the expression nigga in not only the black community but in today’s youth .During a Black Youth Report Project, a survey was taken from young adults 15-25. After collecting the results the results it was determined that majority of Black youth claimed to have listened to explicit Rap music everyday and the least amount of rap music listened to in a day was by the white youth . As shown in the image below . Source: ( Nigger/nigga has gone through so many changes of meaning and continues to change during the modern age with the usage of it by blacks and most of other ethnicities, Using to refer to each other as friends or as brothers.
However the expression Nigga/Nigger will most likely never be accepted as a whole by the African American community since it is term that derived from on long stem of hatred by white slave owners and even only more than 50 years with the civil rights movement and white americans.
The term Nigger causes so many powerful reactions but the word is actually harmless it is the intent of the word that was use to degrade and dehumanize the African-American race that made it a taboo word in some of today’s society. A remark has no meaning, people have made nigga the term it is today and the originated term nigger as. People of any race wouldn't react in such a hostile manner but since the roots of the expression was used to degrade the african- americans it has become unacceptable to use in such a public manner. As mentioned in the article Nigger: The Strange Career of a Troublesome Word “The term in itself would be perfectly harmless where it could used only to distinguish one class of society from another but it is not used with that intent It flows from the fountain of purpose to injure.”(Randall Kennedy) Whenever there is incident where a derogatory term like nigger or nigga is used toward another person, finding out if the person was trying was to offend
the other person or if they were just trying use the expression to be friendly, playful or brotherly can be difficult . Judging the situation overall can sometimes cause someone who didn’t mean any harm to get in bad predicament. Looking at the tone and body language is what really can define how the person meant for the expression to affect and individual ”Offensive language is one of the most frequent causes of complaint... Judgements about its use are difficult because they depend on tone and context.” (Simon Waldman) .It is also important to know the difference between the meaning of slurring and insulting as described in Pejorative language: “It is important to delineate the differences between slurring and insulting. The latter is a matter of causing someone to be offended-Slurring, contrastly, does not require offending a target or eliciting any reaction whatsoever.” (“The N-word” ) for instance, the Klu Klux Klan continue to use nigger as both a slur and a insult they use the word to talk about African-Americans in a distasteful manner even if their aren’t present and when African-Americans are in their present they use nigger to insult them to degrade them . Nigger/nigga has and will continue to have so many powerful reactions on the community but since the use of the word seems like it will continue is important to note that slurring and insulting or two different things and tone and body language can change the way that we interpret what a person actually means. Anyone of any race can use nigga without meaning to insult or degrade the African- American race, Especially because Black-Americans use the expression to talk to each other but the reactions of the word will continue . “Some within the ghetto subculture try to rationalize the continued use of the n-word by claiming that an alternate spelling - "nigga" - signifies a positive meaning.”(Hicks). Most African-Americans in today’s society see the intent behind nigger is on how the person pronounces it or by how it is spelled however they continue feel offended when whites use the expression as well even of they pronounce it as “nigga” . ” No matter how or when one tries to define the word, the n-word is always going to be a vile pejorative with connotations intended to demean and insult. Any attempt to make it something else is just plain wrong.”(Massie).The argument of the African-Americans that find nigga acceptable make the point that this derivative is something positive and is meant to be soft-hearted but Black-Americans that find nigga acceptable to use end up contradicting themselves because nigga is also been used in a distasteful manner by some African-Americans when they are in an altercation or conflict with another individual . Nigger was originally used to demean and insult Blacks and trying to change the meaning is overall not helping the black community that are advocating that the word is not meant to be hurtful.”Clear-thinking people need to call out this new use of the term. Simply mentioning that it is unacceptable in polite usage will at least prompt some to reconsider its use.”(Hicks) People that find nigga offensive should often try to speak on it and make it aware to the individual that decided to use the term that the remark did in fact bother them. Disregarding In conclusion although the use of the controversial terms nigger and nigga can spark powerful emotional responses, from anger to brotherly affection, the two terms can have varying degrees of meaning based on the individual who uses it and who the term is referring to. In the past Nigger was used by white americans to devalue and humiliate the African-American race, also the term was mainly used by white slave owners. Despite the oppressed African-Americans that I had to endure the term and the hatred of majority of white Americans and even though nigga derives from nigger, It seems that in the he present day the meaning of nigga comes from the individual and how they deliver it with their tone and body language. Although it is the same word that was towards slaves and now it is being you used by mainly the people that it originally used against (African-Americans) .Based on the research that was accumulated throughout this paper it seems that both nigger and nigga will continued to be used by the population until the end of time though the argument of how it is no different will continue of how the usage of the word is “ignorant” of the but those who choose to use the words prove their ignorance to say a word that derives from hate. Works Cited Page Hicks, Jeffery. "Why the "N" Word Grows in Popularity." Why the "N" Word Grows in Popularity. The National Center for Public Policy Research. Web. 23 Jan. 2015. Logic Contributing Writer. "The Definition of a Nigga." The Daily. 19 Nov. 1996. Web. 03 Nov. 2014. Marriott, Michel. "Rap's Embrace of 'Nigger' Fires Bitter Debate." The New York Times. The New York Times, 23 Jan. 1993. Web. 27 Oct. 2014. Randall Kennedy. "Nigger: The Strange Career of a Troublesome Word." Washington Post. The Washington Post. Web. 04 Dec. 2014. Schneider, Tanya. "The N Word." The N Word. Web. 30 Jan. 2015. Waldman, Simon. "The 'N-Word"" BBC News. BBC, 8 June 2007. Web. 08 Jan. 2015. "A Word You Shouldn't Use in Any Sentence." Washington Post. The Washington Post. Web. 29 Oct. 2014.
As Kennedy explains “used by black people amongst themselves [the N word ] is a racial term with undertones and good will--reflecting a tragicomic sensibility that is aware of black history” but how could such a contradiction exist (Kennedy 5)? How could the most “noxious” of words also also be used to show comradery and brotherhood for those who have been in the struggle. “He is my nig” or “That guy is my nigga”, phrases like these are uttered by black men to each other to express their most public form of masculine endearment towards one another. Note that it is uttered between black men, to black men, and from black men; Black bodies participate and engage with the “N-word” much more differently than any other non-black person would. The word must come from colored mouths to have a “positive” significance, if I, a Mexican woman, or for instance Nate, in Bernard’s class, say it--we change the meaning entirely. As quoted by Randall Kennedy, Jarvis Deberry states, “[the n-word is ‘beautiful in its multiplicity of functions. I am not aware…of any other word capable of expressing so many contradictory emotions” and I cannot help but to agree that the “N-word” is more messy and complex then we would anticipate it to
Naylor implies that derogatory terms have a twist and are a disguise of acknowledgement to her race. Although it was initially created to humiliate and dehumanize African Americans, ‘the n-word’ develops into a word that admires men of that race.
What is a nerd? What is a nigga? Before the question can the nerd and nigga coexist can be answered the nerd and the nigga must be defined. According to dictionary.com a nerd is an intelligent but single-minded person obsessed with a nonsocial hobby or pursuit (“Nerd”). What is a nigga? The legendary Smokey Robinson once said “I think it’s a shame that every few years black people get a change of name,” but nigga was one of the earliest names, probably the first name after black or African (Robinson). Back in slavery days the slave masters use to call the slave “niggers,” the term “nigga” is just the slang version of the word nigger. Today the word is only respectfully used by black to other black people. The use of the word by the white race is thought of as being highly disrespectful. Early 1990’s “gangsta” rap artist revived or more so reclaimed the word in their music (“N-Word’). Today black people use the word as form of affection or endearment. It’s common to go out and hear a black person greet another black person by saying, “What’s up nigga,” and their goodbyes will...
“I don’t give a fuck what a nigga say,” for a word that many different things I think most people would agree that in this since nigga means a person preferably black. Nigga is a derogatory and racist word that refers to Black people. But, we, meaning Black people, still use it. We do not care, nigga flows off the tough. In using nigga we not only show disdain but become a nigga when using it and we’re ok with it. This is why I choose Katt Williams, 2006 comedy skit Pimp Chronicle Part 1. In William’s skit he use nigga some 221 times, in 45 minute, that’s about four times per minute. I could not find a better example of someone using nigga. 221 times, he must have something interesting to say if he can find 221 reason to say the word and you know what he did. I could not help but laugh it was funny, but at the end of the day I knew though it may have been funny it was still morally wrong. In Williams, he uses nigga in ways that support Black stereotypes, which make the audience laugh. There is nothing worng with that a mans
What is a nerd? What is a nigga? Before the question can the nerd and nigga coexist can be answered the nerd and the nigga must be defined. According to dictionary.com a nerd is an intelligent but single-minded person obsessed with a nonsocial hobby or pursuit. What is a nigga? The legendary Smokey Robinson once said “I think it’s a shame that every few years black people get a change of name,” but nigga was one of the earliest names, probably the first name after black or African. Back in slavery days the slave masters use to call the slave “niggers,” the term “nigga” is just the slang version of the word nigger. Today the word is only respectfully used by black people to other black people. The use of the word by the white race is thought of as being highly disrespectful. Today black people use the word as form of affection or endearment. It’s common to go out and hear a black person greet another black person by saying, “What’s up nigga,” and their goodbyes will more than likely go something like “Peace out my nigga,” or “See you later nigga.” In-between the hello and goodbye the ...
The words Negro, nigger, and nigga have always been a sensitive topic, yet it is a topic that needs to be addressed in light of the more common use of its vernacular. One word is used to describe a color, while the others are used to define a people. It’s very clear to many the negative connotation these words carry, but where did these words come from? Furthermore, is there a difference between the word nigger and nigga; and why is it that African-Americans now use the word nigga to degrade each other in today’s society? These words, in spite of their spelling, still holds the same degrading power as it did during the time of slavery, and they are still spoken out of cruelty and ignorance, but who is to blame? Can one still blame the Spaniards for considering people of a darker skin tone –Black? Can we blame the Europeans for perpetuating their hatred and ignorance of superiority over a race of people to the point they felt it lawful to define and dehumanize them? Or does the blame lie with the African-American race as we use this degrading labeling on our own kind, thus becoming the victimizer. Either way nigger or nigga are words that should be eliminated from the vocabulary of every human being.
The word “Nigger” was a term used in reference to a slave. A slave meaning, you were the lowest scum of the earth, Illiterate and uneducated in every sense. Today, the usage of the word is spilt in to different context, it is used to refer to one another. A lot of children today use the word freely, not because they are ignorant to the history and putridness of the word, but solely because they are not really offended by it and the only time they hear it, it's being said by someone else who is of color. As I looks back over the years, I can’t really remember anyone distinctively ever calling me the N-word, or better yet, not in a derogative fashion. I don’t think that anyone has ever called me the word to my face or in hearing distance. Growing up in New York City, the only time I ever heard the word “Nigger” was from people who called themselves “Nigger”. I remember sitting in class daydreaming on the word, thinking to myself, “How could anyone call themselves a Nigger and be proud of it?” Yet It’s Hard to hurt me with words, but I had never heard that word used with such vengeances. What does this word mean in my everyday life?
As a black American male, the word nigger conjures up within me hate, hostility, violence, oppression, and a very shameful and unfortunate part of American History. The word symbolizes the everlasting chains of a people plagued with hate and bondage simply because of skin color. For many black people, including myself, nigger is the most pejorative word in the English language. Even when compared to racial slurs like kike, honkey, cracker, wet back, spic, jungle bunny, pod, tarbaby, and white trash, nigger is noted as the worst insult in the English language. The word nigger suggests that black people are second class citizens, ignorant and less than human.
The word “nigger” has two main variances today, and they were both expressed beautifully by Tupac. The word carries with it a privilege also, a privilege that only certain people are allowed to use this word. And it is what African descendants call each other as a way of connecting in a brotherhood type of fashion. In areas such as “Bomton” - otherwise known as “black compton” - “brothas” can casually see each other at the convenience store and address the other as “my nigga” or “niggah” however they prefer. Now imagine the same scenario but with two Caucasian males saying the exact same. It’s weird right? That is because the word is still highly debated to the present. It is unclear whether the word should be banned from everybody’s mouth or if it should all be left to identify
In today’s world, people would like to think that racism no longer exists, at least not in the way it use to exist in the past where the people could be lynched or beaten or arrested just for the color of their skin. Racism today are stereotypes based on a person’s skin color, for instance if that person is a Hispanic or a Latino they are probably an illegal immigrant or if they are African American with dark skin they probably have a criminal record. Many racist stereotypes are usually targeted to the African Americans, Hispanics or Latinos that live in the United States. Besides the stereotypes they are the slur words used against them as insults, such as using the N word or the word “black” for African
The Meaning of the Word “Nigger” I can recall the first time I paid close attention to the word nigger. In junior high a school fight would occur about every week and of course the whole school would gather together and watch. Well this particular fight sticks out in my mind because it was between two boys of different races, Hispanic and black. During their conflict the Hispanic boy bluntly called the black boy a nigger, and that was when the rest of the black students became verbally involved. I remember screaming out “ who do you think you are calling him that?”
For years’ black comedians have been stereotyped by black humor using racial slurs in their jokes to communicate with audience an about the social and political issues in the black communities. Although a diverse audience might catch on to most of the contents in a joke that have black humor, some people in American may take it in a harmful and unintended way to avoid controversy with the audience so people need to understand how to identify what is humorous and what is offensive in racial and ethnic humor. I will attempt to prove that living in such a diverse society with the freedom of speech it does not always mean using the word Nigga is a racist thing to say in comedy.
“Nigger” is a highly controversial term used a lot in America. It is used by both white and people of color. Some believe that the word can be used freely, others object to the use of the word. Some use the word as an endearment, and some use it as an insult. Some people believe that no one should use it, others believe that only blacks are allowed to use it. Some even believe that you can use it in private as long as you are not around people who it may offend. And then there are
Is it a coincidence that highly urbanized areas are full of crime and always statistically higher than small towns and rural areas? A child that is being brought up in a metropolitan area that is full of violent crimes is flooded in a sense and has nothing to do but to breath in some of the negative influences that go on around him. Therefore, I believe that the most influential scene in a child’s life is the neighborhood that he grows up in. Parents cannot constantly watch over their children, ask about whom they are hanging out with, constantly check where they are, and find out what they are getting themselves into? (Statistics p348)
There are laws that prohibit any type of segregation in the United States of America. We have in office today the very first African American president, President Barack Obama. The culture is now more politically correct on what is acceptable and what isn 't. There is a scene in the 2005 remake of The Longest Yard that includes Guard Dunham ( Stone Cold Steve Austin) and prisoner Megget (Nelly). The "N" word was used towards this prisoner a few times, but this was the only time in the movie it was used. This is obviously not okay, but compared to the 1970 's film, this was a huge change. The use of that hateful word helped the director portray the guards as villains in the film. The 2005 remake did not separate the white and black inmates in the prison like they did in the 1974 original. Although director Peter Segal did use the disrespectful word in modern day, he used it moderately. Segal did not use it so freely like the original film because today 's culture would not tolerate it. It could have jeopardized the quality of the film in the view of modern day