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I agree with the above folks that, no it isn't a cuss word but as caucasians, it is unacceptable for us to use it.
However, the fact that young black males (mostly) now use the term to address one another, is actually a statement of empowerment. They have reclaimed that which was once used in a derogatory way against them and made it their own. It is very like when gay people began to label themselves as 'queer'. This too was once a derogatory term for homosexuals (both gays and lesbians) yet now they reclaim the word as their own thereby negating it's negative image within their own cultural scene.
The 'Vagina Monologues' have sought to do the same for all women with the 'C' word but I think there is quite some way to go before most of us find it an acceptable word to use in everyday talk!
It's just another word and what I DO object to, is someone who is so simple minded they buy into the Political Correctness nonsense and want to tell ME that I can't use a certain word even though this is supposedly a country with FREEDOM OF SPEECH.
I do not think the N word is a cuss word; however, I find it degrading and derogatory. It was a word used to degrade and insult African-Americans during times of slavery and racism, so I think people calling each other that is not ethical. Why would you call your friend a word associated with such horrible times?
As a Caucasian, I think the "N" word is terrible..I just don't understand why blacks go around calling themSELVEs that word. I don't go around calling MY friends, honky and cracker...
Don't think it's cus word, but when used in racist way is insulting and wrong.
The N word is a bad word and should be treated as a cuss word. Reasoning it out is easy... people are offended by it.It is a word used to treat others as lower or in a bad way.
If people are offended , and it is used in a demeaning derrogitory way it should be deleted from the English language. There is no excuse for treating another human that way.
I think it depends on context. Usually, it is used as an insult outside the African American community. However, AA's use it among themselves without compunction. Go figure. It's like a Weight Watchers meeting calling each other fatso! WTH??
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