The Word Nigger

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The Word Nigger When it comes to the use of the “N-word”, “nigger”, most of us will readily agree that it is derived from negativity. Where this agreement usually ends, however, is on the question of is this word appropriate and should it be a part of our vocabulary today. Many feel like this word is okay to use but there are some that disagree. “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 …show more content…

(Merriam-Webster) Nigger was at first niger, which means the color black in Latin. Over time the Spanish adopted the word and it became negro, the color black. It was not until white Americans adopted the word that it became negative. Instead of using the word as an adjective, it was as a noun. The new meaning of the word was now “colored person” instead of the color black. White people used it as an “insulting and contemptuous term.” It was “a term expressive of hatred and bigotry.” (Merriam-Webster) The word “nigger” later became a synonym for the word “negro” and it was used in “derision”. The word was later used in a variety of ways. For example, nigger-lipping (which meant getting too much spit on the end of a cigarette), nigger-knocking (to knock on someone’s door and run away before they open it), nigger heaven (when you owe money but you are not living like you do), and nigger luck (bad luck). (Middleton, Phill and Pilgrim David) Those are just a few examples but you can see that they are negative. The word is negative. It is and was associated with negative things so it should not be

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