Originally written for and published by The Commonline Project on May 17, 2007.
I am a white woman. I have never, and will never, be called a "nigger," by virtue of this fact. Some might say that renders my opinion irrelevant. I beg to differ. The debate over the infamous "n-word" is not unique; "cunt" and "bitch" spark similar debates among feminists, along with "fag" and "dyke" in the queer community, and "flip" for Filipinos, to name merely a few. While the words may be different, the dilemma is the same: can a word ever be truly reclaimed?
As a writer, I hold firm belief in the power of words. I see their import, not in their dictionary definitions, but as derived from the subtle texture and color that use has given them over the years. For how else do words gain meaning? Words can only be defined in terms of each other, and therefore, without the connotations of each's individual history of usage, would all end up synonymous. As George Santayana famously said, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." Thus it is that in order to effectively use a word, I must know its history, and I realize the implications it may have on what I am attempting to convey, depending on the context, and the sensibilities of my audience.
Does this mean I should never speak a word that has insulted or oppressed? On the contrary. Just as I believe that criminals should be rehabilitated, not punished, I would hope for the successful reclamation of "past offenders," and this can only be achieved by a systematic and deliberate use of the word in a positive way, creating new associations... in effect, changing the very meaning of the word. Can this be done in practice, with a word with such a rap sheet as that of "nigger," or "cunt?" In all honesty, I do not know. I do not believe one can predict what path the flow of language will cut through the future. But just as I strive for perfection every day of my life, knowing I will never achieve it, I think there is some value in the attempt.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
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2 comments:
I'm not sure what you are getting at with this blog. I'm thinking that you're saying that we should try to use the "N" word more and make it a word that is looked at in another light.
I know you're saying that we should try and make a change with some of the terms and actions of the past and possibly turn things around that were once negative and try to create a positive from them. But when a word is created with negative intent from the start, there seems to be no way to turn that into a positive.
Take for example the Hip-Hop culture that uses the word quite often in reference to their clan, group, friends or individuals that are close to them or their organization. Tupac Shakur even came up with a acronym for the word to try and create a positve to the slang version of the word..Never Ignorant Getting Goals Accomplished (NIGGA)but the word still brought fury to the culture when those of another race used the word. As soon as a white person says the word to many memories of the creation of the word and how it was used in a negative light to the whole African culture come about.
To be honest the word itself has the power that only the people have given it. And that has always been a negative power. Words like "bitch" "fag", or even "dyke" can't completely be compared to the "N" word because all of the other words were created to mean something else and later connected with negativity toward people's lifestyles. It's the opposite for the "N" word which was create in a negative light toward a group of people and then later changed to represent something else. There is only one history behind the word and that is the history of slavery, oppression, discrimination and all the other negatives that came along with trying to make a group of Africans being taken from the richest (resource wise) Nation in the world feel less than what they really were.
The history behind the word is simple. Niger is one of the first areas hit by the Europeans for the slave hunt. The majority of the African population that were to become slaves were Nigers. So really a mix up with how to spell and pronounce the word along with the discraceful way they treated the African people while all the time screaming out to the Nigers, beating them, hanging them and letting everyone that came around know that the Nigers were filthy and beneath all, even creatures of the Earth. Plus you still have terrorist groups and organizations such as the KKK that freely use the word for what it was meant to be used for, negativity!
To me the word will always be like a curse word. It is what it is! No matter how much we argue that it's just a word it will always hold a certain hurt to African Americans and if you respect the feelings of others you won't use the word. The real question is what's the big deal with not saying the word? There are plenty of words that we don't use, so when you're trying to create a positive environment for your children by letting them know not to use curse words, just add that in as one of them. I don't use negative words and that is a negative word. It doesn't matter if your black or white! It's a word that really won't be missed in my eyes.
If you're labeled, even if it is in a derogatory context, the key is to own it. In that, you control it - define it. Tables turn.
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