THE "N" WORD

A honest look at a seemingly complex word!

 

 

How can you get mad because I use the "N" word?
Don't you think your argument sounds just a bit absurd?
Did you forget your ancestors used it when they took us from our lands?
Maybe you forgot about its use, when we were lynched by the Klan
So now you want to get angry because we use it to just say "Hi!"
Where was all this righteous anger when we were being hung to die?

 

Yet, I will try to play advocate even though you are being absurd.
I will also give you a few points on the true nature of this word
The word was meant to hurt; it was the last that many blacks heard
It was damning, it was maddening, and it was a horrible hateful word!
Then something strange happened that many of you don't know
See my ancestors were not so stupid; they tried to soften its blow
They took it and retooled it; it was used to greet and to grow
They changed its primal meaning because they understood
This word is a reflection of our history; all the bad and all the good

 

So now we use it in our greetings, in both good and troubled times
It has been used in our songs, our poems, and our rhymes
We have moved away from the days when whites could use it to strike fear
And this is when you get righteous and say it’s a word "you" shouldn't hear!

 

You hear it and get angry, screaming "BAN IT! Stop Them! It's a mean and nasty word!"
Man don't you know you sound foolish, hypocritical, and ABSURD!
I will leave you this thought; something that I am sure you will be happy to know
It will help you not to get mad, when you hear the "N" word muttered as you go:

 

Whenever you hear the "N" word and your righteous anger starts to trigger
Take in the comfort of your ancestors that no one ever called you N****R! 

 

© 2012 Eddie Phillips

Author's Note

After the Paula Deen situation I look at this poem and laugh. Understand the history of the word and why some use it and others can't we are not stupid many of us understand. I still love this poem. I don't often use the word but I have heard it my whole life. The history of black Americans in this country is complex and those who get righteous and don't understand the history of this word might want to look into it before they judge those blacks that do use it.

Reviews

[Kwiksie Ifediora]

personally i'm not fond of the word, and i do not particularly use it to hail my loved ones (partly because they already have names, lol) and then no matter that it has become quite acceptable amongst most of our brethren, i don't see the gain in tagging myself with the same term that was created with the sole aim of demeaning and degrading me. Sure for a bit it might have served as a defense mechanism, but what is the sense in making it a permanent part of your vocabulary? i'm not the most familiar with its history and all, but roots, origins and motives matter a great deal. If there is no essential positive, wholesome and edifying gain being derived from its use...methinks we needs find another slang. :)

[Eddie Phillips]

I agree somewhat. I don't use the word but I understand the history of it. The point of this poem is to point out the hypocrisy of people now getting upset when black use it amongst themselves. I don't think it will ever completely be removed from our culture. It holds to firm a hold. It is a individual choice that people make to use it. Many choose to continue to use it. My Great-great grandmother was 98 years old and still would use the term. So it is not fair when others say its only the uneducated and rappers that use it in the black community. It has a history, both bad and good. That is the point of the poem. Thanks for reading and leaving a comment.

[Glen Yumang Manese]

Ignorance is no excuse of the law...--- yet you lay this out in the lines of this work...the venting yet Philo behind the meaning of the word --- educate and relate is what I say...--- if you can do that in the world...---- ignorance is not a factor...--- just a statement of what has become...

[Baby Ricochet]

White folks can't black folks can. It's a good cultural rule, lets keep it.

[A. H. Pinley]

I ask who the hypocrites are? You, not you personally, can't get mad at Paula Deen for using racial slurs from thirty years ago. And really we're comparing apples to oranges. Now I may have not been called the words that you've called growing up, but I've been called other words intended to harm me. So get off this kick trying to justify using the "N" word. The can either be used by all or by no one. Because then again who's the one that gets offended when they hear it?

[Eddie Phillips]

I appreciate you reading this piece. The truth is that there is a historical background to why this word is still used in the black community. I do not have to like it. I do not have to use it. Yet, it will be used in my family and around me because it is ingrained in our culture. I will also say that whites will never be able to use it again. Not because its fair, or right or wrong. They will not be able to use it because of the history and the culture behind it. Sadly, it is a fact that I wish were not so but it is what it is. My point in this poem is its not worth getting mad about when blacks use it. Why? Because they will use it anyway. My other point is there are people who are only upset that the "they" cannot use the word. That is the hypocrisy I speak of in the poem. Thank you for reading and leaving such good comments. This is a very split poem...it always has been and I love when people talk about it because I understand both sides.

[A. H. Pinley]

I don't think the "White" community is mad that they can't use the word, I think the problem lies when someone that is so happens to be "White" uses the "N" word they are tarred and feathered. Made out to be a racist. Lose they job and used as an example, a political beach ball. I'm glad you said cultural thing, because that's exactly what it is, but so were a lot of things at the time. You mentioned KKK. Sure the KKK is still around, but their tunnel vision world view is grounded in hate. When you think about it, the "N" word is used today as rebellion. Pinned up anger. An unwilling to let go of the past, I didn't say forget the past, and move on. Progress, a word on the Left like to use so much. I get your point, but I'm sure Dr. Martin Luther King would disapprove. I have these discussions with my fellow black co-workers. I'm sure some on the workroom floor are like, "Aaron, you're crazy for having these discussions in the open." We're all adults here, so act like it. God bless Eddie!

[Eddie Phillips]

Please comment. Bad or good I would appreciate the feedback. I am new on the site.