We’re Creating A Society Of Perpetual Division

Long before I considered myself a writer, I aimed to communicate as clearly and simply as possible. Getting an idea across is difficult enough as is. So if you’re going to say something, you might as well say what you mean.

Unfortunately, especially online, and especially on topics of identity politics, the meaning of words is often up for debate. 

In my article, What Does Ni**er Mean, I pointed out that the n-word doesn’t mean anything at all. Or, to be more precise, for better or worse, it means whatever we believe it means. And rather than endlessly trying to change the way the world uses the word, many black people would be better off changing the way they think about it.

I’ve been called the n-word several times over the years, and I can honestly say, it’s never made me feel much of anything but pity for the user. But as T revealed, even I have my limits.

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T:

Great article Steve. It’s such an odd relationship we have with this word now. I’m reminded of a clever (yet I think problematic) response from Ta-Nehisi Coates about how white people could learn something from not being able to use the word n-word. He said:

“The experience of being a hip-hop fan and not being able to use the word ‘ni**er’ is actually very, very insightful. It will give you just a little peek into the world of what it means to be black. Because to be black is to walk through the world and watch people doing things that you cannot do, that you can’t join in and do. So I think there’s actually a lot to be learned from refraining.”

Curious to know your thoughts on his view.

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Steve QJ:

“Curious to know your thoughts on his view.”

I think it's the typical dramatisation of black people's lives that you get from a certain portion of the black commentariat.

To be black is absolutely not to walk through the world and watch people do things you cannot do. That is to have an inferiority complex. People like Coates make a living pretending that there isn't a difference. Actually, do you happen to remember where you saw/heard that quote? I'd like to reference it at some point.

As I've said before, I'd much prefer it if nobody, black or white, used the word to describe people. It is an ugly word. It does have an ugly history. But I think the surest way to achieve that goal is to stop treating it as if a black angel loses their wings every time a white person says it.