Jairus Edwards

Prof Noone.
English Comp
November 21, 2016
Mini Research
Some people may take offensive to peoples choice of words, others may not; some use
words in a joking manner, others see it as teasing or a mockery; some find this type of play
simply that play, others see it as a downward trend[1,8]. Daniel Black author of The Coming has
spoken on the importance of naming. Daniel Black has strongly voiced his opinion on how he is
not a fan of using the N, B or H word. He argues, using it in a playful manner isnt valid; that it
holds hatred and prejudice in which it was created for originally [1]. Sources suggest, there are
both people who agree and disagree with Black, but more interestingly there are sources that
offer a different perspective [2, 6].
In Blacks speech on naming he gives a very interesting point; how other cultures dont
use African names in circulation. This is very thought provoking and its true; that other cultures
dont use African names, like a normal name or European name. Black thinks that the reasons
and meanings behind names are so important, which is why he feels that the N word is
disrespectful to blacks, even when they use it within themselves. Jacquelyn Rahman suggest,
somewhat similar to Black, that identity is important; however she suggest that using the N word
is an identity. She says, [the] Use of this form allows a speaker to construct an identity
representing awareness of the history of African Americans and practical knowledge of the

nature and implications of the diaspora experience (Rahman 137) [12]. Rahman is suggesting
that regarding the N word its an experience behind it, which according to Black is true. However
Rahman isnt saying the experience is prejudice and a bad experience necessarily, but its a way
to construct a mind to create awareness of the prejudice [2]. Rahman is saying using the N word
is way to inform about African American history.
Rahman suggesting that its approved to use the N word when creating an experience of
informing an uneducated person, others think the N word is just a word, and has no real effect
behind it. Keith Allan, author of Contextual determinants on the meaning of the N word, seems to
view both points in his essay. He analyzes the N word as such, he says, use of the word nigger
is very often castigated as slurring the referent, but this ignores the context of use. For many
people the word itself is a slur no matter what the context, and such people argue for its
eradication from the English language. Eradicationists confuse the form of the word with its
frequent use as a slur that discredits, slights, smears, stains, besmirches people of black African
descent (Allan 11). Allan and Black both see eye to eye that the N word is belittling the African
community, but Allan discusses the points of others; how they use and view the N word as a slur,
and that being the only way to view it.
Daniel Black says that the N word holds hatred and prejudice and that its insubordinate
to use; however sources explain why they use the N word. Michael Jones, author of New York
Amsterdam News, discusses the diaspora of the Blacks in America. He says, I realize the inherit
danger with such pronouncement is that we risk sounding like the racist who believe we are all
niggers (jones 13). Ideally Jones agrees with Black, but suggest that saying the word nigger vs
nigga apply to certain people. Jones then continues to discuss what a nigger is; what
classifies a nigger. He says Ns are not smart; that they lack reading, and the knowledge behind

reading. Niggers are cheap when it comes to money with a sense of entitlement (Jones 13). This
definition suggests almost what Black was referring to when using the N word; however, it
includes a different point. Black says its a term from being oppressed; Jones is saying that
people lack the intelligence in which they become a nigger.
Lacking intelligence can have multiple reasons behind it, like lack of resources, or
motivation or self-conciseness. Janicia Dugas conducted a research that analyzed the correlation
between self-conciseness in African American high schoolers and using the N word. The studied
show the N word was mostly used in African American teen girls. She said her hypothesis was
correct the girls with self-issues used it more, as a way to defend themselves and not look weak
(Dugas 1405). Whether Dugas agrees with Black or not is unknown, however, the studies agree
with a few of other sources. Dugas study agrees with the N word being used with ignorance, and
no knowledge of the word; that the N word is used with little intelligence, and not actually
thought out.
Daniel Black and his opinion on using the N word was the tip of the iceberg when it
comes to the N word. Many sources take Blacks perspective and either enhances it or suggest a
different opinion along the lines of Black, but why? Others agree with Black that the N word
shouldnt be used freely and casually, but instead should not be used at all. These sources inform
their audience to really think about the N word and when using it. When/if its okay. All the
sources messages are a little different, but most of the authors agree that education is needed to
really understand when its appropriate and when its not to be or to use An N word.

Works Cited
Allan, Keith. "Contextual Determinants on the Meaning of the N Word." SpringerPlus 5.1
(2016): 1-11. Academic Search Premier. Web. 15 Nov. 2016.
Jones, Michael. "In Defense of the "n-word"." New York Amsterdam News 02 Aug. 2007: 13.
Academic Search Premier. Web. 15 Nov. 2016.
Rahman, Jacquelyn. "The N Word: Its History and Use in the African American Community."
Journal of English Linguistics 40.2 (2012): 137-71. Academic Search Premier. Web. 15
Nov. 2016.
Tolbert, Catrice L., and Janicia Dugas. "The Relationship between African Self-consciousness,
Cultural Misorientation, and the Use of the N-word among African American High
School Students." NAAAS & Affiliates Conference Monographs (2013): 1405-419.
Academic Search Premier. Web. 15 Nov. 2016.