How black do you have to be to say the n word?

[Nevergoingtousethis]

I’m 12.5 percent black and my boyfriend said he thinks I can say the n word. I don’t say it because I feel like I’m not black enough to truly experience what black people go through if that makes sense. My dad, who is a quarter (25 percent) black, also does not say the n word. So I’m curious, how black do you think someone needs to be to say the n word?

[Tamera952]

Nobody should say the "N" word, period. It's not a matter of 'who is black enough to earn the right to throw around that epitaph' -- That's the wrong way of looking at it.
I hate that word, and I hate that black people call each other that name. I hate that they have gotten comfortable with the term & use it as every day slang. Don't get me wrong, I understand about marginalized groups embracing terms and terminologies that once were used to deride, as badges of honor - but this is a little different.
That term in particular is so divisive, and carries such negative connotations, and such heavy 'baggage' from the past, I think everyone should choose to remove that word from their own vernacular and decide that they're not going to use it (even in jest). I can't imagine a scenario when it would be appropriate for anyone to use it, quite frankly.
Can I stop others from saying it? -- No of course not. I can only shape what I say and do. But to answer your question, nobody should be saying it to anyone. It's a bad habit to get into, and a better choice would be to encourage others to just stop using it, period.

[Newhead]

You gotta look phenotypically black at least like Drake, but if you are Mariah Carey black which looks very white, everyone better knows you're black for you to say it. To be safe, why don't we just stop using that word?

[TomGarand]

Honestly, I don't think you have to have a drop of black blood in you to say "nigga." I agree with your boyfriend, and I'm black myself. You're not saying "n*gger." You're saying "nigga."

They're two completely different words. If a non-black person said it and the context wasn't racist, there is nothing that blacks should be complaining about. No harm, no foul.

[RolandCuthbert]

Uhm. . . there is no such thing as being 12.5% "Black". If you are a member of the culture you are a member of the culture.

As for the n-word, genetics/culture has nothing to do with saying it. If you feel comfortable saying it, say it. If you don't, then don't.

But be prepared to pay the consequences either way.

[Nevergoingtousethis]

Maybe I should’ve said 12.5 percent African American? I’m not sure what you mean there. The rest makes sense :) thank you

[RolandCuthbert]

Okay, let's talk about what you mean when it comes to "percentages".,

Mariah Carey is a "Black" woman. Do you think "Black" people care what percentage of her DNA comes from Africa?

One of the greatest magazine covers in the history of magazines.

Titled "America's most misunderstood Black Woman".



You need to use a label that makes sense to you. Some people who have mixed heritage just claim one culture. Some claim several. Like Blake Griffin is "Black" and "White". Eric Andre identifies as "Black" and Jewish.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmoM5K04eDA

[Nevergoingtousethis]

But with that being said, she still must be some percentage black/African American to be considered “black”. You know?

[Nevergoingtousethis]

I’m still not sure what you’re trying to say? Maybe I’ve misunderstood.

[RolandCuthbert]

I am not disputing that. But heritage and culture are two different things.

[Nevergoingtousethis]

So you’re saying if you’re a part of black culture, it’s okay to say the n word?

[RolandCuthbert]

Isn't that a separate issue?

Do you really think that if you say the n-word around "Black" people, you won't piss people off?

My ex called me the n-word one time.

And she never called me that again.

She is a "Black" woman.

[Yaaten]

You're "not black enough to say a word"! Holy crap on a cracker, what has the world come to? Now a person has to be a certain ethnicity or "colour" in order to use certain words. That's completely moronic and retarded (oops, can I still say those words "moron" and "retarded" because I am neither of those? Do I have to be more than 12.5% mentally handicapped?).

[Nevergoingtousethis]

I mean it may come off as offensive to a lot of people if someone who isn’t a certain amount black says that word. You know? So like without making people mad, what is a safe percentage according to your own personal opinion? Is what I was asking people.

[Yaaten]

If a word is "offensive" to a majority of people, if it is demeaning in any way and has unpleasant connotations and associations, then the simple rule should be that no one use it. After all, it isn't polite to deliberately insult someone for the sole purpose of eliciting an angry response. Trying to work out who has what percentage of "black" in them is an exercise in futility. Why does anyone even care about crap like this anymore anyway? Why is "race" even an issue?

[Stoner710]

Nobody should be saying the N-word not even the one with the A on the end of it. My position is either we’re all allowed to say or no one is allowed to say you can’t have that double standard. Personally I think double standard to be a legal and a fineabke offense by 1,000 dollar. If you’re a politician you get fined $100 billion

[lightbulb27]

You mean how immature... ignorant... and mean do you have to be. Color not relevant other than ability to get away with saying it and getting cool hand shakes and "sup dogs".

Id say 50% so you are too low

[Nevergoingtousethis]

I do not and was not planning on saying the word either way. I was asking about in general if that makes sense. :)

[jshm2]

You can't as you're half caste (though less than quarter caste in your case), not Black.

You're no more Black than orange concentrate diluted in a gallon of water can be called or compared to "orange juice"

[Nevergoingtousethis]

I wasn’t asking for me personally. I don’t identify with black culture or struggles whatsoever, of course. I was kind of just asking in general, how black people think one should be to say the word. Hopefully that makes sense

[Kaneki05]

It's a dumb hypocritical word really. Basically have to have skin that clearly shows your black to say it (which is racist within it's self for multiple reasons).

[RoxyFoxx]

It's about physical appearance. If you LOOK black, you will be perceived as black. Simple as that. Most people are not going to comb through your genealogy or take your blood for a DNA test.

[rjroy3]

I'm over 50% black and I don't use it. I'll say nigga but that's it and it's sparingly. Usually said like, "this bitch"/"this nigga here"

[Nevergoingtousethis]

So would you say there’s a certain percentage one should be to say it? For instance, my dad is a quarter black and he never says the word. My friend is also a quarter black and she says it all the time (in a similar way you described using the word, as well as singing it in songs). One person might think that’s okay, and another might not. Do you think there’s a certain percentage where it’s okay/where it’s not, or would you say it’s up to the individual? Hopefully that question makes sense.

[rjroy3]

I think as a society we should take the power away from words, because having words that some people can use and others can't while being socially acceptable is a fundamental problem today.

There's one thing by saying, "I can say that because I'm black" when regarding talking about something from the perspective of a black person. Because you have experience to validate what you say rather than conjecture.

But saying "I'm allowed to say it" is a problem. Socially speaking pretty much any person who is not dark skin black will on some level bother dark skin black people by saying the n word unless they know and like you or they're generally cool with it.

You at the same time make everyone in the room uncomfortable whom aren't socially "allowed" to say it. There's a lot of issues with that.

[Nevergoingtousethis]

Alright :) makes sense! Thank you

[menina]

No one should say the n word, no matter what their race is. I'm black and I hate using that word, so I never say it.

[JackieJaii]

If you have to tell people your percentage of blackness you probably shouldn't say it. I don't think it's a great word to want to say anyway.

[Nevergoingtousethis]

I don’t want to say it. I was more so just asking in general, how black should one be to say the word? For example, my dad is a quarter black and doesn’t say the word either. But my friend who is a quarter black says the n word all the time.

[JackieJaii]

It's really about who you're around. Most white people that come from the same neighborhood as black people who they know very well can say it but wouldn't be allowed to say it anywhere else

[electromagnetic]

You can’t say it. Sorry.

what I’m earth is 12.5% black?

[Nevergoingtousethis]

I wasn’t asking about whether or not I could say it, I was asking how black you need to be in general to say the n word. Also, 12.5 percent is when your parent is a quarter black. So, my dad is a quarter/25 percent black, my grandpa is half black, my great grandpa fully black. Makes me 12.5 percent.

[Nevergoingtousethis]

I don’t feel comfortable saying the n word and neither does my dad. I was just wondering in general, what percentage black should someone be to say the n word? In people’s opinion. :)

[electromagnetic]

I get you. Thanks for clearing that up.

I don’t really think there’s any percentage of black that makes saying the N work okay.
The word was created to put down the black men/women in our community.

[Nevergoingtousethis]

Alright :) I get you lol. Thank you!

[Giggletr0nn]

Pull of the Crayola colour pallette and hold it up against your Dad, if he isn't at least the shade of burnt sienna then you can call him out on it

[Nevergoingtousethis]

He doesn’t say the n word. He is a quarter black lmao

[MissGeorgia]

It’s probably better refrain from saying it. You don’t need to say it.

[Nevergoingtousethis]

Me specifically or everyone? I don’t plan on saying the n word. 😂

[MissGeorgia]

Anyone who has to think about whether they should say it probably shouldn’t say it

[Nevergoingtousethis]

Some people don’t see any issue saying it if say they’re a quarter black, but other people who are the same percentage black are unsure if that’s okay. So I guess I’m just asking what is acceptable? In your opinion.

[leahzrc]

i think it might have to do with how much you actually identify with being black

[Yaaten]

Oh okay then. I'm actually not "black", was born in the whitest of white countries (England), but I'll choose to "identify" as being non-white. Because I can, you see. Do you see how stupid this is, how utterly ridiculous 'identity politics' truly is?

[leahzrc]

im talking about people who have African American ancestry...

[leahzrc]

i meant African ancestry not African American

[Yaaten]

Well, according to the 'Out-of-Africa' hypothesis, we all have ancestors from that continent anyway, so...

[leahzrc]

okay, a considerably significant and recent amount of African ancestry/genetic background

[Yaaten]

How recent? How much? What percentage?

[Nevergoingtousethis]

That makes sense. That’s what I have gone off of and what I assume my dad has also gone off of, hence why neither of us say the word. My boyfriend just thought it was weird and so I got to thinking, there’s probably a lot of people who simply view it as just being black meaning you can say it.

[leahzrc]

@yaaten that is determined by the individual, if they consider themselves to have a significant amount of African ancestry, and identify with being a black person, that can determine whether the person chooses to say the n-word

[FýrdracaDócincel]

Oddly enough, you don't have to be any percent black.

You just need to fit the black stereotype, which is counterproductive as far as combating racism is concerned but hey, I'm not an idiot.

[doctord00m]

Anybody can say "N i g g 3 r" for any reason they want to. This is a free country.

[Nevergoingtousethis]

Sure, but I mean saying it respectfully, not just because you can.

[Yaaten]

How do you insult someone "respectfully"?

[Nevergoingtousethis]

@Yaaten I don’t mean using the word to insult other people. I mean things like singing it in a song or saying it not directed toward anyone in particular if that makes sense?

[vlx-na]

It's just a word.
The more you fear it the more power you give it.
If somebody insults you based on anything you are or do - you just say "yeah whatever dude" and move on with your life.

[JackSmy]

Why does ANYONE need to EVER say that DEGRADING WORD?
What is wrong with you, justifying the use?

[Anonymous]

I don't think anyone should say it, I don't care how "black" you are! And yes, I'm black before you ask. The word itself is offense and should have been tossed out long ago.

[Pink2000]

You’re not black sweetie. You shouldn’t even want to say it.

[Nevergoingtousethis]

I don’t want to say it, I was just asking about in general.

[Pink2000]

In my opinion no one should say it. I don’t say it and I am black. However, a large majority of black people in United States have some non black ancestry it could be Native American or European or Mexican, even Asian. But if both of your parents identify as black then I guess it’s “acceptable”

[Dweezil]

Isn't asking this question racist?

Can a Hispanic use the word because of his brownish skin tone?

[Nevergoingtousethis]

I meant, what percentage African American should one be to say the n word? In people’s opinion. It wasn’t a question based off skin color, it was a question based off ancestry.