Why is it racist to say "nappy hair"?

Question

Msputiton · Accepted Answer

Let's give another history lesson, since history hides 90% of historical white racism and the way they used it.

Nappy means raised fibers. White slave owners used it to mock their slaves by saying our slaves hair are as nappy as the cotton they pick for us.

Just like the n word, we took ownership of words, that were used to hurt, and mock us, during slavery and make them uplifting instead of a way for white people to continue to hurt us.

The origins are racist, because white slave owners loved to verbally humiliate their kidnap vicitims. Because beating them, raping them, torturing them and forcing them to do their work, just wasn't enough for their sick twisted deranged minds, amusement.

SaoirseS · Accepted Answer

I don't know if the word by itself is racist by itself, unless the term is used in a derogatory context. Radio show host Don Imus got into a lot of hot water for using the word, but the entire phrase he used was "nappy-headed hoes" in reference to the Rutgers women's basketball team (mostly black women). I was a kid at the time, but I remember the fiasco. That is definitely derogatory, and unquestionably racist. I'd never heard the term "nappy" before that; I thought it was just the British term for baby diapers.

I've never used the term in spoken or written language before. Most of the black girls I went to school with referred to their hair as "kinky."

WhiteSteve · Accepted Answer

If the people who actually have the texture of hair that people are describing in such a way don’t like it to be called that, for whatever reason, that’s pretty much the beginning and the end of the discussion. This is simply an issue of courtesy at the end of the day. People who are unable to be courteous are the problem, just in a broad sense, not just specifically this issue.

aoihewgf · Accepted Answer

who says its racist? it may not be taken well by black women but that doesn't mean its a racist comment.

I will state though, nappy, kinky, whatever the hell you want to call it... it looks much better when black women sport their natural hair instead of trying to hide it with all that fake crap.

Anonymous · Answer

Racism is not whatever offends a particular race. Race-ism is a personal belief/prejudice you either have or have not.

You cannot accidentally be racist. You can know you're around the lowest of society if they hastily assume they know what you believe.

Anonymous · Answer

Pardon my French but what’s “nappy hair” my English isn’t 1st language I never heard it before either..
if it’s bad word think it that way thoughts and words don’t exist after all it’s ok what others say. If you dont like your hair you can cut or change or get used to what god gave you
Some are bold dont have hair due to cancer etc. Who cares what others say

Sonorous · Answer

Must not be that racist since I've legit heard many people of my own race say it about their own hair & the hair or their loved ones.

FifiJones · Answer

Is it? Is being racist a crime? I thought only physically injuring or calling to physically injure is a crime

Dargil · Answer

I don't say that. It's become a trigger word. For professional black victims. I use only one expression for them. Black. No tortured "POC" or African-American.

CuriousMufuxka · Answer

Because everything is racist due to whiny ass bitches. Also white people are easy targets.

sage2021 · Answer

Didn't one of Stevie Wonder's songs have words in it about a nappy headed boy?

exitseven · Answer

I always used to put my kids down for a nice nappy. Now it is some racist thing. Who can keep up with all this BS,

Anonymous · Answer

That’s not a term I use but let’s face it, to some people around where I live I could open my mouth to yawn and be called racist. Not having said anything to or about them, just based on things I have no control over.

Ben487 · Answer

I don't think its racist... but I realize other people do so I just refrain from saying nappy and use frizzy instead.

zagor · Answer

It isn't, but saying "nappy-haired bitches" is...

Hispanic-Cool-Guy · Answer

No idea. Saying the truth can be seen as racist.

Greenbean27 · Answer

It isn't, it is slang to describe unkept hair in the black community.

Fuentes · Answer

It's not unless your purposely calling someone nappy and adding derogatory words to it lol

Dinosaursandanime65 · Answer

It’s not, they just like division = destroying America as the chosen country.

Jltakk · Answer

Don Imus got in trouble for it, as a black person, to this day, I don't get why. Loved his show.

Sour-rose · Answer

It's racist to say the truth?

AaronKrieger · Answer

Sounds like an insult

Lyndsielee666 · Answer

I mean it’s hella derogatory

XiJinping · Answer

I don't see why it should be.

KostasKouvalis · Answer

I honestly don't even know what that means

Anonymous · Answer

it's not, it is a description.

AngryCarl2 · Answer

In the UK nappy means diaper.

LiamJHayden · Answer

Sounds that way to me.

Kathie93 · Answer

I would never say that

domenico07 · Answer

Who says dat and wtf does that even mean

KrakenAttackin · Answer

Like "nappy headed hoes"!

BeMuse · Answer

It's not.

jimmy2 · Answer

What a beautiful smile

Spade_01 · Answer

Is it?

NostalgiaSenpi · Answer

No, lol.

Why is it racist to say "nappy hair"?

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