I Don’t Understand Why Black People call themselves the N-word

When are we actually going to remove the N-word from our lexicon? The N-word need not only be removed but incinerated from our vocabulary. Any black person who uses it should be met with the same disdain and disbelief as non-blacks who use it.

Black people have been doing the job for the oppressor: the oppressor sits, observes, smiles as the name they gave centuries ago is used and owned.

How we have rationalised the use — proudly use a label given by an oppressor to instil inferiority, is unfathomable; sometimes we even use it derogatorily against our fellow man.

Musicians and writers include it in their work because they think it gives it that edge — some say it’s even cathartic to utter. Some may enjoy the quasi-secret club perk that comes with being black “If you’re not black, you can’t say it” — and yet, the N-word is repeatedly put in popular music. Even before Spotify, black music has been accessible and consumed by all. So I struggle to understand the logic in putting a word that only a few people can say in popular music. Have they stopped to think that when a non-black person is singing or rapping that verse in the comfort of their home that they won’t omit that word; Why should they?

If you’re not black, you can’t say it” — and yet, the N-word is repeatedly put in popular music.

Black people have been doing the job for the oppressor: the oppressor sits, observes, smiles as the name they gave centuries ago is used and owned.

The use of the N-word in the black community is an insult to our ancestors.

A name spewed by the oppressor hundreds of years ago while they had a whip in one hand and a rope in another, is voluntarily and willingly used today by the very people it oppressed. If that isn’t a legacy, I don’t know what is!