“The N-word “is arguably the most consequential social insult in American history, according to Randall Kennedy, a professor at Harvard Law School. Two decades ago, he wrote a book simply entitled n—–: The Strange Career of a Troublesome Word.
Throughout history, the N-word has frequently and casually been used by people of diverse positions and backgrounds, including U.S. Presidents, Senators, and Supreme Court Justices. In the words of Maya Angelou, the N-word has evolved into something that is “vulgar and dangerous.”
Kennedy, in his searing book, discusses the use of the N-word by Whites and Blacks alike. For example, he talks about Chris Rock, who uses the N word liberally, but also makes it clear that Whites can’t say things about Blacks that Blacks say about themselves. For many, the N-word is a cover for white racism.
Recently, the Pew Research Center asked U.S. adults about their views on the use of the N-word. 7 in 10 adults say it’s never acceptable for Whites to use the N-word. Interestingly, 4 in ten adults say it’s never acceptable for Blacks to say it.
As a sociologist, I tend to focus on the social context of language. In other words, in what setting is the word being used, whose using it, who is the audience, and what led up to its use? With virtually every word we use, context means everything.
Robert Sraver, the owner of the NBA Phoenix Suns, was recently suspended, in part, because he frequently used the N-word. His excuse? “He was just saying what he heard someone else say.” Evidently, Sarver, who is White, is one of the Whites studied by Pew who say it’s OK to use it sometimes.
Before I get ahead of myself, I need to come clean. More than two decades ago, I was teaching Introduction to Sociology at Baltimore City Community College. I had assigned an excerpt from a book I read at Colgate University, The Autobiography of Malcolm X. The direct quote I read word-for-word to our class came from a discussion Malcolm X had with his English teacher, Mr. Ostrowski. After Malcolm mentioned he was thinking of becoming a lawyer, Ostrowski responded, “A lawyer—that’s no realistic goal for a n—–. You need to think about something you can be.”
After class, one of my African American students wanted to see me in my office. When we met, he accused me of being a racist because I used the N-word. His accusation blindsided me. I mentioned I was simply reading Malcolm X’s own words straight from the book, but he would have none of that. As he saw it, I was a white guy showing my true colors. That experience taught me a valuable lesson. It’s never, ever appropriate for a White person to use the N-word.
For Whites, the N-word overrides and obliterates context. It’s that powerful. The circumstances don’t matter. The timing doesn’t matter. The audience and whose saying it doesn’t matter. Pure and simple, don’t ever use it.
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