The N-word in America: a term loaded like no other

How come Quentin Tarantino was allowed to get away with using the N-word in "Pulp Fiction?"

First Tarantino submitted a 4023 application (Request for Permission for a White Man to use the N-Word) to the CRAAIWW (the Council to Represent African American Interests World Wide) who had a long and drawn out discussion on this matter. Finally, on a vote of 86-45, he was granted permission to use the word as long as it was:

1) In an artistic matter to further the character development of his character

2) Used less than 46 times

3) Not used in a demeaning matter towards any black man, or towards a white man in a manner meant to degrade him by inferring he was a black man and therefore less inferior.

Armed with this permission to use the n-word, Tarantino filmed his movie with the dialog for his character.

If you watch the movie, you'll the references to this application and subsequent approval towards the end of the credits.

The major problem with America is not the N word but the fact that people do not say they are American first. If all Americans said they are Americans, and not put in front of it some other continent, country, religion or disability, Americans would be a much more cohesive group.

I am proud to say I am and American. If anyone wants to know about my background and heritage, depending on whom they are, I might fill them in. But, my passport says I am an American. And I am proud to be one.

I'm an American, I'm Black and I never use it and if you can't stop using it when speaking to me, then go speak to someone else please.

We CAN all get along but we have to choose to do so.

The n-word, thanks to the idiots in my society (points finger directly at rappers) is now being used more consistently thanks to them by many races. Its been completely ignored the connotations it really has at it's roots. "Friends" call each other that because they believe they're "cool" because they hear the rappers constantly use it. In my state I've heard Caucasians call each other that, Hispanics, Latinos, and of course Afro-americans. The last time I was called the N-word was 5 years ago in its negative connotation by a car driving by full of either Caucasian or Hispanic young males. Note they didn't stop the car, but sped off.

So thanks to "hip-hop" and gansta rap, they totally ruined our society for their arrogance. Like taking a dump on everything the previous generations had to fight for tooth and nail during civil rights demonstrations, civil war etc.

In spite of the stupidity race relations are still very good, compared to a few decades ago. But as I said, we still have those "groups" that are fervently working behind the scenes for implementing their racist perspective just trying to be a lot less noticeable.

Funny how blacks can say / use it candidly among themselves. Anywhere too.

Not really, sometimes we call each other that if were really p'oed at them too. And I quote, "You dumb a$$ed n* wtf is wrong with you fool!" That usually means someone is about to get an a$$ whoopin'.

It still has it's negative connotation. Just basically determined on how its used. I still don't like it though, but I and many others have tolerated a lot of other people using it on each other.... free speech and all that.

Richard Pryor was probably the base origin of consistent usage outside of ye' olde southern insults though. But that was also because of the era and way he grew up. Ghettos, pimps, ho's, drugs, and much more blatant prejudice. He spoke what was on the minds of many at the time.

I live in the deep South. Race relations are cordial because we want to get along. The real problem is the power versus poverty status quo. Mostly we are kind and respectful...we look out for children no matter what. I would never want to live without black people...they laugh a lot and enjoy life. I wasn't raised to be racist and have grown up comfortable with all sorts of people. This article is very good...covers the bases as we say in baseball.

The question is, why would any white/asian/latino person want to?

Hip hop "culture" is to blame. Just this morning omw to work I observed a young black male walking down the street with his earbuds on rapping out loud a N loaded song. Whites/Asians/Latinos also listen to this exact same "music". I do remember the days when most rap songs were poetry with soul* and meaning... not so any more.

Funny how blacks can say / use it candidly among themselves. Anywhere too.

But if a white/asian/latino (in the US) blurt it out, suddenly it's totally forbidden. Then- all of a sudden- ur labeled "racist".

What's hilarious is that the first person to point out racism is usually "the racist".

I do remember the days when most rap songs were poetry with soul and meaning... not so any more.

Yeah............... gangsta rap..................

First of all, the "Hip Hop" culture has be commercialized and twisted for a higher market appeal. The Hip Hop that was started in New York by artist such as KRS ONE is not the hip hop today. It was started for Black people for Black people. It stands for Higher Infinite Power, Helping our People. It's really easy to target the culture that you were a casual listener to but it goes deeper than that. I'm not defending the use of it but we fail to even look at the parents that allow their kids to use it. Blaming "hip hop" is a strawman tatic.

It goes deeper than that and if you would like, we could take this discussion to PM/

Lots of good comments here but most of them are focused on Hip Hop as the root of the problem. Hip Hop and the artists on stage represent just the side of the wall. Blaming Hip Hop and it's artists is like throwing eggs at a brick wall.

You have to focus on the people who have control and the money. Think about it. Uneducated rappers are offered a Benz and a boatload of money if they'll rap and bring his their race down a peg at the same. They take it the deal.

N-word this, N-word that. At the end of the day call it Gangsta Rap. Don't forget the misogyny as well. I could see MLK rolling over in his grave right now. Nicki Minaj.

I won't blame the Christians either. America has the same religion as Japan. That religion is Capitalism. Capitalism will make you sell your soul. If you don't know any better, you'll be in the studio booth using the N-word.

The good people who represent African-Americans who DON'T use the N-word. Well White America went after them too. You know who I'm talking about, Michael Jackson, Bill Cosby, Kobe Bryant and the list goes on and on. Anybody who made an effort to show African Americans in a positive light were brought down.

Tough topic here. In conclusion, I would say don't blame anything but the people who CREATED the word. English is a language and African-Americans at the time were taught just enough of it to understand what they were told to do. They were denied an education. Racism is systemic and institutionalized in America. If future rappers could receive equal funding for their education in inner city schools then maybe we wouldn't have rap music. Or better yet it might evolve.

Hip hop "culture" is to blame.

"Warning. This CD contains explicit lyrics. Parental discretion advised." After early CD's released by Ice-T and NWA, every "rapper" began to incorporate the N word into their lyrics.

The N-word in America: a term loaded like no other

Do the math. No wonder why the N word is a term loaded like no other-

I'm born & raised in N.Y.C. and hear this coming from kids both black & white all the time. this is the one word definition of Ignorance, to which one can add the use of the word "Boss", which is used all the time by blacks looking to get a rise out of white people. I can live without this racial nonsense,all around!

Some call Obama a race hustler. By many accounts, race relations are WORSE than when he took office.

Holder wants to have an "open discussion on race," which really amounts to blacks lecturing whites.

Few whites owned slaves THEN and even less own them now.

Arguing over who is the biggest victim never solved anything.

As far as "rappers" using the word, I believe now it means basically the same as "dude."

If you watch that famous Texas teenage bikini girl video, for example, in the beginning, when the evil white cop was running, he tripped and fell.

Two black kids that were filming it said "nigga FELL!" referring to a white cop, who is supposed to be the archenemy of blacks.

From a purely linguistic standpoint, you may say that "nigga" is Ebonics for "dude."

Too bad too many read WAY more into it than that.

How come Quentin Tarantino was allowed to get away with using the N-word in "Pulp Fiction?" I was quite shocked at the way the character he played used the word.

** So thanks to "hip-hop" and gansta rap, they totally ruined our society for their arrogance. Like taking a dump on everything the previous generations had to fight for tooth and nail during civil rights demonstrations, civil war etc

I think you have to look at it historically. African Americans/Latinos/Carribeans were stolen/sold from their lands. Their cultural identity was shattered they they were reduced to one name or Color; (Negro/Black). The bastardized pronunciation of that (N**ger) is the huge problem today. I think that Black Americans (switching the (ger) into (ga) did that for one main reason. That is the only word that was used to acknowlege them. It became their only identity. I personally believe that's why "gangsta rappers" used it. The slave mothers called their kids the same name and it has been around for generations. The problem lies in the usage. The elite used it as a term for dehumanization while the oppressed used it for identity. I don't teach my kids that word the same reason I don't allow my kids to use the term "Hafu".

Funny how blacks can say / use it candidly among themselves. Anywhere too.

But if a white/asian/latino (in the US) blurt it out, suddenly it's totally forbidden.

The question is, why would any white/asian/latino person want to?