As A Black Woman, I Want to Stop Using the N-Word

I’m sure you’ve heard the news about Gina Rodriguez. If you haven’t here’s what happened.

She posted a video on her Instagram singing a Fugees song. What has people heated is her also singing the N-word. Her actions have everyone discussing the video. Supposedly, this is not Rodriguez’s first incident concerning the black community.

I love that Kevonstage posted a video in which he and his black friends discussed who can say the N-word. In the video, you hear from his biracial friend and Afro-Latina friend which I thought was a good idea. I loved hearing the different perspectives although I disagreed with some.

I also disagreed with Loni Love on the Real Daytime talk show. I’m so glad Amanda Seales spoke her mind on the show. Her point was that when artists use the N-word in their songs they are speaking of their black experience and shouldn’t be taken out of songs because people are sensitive about it.

Loni’s point was that if we want others to stop saying it, it needs to be taken out of our music. It needs to stop being played on the radio.

Here’s my perspective and why I’m choosing to stop using the N-word:

• The History Behind the Word

  Everyone should know the history behind the word and if you don’t, shame on you. This word was used by whites to demean blacks. If you google the definition, this is what comes up…

  “ Used as an insulting and contemptuous term for a black person”'

  It also says, “the word now ranks as almost certainly the most offensive and inflammatory racial slur in English, a term expressive of hatred and bigotry.”

  Words have power and I feel every time I use the N-word I am giving power to the oppressor. I feel that I am stepping back in time.

  I have aunts and uncles, even my dad, who grew up during a time when racism was more prevalent and “in your face.” So I also feel it may be disrespectful to them and my ancestors.

  Speaking of, I know there are many of the older generation who hate the N-word and prefer millenials to stop using it.

• The Consensus in the black community is that we have taken this word, made it our own, and taken the power back. This was not my thinking growing up. I used the word because it sounded cool to say it and it was slang. I didn’t really think about the meaning behind it but as I’ve gotten older I’ve questioned myself. Like do I really want to keep using this word? Why am I using it?

• Why do you want to use it?

  When I say you I mean those that are not black. I get how others can be confused and the famous question “If black people can say it, why can’t others?”

  First of all, why would you want to use a word that was used as a racial slur? Just because a certain group of people uses it does not give you a pass to use it.

• There is an argument that the word should be taken out rap songs if blacks want others to stop saying it. I disagree. I think that the issue is much bigger than taking it out of a song and I believe nonblacks will still say it or want to say it.

  The other argument , specifically in Rodriguez’s case, is that she was just singing the lyrics. And?? People should use common sense and skip over the word or replace it when it comes to the lyrics. Just like when people skip over curse words in a song. It’s not that complicated.

With all that being said, i’m a black woman. Not only that I’m a black mother and I want to set an example for my son. I don’t want this to be a part of my vocabulary anymore. I know I will probably slip up and say it out of habit sometimes but I’m going to at least try not to use it. I think no one should be using the word, but if anyone does use it, it should be black people. Period.