Yesterday, there were quite a few irritating, No! Not irritating, down right disgusting comments left on my post about the word “Nigger.” As I often do, I felt like I wanted to address some of the comments. There were a few in particular that I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at.
Namely, the “Diction definition” of the word.
When it comes to racial issues, I find the dictionary to be one of the abhorrent books on Earth. Most words were written at a time in our Nation’s history where the person that actually held the pen would skew the word for their own purposes.
How many times have we seen “The Dictionary defines racism as…” used to actually justify racism? How many times have we seen “The Dictionary defines racism as…” in order for someone to not only justify their own racism but claim “Reverse racism” in others?
Let’s look at the Dictionary’s definition of the word “Nigger.”
Before we get started, I would like to preface this with the fact that, according to the Dictionary, this word was officially defined around 1640. That is sixteen hundred and forty.
This is of great importance because the dictionary has not updated this definition since it’s introduction at that time. Now, let’s look at what the word “Nigger” meant IN THE DICTIONARY at that time. Also, since it has not been updated, it would be reasonable to believe that the meaning is still accurate today, yes?
The Dictionary’s definitions of “Nigger.”
- 1. a. black person b. member of any dark-skinned people
- 2. person of any race or origin regarded as contemptible, inferior, ignorant, etc.
- 3. victim of prejudice similar to that suffered by blacks; person who is economically, politically, or socially disenfranchised
Ya’ll ready? Okay, let’s do this…
According to these definitions, numbers 1a, 1b and 3 would be reasons to NEVER use this word if you are not of the Black race, correct? Would you agree with that? Don’t worry, I already know that some of you won’t.
My favorite part of this is number 2. At this time, 1640, this word had a very specific use. It’s purpose was very specific and it’s vile was very apparent.
When I first saw the number 2 description, my initial thought was that this was the “Get out of being a racist free” card. I’ve heard racists say this more times than I can count. Hell, people were saying it in the comment section yesterday. Originally, I saw this and I jumped to that conclusion.
Then, I did a little more research. Turns out, I wasn’t quite right.
The second description was in fact talking about it’s use for non-Black people at that time. It seems that the word was in fact (big shocker) SPECIFICALLY used to dehumanize Black people. Just as the word is one of the worst words any (non-Black) person could use today, it was also the worst you could be COMPARED to then. You see it wasn’t this “All encompassing” idea that ANY “Inferior” person could be a “Nigger.” It was that Black people were Niggers and the lowest thing you could ever be called was a Black person. Yes, it really was that simple. It really was that disgusting. It really was that basic, that racist, that sick and that ALLOWED.
To all the non-Black people who continue to defend your use of the word, I would also like to encourage you to read the Usage Notes attached to this word in the dictionary.
Oh let’s be honest, if you were the kind of person who actually did their own research, you wouldn’t be a racist in the first place now would you?
The Dictionary’s Usage Notes for the word Nigger:
- The term nigger is now probably the most offensive word in English. Its degree of offensiveness has increased markedly in recent years, although it has been used in a derogatory manner since at least the Revolutionary War. Definitions 1a, 1b, and 2 represent meanings that are deeply disparaging and are used when the speaker deliberately wishes to cause great offense. Definition 1a, however, is sometimes used among African-Americans in a neutral or familiar way. Definition 3 is not normally considered disparaging—as in “The Irish are the niggers of Europe” from Roddy Doyle’s The Commitments—but the other uses are considered contemptuous and hostile.
I would like to take a second to point out that last bold portion. QUOTE “The Irish are the niggers of Europe” and remember, this was proceeded by QUOTE “Not normally considered disparaging.” Even in the Dictionary’s Usage notes, the fact that the the bold sentence above was stating that the Irish were being treated as less than human in Europe, the comparison is meant to NOT BE DISPARAGING. As in, the worst anyone could be treated is LIKE A NIGGER but that comparision ISN’T a problem.
Even the Dictionary doesn’t see why putting down an entire race and using that SICK put down to compare what other’s have been through could be “Disparaging” specifically to the Black race. It’s okay, as long as YOUR point is being made, right?
The Dictionary guys. The Dictionary.
THIS IS WHAT YOU SOUND LIKE WHEN YOU SAY “The Dictionary say…” YOU SOUND LIKE THE DICTIONARY. That is NOT a good thing.
