A subscriber to the Hued flower on face book made a comment on a reblog regarding Paula Deen’s use of the N word. [http://blackwomenwhoknowtheirworth.wordpress.com/2013/06/25/193/] [https://www.facebook.com/TheHuedFlower]. Summing up her comment, she asked why the N word was being used as a term of endearment instead of saying I love you, or you are great.
This is something I am still trying to figure out myself, here’s why:
Some of us are offended, some of us are not depending or whether it be the N word with an A or ER at the end. However usually it’s the black people who are considered negropeans who have the problem with both terms opposed to those who embrace the worlds stereotype of who they are.
There’s an issue with both sides, or extremes I am pointing out.
The negropeans have a tendency to dislike much of the black culture and feel much of it is terrible without gaining any real understanding of the situation in its entirety. The situation being the way the system has been set up to leave many blacks without proper education, jobs, medical, food etc.. Oh and let’s not forget the prison system with its need for a 90% population at the expense of the black and poor. And to top that, many of them feel it’s the black mans own fault, but won’t try to help another black man. Sound familiar? Modern day house negro perhaps?
Then you have the black men and women who emulate what they see themselves as which is depicted more negatively than anything on the big screen, small screen, news, tv, internet, etc.. They do not approve of those who they say act white but still make attempts at having the material things that compensate for what they feel will make them appear classy or above another financially. They may hate on those they see as lighter skinned or not who act bourgeoisie because they feel or maybe witness them getting more than they do. Sound familiar? Modern day field negro perhaps?
If the only example of how to be is mainly focused on white people, that alone causes community division and leaves many lost when it comes to who they are. Even as the attention is on a said to be successful black man or woman. It may not be till after they are dead or that some of us don’t realize the cowardice our supposed heroes have in that they speak what needs to be spoken to keep their lifestyle.
With this said I feel until the majority of us gain a better balance we will debate the N word [with or without the ER or A] for years to come. The way I feel about it may change over time but as of now I feel the N word with an A is a hip hop community thing that should be kept as that. I don’t feel it needs to be said during intellectual conversations in either forms. Just like any curse word when a black person uses it, it is meant to be funny or not taken too seriously unless it deals with anger or violence. I do feel we need to examine if we are subconsciously laughing at ourselves.
Lastly, sometimes white people use it because they are seeing what they can get a way with, or feel we should be fair even as the original label wasn’t fair…I could go on. Some whites tend to be focused on now but now cannot happen until we know where we came from, so there’s no moving on or getting over what we have yet to understand.
Hued Flower 
Great post. I agree about the negative depictions in movies. The negative depictions of us are always applauded. The positive is ignored or purposely overshadowed.
Thank you, and yes these issues live too well in our communities.
Lmao. Now I have to check if I am a negropean? Rof.
Afropean is another I’ve heard before.lol
If anyone can point Afrope on a map, I might consider it.
The term was inspired by Dr. Umar Johnson which for me made is easier to make a point rather than re-explain or reiterate the types of people with that particular type of thought process.
I had the pleasure of meeting Umar two years ago. It was at a lecture in Los Angeles. I met him in the lobby before he gave his lecture. We talked for about five minutes.He was a very down to earth brother. He had no ego at all and was cool with everybody there. If he ever comes to your city be sure to check him out. He always has powerful information.
I think the emphasis on whether or not we ( black folks) use this word is proof of white supremacy being used to turn on ourselves. The only reason we are considering obliterating this word from our vocabulary is because white folks can’t use it the same way we do. It is one of the only thing we have to ourselves and they want to be able to do (and say) everything they want.
Honestly, I think if we all stopped saying the word, we would still have the same issues we suffer from on a daily basis. Instead of focusing on using a word, we should focus on decreasing our actual portrayal of what the word represents.
I hear you. I think erasing it’s use until we all get educated on its true African origins is best. Words are powerful because of the very point you made, so until we reach a collective point of understanding, why use it?