This word is perhaps one of the most stigmatizing words that have been used to describe a particular race in the course of history of mankind. Nigger is a derogatory word used to describe humans of native African descent, whom, by virtue of the slave trade, became transposed from their native continent, Africa, to other continents like Europe and America. Over time, they have acquired another identity, different from their native African descent – most of them reside on the American continent and have come to be referred to as African Americans. By virtue of the color of their skin, which was at that time widely qualified as black, were referred to as niggers. This was quite derogatory but there was no attempt at stopping this act. It is indeed an act of stigmatization meant to demean the person of the black slave. This, I would say, worked pretty well as African Americans particularly felt the weight of word. This word has led generated quite a number of civil unrest in the past as African Americans continually strived to stand on their feet and demand equality with the native races of the Europe and Americas that continued to refer to themselves as whites. before long, the a kind of superiority had been attached to the ‘white’ race and inferior ‘black’ race was referred to as niggers.
In times past, there was no legal inhibition against the use of the N-word. However, due to the persistence of the African American movement in the 20th century, this status was changed.
The N-word is still used today by many ‘white’ Americans to describe African Americans and this calls for concern. Moreover, African Americans have continued to identify the inappropriateness of the word in qualifying an individual and a few African Americans actually use this word to describe fellow African Americans in order to affirm a sort of inferiority.
The use of the N-word should be discouraged for many reasons. The first of these is that scientists have proven beyond all reasonable doubt that no human race is superior to the other. This was the initial basis for the use of the word in describing a race thought to be inferior to the others. The continued use of the word by ‘whites’ can, in this light be seen as a ‘foolish arrogance’ similar to the one displayed by an educated illiterate.
Moreover, some of the major civil disturbances that have occurred in the past were due to continued suppression, part of which was the continual use of the derogatory N-word.
I conclude by citing the United Nations declaration on human rights which reads thus “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights, respect for the members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the whole world”
From this, it can be deduced that a lot of difference would be made by abolishing the use of this word. There would be more peaceful co existence among the races of the world. No race would claim to be superior to the other. And no one would be judged according to the color of their skin.
The world would be a better place if this change is made. The N-word should be abolished. It is barbaric, derogatory and demeaning to the person of whoever is described as a “Nigger”.
REFERENCES
1. The Universal declaration of Human Rights (1948). United Nations. Retrieved from http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html
2. Abolish the N-Word (2006). History. retrieved from http://www.abolishthenword.com/history.htm
3. Big Brother: A Brief history of the N-Word (2008). The Independent Media, London. Retrieved from http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/big-brother-a-brief-history-of-the-n-word-452465.html
4. Turbulent history of the troublesome N-word (2007). Times Online News Site. United Kingdom. Retrieved from
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article1907256.ece
