Derogatory Terms

The word derogatory is a term used to demean or degrade a person or thing. To use a derogatory term on someone means that you are implying that they are below you, socially and racially speaking. Derogatory terms such as chink, beaner, terrorist, Jew, white trash, redneck, and the n-word are terms of hate; terms that cut through skin and can be more hurtful than physical pain itself. Not only are there derogatory terms for race, but also terms that are gender specific such as hoe, bitch, gay, and slut. Looking back, when those derogatory terms were created, they were created specifically to put down certain people or races. As of today, rarely is anybody allowed to shout out racial slurs in public without garnering negative attention from someone, and rightfully so thanks to the Civil Rights Movement, Feminist Movement, and other small movements that were inspired by the Civil Rights Movement.

However, today and for the past 20 years, derogatory terms seem to have reached a crisis point. Derogatory terms have turned into a paradox; certain derogatory terms’ connotations have changed from that of contemptuous to that of endearment. Take for example the n-word. FYI, to this day, I still feel uncomfortable saying or typing the n-word so the word will be referenced as n___-a or n___-er (you fill in the blanks). Anyways, n___-er is a word that still strikes a blow of hatred to those who use it. However, the connotation of the word n___-a has been flipped to a term of endearment and becoming a synonym for “homie” or “friend”. The phrase “Wassup my n___-a” during a greeting is prevalent in the rap culture and inner-city culture. Listen to artists such as 50 cent, Jay-Z who has a song titled “N___-a What, N___-a Who” or even as Aaron stated in class Nas who wanted to name his album “N____-er”. It seems as if the word n___-a has removed the seriousness and sting from the n-word. It has been said, from comedians and rap artists, that they justify using the n-word because what they are doing is making the word counter-productive, and that by redefining the connotation of the n-word they are also removing the hatred that came from the past and that it is their way of having their own “movement”.

Yet, this notion of redefining or removing the seriousness of derogatory words is a slippery slope. There are people who are unwilling to accept the radical idea of using racial slurs to remove racism in society, while others, mostly the younger generation, have no problem with it, mainly because they were not directly affected. Younger generations did not live through the Civil Rights Movement so they may not have felt the strongest sense of hate that came from the word n___-er prior and during the Civil Rights Movement. Furthermore, the n-word seems to be the only racial slur that has been able to change its connotation. Gay, white-trash, beaner, etc. still has a negative connotation. I don’t think you would hear two Mexicans saying “Hey, beaner” or two white people saying “Hey, white-trash” and have it be acceptable, showing that this new idea of using racial slurs to remove racism in America is an extreme and radical idea that somehow is used for the n-word.

Furthermore, one has to question if racial terms will ever be acceptable to use in everyday language without fear of reprimand. Going back to Truman’s thoughts, he likes to make racial jokes with his friends because he knows his audience and that his friends will not overreact to his jokes. This notion also reminds me of what Parika said yesterday that certain people in certain situations are allowed to say things that other people cannot. Comedians such as Chris Rock, Dave Chapelle, and Richard Pryor have often brought up the n-word humorously, while Michael Richards AKA Kramer’s tirade on the n-word was not as well received and has essentially been black-balled. George Lopez, Carlos Mencia, and Paul Rodriguez are known for making fun of Hispanic culture, while Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy plays on redneck culture. In essence, making fun one’s own racial slurs has been done before on the comedic circuit, but the intentions on why it is done remains to be solidified. Sometimes a comedian may be making social commentary, while others are just looking for a good joke, while some it’s a mixture of both. A question that was raised up in class was “Is a joke racist if nobody takes offense to it?” So, just because someone doesn’t take offense to a racial joke, means the joke is not racist? This train of thought was somewhat disturbing to me because we would be ignoring the social injustices and trivializing the struggle people have made throughout the world to eradicate these racial terms.

Ultimately, this notion of derogatory terms and their usages is a confusing subject. This ambiguous line that separates demeaning and endearing in certain racial terms has raised a plethora of questions. Often, it is hard to tell the context with which a racial term is used, and one has to ask themselves if there is a medium or standard which should be laid out for people to understand.