It seems like it would be apparent when it was acceptable to use racial slurs…never. Especially if they do not directly affect you, there is no exception. It is not funny to call someone a name that demeans them because of their color.
The most prominent racial slur accepted and being used in today’s society is the “n” word. Actually its prominence has been high since before our time, but the fact that it has not necessarily decreased is outlandish. Before, white people would openly say it hatefully, but now it is being used in the comfort of their homes in spite and then used in public as if it is endearing. You can not pick and choose when the word is hateful; it is not your word to determine the definition.
Rap music is oftentimes used as an excuse for non-black people to use the word, basically saying, “If you say it, then I can too!” But this thought process is similar of the people who say, “Since women call each other ‘hoes’, then men can too!” They are both flawed in that a person who has not been oppressed because of the word does not get to choose when it is acceptable to say. And for the people who think because their black friend gave them a “nigga pass” they can say the word, destroy your nonexistent pass. Your ignorant friend does not have that power. Go back and get a pass from our ancestors who were raped, beaten and killed while being called “nigger,” and then I will find it acceptable for you to say the word. But until then, just stop.
In the words of activist Marc Hill, I’m not saying you can’t say it, I’m saying you shouldn’t want to. What sick satisfaction do you get from saying a word rooted so deeply in hate? As a black person, I personally try to refrain from saying the word out of respect of my brothers and sisters who came before me and what they had to endure at the hands of that word. I do not think that anyone who is not black should say the word though, not even other people of color. It is not as bad as when white people say it because people of color have to go through similar oppressive circumstances, but it is still not right. No one has faced the oppression black people have faced except black people, and because of that, only black people can use the word.
Likewise though I do not feel that non-Mexicans should say the term “w*tback”, or non Asians use the word “ch*nk”, or non Native Americans use the term “r*dskin”, and so on. Basically if the slur has not affected your life directly (not your friends or long lost cousin), then you should not be saying it. Just because people of color are taking control of words used against them does not give you the authority to also use them because what you are doing is inherently taking that control away from us, yet again.
The word “cracker” has often been compared by the ignorant to racial slurs, and that is simply wrong on so many levels. First of all, racial slurs are one thing, the term cracker is not racist. The term cracker was used given to slave owners who were white and in a powerful position, therefore it systematically can not be racist. Second of all, the term is usually used to call out white people on their problematic behavior not necessarily to demean like racial slurs are meant to do. It originates from the ‘crack’ of the whip that masters used on slaves, so in reality it is non comparable to racial slurs. It may be rude or mean, but it is not on the same level of deep hate as racial slurs.
It is really shocking to me that racial slurs are still being used at such a high rate in 2016. But should it really? I mean at a time Donald Trump can openly say racist things about immigrants and still have a mass following, nothing should really surprise me. Racism is embedded in the core of the United States and not saying a few words will not change that, but it is a start. Holding people accountable for their racist words will break down the idea that it is acceptable to degrade people of color with no consequences. That will directly break down the concept that it is acceptable to be racist.
