The "N" Word
The history of the N-word is often traced to the Latin word niger, meaning black. This word became the noun negro (black person) in English, and simply the color black in Spanish and Portuguese. Despite its origin, the N-word began to take on a negative connotation in the early 1800's as a slanderous nickname for African Americans. Nigger defined, limited, made fun of, and ridiculed all Blacks. It became a term of exclusion, a verbal reason for discrimination. Whether used as a noun, verb, or adjective, it strengthened the stereotype of the lazy, stupid, dirty, worthless nobody. The N-Word continued to grow as time progressed and became one of the most notorious words in American culture carrying more weight and negativity than other comparable racial slurs.
To achieve Conscientiousness, is to become Powerful.
Today, the word still thrives despite successful strides toward racial equality in America and that is in part due to the use of the word by African Americans within their own culture. Some African Americans continue to use the word when referring to one another in social settings believing that they have taken ownership of the word and erased the negative connotation once synonymous with the word. The word endures because it is used repeatedly in society even by the very people it insults. However there have been many attempts to erase the word from American culture. In 2003, the fight to correct the shameful availability of this word has had positive results. Merriam-Webster Dictionary no longer list African Americans in the definition of the word nigger. On July 9, 2007 in Detroit, Michigan the NAACP officially buried the N-Word signifying the death of the word within American culture.
The "N" Word Is Out.
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Pride reasonable or justifiable self-respect.
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Power ability to act or produce an effect.
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Progress gradual betterment.