N-Word Blog

In Randall Kennedy's book Nigger, there are many questions and viewpoints posed to readers. The most interesting idea, in my opinion, it on page 39 of his book. He talks about the black usage of the word nigger, and why he believes it is used. I found it extremely interesting that Randall Kennedy says many blacks use the word to be seen as "real, authentic, uncut, unassimilated, and unassimilable" blacks. While on the other hand, those who refuse to use the word are seen as trying to blend into mainstream white society. This got a huge reaction out of me. I can see where the author is coming from for the most part, but this idea seems racist in itself. If there are two black males, and one uses the word nigger and the other doesn't, the man who openly uses the word sees the other man as not a "real" black. Isn't that racist? The man who uses the word sees himself as "true and pure" and the other man as attempting to blend into whites. To sum this up, the author makes it seem like by not using the word, you are becoming more white. Wouldn't that be racist? To me, racist means judging another person based on skin color or cultural back round. So maybe it isn't racism, but seems pretty close to me. It is a form of racism within a race. This idea isn't really one I can agree or disagree with, but it sure made me think.