"Do I use the word n$#@%r? Yes, in my comedy routine and in life because it's our word. Here's the thing. We need to stop giving people the power over that word. We take it and turn it around to make it beautiful. You see, they gave us that word back then. They called us n$#@%r back then. So yes, I hold on to it. And I say it to the n$#@%rs, keep doing your thing with pride and honor. Look how we overcame. Her name is Oprah Winfrey. His name is Shawn Carter. Her name is Condoleezza Rice. Look at them n$#@%rs."
Actress and comedian Mo'Nique defending black musicians who use the word "n$#@%r" in their lyrics, insisting it is a term of endearment.
More on Mo'Nique:
Mo'Nique: Big Girls Don't Cry
F.A.T. Chance Promotes Fat Lifestyle
Comments: (368)
Add a comment
By: Dorothy Merritt on 7/30/2007 9:40PM
You don't have to be black to be a nigger It is a form of behavior and attitude and come on be real there are some real niggers out there i see them everyday
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Cecil Jones on 7/30/2007 10:36PM
Somebody gets it! Well almost. The word is not a term of endearment and it's only a negative if you still give it the power to supress you. Mo is right, but she took it too far. The Brothers shouldn't take the word and spread it around to make it more common in the language. You can say it if you know how to use it, but there can be no mistakes about it. Anyone who thinks that crying or whining will make the word go away doesn't understand the mentality of a beatdown. If it works, they will continue to use it. It's about taking power back and not giving it away. For us to use it flippantly gives the power back. A funeral will never bury the meaning. Restricting it's use is blackmail and it empowers Al Sharpton. If you want to call me the word, say it to my face. This way I don't need to look for your sheet. There are some Blacks who would like to take your power too. There will always be "Overseers". That's what scares me about Cos, Oprah, Obama, and the Urban League. The NAACP is just clueless.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Lisa on 7/30/2007 10:44PM
There is no justification of the "N" word. It is not "our word" as Monique states. It is white folks word which is and was used to degrade, de-humanize and demean. It is not a "term of endearment". Sweetheart, baby, love, king, queen are terms of endearment...the "N" word...NOT! The word remains a negative connotation, just let a white person holler out the "N" word at one of her comedy shows, we'll see how much of a term of endearment it really is to her. You don't take a word that our ancestors and elders had to endure and turn it around to mean something positive. That is a bunch foolishness. We honor ourselves, our elders and our ancestors by creating our own words to describe us. http://www.rebuildcreditscores.com
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: arabion james on 7/30/2007 10:50PM
If the N-word is a term of endearment...
Let me hear, someone use it in a sentence, when they see their very own mother walking up the street..
Hey! here comes my N*@*##r. Did you know your mother is my favorite Ni@@&r. Mo'nigue you are way out of bounds. Any black person who tells the world this word does'nt mean what it use to. Tell them I said, to use it in a sentence, and describe there mother in a good way...Pecksniffian...brothers&sisters don't be that..
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: LISA on 7/30/2007 11:00PM
Monique, is my girl but there is no justifying using such a derogatory word.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: goldfingers on 7/30/2007 11:39PM
Why would you want to take a word like n**ga and try to turn it into something
beautiful? Would you take a word like pedophile and try to turn it into
something beautiful? NO! And the reason you would not is because you
understand the meaning of such a dreadful word.
When it comes to the n-word people for the most part are virtually ignorant of
its history. And it is out of ignorance that someone would want to take a word
as evil, heinous and diabolical as the word n**ga and want to use it
affectionately and endearingly.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: davis on 7/31/2007 8:01AM
I so agree with you so much, There is nothing & I mean nothing endearing about the use of the word.
visit:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=3GVTGNcGNeY
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Coree on 7/31/2007 10:11AM
Moniques statement just personifies her ignorance as it pertains to the topic. How in the world can a word that was "given" to slaves to demean them be a term of endearment today? You don't hear white people walking around saying "what's up my cracker", or honkey, etc. She doesn't like to be called fat, which she is, but you can call her nigger? Please!!
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Dee on 7/31/2007 10:20AM
How can someone who tries to empower overweight people, and change the meaning of the word fat, use her voice to utter that garbage? And #2, we know the word isn't going away, but it doesn't have to be given it's own different meaning to justify using it. Expand your vernacular. There are many words you can use as a term of endearment, and if you're not sure which word you can use, try doing a crossword puzzle or two, you'd be AMAZED at the new words you can learn.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Lorraine on 7/31/2007 12:10PM
If the word is so endearing, did she legally name any one of her children that for the first or middle name? Unfortunately, the slave mentality is still with us and we don't recogize it. I love Mo'nique's praise for the fuller figured woman and the self esteem and pride she brings with it. She ought to 'copy and paste' that same attitude towards the African-American race. Endear to NOT ever again giving that word credence by NOT ever using it.
Reply to this Comment | Report This