How Do You Feel About the "N" Word

Reported by Jamael Skeete, Ebony Meyers
Photos by Justin Young

We also have some responses from the staff of HarlemLive. And a Poem we got via the Net by R. Pieter  

Name: Odelle Quick

Age: ?

Occupation: Administrator of Foster Care Services

Resident: Harlem

Do you use the "n" word? Why or why not? No I do not use the "n" word because I am an educated African American Woman. I don't even let my two sons use the word because it is a sign of disrespect.

Do you know the definition of the word? I know that the word is a disrespectful term used to label blacks.

Is the term disrespectful? Are you offended when other races use it? Of course the word is disrespectful and offensive and I will not tolerate being addressed like that. I am surprised that in today's society parents and other adults approve of the word.

Name:

Age: ?

Occupation: Senior Citizen

Resident: Harlem

Do you use the "n" word? Why or why not? Yea, sometimes I use the word nigger because it's just a word and does not mean anything. Today's youth use the word constantly because it's popular among them. However, as we adults get older we become wiser and learn what to say and what not to say.

Do you know the definition of the word? No, I do not.

Is the term disrespectful? Are you offended when other races use it? I don't feel disrespected by the word because it's in the dictionary and it's a part of speech. In the past the word was referred to as bad but now using the word nigger has become a habit. When someone says the word to me it goes in one ear and out the other.

Name:

Age: 38

Occupation: At home parent

Resident: Harlem

Do you use the "n" word? Why or why not? Yes, I use the word and so do a lot of other people. Black people, white people, and Hispanics use it, it's no big deal. It's just a word.

Do you know the definition of the word? No, I don't know the original definition behind the word.

Is the term disrespectful? Are you offended when other races use it? I am not offended because there is no difference between people of color and Caucasian. I may be Spanish but my great grandparents came from Haiti, so I to am mixed.

Name:

Age:42

Occupation: Postal Worker

Resident: Harlem

Do you use the "n" word? Why or why not? No I don't it is degrading to us as a people.

Do you know the definition of the word? No

Is the term disrespectful? Are you offended when other races use it?Yes I am offended by the word. I hate it when people use it.

Name:

Age:43

Occupation: Correction Officer

Resident:Harlem

Do you use the "n" word? Why or why not? I feel that our brothers and sisters should not use terms that was given to us.

Do you know the definition of the word? No.

Is the term disrespectful? Are you offended when other races use it? Yes, the term is disrespectful, and I am very offended when I hear someone use that term.