Ta-Nehisi Coates explains why white people cant say theN-word

[gollygee]

22. You really need to think about the history of this word

It is a word of oppression, of slavery, of human beings being bought and sold and mistreated as property. And continued oppression in the many years since then.

When black people use that word with each other, they are saying that they share that history and oppression. "We are in this together. We share this horrible history." It's about solidarity.

White people don't share that history. We can't use it to say "I've gone through this too. My ancestors were also enslaved. I am also a victim of systemic oppression." When we say it, it means something different. Think about what it means when white people use that word.

This is not that complicated. If you open your mind and your heart, I believe you will be able to see the difference.