Nigger: The Strange Career of a Troublesome Word (Paperback)

~ (Author) "How should nigger be defined?..." (more)
Key Phrases: used nigger, term nigger, word nigger, African American, United States, Van Vechten (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Nigger is Harvard law professor Randall Kennedy's ornate, lively monograph on what he calls the "paradigmatic" racial slur in the English language. A neutral noun in the 17th century, nigger had, by 1830, become an "influential" insult. Kennedy traces the word's history in literature, song, film, politics, sports, everyday speech, and the courtroom. He also discusses its plastic, contradictory, and volatile place in contemporary American society. Should it be eradicated from dictionaries and the language? Should it be, somehow, regulated? What is the significance of its emergence among some blacks as a term with "undertones of warmth and good will"? Do blacks have a historical right to its use or does that place the term under a "protectionist pall"? With courage and grave measure Kennedy has, in effect, created a forum for discussion of the word he calls a "reminder of the ironies and dilemmas, the tragedies and glories, of the American experience." --H. O'Billovitch --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

The word is paradigmatically ugly, racist and inflammatory. But is it different when Ice Cube uses it in a song than when, during the O.J. Simpson trial, Mark Fuhrman was accused of saying it? What about when Lenny Bruce uses it to "defang" it by sheer repetition? Or when Mark Twain uses it in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn to make an antiracist statement? Kennedy, a professor at Harvard Law School and noted legal scholar, has produced an insightful and highly provocative book that raises vital questions about the relationship between language, politics, social norms and how society and culture confront racism. Drawing on a wide range of historical, legal and cultural instances Harry S. Truman calling Adam Clayton Powell "that damned nigger preacher"; Title VII court cases in which the use of the word was proof of condoning a "racially hostile work environment"; Quentin Tarantino's liberal use of the word in his films Kennedy repeatedly shows not only the complicated cultural history of the word, but how its meaning, intent and even substance change in context. Smart, well argued and never afraid of facing serious, difficult and painful questions in an unflinching and unsentimental manner, this is an important work of cultural and political criticism. As Kennedy notes in closing: "For bad or for good, nigger is... destined to remain with us for the foreseeable future a reminder of the ironies and dilemmas, the tragedies and glories, of the American experience." (Jan. 22)Forecast: This may be the book that reignites larger debates over race eclipsed by September 11. Look for a bestselling run and huge talk show and magazine coverage as the Afghanistan news cycle continues to slow; the book had already been the subject of two New York Times stories by early January.

Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Vintage (January 14, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375713719
• ISBN-13: 978-0375713712
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (70 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #69,768 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #58 in	Books > Nonfiction > Social Sciences > Discrimination & Racism
  #71 in	Books > Nonfiction > Social Sciences > Sociology > Race Relations > America
  #81 in	Books > Reference > Words & Language > Communication

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

91 of 107 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Intelligent write of a..., January 8, 2002

By	Karen Delong - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nigger - The Strange Career of a Troublesome Word (Hardcover)

I, like the average person get riled when I hear the word, but consider the sources. Now, Randall has put together a fantastic piece of work here that I take as a contribution, and suggest every person that has the same feelings as I have to read this. Yes I am Black, but not a N....r. Those using the word would benefit from this book, that's why I love it, I believe Randall did in fact write this book in an authoritive and intelligent way to help, or contribute to those people who need to come to reality, this book is so much of that. Read it to help those.

I wish to recommend a real book that goes a step beyond this and will help all reach our goals, SB 1 by Karl Mark Maddox

32 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Thought-provoking and controversial, February 22, 2002

By	M.C. Beamon (Scarsdale, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nigger - The Strange Career of a Troublesome Word (Hardcover)

WHAT'S IN A NAME?

What's in a name? "Nigger" by Randall Kennedy, a Harvard Professor, challenges the reader to ask this very question. What's profound about this book is how the author provides substantive information to help the readers answer the question as it pertains to one of the most emotionally charged words in the English language.

What is the social and political ramification of the use of the "N" word? In addition, what are the long-range effects, including economically of its usage? Well, these items, among others, are covered in Kennedy's upcoming book (January 15, 2002). But, what struck me most was the common use of examples to answer these points. Although, at times a quarry of legal cases, "Nigger" gives a balanced account of the "N" word and its effects throughout history.

One of the most detrimental uses of the "N" word has come, in recent history, from some of our own tongue. In fact, Tawana Brawley's case has now become one the shining examples of the "crying wolf" phenomenon. The fact that the "N" word has been used to falsify charges, to "extort" money or gain fame, can be cited as one cause for whites becoming more leery and desensitized to the use and harmfulness of the word.

Although by far, common vernacular is one of the most pervasive uses of the "N" word. Can the usage of the word "N" word change it from a negative connotation to a positive? In greeting each other and attempting to use the "N" word as an everyday phrase, we frequently confuse white, Latinos, etc. The practice is so pervasive modern day musicians like J-Lo and Kid Rock have used the word in their lyrics. But, why is their usage of the word offensive while Jay-Z and other popular rappers are considered "hip?" I am sure the answer would be that what we say among ourselves as African-Americans does not give "outsiders" license to use the "N" word. But, how can we censor the usage of the "N" word when we continue to flaunt it? I, neither Kennedy, presume to truly know the answer but the question is definitely worth asking.

Personally, I think that we should not attempt to own a word, which has never created anything but unnecessary drama for our people. I construe the common usage as a possible step back in civil rights for African-Americans. Because of the diminishment of the significance of the use of the "n" word, the ability of African-Americans and others to link its use to the commission of a hate crimes, its part in racial profiling, its place in the exclusion of minorities from economic opportunities, and the denial of legal recourse for African-Americans, we should refrain from claiming this imposed baggage.

When debating the "N" word in the black community, it is clear that we are a people constantly combating the confines of the "labels" we have been given throughout history.

Is it as simple as following Randall Kennedy's mother's advice: "not to fall apart when you hear the word?" I don't know. What's in a name? In and of itself, nothing. Like most words, it is the emotion attached to the word that makes the difference.

I believe, we should, as the book "Nigger" guides, try to determine what society makes of the "N" word and how it this word impacts us as a people before we attempt to embrace it in everyday speech.

Most importantly, the book "Nigger" encourages the reader to be literate, stay aware, stay sure-footed and on the path to equality, not just in name but in opportunity.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Intellectually Stimulating!, December 1, 2002

By	Phyllis Rhodes (Orlando, FL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Nigger - The Strange Career of a Troublesome Word (Hardcover)

Randall Kennedy, a Princeton and Yale educated African American (AA) Harvard Law School professor, is the author of the renowned book: Nigger: The Strange Career of a Troublesome Word.

In the spirit of his legal background, Kennedy methodically organizes the book into three main sections: The first attempts to define the word and discusses the historical and modern day uses of it particularly in the areas of entertainment (comedy, rap, poetry, etc.). He takes the reader back to the historical roots of the word and its original meaning to firmly establish that the n-word was intentionally used to inflict insult or to humiliate and belittle its victims. The first 40 pages cite numerous examples of how the racial epitaph has been recorded throughout American history in the educational, legal, and political institutions.

The second section deals with the use of the n-word in the American judicial system and provides interesting discussion on the legalities surrounding the use of the n-word as a "fighting word" and as justification for physical retaliation (even as a defense strategy for murder). He discusses the impact that racist views of defendants and litigants can have on court rulings. He spends a lot of time referencing legalities of when the word can be entered into evidence in a court of law and cites several instances including the infamous O.J. Simpson case in which Mark Fuhrman perjured himself when asked if he had ever used the n-word. Kennedy also covers the difficulties AA's face when suing on the grounds of racial discrimination. The author's knowledge of the law proved invaluable for this section because he shared his insight and perspective on the intricacies behind these controversial cases. The third section of the book addresses a myriad of modern day issues such as the debate surrounding censorship of the word, the campaign against Merriam-Webster regarding the definition of the word, use of the word in the company of non-AA persons, etc.

Although a small book in physical size, it is packed full of hundreds of factual accounts of well-documented real-life cases that one can research independently for more details. Throughout the book, Kennedy offers a solid discussion on the differing schools of thought between the "eradicationists", those who maintain that all uses of the word are wrongful and hurtful, and those of a more tolerant group who support use of the term in its proper context. This reader personally enjoyed the discussion that paralleled Amos 'n' Andy to Def Comedy Jam and author's choice to include viewpoints of the AA intelligentsia of yesteryear and today: Langston Hughes, Bill Cosby, Roy Wilkes, Countee Cullen, Thurgood Marshall, Julianne Malveaux, and others.

Disappointingly the author does not provide a conclusion or any formative recommendations, however, he clearly establishes that the n-word has been embedded in our culture for a very long time and will remain so as long as there is an America.

Reviewed by Phyllis
APOOO BookClub, Nubian Circle Book Club