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Summary: A Guide to Understanding A Major Issue of American Culture
Review: Kennedy does a phenomenal job in addressing not only the origin and the history of the word, but also identifies the cultural values and the variety of applications of the most electrifying noun of America. Kennedy does an excellent job of discerning the different connotations of the word, as well as address the conflicting views on the way that this commonly villified word should be treated. Very thorough and concise, and a must read.
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Summary: Answers to questions regarding said word! Very intelligent!
Review: Kennedy has delved into questions I have always wondered regarding this quite unpleasant expression used against the African-American community. The word "nigger" is meant to be used as a way to devalue African-Americans by way of racial intolerance. Still, it is currently used as a slang word among (mostly young) African-Americans. Kennedy asks, why is it not wrong to use it among the same race and considered an insult if used by Caucasians or people that are not black? Kennedy explains that it might be due to the fact that this expression is used as a way to identify, and even come to terms with, the bigotry that society -- i.e., the white man -- has placed upon them. This is a very intelligent book. I must admit that the title caught my attention -- but the information inside the book is what makes it such a reading investment.
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Summary: Interesting...
Review: I bought this book for my brother, for his birthday. It was originally intended to be kind of a joke; he uses the n-word WAY too liberally. However, I thumbed through it before I put it into the gift bag (didn't get a chance to read it entirely), and what I saw was very interesting, especially because it mentioned my hometown (Columbus, GA). Ironically, my brother enjoyed it, but didn't really read it until after he saw the author on some talk show. As a pre-law / criminal justice undergrad, he found the book to be a good read; from what I saw of it (court cases, the evolution of the term) I liked it. The only reason I didn't give it more stars is because I didn't read it completely...but superficially, this is an interesting work--one that I intend to purchase for myself some day. It's a good history lesson...
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Summary: Simply Stellar!!
Review: This book is a Godsend! Randall Kennedy is a genius! I sincerely hope that as many people as possible read this book. In my opinion, this ranks as one of the most revolutionary books ever written about American language to date; it has helped me more clearly understand the 'fangs of the viper'. Nigger: The Strange Career of a Troublesome Word, methodically dissects the N-word to show the deliberate and diabolical social engineering that was used to transform nigger into one of the most explosive words in American history. At the same time, the book holds out the idea that change may, at sometime in the future, be possible; that one day our children will look at the fossilized remains of this little word and wonder, "What was the big deal?"
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Summary: More Than Just A Book About A Word
Review: Nigger by Randall Kennedy is an extremely rational, well-written book. The word nigger gives Kennedy a chance to explore a wide range of issues concerning language and law and human relations. I was tenative about buying and reading the book, because I have been taught [and believe] that nigger is one of the few words that people shouldn't ever use. However, that belief has always niggled [a word that some people would object to because it's too close to nigger] at me because I also believe in freedom of speech. Kennedy's arguments have allowed me to see a middle ground where my beliefs can coexist. Every thoughtful person should read this book.
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Summary: The BIG PAYBACK
Review: Sly Stone said it very cooly in the late 60's ... "Don't call me Nigger Whitey". It was a fresh appeal to whites (because they were the unarguable, original perpetrators of all the tragic color static). This book is perfect. Because the word "nigger" was based on one of the ugliest and smallest minded usages ever devised by the white social structure that first adapted it and steadily realized its use and intention was beyond their control. Hail! I say "Nigger" with a capital N, to the Status Quo ... Suffer the consequences of employing this once slavingly convenient, now problematic enigmatic word. It was crackuhs that first abused the word until niggas then defused the word, until crackuhs have now co-opted the word for their own sense of cool. So ... stamp it on all your mortgages, birth certificates, and headstones until you all understand the impact of this phantasmagoric little word. To all my favorite niggas, black and white. - A white boy.
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Summary: It's about time....
Review: When I first heard about this book I was astounded that ... would carry it, but carry it they did. Thank you ... Kennedy has brought to the forfront a question we all ask. Why can't I use a word that is in common usage by the group that objects to my using it. It is this kind of hypocracy that sets back the civil rights movement. Strangly enough in all my years I have never heard other minorities use words like kike, wop or paddy when talking about themselves. Kennedy explains this problem within his own black community. I commend him for bringing a dificult subject into national focus.
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Summary: Reviewed on National Public Radio
Review: I learned of this amazing work from an interview with the author on National Public Radio while driving home. Couldn't get to a computer fast enough and logon to ... to order it. I had no idea why this word is so bad. Now I do. Oh, my God! The author brought back memories of the horrible things done to blacks. He made it clear why this word is said only to harm and hurt. His presentation was like cold water dumped on me - I forgot what it was like in the south when I was a kid. People get fired from jobs for saying it, sued, and worse! I am grateful to the author for a much needed and overdue book on this topic. Those of us in media and law desperately need this! Everyone should be made aware that the N-word is a HATE word. It is meant only to injure a human being. Interestingly, Kennedy trapped me with pages of N-word jokes from a KKKomedy web site. He makes it easy to see how seductive it is to laugh at these jokes. That is sobering in itself. His writing is so clear, easy to follow, and illuminating - a Rhodes Scholar, indeed! Bravo Kennedy! A perfect little book about a huge problem. Well done.
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Summary: Intelligent write of a...
Review: 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
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Summary: Great introduction to open minds
Review: What I expected was some sort of "Angry black man' book. What was interesting is that he let the facts speak for themselves; keeping a lot of his personal views out of it. His writing style definitely revealed a bad taste in his mouth but he kept true to why he was writing this. I read this cover to cover (repeating a chapter or 4) with in a week. Normally I read 3 books at a time but this one demanded my attention. I read that a lot of people find this book inadequate. If they want to think so - fine. However, no single 208 page book is going to be able to nail this subject down perfectly. He had made his point profoundly and left a person wanting more; which is a sign of a good author.
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