A renowned cultural critic untangles the twisted history and future of racism through its most volatile word.The N Word reveals how the term "nigge...
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reviews
Aug 10, 2010
Nayarit
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This was REALLY insightful. I had no idea about the history at all, especially because I thought it was going to be just about modern usage and that sort of thing. Some later parts of the topic I found to be sort of more "opinionated" than factual as I'd liked. But this wasn't a constant or standard in the book, just something I noticed here and there.
What I really liked about the book is that it gave LOTS of information but it didn't feel like it was forcing it or that I More...
What I really liked about the book is that it gave LOTS of information but it didn't feel like it was forcing it or that I More...
Jul 16, 2011
Topher
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A readable academic treatment of the history of the demeaning epitaph. Perhaps surprisingly, the most interesting part was the early American history and the nearly inconceivable racism that contributed to the malignant potency of the word. Maybe because its use at the time seems uncomplicated, especially in contrast to the contemporary attempts (for better or worse, in good faith or not) to neutralize the word or "take it back." I thought I would be more interested in its contemporary
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Jul 19, 2008
Cazual23
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Jabari Asim is to be commended for his thorough research of the N-word's history, from its birth in the New World to its constant use on 2008 subway rides. I learned a great deal of American history from Asim's exploration. I never knew how involved Thomas Jefferson was with commenting on black Americans. The popularity of minstrelsy in the 1800s, especially with white immigrants, like my Irish ancestors. The vehement debates over whether the Civil War had anything to do with the status of b
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Aug 04, 2010
S10_tommccormack
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This well-researched book traces the notorious “N” word back centuries and explains how it became what it is today and why it is still so powerful. Asim includes many interesting and thought-provoking historical and cultural references that make this book a fascinating read. Students will be shocked as they read about some of the most disturbing parts of American history and forced to evaluate how and why the “N” word is still used today.
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Dec 21, 2008
Dan
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Asim's book is an incredibly interesting history of the most insulting and derogatory word in the English language. Carefully researched and documented throughout, The N Word gives a complete look at the word, its roots, uses and implications for the future. Fascinating read.
Sep 16, 2011
Mrs. Mendoza
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This book is thought-provoking and provides a great opportunity to evaluate the way language, culture and society support, create and interrelate with each other.
Sep 02, 2011
Mitzi
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Every year as I teach American literature I have students ask me why it's okay (in today's culture) for blacks to use this word but not whites. I never have felt that I had a great answer for them because I feel like I am "presuming to know" but how could I? So I was excited to come across this book that would confirm my presumption or give me the correct answer. I thought it would have the exact answer/passages to read to them. So far it is reading more like a history text. It is
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May 18, 2009
Lynette
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This book provides an in-depth and provocative history of one of the most hateful yet widely-used racial slurs. I do not think I realized the extent of the animalistic treatment African-Americans received until very recently, and even in today's supposedly enlightened society, they are still degraded if not in subtler ways.
Jul 27, 2011
A good book. I expected more current pop culture references, but that was just my unrealistic expectation. Very balanced.
Jul 27, 2011
Ubalstecha
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This book looks at the history of the N word and how it has been used through out history. Very interesting.
Aug 05, 2011
Katie
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I found this to be quite disappointing....very deceiving. I expected a cultural studies book and it felt more like reading a college history textbook. I don't recommend this one.
Dec 07, 2010
I was excited, and then it was mostly just name dropping. Excuse me, N-dropping. So I dropped it.
Nov 03, 2008
Ryan
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“Who can say it, who shouldn’t, and why.” More far reaching than the book by a lawyer I reviewed previously in Mishap, Asim traces the word in the history of white supremacy in the United States and ends by examining modern usage in popular culture. The history is a stellar presentation of racism, white supremacy, and how the “n” word is a product and perpetuator of those things. The popular culture part isn’t as clear as the book’s subtitle suggests, but I recommend this book.
May 29, 2009
Kathy
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I'm glad I read this book-- an important contemporary companion to the Classic Slave Narratives. I appreciated how Asim is grounded in history, but isn't overly academic in his writing style.
Dec 17, 2009
I read an interview with this dude on Salon which sparked my interest in the book. As a voracious fan of the hiphop, it seemed like the sort of thing I should be informed about.
Dec 16, 2009
Heard about this on the Diane Rehm show. The author was very eloquent about his arguments against the word and about giving the history behind the word. Sounds great.
Jan 27, 2008
Zina
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i thought this book was going to be all contemporary. so, all i really care to read is 1955-present. this section is worth the read.
May 24, 2008
Met Jabari Asim and his wife at a discussion group in Washington DC, but haven't had the chance to read the book yet.
Apr 03, 2008
Bsampson
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Interesting..it sparked up alot of debates in my black studies class on the actual meaning of it.
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