The Power of Words
Words are more than just sounds—we give them meaning, history, and power. Some words carry the weight of oppression, pain, and struggle. When we choose to use certain language, we either reinforce that history or challenge it.
Many of us in South Asian (Brown) communities pride ourselves on standing up for justice. We fight for the rights of Palestinians, Kashmiris, Sudanese, Uyghurs, and other oppressed groups. We condemn racism, Islamophobia, colonialism, and apartheid.
Yet, many of us contradict these values in our everyday speech, especially when it comes to anti-Blackness and casual racism.
One of the most common justifications we hear is:
💬 "It’s just between close friends, we don’t mean it in a bad way."
But let’s take a step back. If we claim to stand for justice, why should we allow double standards when it comes to respecting communities outside our own?
The N-Word and Brown People: Is It Ever Okay?
One of the biggest examples of this contradiction is the casual use of the N-word in Brown communities. Many argue that:
- They’re not using it with bad intentions.
- They only say it among close friends.
- No Black person is around to hear it.
But here’s the problem: the N-word is not ours to reclaim. It was used to dehumanize Black people during slavery, segregation, and colonial rule. Black communities have since reclaimed the word, but that doesn’t mean non-Black people have the right to use it—even casually.
Just because no Black person is present doesn’t mean the word loses its history. If a word is wrong in public, it’s wrong in private too.
Imagine if someone used anti-Palestinian or anti-Muslim slurs but justified it by saying:
- "It’s just a joke between friends."
- "No Palestinians/Muslims are around, so it doesn’t matter."
Would we accept that? Of course not. We would say that even private conversations shape the way people think, speak, and treat others. The same applies to racial slurs.
Are We Normalizing It? Even in Private?
Some argue:
💬 "We’re not normalizing it because we only use it in private."
But that’s exactly how normalization works. Everything that becomes acceptable in public first starts in private. The more you use a word casually, the easier it becomes to slip up in the wrong setting—or to let others think it’s okay.
We wouldn’t accept someone using an Islamophobic or anti-Palestinian slur privately, so why excuse the N-word?
Selective Activism: Do We Really Stand for Justice?
As Brown people, we have faced discrimination ourselves. Many of us have experienced racism in Western countries, Islamophobia, casteism, or xenophobia. We demand respect when it comes to our culture, religion, and struggles, so why do we think it’s okay to ignore another community’s pain?
We cannot pick and choose which groups deserve respect. If we stand for justice, it has to be consistent. We can’t fight against oppression when it affects us while ignoring it when we’re the ones contributing to harm.
So, What Can We Do?
- Stop using the N-word, even in private. It’s really that simple. If we respect Black culture, we should respect their history too.
- Call out friends when they use it. If someone close to you uses it, have a conversation with them. They might not realize why it’s wrong.
- Educate ourselves about Black history and struggles. Many of us consume Black culture—whether it’s music, movies, or fashion—but don’t take the time to understand its history.
- Apply the same logic to all forms of discrimination. Just like we want people to stand with Palestine, Kashmir, and Sudan, we should also stand against anti-Black racism.
Justice Has No Exceptions
Standing against oppression isn’t just about big protests or social media activism. It’s also about the small choices we make every day—the words we use, the jokes we tell, and the respect we give to others.
If we truly believe in justice, we should extend that to everyone, not just when it’s convenient. If we can fight for Palestine, Kashmir, and other oppressed groups, we can also take the simple step of respecting the struggles of Black people and not using their slurs.
Because at the end of the day, respect isn’t about who's watching—it’s about who we are.
~Usman
