The N-Word is Dead, Long Live Black Language: A Manifesto for the Future

A Black British Perspective on Black History Month

As I write this special edition during UK Black History Month while being honoured as a finalist for the Black in Tech Achievement Awards 2024 and the Black Talent Awards 2024, I reflect deeply on the language that has shaped and defined our identities across generations. Tomorrow's regular newsletter will continue as scheduled, but today, I wanted to dive into something deeply personal and reflective of this moment.

Central to this reflection is the N-word—a term soaked in trauma, reclamation, and a complex legacy that continues to evoke debates, emotions, and narratives of both empowerment and pain. But as we move forward, we must ask: Are we still served by reclaiming such a charged word? Or are we tethering ourselves to a painful past when we should be transcending it? This question lies at the heart of my exploration today

Language, like culture, is not static. It evolves, carrying the weight of history, power, and identity. In the context of Intersectional Cultural Consciousness™ (ICC), we must ask whether clinging to words born out of oppression truly helps us claim our futures or keeps us trapped in cycles of trauma. Can we, through intersectional futurism, imagine a lexicon that empowers rather than enslaves us?

The Complex History of the N-Word: Taming the Dragon

The N-word has a long and violent history. Its roots lie in its use as a slur to dehumanise Black people during the eras of slavery and colonialism. Research has revealed that racial slurs, like the N-word, significantly impact mental health, contributing to higher levels of stress, depression, and anxiety among Black individuals (Williams et al., 2019). The N-word was not just a derogatory term—it was a linguistic tool of domination used to strip Black people of their humanity, identity, and dignity.

The N-word has a long and violent history. Its roots lie in its use as a slur to dehumanise Black people during the eras of slavery and colonialism. Research has revealed that racial slurs, like the N-word, significantly impact mental health, contributing to higher levels of stress, depression, and anxiety among Black individuals (Williams et al., 2019). The N-word was not just a derogatory term—it was a linguistic tool of domination designed to strip Black people of their humanity, identity, and dignity.

James Baldwin, the renowned writer and activist, once said, “What white people have to do is try to find out in their hearts why it was necessary to have a ‘n****’ in the first place because I am not a ‘n*****.’ I am a man.”* Baldwin's words emphasise that the invention of racial slurs was not about Black identity but about sustaining the white supremacist system that required such terms to maintain power. The N-word was, and still is, a linguistic weapon aimed at reinforcing this system.

For a deeper exploration of Baldwin’s perspective on racial identity, watch this video of Baldwin’s assertive statements on race and language. His analysis sheds light on how language has been weaponised to maintain systems of oppression:

Despite being reclaimed by some within the African diaspora, particularly in American hip-hop, the word still carries the weight of its oppressive origins. Icons like Tupac, Snoop Dog and Kendrick Lamar have wielded the N-word as a tool of resistance, transforming it from a term of degradation into one of defiance and solidarity. Yet, even in its reclamation, the N-word remains a dragon—a fiery creature born from the flames of oppression.

Those who embrace the N-word as a badge of honour believe it represents survival and resilience. But intersectional futurism challenges us to ask: What if we could soar beyond this dragon? What if we could create new metaphors and narratives that didn’t carry the weight of chains but lifted us toward a future of unburdened empowerment?

A Personal Reflection: The N-Word in My Own Life

I may be one of the only Black people I know who has never been called the N-word directly to my face. Reflecting on this, I realise that this is a blessing in some ways—a shield that has spared me from the full force of its hateful power. I have not experienced the direct, visceral sting of the word as a weapon, which has afforded me a certain distance from its deepest scars.

However, this lack of direct experience also means I’ve missed the full impact of its venom in moments of rage or hostility. Listening to the stories of friends, family, and others in the Black community, I have come to understand the psychological violence that the N-word carries when used with intent to harm. It is like standing outside a dragon’s fiery breath—feeling the heat but never being burned.

This distance allows me to approach the conversation from a space of curiosity and questioning rather than raw emotion. And I ask: Do we still need to carry this word as we move forward? Is it serving us or keeping us tied to a painful past?

The N-Word and Black British Identity: Borrowing Struggles

For Black British people, particularly those of African and Caribbean descent, the relationship to the N-word is different. Growing up as a Black English Ghanaian, the N-word was never part of my identity. In Ghana, it wasn’t a word used to define Blackness, pride, or solidarity. Our identity was shaped by our rich culture, history of resisting colonialism, and our deep-rooted communities. The reclamation of the N-word in American hip-hop felt distant—an import from across the Atlantic rather than something born from our lived experiences.

Even in Black British music—grime, garage, and rap—the use of the N-word often feels like an echo of American culture, a borrowed struggle rather than one that reflects the Black British experience. Recent studies, such as The Black British Voices Project (BBVP), which surveyed over 10,000 Black Britons, reveal that many Black British individuals feel uncomfortable with the use of the N-word, particularly when it is used by non-Black people, even in the context of music. Over 65% of respondents reported feeling discomfort when the term was used, highlighting the tension between reclaiming the word and navigating its offensive connotations in social and cultural settings. This dissonance reflects the complexities of engaging with the term, especially in environments like music, where the N-word is often repeated through song lyrics or casual conversation.

You can explore these findings from The Black British Voices Project more here: BBVP - Cambridge.

Does the N-word truly reflect our struggle, our history, our victories? Or does it feel like an imposition—a reflection of someone else’s battle onto our unique narrative? For many Black British people, the word doesn’t carry the same weight as it does in the US. Perhaps it’s time to consider whether we should continue using language that doesn’t truly reflect our heritage, triumphs, or identity.

Colour-Coding of Race: Black and White in Language

As I reflect on the N-word, I also consider the broader issue of racial colour coding. The terms Black and White are not neutral—they come with deeply entrenched connotations that reflect white supremacy. Linguistically, “Black” is often associated with negativity: darkness, evil, mystery, and fear. In contrast, “White” is linked to purity, goodness, and innocence.

In everyday language, this dichotomy is evident:

• Blackmail – manipulation or coercion

• Black sheep – an outsider

• White lie – a harmless untruth

• White knight – a heroic figure

These associations weren’t created by accident—they were part of a white supremacist system designed to maintain control and justify oppression. In my discussions with Jane Elliott, she often describes this as the “artificial construction of race,” a system designed to divide people along colour lines and justify systems of colonialism and slavery. Jane’s message that there is only one race—the human race resonates deeply.

Watch Jane Elliott’s ‘Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes Experiment’ below:

Link to the YouTube video

Jane’s experiment vividly demonstrates how arbitrary physical differences, like eye colour or skin colour, can be used to construct social hierarchies. Her work shows how racial categories were constructed to divide and control populations, much like her experiment. This powerful exercise reminds us that the language of race was designed to serve systems of oppression.

Your Voice Matters

Your perspective is crucial as we work to redefine the future of language and identity. By sharing your thoughts in this poll, you’ll help shape the conversation about how we move forward. Take a moment to let us know how we should approach the language of empowerment—your feedback will directly contribute to the change we’re all working towards.

The Emotional Toll: Psychological Impact of Language

Language doesn’t just exist in the air—it seeps into our minds, shaping how we view ourselves and the world around us. The weight of the N-word is psychological as well as cultural. For Black people who navigate multiple intersections—race, gender, neurodivergence, and other identities—the pressure to reclaim the N-word or decide when and how to use it can be exhausting. It’s a constant negotiation, a dance between empowerment and trauma.

In my practice with Bempong Talking Therapy, I’ve seen firsthand how language can heal or harm. A 2018 study in the Journal of Black Psychology found that consistent exposure to racial slurs can exacerbate symptoms of PTSD in individuals who have experienced racial trauma (Mekawi et al., 2021). One client described her relationship with the N-word as "like wearing armour made of broken glass." It was a shield, but every time she used it, it cut her, reminding her of the centuries of pain it carried. ICC teaches us that this emotional toll cannot be ignored. Words like the N-word do not just affect our social interactions—they impact our mental health.

Reclaiming Language vs. Creating New Narratives

The act of reclaiming harmful language is not unique to Black communities. Across the LGBTQ+ community, words like "queer" have been taken back and transformed into expressions of pride. Similarly, disabled and neurodivergent communities have reclaimed words that were once used to marginalise them. But there’s a tension here: reclaiming a word doesn’t erase its history. It doesn’t wash away the violence, trauma, or pain embedded in its usage. The word may feel empowering to some, but it still holds the power to harm, especially when wielded by those outside the community.

What if we focused on creating a new language instead of reclaiming language? Words that better reflect our aspirations for the future, words that celebrate our intersectional identities without dragging us back into the trauma of the past. In Afrobeats, reggae, and gospel, we see Blackness celebrated without reliance on slurs. These genres celebrate joy, resilience, and love without invoking the N-word. They show us that it’s possible to tell our stories in ways that honour our humanity and uplift our spirits.

We can reframe our approach to language from an Intersectional Cultural Consciousness™ (ICC) and intersectional futurism perspective. Instead of clinging to terms that carry the weight of colonialism and violence, what if we embraced empowering alternatives? Imagine Sunborn, a term that connects us to our heritage through our relationship with the sun and the natural world. Or Melanated, celebrating the biological diversity of melanin that connects us.

This is not about erasing our past but ensuring that our language reflects our future—one where Blackness is celebrated, not through historical trauma, but through a narrative of empowerment, resilience, and hope.

Workshops and Speaking Engagements: Reclaim the Power of Language

Ready to explore how new narratives can shape the future? As part of Black History Month, I’m offering interactive workshops that go deeper into the themes discussed here. In these engaging sessions, we’ll unpack harmful language, reclaim empowering words, and co-create a new lexicon that reflects our shared future. Join me as we move from words of oppression to words that uplift and empower.”

Intersectional Cultural Consciousness™: A Framework for Liberation

At the core of this reflection lies Intersectional Cultural Consciousness™ (ICC)—a framework that helps us understand how our identities, experiences, and the language we use intersect. Intersectionality, as coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw, teaches us that our identities are complex and layered, shaped by multiple axes of oppression, including race, gender, sexuality, neurodivergence, and more.

In my conversations with Jane Elliott, we often reflect on the power of language to either reinforce or dismantle racial hierarchies. Jane is best known for her "Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes" experiment, which first challenged systemic racism in the 1960s. Her work has always underscored the need to challenge the systems that created those divisions.

We have often discussed the colour-coded identities—Black, White, Yellow, and Red—that, much like the N-word, were historically designed to divide and subjugate. Jane aptly describes this as the “artificial construction of race,” pointing out that “there’s only one race—the human race.” These categories were not created to celebrate diversity but to justify power and control systems.

In one particularly profound discussion, Jane and I returned to a metaphor we constructed together—a fist raised against injustice, symbolising solidarity among racial groups. Each finger represents a distinct human group—Black, White, Brown, Yellow, and Red. Individually, a single finger lacks the power to create lasting change. Still, when it forms a fist, it possesses the collective strength to fight against oppression and dismantle the systems that divide it.

Jane often says, “We must unite as one race, not divided by the colours of our skin, but joined by our common humanity.” These conversations have deepened my understanding of the power dynamics behind racial categories and the language we use. Just as Jane’s work highlights, we are not merely reclaiming words but reshaping the framework through which we understand race, power, and identity.

Intersectional Cultural Consciousness™ (ICC) offers a framework to build on these ideas, helping us challenge the words we use and the systems that gave rise to those words.

Rewriting the Future: The Call for a New Lexicon

As we move forward, intersectional futurism compels us to consider the future of Black identity free from the constraints of history’s most painful chapters. We can choose our language, shape our narrative, and create a lexicon that celebrates our resilience, joy, and complexity without the baggage of reclaimed slurs.

A 2021 report from the Institute of Race Relations found that over 60% of young Black Britons feel that language is central to their sense of identity. Yet, many expressed discomfort with terms that carry traumatic connotations. This is a powerful indicator that younger generations are already beginning to question whether the words of the past serve their vision of the future. What if we focused on words that empower rather than retraumatise?

We are already seeing this shift in many parts of Black culture. Afrobeats, reggae, and gospel are genres where Blackness is celebrated through joy, spirituality, and resilience, with little to no reliance on slurs. This demonstrates that we don’t need the N-word to feel connected or empowered. Instead, we can create a future where our language reflects our collective strength. Sunborn, Melanated, and even terms like Hue-kin move us beyond the binaries of Black and White toward a lexicon that honours our diversity.

Practising New Forms of Language: Simulation and Storytelling

Cultural consciousness storytelling and simulation techniques offer practical applications of intersectional futurism by allowing us to practice using new language and new ways of relating to one another. These techniques, used in Intersectional Cultural Consciousness™ (ICC) sessions, enable participants to role-play conversations and scenarios that explore alternative futures—futures where words like the N-word are no longer needed to express solidarity, pride, or identity.

For example, in a simulation exercise, participants might role-play a conversation between two people—one who uses the N-word as a term of endearment and another who finds its use harmful. Through this dialogue, participants can explore the complexities of reclamation, practice communication strategies that promote understanding and respect, and imagine how they might navigate these conversations in the real world.

By role-playing these scenarios, individuals can experience firsthand how language shapes relationships, can either harm or heal and how new forms of language might lead to deeper, more inclusive connections. These simulations provide practical tools for navigating the complexities of language in everyday life and help us imagine the possibilities of an intersectional future where our words are designed to uplift, include, and empower.

Through ICC workshops, participants are encouraged to think beyond traditional labels and explore creative expressions of their identities. In this space, we discuss how words like Sunborn, Melanated, and Hue-kin can replace outdated terms and create new frameworks for understanding individual and collective empowerment. In these sessions, individuals can engage in storytelling circles, sharing their journeys while also co-creating new narratives that reflect our evolving realities.

Storytelling allows for collective healing, mainly when the shared stories revolve around reclaiming identity narratives. In these workshops, participants are invited to envision a future where their identities are defined not by the language of trauma but by the language of empowerment, connection, and cultural pride.

Conclusion: Long Live Black Language

The time has come to let go of the N-word, not as an erasure of history but as a bold step toward our future. Intersectional Cultural Consciousness™ (ICC) provides the framework, and intersectional futurism gives us the vision. Together, we can create a new lexicon that honours our diversity, empowers our communities, and shapes the world we want to live in.

As Jane Elliott once said, “We must rise as a fist against injustice, not as fragmented groups, but as a united force for change.” Let us unite and forge a new path forward with language that uplifts rather than divides. The N-word has served its time. Long live Black language, but let it be a language that serves us all—one that celebrates who we are and all we can become.

Workshops and Speaking Engagements: Shape the Future Together

Don’t let language hold you back—join me for a dynamic workshop exploring how Intersectional Cultural Consciousness™ can transform how we think, speak, and empower one another. Let’s work together to build a new lexicon that celebrates our diversity and fuels our collective liberation. Book your spot today and create tomorrow’s language.

About Jarell Bempong

Jarell Bempong is a Black English-Ghanaian entrepreneur, thought leader, and founder of Bempong Talking Therapy. A finalist for the Black in Tech Achievement Awards 2024 and the Black Talent Awards 2024, Jarell’s work centres around Intersectional Cultural Consciousness™ (ICC), where he merges mental health, DEEI leadership, and cultural empowerment to disrupt conventional narratives. Known for his groundbreaking approach, Jarell engages with figures like Jane Elliott to rethink the future of race, language, and identity. He also advocates for intersectional futurism, pushing the boundaries of what it means to build an inclusive, equitable future.