I'm not angry, so please keep that in mind while reading this...

Due to the recent trend of people using the "n" word in such a nonchalant manner and due to my recent discontent with letting it slide, I'm making this known.

Don't use the word... at all. I don't care if you're joking, I don't care if you're serious, don't say it.

To my fellow Afro-Americans; we, as a people, have fought long and hard in this country to make it known that a) that word is an unacceptable insult and b) its a sign of blatant racism. The more and more we perpetuate such a word, the more people of other cultures will begin to use it in such a playful manner. Saying, "thats OUR word," is just as bad as saying it in a derogatory manner. Don't say it. Wonder why there's a white kid from Iowa sitting on his computer calling people, "my nigga," well, more than likely, its because you keep saying it. Or does it strike you as odd that a welloff asian kid who thinks he's a 'kangsta' uses "nigga" in his rhymes? 9 times out of 10, its because you keep saying it. Solution: don't say it.

To my humanoid brothers and sisters; you're not cool by dropping the N bomb. Furthermore, as much as you think you can say it without it being a big deal, you are offending someone. And by offense, I'm not talking about being 'rubbed the wrong way,' I'm talking about being reminded that racism still exists and by using the N word in such a glorified context, you're mocking a history of hardships. Just because you hear 50 Cent or Ludacris say it in their rhymes doesn't it make it any more acceptable. If you hear one of your black friends say it, that still doesn't give you the right to. Even if they say, "I don't care if you say it," that doesn't make it ok. Take into consideration that they're probably just as ignorant as you are. Bottom line; don't say it.

To the racists (believe me, I know they're here); Instead of threatening to take your life by going the Malcolm X route [AK-47s and Sawed Offs], I'm going to simpley and politely ask that you not use the word. If you're a close-minded racist and you can't get over the fact that times have changed and society is evolving, then keep your goddamned mouths shut. If you really feel so compelled to call someone a "nigger," do so... but do it in a group of gang members in the Traps of Atlanta.

To everyone; this isn't just an issue within the black community. Don't stand for words like chink, spic, wetback, ginny, etc. Its wrong. The more these words are used, the more racial slurs are encouraged and the more we digress as a society.

Thanks,
The Don

Its called self-racism, i believe. I hate it when people try to differentiate(sp?) between "nigga" and "nigger". Same thing.

I see black people say it all the time. But all of a sudden when a white person says "nigga", it's go time. Wtf?

Exactly. Allow me to quote myself (I've always wanted to do this, hehe)

i agree with brandon

even when it is not use din a particualry racial way, for example (im NOT picking on you, i just wanted and example) the mini-drama which started over elba using the word, wher eno offense of ANY kind was intended, it still promotes negative association

for further information, see any of my rants about missuse of the word gay. its the same theory

Hey you posted this on Myspace. Wheee ilu.

Anyway, yeah I agree with you. People are just ignorant. It's sad, really. And I agree with what DaToNeViEtBoI916 said, as well. If a white person were to say it, very commonly it's blown out of proportion more than in a black person were to say it.

I've witnessed many times where two black kids joke around calling them "my nigga" or whatever and just play along, but if they overhear a white kid saying it, whether it was meant as racial descrimination or not, they are extremely offended and, in all honesty, are about ready to jump the white kid.

i agree with the don


just dont use it! im not black and i get offended when someone says it

its just a hurtfull word and should not be used no matter what ur intend be hind the word is

Well, It's odd how this generation works. Racisim seems to be almost a toy to other people . I never use that word, I just don't, but I'm Mexican and I know a guy who "pretends to be racist".

He talks about mexicans and he is one. But not necessarily in a bad way. He says "O c'mon, I'm mexican I can't afford blah or I can't get this as fast." It's not that he's racist he just feels confortable with himself. If there were a serious issue about it, he wouldn't do it.

I think this is what people think when they say things like that.

I am in firm belife of "Your rights end where anothers begin". And this was a mature way to approach the matter. Thank you for that,

and I hope things go well.

Joshua

I agree with every word that you said. I seriously hate that word, and it makes me cringe and makes me really uncomfortable when others say it in front of me or if I see it. And I absolutely hate it when people say things like, "Oh, it's okay if he says it, because he's black." No, it's not okay. It makes it even worse.

I also hate it how people treat it as a joke, like you said brandon, because it is not. It makes the person saying it, sound ignorant.

Sheesh, everyone stop saying this word. Or typing it.

Thanx Brandon so much for making this thread, because I feel you so much with what you are saying.



Just because an African-American uses the word loosely dosen't mean it should be right for someone non-African-American to use it too. The reasons why you see other African-Americans get mad is probably because they are offended. I know I would be being, African-American myself. I take it as an insult when a person of anotther race uses that word around me. The reason why is because, I personally do not use that word when Im talking to others, because the word NIGGA is disrespectful. Think about it would you call your mom a nigga(??), probably not. And also there are many degrading names for other races out there but I dont go around saying that to them. So people on CB should really think about some of the stuff they say before saying it. But if an African-American friend of mind called me that word I would not be offended, because we are of the same race and I know that it would not be taken in as a racial slur or nothing.

THANK YOU for making this thread. So many people through the word around like its nothing. And I cant stand it when people use the word, no matter what color they are. Nothing good ever comes out of it.

Heres my take on the n-word. I'm chinese by the way.

The word nigger carries with it much of the hatred and repulsion directed toward Africans and African Americans. Historically, nigger defined, limited, and mocked African Americans. It was a term of exclusion, a verbal justification for discrimination. Whether used as a noun, verb, or adjective, it reinforced the stereotype of the lazy, stupid, dirty, worthless parasite. No other American ethnophaulism carried so much purposeful venom.

I know lots of people who throw around the n-word loosely and I don't agree with that. I remember Dave Chapelle, yes the same guy who did the Rick James Skit, said in the October 2004 issue of XXL with Kanye, Common, Talib, and Dead Prez, "I think it was Mos Def that I was talking to - he made a point that "Nigga" used to be such an exclusive word. And Then it became cool to be that, and it's now as exclusive the other way. Now you hear white people say like, "Why can't we say it?" So all these things to me are symptomatic...".

So I agree with you brownsugar08, and that's why I never say the word. Also I am not mad at you if you aren't black and you do use the word because so many people do, but I still don't think it's necessary.

this is a good thread... a lot of my friends need to see this...

one thing i hate more than that is when people complain about how they anscestors were oppressed during slavery and all that... first of all, that's loooooooooooooooooong gone. about 50+ years ago... move on. and why bring up those times by calling each other "niggas?" i guess because 2pac said it all the time means everyone else could say it

That's... ummm... on this page : http://www.ferris.edu/news/jimcrow/caricature/

Scroll down to the fourth paragraph.

And yes, I agree with Brandon "The Don" Saunders (I love how you added that in when you quoted yourself). It's a double standard if African Americans use that term, while other races cannot. I find it offensive no matter who says it.

yeah i did take it from there sorry i should i cited it just forgot my bad.. i did write the rest tho lol

I agree. In addition, people think they're so hilarious in my school when they add n*gger to the end of something and they expect me to laugh.

i use it.. all the time...

i see it as taking something that was used against you, and throwing it back in he face of the world.

ok so call me stupid or whatever you want, but i really could care less. being raised in the environment i am in, i have become used to using the word.


its wrong to use.. dont get me wrong... but ive used it, and im not promising that ill never use it again either...

^Well yeah. It's your right and no one can force you to do something you don't want to do. Doesn't mean it's right though.

Ugh, racial slurs. I hate what people are doing about races right now. It just isn't very mature.. I've been called a chink by caucasian people as an insult. And I'm not chinese, might I add, but that still really gets on my nerves. I deal with a lot of racism at school too.

SO NO USING THE "N" BOMB AND OTHER ETHNIC SLURS, YOU HEAR?

It hurts other people.

oh i dont call other races racial slurs. im respectful to one's race. tis just, when i call someone else a nigga, they dont take it into offense, so im not being racist towards them.

I feel exactly what you are saying Brandon. I also agree with Wayne on the issue as well. The African American community itself stands divided on the use of the "N" word. There was a special on BET a while back on the "Chronicles of Cousin Jeff" in which people diccussed their takes on the N word. Me personally I say it occaisionlly when Im out mostly with my Black friends. I've even let a few white boys call me "nigga" just because they had the personality that society sees as a black man. Basically as long as they didn't say it in a racist way I was cool with it.

The N word in my oppinion no longer has the one specific meaning it had years ago but separate definitions which was turned around into another meaning by African Americans. When I think of the N word I see how the African American race turned the word from something so negative into something that was in a since like a cultural sacred word turned into an advantage to use as a way to say "Look what we have overcomed".

I didn't know the word nigga was so widely used with different races until I was hanging out with a group of mexicans. I was shocked at the fact that they to identified each other as niggas. So from then on I had to accept the fact that the world is constantly changing and adapt to these changes as well.

Although I personally feel no pain when someone of another race calls me nigga, the only thing I have trouble understanding is when people of another race say "How come we can't use that word?". I mean although you may see a African American use this word what makes it right for you to say

"Whats up my Nigga".

To those people who have this outlook would you think it was okay if I came up to you and said one of these derogatory terms to you:

"Whats up my Cracka"
"Hows it going my Peckerwood friend"
"Hello honkey"

Now I am in no way a racist just simply trying to understand why people bitch about how they cant use the N word without getting some form of backlash.

Brandon I realize in your post how you say although rappers say it it still doesn't make it okay, but what about the intelligent rappers who use the word such as Common and Nas? Do you think they use it only when it is necessary or do you think the N word should cease to exist from Rap music as well. Also do you think there are some circumstances in which the "N" word is permissable?

After reading this post I will work on using the N word less until it is eradicated from my vocabulary. Yes people Change rarely happens immediately but its more of a gradual process that I will have to overcome.

Post 998, damn.

Let me start from the bottom of the reply and go to the top....

As far as intelligent hiphop is concerned, I have analyzed the contexts in which 'nigga' was used. Most of the time, it has been used to identify that dumbass brotha who just can't get himself together. Other times, I've heard it used as a term of endearment. So, thats a give or take sort of thing. As for the 50s and Ja Rules that just say it to say it, thats what I have a problem with. Then again, K-OS has never said it in either one of his albums. Yea, I bump Common and I believe in a lot of his rhymes (see: Faithful), but that doesn't mean I grow a bit concerned when bumping with my friends of other races and they rap along to his lyrics and say it so apathetically.

Don't get me wrong. I've said it. I say it and I'll slip up in the future. But I catch myself and I just reflect on how I'm representing myself and my people by being in a group of upper middle class white kids and saying 'nigga' in whatever context. When I post, its more or less a reflexive post that I'd like to bring to everyone's attention.

Mr. Saunders brings up some of the best points and presents them in a well thought out manner. I am very intrigued to see an intelligent black man's view on this word.

I am white, just so anyone knows right from the get-go. I don't like hearing the word. I don't use it. To me it makes me think of the times when white people were generally inhumane towards black people, not just the concept of black people being oppressed.

However, this is what I think about the *whole* name calling issue. I think if you have to resort to calling someone a name that you feel will shock them, or offend them, then not only have you given them power over you in revealing a weakness of your own, but you lack the intelligence to do something proactive rather than reactive about your situation.

There are many better ways of getting a point across than name calling, and people need to learn how to control their mouths. Cursing and swearing and name calling show a huge lack of self discipline and 'un'creativity, not 'self-expression' as popular society would have us believe.

I think that word is horrible and no self respecting *person* should use it, regardless of their color. I wouldn't want my white friends calling me 'honky' or 'cracker'.

As far as rappers using that word, to me that falls into the category of art, whose purpose is to cause a reaction. I'm not saying I like it, I don't like abstract painting either, but sometimes an artist creates not for the audience to like, but to react. However, as popular as many of these rappers are, they ought to use their power and influence to edify their fans.

Mr. Saunders reminds me a bit of Larry Elder, a black libertarian talk radio host. I find several of his ideas amazing. He asks why a black person pursuing education and speaking with good grammar is considered 'acting white'. I would be very interested in hearing more black people's impression of his ideas. I believe I read in his book that he is villified by many blacks for his views, which I think is a shame.

I was brought up not to swear and when I moved out of the house, I started swearing. I basically had to make myself do it at first it was so unnatural to me, but soon enough it came as second nature. After a few years, I started to see women in films swearing in a different light. They don't look cool, they look ignorant and coarse and unladylike. Now, I make a conscious effort not to swear at all and if I feel someone says or does something stupid or mean, if I can't tell them in an intelligent fashion how annoying it is and that I'd like them to stop doing it around me, then I don't say anything.

My two cents.

You're right but i think you should provide more info. why we shouldnt use "n" even though its a joke.

Is that your persuasive essay ?

Anyways, thats why its good to be individuality.




same here.

Yes, it is my persuasive essay. Allow me to distill it for you: edification and self value/respect and peer value/respect.

Agreed Brandon. I wish racist people like a few of my uncles could meet you. I hate the word as well and if I hear anyone say it I usually confront it. Including some people in my family that hate blacks. I don't respect anyone who doesn't have enough respect not to use racial slurs such as "nigger." It really is pathetic how this nation has become accustom to such hateful words. It makes no sense to me why someone would want to put them selves down by using such language. And that's exactly what they're doing. They're just making themselves look like trash. Most people are too ignorant to even know what the word stands for, beside something 50 cent used in one of his songs.

I admit it, I have used the word in a joking manner. That was way back before I knew what strong hatred was attached to it. I was stupid. I'm sure I'll probably slip up and say it in the future too. Everyone makes mistakes. I'll try my hardest not to.

And to blacks who read this, why don't you take a look at this quote:

So just because you call each other that, does that make it right? No. You're just slapping yourself in the face. Bottom line, to everyone who reads this, Don't use the word.

EVERYONE says it where I live .. no one cares .. no one cares when a white guy says it .. no one cares when a black guy says it .. no one cares when a white guy calls a white guy it .. no one cares if ANYONE calls a black guy it ..


well, majority of everyone


edit \\ " everyone " as in tha people in tha town, not just as around my friends ..

I had a debate over this with my ex-boyfriend/best friend in the past. I told him how it made me feel uncomfortable with people used that word and I felt that it was only encouraging racism and ignorance. He himself never uses the word but he says he had no problem with other black folks using the word and that it was part of black culture. He said that because they're not using it in a hateful or racist manner, it isn't a problem. I couldn't comprehend why a word that was once used to insult their race would be part of their culture? It's never going to make sense to me and I guess it'll only continue to bother me since this "trend" doesn't seem like its going to die anytime soon.

i know that just because i'm black and i use the word "nigga" doesnt make it any better but, i use it all the time and pretty much ever black person i know does too. its just me. i've always said it. i wouldnt let no white person say it though...

i think the word "nigger" is a terrible word. but you know how when you say "f**k you", it doesn't have as much effect as it did 30 years ago? it's so played out. i think the more people use "nigga", it' definition will change from somthing incredibly negative to somthing eather meaningless or positive.

Not positive. It'll never be positive.

Right now even, it seems meaningless, but it is an ethnic slur that brings up something that shouldn't be brought up in the first place. How about not saying it at all? That would be ideal. There's no reason to use it. It's not absolutely necessary and people insist on using it just for their own amusement. If the word were to cease to exist, this topic wouldn't exist and a lot of people wouldn't be mad about this.

would you feel better if a gangsta came up to you and said "yo, bitch" or "yo, nigga"? i know i prefer the ladder. that's a way for it to be posative.



but is it not the meaning of the word that causes the contreversy? the word not having that meaning would be ideal, and the word will lose the meaning the more it's being used as a word for "friend" rather than a derogitory word for "black person"

It's not positive. If it's meaningless, it's a neutral word. You can call someone a "name" if he's your friend, but some people are offended regardless of what the word nigger means.



Yes, the meaning of the word does cause controversy. Which is why this topic was created because Brandon doesn't want people saying it! I suppose it's alright if you have consent from the person you're saying it to, but is it really necessary? There are other words you can use for 'friend' and if saying nigger offends others overhearing the conversation, just say 'dog' or 'bro' or something else. The meaning and origin of the word will always be remembered even if it has changed over time and that's what upsets people. Don't use the word and there won't be debates on whether or not we should use it. It's just a word and if it offends others, drop it.

black people can call anyone a nigga. to them, its their right. their privelege. they even call white people nigga's sometimes. how weird.

Whatever you do, if yu chink gook jap..asian...don't call a black a nigger. I got a Sat school for that, almost got 2 day suspension cuz it's my second harassment offense.

^I didn't understand a word that you said



Why would they? It's the black people that get offended by the word. If they don't care, good for them, but it's bad overall to make it into a habit (black or not). It's a controversial word and if you use it infront of someone who's sensitive about it, they can easily get offended and wouldn't you rather avoid it all together?

Don't think it's right to use the word if you're black because no one really has the right to use a word that aggravates other people.

Edit//


A majority of everyone in your town says the word and is okay with it? Just because everyone else is doing it doesn't make it right. Just because "everyone" smokes, doesn't make it right.

That's the biggest issue you can come up with to debate about. If you wanted to discuss things that affect black people why dont you argue about what to do with the crips and the bloods? The crime rate? Why so many black people are in jail. AIDS. Fatherless children. Welfare. Try arguing about a real issue. A nigger is just a dark skinned person. Like saying black person. No more, no less. It's not that big a deal.

Slavery isnt that big a deal either. Every race, except rich, has undergone some sort of hardship along those lines. Black people just whine the most. Yeah that's a big label to put on a large group, how many get offended when you say the word nigger? Quite a few. I'm not belittling all that your ancestors went through. I'm just putting it back into perspective. I believe, many of you, (white people too.) have blown this way out of proportion. It's not like you were just whipped yesterday. Slavery only lasted 93 of our 229 years. Less than half our history involved the use of slaves in our young country. That isn't that long. I still dont understand why you so despise racism.. there is no race. We're all american. People are divided by political and geographical boundaries not imaginary lines. Quit dividing the nation with your color coded eyeballs and allow people to get on with their lives. Good day.

P.S. If you ask me they should make a snack food called niggers. They could have sour cream and onion, regular and cheese flavored, but no bbq niggers. It just wouldn't sound right.

So you can read the minds of dead people now??? WOW! Every race has words that are used to degrade them. Nigger is just the worst because you whine the most.

We're not saying those other problems aren't issues, Brandon's just pointing out one of them to debate about. So are you saying that it's okay to say it because it means it's a black person? It is a degrading word, deny it or not and it still hurts people whether people whine about it or not. I know what you mean about people blowing it out of proportion. It's probably the most controversial word of all ethnic slurs and why is it? Because african americans have the most traumatic history and they have had to deal with a lot of racism. Why bring it up again with this word that reminds them of their past?



"We're all american". Um, we're not all american. Was that a typo

Yeah, so slavery's over, but if you ever took the time to really read into it, read into apartheid and all the other harships African Americans had to face, you'll think, why use the word nigger if it's so controversial? Why use the word nigger, a degrading ethnic slur?
I agree, people need to stop generalizing races and we all need to realize there's only one race. The HUMAN RACE. But prejudice will never cease to exist and using ethnic slurs is just bringing up this problem again and again.

Black Americans didn't have it easy, but they're hardships were just like every other hardship of every other poor community in the history of man. Look at the jews, the irish, and the indians. They all faced hardships that far surpass all of what most of that dark period in our history could possibly dish out.

These people were sold by their own people to the spaniards. They were betrayed by themselves. Black people were inferior. They were inferior not to white men, but to rich men. Every poor person is considered inferior to a rich person. Is the word nigger degrading? No. It's uplifting. It's inspiring. Look what my ancestors lived through. Look how they survived. Look at all they went through. If it indeed is a reminder, why does it not remind one of the fact that it is over. You people act like it was some big war you all participated in. Like you still have nightmares of getting whipped. Like you still have a seperate water fountain. (That complaint kills me. Two water fountains just meant shorter lines for everyone.) By taking offense to such remarks makes you weak. Makes you look fragile. Like you're greedy for sympathy. Everyone's out to get theres and you play the pity card. That is pathetic beyond pathetic. You take the original meaning of the word and make it true. Black people in the united states are statistically lazy, stupid, poor, and a parasite to society. It's your fault that word means so much. Help yourselves overcome the opression and discrimination. Do like tupac and help your neighbors. Take a note from rich people and go to college. Educate yourselves. Change. Live the American dream rather than exploiting it. Right now, your ancestors would be ashamed of all of you. Ashamed of all of those who are addicted to crack and ashamed of those who are living clean lives, in mansions, for not helping their brothers addicted to crack.

This was directed toward american black people. I'm not saying black people are the sole problem in society either, they were the subject and I wrote about the part of society that is affected by them. If you take offense PM me, because you must have misunderstood my meaning.


The Deep South "Isn't that the place where the black guys are really lazy and the white guys are just as lazy, but they're mad at the black guys for beings so lazy?" -Peter Griffin

^ That's true. It would've been wonderful if the word nigger had a positive connotation like how you said, but that's not the case, is it? Blacks take offense because of reasons I probably don't know considering I'm not black. Just stop saying it if they're all weak and all taking it the wrong way.

People can take any insult the "wrong" or "right". Call someone a dumb blonde and they'll get offended, but then you could say in defense, "But blondes have more fun!" It's entirely the person's choice to take offense or not, but if taking offense means they're weak, so be it.

Yeah? Wtf?

Maybe it's sort of like with gay people, they get mad if you call them gay, you know, but if "their own kind" says it, they won't get mad.

I don't know.
It depends on who you're saying the words around, I guess..

I'm sure some black people don't give a f**k if you say Nigger, Nigga, Nikka, ect.

Thats the definition im sticking with. Many words in the english language sound the same but have different meaning.

Like Bear and Bare, both are spelled differently so they take on different meanings. Thats my take on the difference between Nigga and Nigger.

^now THIS nigga's got the idea.

i don't know if you know of this place, but where i live (in Pittsburgh PA) theres a place called the Hill District. A.K.A. the Kill District. it's the worst place in the city. i've never been there because i know i will get shot for being white. my best friend, Jeff, goes to the same school as kids from the hill. he gets along with them. he doesn't act all scared or anything. he will walk up to his boy, Pounds (a HUGE, black guy), and say "whutup, nigga?" and Pounds does not get mad. i've seen it. he plays basketball with them and does all sorts of trash talkin. my point is the word "nigga" is not the racist term it once was. hell, people call me nigga. am i black? no. it's clear that with it's spelled with an A it means friend. if it's with an ER, then it's time to get pissed.

sikdragon...no. it is not an uplifting word whatsoever. it is used as an insult. let's go over some insults, shall we?

nigger - black people
cracker - white people
dirty jew - jewish people (not really a name, but still equally as offensive)
spic - hispanic people
faggot - gay people

that's just a crop of all the stupid insults we have in this world for a certain group of people. all of them are just as equally offensive. absolutely none of them are at all uplifting.

Exactly. Nigger and nigga are negative words, deny it or not. If some people don't mind, good for them, but there are people who do mind. So keep ethnic slurs to your self.

If a white person goes up to a black and calls him a nigger and the black person gets offended, does that mean the white person can say "No, I called you a NIGGA, not a NIGGER." And the black guy will be like, "Oh, that's no problem then"? I don't think so.

Yes, it was the Civil War.

What are your views on the Holocaust? I guess that wasn't "real" either.

^agreed well a said

i just have a problem with the people who use the word too much.......no matter what color you are.......if you use the word nigga more than 3 times in one sentence.....you deserve to get shot

You condescending douchebag, lets go over a few things, shall we?

I'd like to begin by asking you a few questions;

1) What is your ethnicity?
2) Where do you live?
3) Do you even have a clue as to what goes on in our society?

I've read quite a few of your posts and they're generally biased and close-minded. And when they aren't biased and close-minded, they're obnoxious and patronizing. (How dare you muster the nerve to criticize someone's poetry because you believe there's a template for expression). I've had about enough of you and your shit. Before I bid you adieu by suggestion that you take a bath while drying your hair, I'll address this debate.

This debate isn't a matter of the n word being the worst racial slur. You've missed the point entirely. Who said it was the worst? And by 'you' what exactly is your implication?

Regarding historical hardships, I said nothing to discredit any other races. Was this topic 'the compare and contrast of the trials and tribulations of various races?' No. Its a topic addressing the n-word and why I find it to be offensive.

Thanks for being the lone opposition in the debate in an effort to keep it going (thats what you were doing, right? You aren't really that ignorant, are you?), but keep in mind that if all you know is what you read or what has been fed to you by way of the media, then you don't know shit. Spare me the history lesson.

If you're going to contribute to an argument, be sure you're actually contributing instead of making yourself look like an ignorant jackass.

Is the hairdryer still on? Ok, now drop it into the water.

come back for good, we miss you.

I wasn't going to post because I thought it'd be spam.. but you did it, and I'm following.

Brandon, you're great.