the "n" bomb, nigga and nigger Options

[fameONE]

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

[*nightmare4taki*]

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.