[zerokoolpsx]

I don't use the word. I've heard other black people use it as sort of like Sup bro. Wouldn't use nigger due to political correctness. Even if I was joking or being sarcastic. Still wouldn't use it. Someone could take it the wrong way.

All about the context.

Definitely.

[SmokyDave]

This is thing, you're half way to explaining my point When the word nigger/nigga was said in a positive light I have no idea how it was spelt, I guess it was said more than it was written. But since about the 70/80's it's always been spelt nigga, to remove from the then negative stigma it had previously. The intent is exemplified through the spelling.

That seems eminently reasonable. I still think it's a pointless distinction that serves no purpose but if everyone else agrees on it, it is what it is. That's language.

If I see a tag on the wall saying "Niggers" with a gun underneath it, I would be more inclined to be angry...if I see "Niggas" with the same gun underneath it, I'm bound to think it's blacks/latinos tagging a wall with some gang shit, or something- not derogatory. You might not understand it, but it's evident through history, I think you are being complex for no reason mate.

Story of my fucking life :(

The missus won't watch TV with me because I constantly want to know the underlying motives of every action committed by every character in every show. My brain gets bored and thinks about all kinds of unnecessary shit.

[rezuth]

All about the context.

This

[theignoramus]

Pretty much. Dude is dodging like hell. I may be wrong, you may be wrong, everyone here may be "Wrong". But we're discussing and hashing it out. His drive-by dismissive statements aren't contributing anything.

fair enough. I was probably out of line with my earlier posts. I apologize for the antagonistic posts I directed at you.

QUESTION: After segregation and "The end of racism" with O'bama. How are black people in America doing? Edit: I'll make it easier for you. Just tell the truth. How many role models do black people have in America that are not in the fewest of the few top positions entertainment wise? How many black scientists, educators, inventors, musicians do you learn about in school.

black americans made massive contributions to music in the 20th century, there's no shortage of black representation there. if some school curriculum doesnt reflect that fact, that's a problem with the school curriculum, not black musicians. black educators and black academia isnt exactly explored until post secondary. we're under-represented in sciences and maths, I'll agree with that.

Nobody is dragging away black fathers kicking and screaming from their children these days.

I think the ridiculous number of black men locked up for non violent crimes and drug possession is part of the reason the "black family" is in the state that it's in.
Look, I think you are right to direct a degree of blame and criticism at the black community, but there are institutional factors at play here that make things more complex than "get off your lazy, no ambition havin' ass and make something of yourself"
But yes, something like an alarming percentage of the adult population of Detroit reading at an elementary school is obviously something to be up in arms about. it's embarrassing, I agree.

[Phantast2k]

/about Germany
Among the population black ppl. haven't really been all that common up until the 90ies - with the exception of some exch. students from Africa, some odd mixed marriages (where black spouses would mostly come from South America) and most prominently African-american GIs and their (mixed) children. In a mid-sized city you could probably go for years without seeing a black person. So yeah, except for some entertainers and (mixed race) sports figures black ppl. for the most part were a rare sight.

[Some of the first Ger. black national football players: Erwin Kostedde (70ies) / Jimmy Hartwig (80ies)]

This is all due to the fact that unlike France, UK, the Netherlands etc., Germany barely had any colonies in Africa and the immigration from warn-torn/politically unstable African countries only really set in around the 90ies.

/own experience on the n-word in Germany
I went to school in a bad neighborhood (you could call it ghetto really) where Germans represented a minority in classrooms with most of the other students being immigrants from Turkey, Mid. East, the Balkans and some odd were from Asia/Desi-area. And I'm sure their parents, for the most part, were referring to black people as niggers because that's what they've been thought in school back in their home countries. Even some older German parents were still taught the n-word..

I remember being a bit shocked when I first heard the kids dropping "Nigga this, nigga that" (thank you rap music)...I was listening to it too, but from watching US movies/tv series I knew that the N-word was a taboo.
At first I lamented and was like: "you're not supposed to say that - that ain't cool", but there were no black ppl. around anyways so who would take offense really? They just thought I was being silly. I still avoided it though. The teachers didn't prevent anyone from saying it either...they were barely able to control the class as is..

In high school the only ppl. to drop the n-word regularly were the few Turkish/M.E. who made it thus far (incidentally the ones who used it most where the ones who couldn't finish h.s., lol).
But also among the n-word users where also ppl. from one of my current circles of friends (best characterized by: stoners/binge gamers/underachievers).
They're all "white" (some ethnic Germans, but for the most part ppl. of Polish/Russian decent)...now what they say is not outright "nigger" or "nigga", but rather some weird neologisms they've created in the group. Among those:

- niggi (most common)
- niggs
- nig nag
- nigaralla...where it grows into nigrALALLALAH (...)

None of them are really racist though: one is engaged to a Chinese girl, another ones dates an Indian chick.

At the uni I don't think I've ever heard anyone say nigger or a variation of it. There also a lot of black ppl. around so that could potentially offend someone.
In work places (different min. wage/student jobs) I heard it being dropped quite a few times. Not to offend someone directly, but to refer to black colleague :/
(It's always the really uneducated folk, often uned. immigrants)

/own use
So yeah in that circle of friends I described above, I grew accustomed to saying "niggi"...it's just that I don't meet them too often atm so...I don't really say it anymore.
Except for this instance in the US I never said the n-word or some variation of it in presence of/to a black person.
And I never feel like I should be extra careful around black people because the n-word might come out any second. It's not really on my mind..

[Riggs]

Good post, interesting to hear how things like this are viewed in other countries. Nignag tho? Lol wtf made me laugh.

[kinggroin]

Nigga was said a LOT back in the day amongst my friends and I. As we got older, its use decreased, and now its very rarely used.

Only time I ever hear it anymore is when someone is being mocked, or its part of a sentence in which someone is expressing shock or bewilderment.

I'm Latino fwiw, and I only have 1 white friend (who only ever said it when quoting Jackie Chan).

[RukusProvider]

The more rap music I listen to or the more I watch shows like Wire, I tend to use it more. I'm not black and have no black friends.

If the word wasn't used in the entertainment medium, I'd more than likely forget about it.

[Palabrah]

Doesn't bother me, completely de-powered word for me. I also say it a bunch in the proper settings.

[Gordon Shumway]

Been calling my white friends nigga and my black friends cracka for ages. Honestly, I think its was living in Miami most my life. With most of us it was like saying each others name. I've slowed it down plenty. Remember moving to Jacksonville, Florida and getting the bug eyed look when I said it once or twice. My kids getting older and understanding words made me slow it down for sure.

[JGS]

Doesn't bother me, completely de-powered word for me. I also say it a bunch in the proper settings.

It's not depowered if it needs proper settings which apparently is code for around black people that use the word too or singng hip hop songs completely alone.

The word(s) are garbage and offensive to meaning and, at the individual level, if it's meaningless what's wrong with using something else like a person real name or "guys" or "homey"?

White people should have no issues with using a meaningless word that not only is used by blacks but championed and defended. It's utterly goofy for a race to take a word that they shouldn't be using to begin with and ban others from using it. There is no sense to that unless someone is ignorant (& quite possibly stupid).

[Gazzawa]

I drop N bombs like theres no tomorrow.

DAT RAP MUSIC

[Rpgmonkey]

With the exception of a quote from a movie, show, or song, I don't use it at all regardless of the company I'm around, and even then I would only say it around close friends, never around family, acquaintances, or my superiors. Never felt there was any reason to say it besides those exceptions.

I've seen a lot of people across a variety of races use the word. It was never a slur towards me nor could I detect any racist intent when they said it, so other people saying it doesn't bother me.

I'm black.

[coldfoot]

Not only I'm happy to give up being able to say the N-word in exchange for not being profiled by the police and all the other white privilege I have, I don't think I'd ever use it even if I was black. I think it's bad even when black people use it themselves because they're calling each other a word that white people used as a synonym for sub-human. Of course I don't object to black people being able to get away with it lol.

Still, doesn't take away how hilarious this is.

[Lord British]

I pretty much never say it unless I'm reciting/quoting something, or if I'm writing/performing some kind of comic thing that necessitates it (which is very rare).

It doesn't seem to have lost its power, unlike "f****t" (not sure if I can say that) which I see and hear so much, on and offline, and never attributed to homosexuality. From what I've seen, it's pretty much the same as "idiot" or something similar, but I personally would still hesitate to use it, freely or otherwise, seeing as the homophobic connotations are still there. I think if any slur is going to entirely change its meaning it'll be that one, though.

[ido]

N Word

Good song.

[BeesEight]

My wife's best friend is a gay male, and the first time I hung out with him and his friends with my wife was like a culture shock. Fag this, bitch that. Shit was crazy. Caught me off guard.

Yeah, but your wife (I'm assuming) doesn't say it.

The reasons for a minority to use a derogatory word are far more complex than when the majority use it. And it should also be clear that even if one person does it, not everyone of the same minority feels the same way about its use.

When it comes down to it, there's just no god damn good reason to use any of these words. I think the respective cultures that try and reclaim these words and make them cool or acceptable in the end don't work since it's so easy to bring back and reinforce its original use. And it's all fine and dandy to just shrug and say "it's only words" until you're on the receiving end of the hateful ones.

[dcdobson]

I'm black and don't use the word. With regard to non-black people using it in my presence, I'm actually more offended by their assumption that I'm okay with it than by the word itself. It's like..am I really that non-threatening?

[DY_nasty]

this thread...

wtf riggs.

[Izick]

All about the context.

Exactly, although I'm not fond of the word, and don't use it.

[LiK]

A dumb alternate to the original word with -er. When I hear it, I think ignorance. Doesn't matter what their skin color is.

[DarkKyo]

It's not a part of my vocabulary.

[O.DOGG]

Let me also add this to the discussion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mfz7wVxzuoE

[Maron]

I'm starting to say it more often than I used to. That's probably due to my friends more than anything else. I don't like when any other race says nigga because it sounds terrible coming from a non-black's mouth for some reason, just really cringe worthy. I don't like when anybody says nigger. of course there is a fucking difference between saying nigger rather than nigga.

This. I remember in HS some of my friends got one of our classmates (she's a white girl) to say it and I just felt weird about it. It looked like it was a bit of a joke to everyone else (including her) and it's not like I really dwelled on it, but I just had an odd feeling out of hearing that outta her initially.

I'm black and don't have much need for saying it honestly. I've said it before but not really to refer to anyone else and it's certainly not a part of my vocabulary. Not sure I have a definitive opinion though. I personally feel weird when white people say it but it's not like I can stop them.

I also remember my Theology teacher last year in HS was showing us the Malcom X movie (also a white lady) and felt the need to let us all know that she was appalled that they left in the part with Malcolm's teacher calling him a nigger in the film. I thought it was ridiculous that she felt the need to be upset over something that has no effect on her...especially considering that taking that part away ruins the whole point of the scene.

[Mr. B Natural]

Brother was the first incarnation of the word and it was better/not stupid.

[Noirulus]

I'll admit i'm guilty of saying the word when singing along to some old school hip-hop, but that's done when i'm in my own room so it's harmless I think. :S

[Sadsic]

I was recently on a Wire binge so I can't stop saying it

yeeeeeep

[leadbelly]

Are the two words sufficiently different for you to determine which one is said? :S

[onemic]

Are the two words sufficiently different for you to determine which one is said? :S

Easily

[SquiddyCracker]

I'm kinda brown, and could probably in the right context get away with using the word nigga. With that said, it just doesn't suit me right to say it and I honestly don't think I got enough street cred to use that word.

[PlayDat]

I generally try to avoid saying it but I usually don't get too upset when I hear friends use it. I'd say context and intent are what's most important. Everyone says it around here though, black, white, hispanic, etc. and no one ever bats an eye. I used to be one of those people that thought no one should ever say it, but I'd lose my mind with how common it is.

[Dreams-Visions]

use it all the time, but its never in a slanderous or offensive way. basically like saying "Sup Bro!"

Now that I think about it, I've realized that I only say it in a joking fashion with my little brother, father and extended family males. Men ranging from 19-60 years old, and it's all love. A little more sparingly among the older guys in the fam, but with my little brother it's basically our go-to word replacement for anything and everything. It's just a way we communicate and enjoy each other. We don't really say it outside of close fam. It's funny hearing these old ass doctors and lawyers talking that talk...but it's this subtle way of communicating a special level of comfort.

But yea, it's very much love. There would never be any confusion among us about context or purpose.

Are the two words sufficiently different for you to determine which one is said? :S

Hell yea.

[esai]

All about the context.

this is the only time i say it, as its one of the most used quotes among my friends.

[The Incarnation]

Thread is self explanatory. What do you feel about it? To those who aren't black do you feel as it is a word that shouldn't be restricted as the NY Times guy said a few days ago? Do you feel that you should be able to say it if others can say it? Do you use it yourself? Do you not use it? To those that are black, do you feel as if it is a word that pushes the ignorant mindset of others upon you?(ala chamillionaire) Do you use it yourself? Do you not use it? Do you have a problem when others who aren't black use it around you or do you have those that you are cool with that can use it whenever? Do you feel as if there is a difference in the use of nigga and nigger?

Not really, personally don't use it, and refuse to talk to anyone that uses it.

It just reduces a person to being a thing.

Also pretty much clues me in that the person is easily influenced by those around them, even down to speech.

[RawPower]

I will say this though, I tend to think less of black dudes who throw the word (either one) around liberally as if it's nothing, and then get angry when someone who isn't black follows their example. I mean if it's such a hurtful word, why do you promote it? I honestly can't think of any other slur that's used in this manner. The only explanation that comes to mind here is bragging rights, such as saying "nah nah this is our toy and you can't have it" which is just dumb, in my opinion. What other purpose does it serve?

[GillianSeed79]

Thread is self explanatory. What do you feel about it? To those who aren't black do you feel as it is a word that shouldn't be restricted as the NY Times guy said a few days ago? Do you feel that you should be able to say it if others can say it? Do you use it yourself? Do you not use it? To those that are black, do you feel as if it is a word that pushes the ignorant mindset of others upon you?(ala chamillionaire) Do you use it yourself? Do you not use it? Do you have a problem when others who aren't black use it around you or do you have those that you are cool with that can use it whenever? Do you feel as if there is a difference in the use of nigga and nigger?

I look and talk like that lol white people gif, so I can't say it nor would I actually want to because I'd look stupid. On the one hand I'm white, so I think we all look stupid saying it. Then again I've seen black people use it as a general greeting with their white friends. I kinda wish people didn't use it, but I kinda look at it as a what's up dude kind of saying. I don't really like when I hear the hard er at the end of it, but I'm white so can't say that to anyone.

[KillGore]

I'm hispanic and I don't mind saying nigger, gringo, spick, or chink, but I only say them to my closest friends (some are asian, some are dark skinned, etc) and I don't mean it in a derogatory way, just joking around with the boys. I wouldn't say it to a random stranger or in public, out of respect, because even though I don't think it's a big deal, I do realize that a lot of people do, so I'll respect that. I always make sure my closest friends are okay with it before saying it the first time. Also, I hate when black people (or any other ethnicity) use the word but hate when other people use it, it's such a hypocritical way of thinking. Another thing is how some change the word nigger to nigga, it would be like me hating the word "spick" and try to buffer the intensity of the word by slightly changing the word, saying something like "spicko" or something. My closest friends can call me spick, as long as it's not meant in a hateful way.

[Demon Lizardman]

It sounds funny, nigga is a funny word.

[Fenderputty]

Nigga is used enough in music that I understand why it's so common. IMO it gives off a slight impression of youth/immaturity and possibly lower class. That's regardless of race. "Brah" is another word that brings up similar emotions for context.


The use of the word "nigger" should never be acceptable unless talking about the word itself and how unacceptable it is.

[Sallokin]

Personally, when I sing along to hip hop and that word comes up, I feel awkward singing it/saying it. Someone told me to just change the word to something that sounds similar (ninja) or something like that, but that feels silly. There should be a style guide equivalent for these kinds of situations GAF.

[IrishNinja]

how am i gonna talk about big baby jesus now

for real though, if its in a track i'm singing/karaoke shit i might ninja it but i aint gonna feel bad if i dont, context and shit

[Tess3ract]

I don't care.

[JumpingTheGun]

I don't really say it unless I'm driving alone and it comes along in a song I'm rapping to. I don't go around calling people it, and I always feel weird when it's said in mixed company, or when non-blacks say it.

[Akainu]

That it should never be used. Though if quoting something it's fine literature etc. That whole taking it back crap is bullshit.

[Conciliator]

White guy who loves hip hop. I use it when reciting or singing along to hip hop in general, though generally not in public. I don't ever use the -er version just cause it doesn't make me comfortable, even saying it ironically or whatever.

[isamu]

Wow uncalled for man. Especially with your post history.

What's the deal with his post history?

[CrankyKong]

I always liked this scene from coach carter

http://youtube.com/watch?v=JkJ9Nyr-CEg

[isamu]

I always liked this scene from coach carter http://youtube.com/watch?v=JkJ9Nyr-CEg

Oh snap! I had forgotten all about that show! Thanks for mentioning it. I will be buying the CC box set asap! One of the best TV shows ever!

[blame space]

someone tell me how to feel about this word

[Kwixotik]

I'm white. I'll use it in the presence of anyone when referring to or quoting or singing along with songs (ie. "Niggas in Paris"). Haven't had anyone openly take offense. Otherwise I don't use it, except my brother and I sometimes say "nigga please" at each other.

I don't really have any opinion as to how other people use it, unless they're obviously saying it just to say it. Also, when people awkwardly pussyfoot around it ("you know... that song... by Jay-Z and Kanye West... about Paris...") its annoying. And I can't substitute the increasingly popular "ninja" because I associate it with juggalos.