[onemic]

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?

[Devolution]

I never say either without the permission of present company.

[fna84]

I will never EVER use either word.

[OttomanScribe]

I'm white, so I don't think it is something that I should or ever would say. I don't think I have any opinion on whether or not black people should use it. I know there is a discussion of that in the community and I can see both sides, but as a white dude it is none of my business.

[DragonKnight]

I never say either without the permission of present company.

Explain? Why do you feel the need to use either word?

[Copernicus]

Only recited when I'm listening to krunk muzak on the highway.

[DMeisterJ]

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.

[lunarworks]

I never say either without the permission of present company.

"Requesting permission to drop the N-bomb, sir."

"Permission granted."

[Keikoku]

I'm white, so I don't think it is something that I should or ever would say. I don't think I have any opinion on whether or not black people should use it. I know there is a discussion of that in the community and I can see both sides, but as a white dude it is none of my business.

American communitarianism... smh.

[Salvadora]

I couldn't even think of a reason I would use it.

[Mammoth Jones]

I use the word at LEAST 50 times a day.

[Devolution]

Explain? Why do you feel the need to use either word?

I don't call anyone those names. I meant saying them in general. Like lyrics or quotations.

[Alfarif]

I say it jokingly in IRC from time to time.

[Plywood]

All about the context.

[Seanspeed]

I say it joking around once in a while.

[Uchip]

I never say either without the permission of present company.

how would you even ask permission?

[commedieu]

on topic;

Keep using it people. It gets more and more watered down. Its meaning separates itself from the -er variation. Its at the point to where mexicans/whites/asians that are part of the hippidy hop world get away with saying it, and no one really winces. Its definitely a word that is shared with a certain type of lifestyle.

The word requires finesse to use. Its not just letters, its the accent that comes along with it.

When none of the above happens, its usually someone dropping the -er version. And its just mildly offensive. But at the same time, you know when a racist is a racist, or a person with low intentions is saying it. A lot of people don't know, and avoid it all together. Rare word Nigga is.

[DragonKnight]

I'm black. I use the term "nigga" very rarely. I just don't think it's a word that needs to be perpetuated. I admit though that it's used more in my black circles. The word "nigger" I never use and i cringe whenever I hear a white person use it. I dunno why I just do. The slur term has become equivalent to the use of "faggot" and "gay" for a lot of people. Because I use those words in that way, then I can't really get mad when the n-word is used that way. But if it's said with real, racist intent then I will never condone that.

[bangladesh]

I don't think there's a difference between 'nigga' and 'nigger'.

It all has to do with the person's accent.

''whatever'' ''whateva'' ''my'' ''ma'' ''nigger'' ''nigga''

[MIMIC]

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?

Gargantuan.

Also, in my experience, people who aren't black who use the word "nigga" all share one thing in common: they're usually loud and annoying. They usually have no respect for people in general, let alone for a word that most wouldn't approve of them using (if they didn't already know the background).

Me personally....I try not to say it in public. Although I NEVER say "nigger"; I only say that when I'm joking about something in private.

[maxxpower]

I don't use and black people shouldn't use it. I would feel extremely stupid using the word wetback(I'm Mexican) or a variation of the word.

[Sanjay]

I use the word at LEAST 50 times a day.

Stop listening to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0itOCgJtNVU everyday.

[shadowsdarknes]

I suppose it can be okay in the right context. But I think the word would be best off being wiped from existence.

[Vivalaraza]

I'm not black.

I'm comfortable saying it if I am repeating what somebody else has said or singing along to it if it's in a song. I would never call somebody a nigga/nigger though. Alot of my friends who aren't black use the word speaking to each other though in some kind of jokey way, I find it quite strange, they'll say something like "i'm gonna knock you out nigggaaa". I personally really don't like when people do that. It's very often not used as a racist term but as another word for your friend.

Don't really have an opinion on how black people use it. I can see both sides to that argument.

[Mr.Swag]

I use it alot. But I use it in the same way as "dude" "man" "bro".

Nothing wrong with the word imo.
And actually I find no problem with the full word either. Fucking censorship :/

[ElTopo]

People are offended by it, so I don't use it.

Then again I must admit one of my favourite ice creams has a ... similar name.

They should really change the name some day. Do they have that in the US ?

[Ratchet]

I don't think any racist words should be used in every day conversation by any race.

[FStop7]

I mostly listen to Sirius XM hip hop so it's a word I hear a hundred times a day. I try to be mindful and not let it slip into my own day to day language.

[Devolution]

how would you even ask permission?

Asking straight up? I'm sure when it comes to slurs people prefer you ask how they feel about a given word rather than assuming. I know I do.

[turbodog]

I get extremely uncomfortable when anyone says it and I don't know where they are coming from... but... everything would be funny if people on this planet didn't suck. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dF1NUposXVQ

[Viewt]

As a Hispanic/White (Jewish) biracial person:

If a black person says "nigga" it doesn't phase me. If anyone who isn't black says "nigga" I cringe a little.

If anyone says "nigger" I cringe.

If a white person says "THE N WORD" in air-quotes, I cringe a LOT.

Neither are a part of my daily lexicon, nor the lexicon of anyone around me. I only hear the former out around strangers.

[bangladesh]

I use it alot. But I use it in the same way as "dude" "man" "bro". Nothing wrong with the word imo. And actually I find no problem with the full word either. Fucking censorship :/

Same here. All my friends say it, too. It really has become another form of ''dude'' etc.

[Dreams-Visions]

I use the word at LEAST 50 times a day.

It's how I keep my teeth white.

[starchild excalibur]

I'm black.

I don't say it (except if I'm quoting rap lyrics by myself). I don't mind when black people say it, although I prefer to not be referred to with the word. I don't mind if people use it in the context of quoting it, although it does irk me when people verbally quote it (not sure why - maybe because I feel they're just using it as an excuse to say the word). I'm only cool with the '-er' being used in the context of written quotation or in discourse about the word or race politics.

I wouldn't necessarily get mad at a non-black person using "nigga" colloquially, but it'd probably color my opinion of them to a degree.

I don't think there's a difference between 'nigga' and 'nigger'. It all has to do with the person's accent. ''whatever'' ''whateva'' ''my'' ''ma'' ''nigger'' ''nigga''

Totally disagree. The difference between "nigger" and "nigga" isn't just style, in the way "whatever" and "whateva" are. Even if you don't see a difference between the two words I'd imagine you at least understand that most people don't react similarly.

[shintoki]

I always liked what one of my teachers said before. You aren't part of the sub-culture the word is directed towards. Its not really your right or place to decide its use since the word has no effect on you. Sums up my take on it pretty well.

[G-Fex]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1o82BVKFp8

[NomarTyme]

I rarely use this word, so I feel ok.

[ElectricBlue187]

It's a word. Who cares. I care more about the context than banning a word just because people don't like it

[OttomanScribe]

American communitarianism... smh.

What? I'm Aussie, you'll have to explain.

[Valhelm]

While I personally don't use it, it's still a pretty offensive word. Although nowhere near as grievous as its -er equivalent, it shouldn't be spoken by anyone, of any race, if they aren't quoting something.

[Gattsu25]

There is a strong difference between -a and -er.

I'm half black and feel that there's no need to use either.

[Dog Problems]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1o82BVKFp8

Love how throws his hands up on his head as he's thinking, "Oh shit, what did I say!?"

[Toddler]

Locale and class are the main factors.

Most average or underclass people (around here) use it no differently than "dude" or "brah". I'm guilty myself... and race normally has little to do with it's usage or how it's used.

[Baby Milo]

i use it about 250 times a day

[Randolph Freelander]

It is a term of ignorance. Don't use it, I don't care what color your skin happens to be.

[ZROCOOL]

Don't use it and will never use it.

[Staccat0]

Context context context

I don't think they are the same word. I also think they are different. Depends on the context and who is saying it and why.

I don't say it regularly, but I also don't assume that my friends or people I personally know are too stupid or fragile to hear the word if it's necessary to conversation. If I'm with my friends and we're talking about a lyrics to a song or something I'm not going to say "n-word" instead of "nigga"

I have friends of mixed races, sexual orientation and other such things. In my circle we like to actually talk about shit, and not keep each other at a words distance.

I think it's fine for a black person to say if they'd like to say it. I can understand the philosophy that "owning" the word saps it from some of it's offensiveness, but I also understand the viewpoint that the "softness" of the word "nigga" vs. the visceral harshness of "nigger" makes it run the risk of letting young white people feel comfortable throwing it around... however, if some future generation has no more hang-ups about the word, I'm not going to crawl out of my grave and tell them to not use it either.

So yeah, depends on the situation. See also: nearly any word in the english language
There are situations where calling someone "stupid" is more offensive than situations where some friend is lovingly calling his friend a "nigga"

So context context context

[ctrayne]

.

[HomShaBom]

I don't ever use the word. Though I don't feel angry when others do.

[exYle]

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