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You Know Why You Can't Say N@gga! by Jasmin Greene (2 Comments)

Written by Foresight
Wednesday, 17 October 2007
No seriously, you do. I don’t care what anyone tells me, I am convinced that white people know darn well why they can’t say this word and that they shouldn’t. However, I recently found out that it is a question that they like to ask to stir debate. I was sitting in my class last week, a class on hip hop culture, minding my own business. It was getting rather dull. I believe the teacher recognized that we just weren’t focused. So, I guess to stir things up, she asked us what we thought of the words nigga and nigger. Advertisements I thought, oh great! I instantly snapped out of my day dreams and into reality. I knew that it would only be a few moments before things got out of hand, as I am no stranger to racist talks and ignorance at UCLA. Oh and did it get fiery alright. First let me mention that this is an undergraduate course. I am the only graduate student, taking it because I thought I liked hip hop and I thought it would be interesting. Anyways...so one dude, obviously white, stated something like, "I don’t understand why I can’t say the word nigga (and he said it). I use it with my friends. And Eminem uses it and he grew up in Detroit, went though the same struggles and hard life. He uses it all the time, so what’s the problem." Ok, so this is when I had to count to 5 to make sure I collected my thoughts before going off. Really, why me I thought. Why must I always be put in this situations where I am the only damn black person representing the race at this school? I really thought I would be able to escape it this year. Ha. So I told him and the class that 1) I was very offended by the conversation at hand and 2) I don’t care where the hell you are from, Detroit, Compton, Whatever hood USA, it doesn’t matter. As a white person you will never know the historical implications surrounding that word. You will never know how that makes me feel as a black person to hear you use that word. So, I really suggest that you stop your usage of the word. I got some right-ons and some claps from a few of the black men in the class. Then out of nowhere...an unidentifiable chick raised her hand and asked me if I used the word nigga. Why yes I do. Amongst my close friends. To which she responded, oh, so you refer to yourself as a nigga? Ok then, how come I can’t use it? You think you’re a nigga, you use it, what’s the problem? White teacher uses N-Word (remix) To which I forgot to count and “kept it real” with her. The rest of the "convo" was a blur but I remember once again taking them to school and giving them some history. I believe someone tried to bring up the fact that J-Lo said nigga in her song years ago with Ja-Rule. Blah blah. At the end of class I was furious. I had spent the time solely defending why only black people could use the word nigga. There was no conclusion because as one black female in a class at racist ass UCLA, my message doesn’t get across. But honestly, just because you hear us saying it, doesn’t mean you can. Just because you listen to our music and the word is used, doesn’t mean you can repeat it. By the way, Eminem apologized for using the word and said he would never use it again. And lastly, it doesn’t matter what hood you think you came from or the hardships you endured. That is not a qualifier for using the word. The facts remain, your great granddaddy raped my great grandmother and called her the n-word, while selling her kids all over the U.S. as they worked 15 hour days for free. And that my dearies, is why "others" can’t say the n-word. Comments (6) ... written by Race , October 17, 2007 I don't envy you at all - what a hard position. UCLA definitely needs more black people, thats precisely why I chose another law school. ... written by Cookie , October 22, 2007 So why then would you use the word? A word that has been used to demean and disparage an entire race of people, why do we as black men and women still use this word? What possible good comes from the use of this word other than acknowledging that you are still nothing more than a NIGGA? ... written by LDR , November 15, 2007 I think a fair parallel to this issue is something EVERYONE can relate to. There are some things I can say to, or about, my family members that individuals outside my family can't say. I can say my dad is crazy, but there will be a problem if YOU do. I love my dad and have maintained a loving relationship wth him, and he knows that the person calling him crazy means well by him. The key to the use of language are not the words themselves, but rather the MEANING BEHIND THE WORD. Words are tools to communicate, or transport, thoughts and feelings. Personally, I am trying NOT to use the word altogether. There is nothing positive in the etymology of this word. ... written by MW , December 05, 2007 The usage of the "N" word reminds black people of the oppression of slavery, segregation and racism, or as I like to call it "The Battle between BLACK & WHITE". However, we (black people) have taken the word "nigger" and given it a new identity that is "healing" and different from its original meaning. What we have done is reversed its original meaning and transformed it into a word that we can call our own. It connects us with our history, the stuggle and where we came from, in which most of us are taught to be proud of. It generates a sense of unity amongst those of our own race. In essence it serves to makes us less sensitive to the word "nigger". Remember that although the word "nigga" was derived from and is pronouced similar to the word "nigger", it has its own identity.The word "nigga" is a positive word used as a term of endearment and is used with pride and good intention and so it has become a part of our culture. Since the original meaning and pronunciation of the word "nigga" was created by the white man, this is why he is forbidden to use it. It is becacause it reminds us of the damage he has done to our race. It should be obvious to them! ... written by Shaolin Prince , January 09, 2008 This is a very interesting and eye-opening link. Check it out. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cs6kqunJRp4 ... written by Jason W , April 04, 2008 It is within my opinion that even debating on such a word is simply "A WASTE OF TIME" We as blacks should recognize the fact that we have come to far since those days of wrongness! By now we should have tougher shells we should be able to ignore that ignorance & MOVE ON!!!! This is why we are failing in the progression of our people, there is too much complaining and worrying about the past!! We must GET OVER IT and move on SIMPLE!! Stop thinking our fake leaders are going to get us somewhere. Furthermore, to say you use the work Nigger with your friends, and YET get offended when other non-blacks use it, only makes you look dumb!!! If you do not want whites to say it then as a black person you shouldnt say it either!! PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH!!! But I end this with one simple question??? What progress have we made as a people, debating over the meaning of NIGGER, and the decapitation of the word NIGGER WHAT PROGRESS HAVE ME MADEEEEE??? I strongly urge us blacks to keep it real and MOVE ON!! Because those who want to use that word will use it regardless!! Write comment Name Email Website Comment Copyright 2007. All Rights Reserved.
Last Updated ( Monday, 22 October 2007 )

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