using "nigga" if you aren't black

[Miles]

Funny how this thread is all white boys deciding when/if it's okay.

[isoform]

i think this might actually be a good thing. when people who have no connection to black culture appropraite the word out of appreciation or as novelty, it takes the negative connotation out of the word and makes it not a hateful thing, meanwhile it shows the ignorance of the user, which is another plus.

then you disrespect the history of blacks in america--and, well, blacks or assigned 'niggers' all over the world (e.g. "sand niggers" or filipinos of the PH-Am war the Americans referred to them as niggers). i don't think the word should be neutered nor taken out of the english language. there should be respect for the word and its history.

nigga/nigger may be a term of endearment, but i feel that it is (or should be) used amongst people (potentially of any race) who know the struggle. it's a part of a lifestyle... not a game nor a joke.

however, if people with no connection to black culture apporopriate the word without an appreciation or sense of novelty, it adds to the negative connotation and builds the hate behind it.

if ppl w/ zero connections, consciousness, or conscience for that matter appropriate the word--i feel it's really disrespectful. just like hipster aholes wearing neon green kheffiyeh scarves and knowing nothing or not giving a shit about the situation in Palestine... except that's just rooted in ignorance and vanity--whereas the useage of nigga/er by folk w/ zero connections has this warped sense of entitlement and are acting on their privilege while indirectly or directly making fun of folks--being a thug/black is suddenly a huge joke (like the ending of Bamboozled).

and it's sad how this stuff still plays out very vivdly especially today--and way beyond suburban white kids referring to ea. other as 'niggas'. 'Cause what's funnier than playing "black"? blackface on college campuses via Ghetto parties (like the ones that just happened to celebrate MLK's birthday--great idea, eh?) or Imus w/ his "Nappy Headed Hoes" 'joke'.

personally, im immune to racial slurs thrown against me and if im comfortable around someone who is of another ethnicity, i expect a level playing field.

i really like a recent South Park episode--that really deftly deals with what real racism looks like, and dealt with that whole b.s. line of "words don't really mean anything". words, their use, and the intent behind them, or even their mindless use by the unconscious (the hordes of suburbanites using 'nigga'), do mean something.

and to tell people to get over their sensitivity especially on something like the "N-word" is a really... stupid but very common thing to do.

[Pogi]

In Australia, racism used as a joke is accepted. Same goes for homo jokes.

[cheep]

i start to flinch as i try not to say it...

nah... i never use the word.

[patience]

i start to flinch as i try not to say it...

nah... i never use the word.

Fuck. I was hoping nobody would've made that reference by this point.

[C0C0]

i think it's okay for anyone to use ''the n word'' as long as they're ''down'' regardless of race...and not "down" in the sense that they listen to eminem and fifty cent

for me that word was just part of my culture as a latina from ny, however now as i'm older i tend not to use it because i feel too many activists have done so much and endured so much struggle that it's stupid to use that word...

however i also feel that in some contexts when youre from the hood and grow up around the use of it, there are certain sayings and instances that require you to consciously step out and force a different word out

[arem]

In Australia, racism used as a joke is accepted. Same goes for homo jokes.

At one point it was accepted that black people were kept as slaves, women had no right to vote and gays were burned at the stake. Not saying that the use of an offensive word is equal. but just because something is accepted doesn't make it right.

[zelah]

Racial slurs are all kinds of fucked up no matter whos saying them.

+111111111111

and if you're white, you're only allowed to use it while quoting others

[Thorns]

My brothers are black, white (catholic/prostestant/jewish), asian, arab, hispanic... when we're together its non-stop racial slurs. We tried to be more politically correct, but that lasted for about a week. It took me a full year in college before I learned my best friend's real name... he introduced himself as Spic.

I guess it just depends on who you're around. In public I guess we try to tone it down, but sometimes shit slips out. Hell he's still saved in my phone as Spic.

Edit: As an aside... discrimination happens to everybody. My buddy grew up in an all jewish neighborhood and when he would go over to his friends homes and met parents and grandparents he had to start making up a last name. They wouldn't let their kids play with a boy who's last name is graff.

[Double D]

Not really a question round here... I swear this city has a black population of roughly 50, and they appear to largely live on the council estates.

Also people need to stop typing "down" in this topic, no amount of quotation marks can save you from the embarassment.

[corporategrunt]

This is few years Before the whole Kramer thing - and following tide of events (people making announcements never to use it again), but my black friends in college used to use the word to funny effects - calling out white acquaintances (not close friends) 'my nigga' ....this usually resulted in the white person getting in somewhat awkward but bit proud and giddy ('yes, I am down with black people!') mode with awkward pounds and fucked up ebonics.

I guess that is what happens in liberal (naive, but not racist), midwestern (many white students have limited interaction with blacks coming into college) university.

[horriblyjollyjinx]

At one point it was accepted that black people were kept as slaves, women had no right to vote and gays were burned at the stake. Not saying that the use of an offensive word is equal. but just because something is accepted doesn't make it right.

so why is it wrong?

[broneck]

for the best possible use of white people saying nigga, see: Curb Your Enthusiasm Season 3 Episode 7...Crazy Eyes Killah.

[RAISED BY WOLVES]

. Hell he's still saved in my phone as Spic..

. They wouldn't let their kids play with a boy who's last name is graff.

Both these things are hilarious for different reasons when read out of context. Especially the last one.

[Larry Bird]

never say it...ever. i dont like it. i dont like the way it sounds....thats just my take.

(except when quoting "a rap song lyric"

[airportlobbytx]

Nothing is funnier than the sight of a non-black person who casually uses a racial epithet (often in jest), who suddenly realizes he's been overheard by a real live black person.

Once a friend's brother was at a Saints-Falcons game, and the Falcons won. In typical New Orleans frat boy fashion, as he was leaving, he said something like, "Man, I hate those Falcoons."

It turned out that Lil Wayne was on the escalator behind him and said something like, "Hey, that's racial - I hate the Falcons, too, but man, don't be racist."

Word on the New Orleans street is that Lil Wayne is a nerd and did well in school.

[twistedtrees]

As a Black person let me ask you non-Black folks something: Why do you want to use the word?

Please stop, it is really one of the worst of the many bad looks (homophobia, pedophilia, misogyny) that gets tossed around casually in this forum.

never say it...ever. i dont like it. i dont like the way it sounds....thats just my take.

(except when quoting "a rap song lyric"

As a white person, I don't want to say it, but the times when,as Larry said, quoting a hip hop song or a line from a Dave Chappelle sketch, it's weird not saying it. I mean, I still don't say it, but I think it's weird how it's become a word that is censored, and is being censored even when quoting a black person. So in essence, it is going from a word that black people "own" to one where white people are censoring it, and again trying to act like they know what's best for everybody.

But my original point is, if I were to read a black poets writings, should I even not say the word, and replace their writings with the phrase "the n-word", or should I just say what the black person wrote or said.

In the commentary track on the Black-White Supremesist skit on Dave Chappelle, they talk about how they actually had a hard time finding a white person who would say the word, and it was frustrating for a moment when they thought they wouldn't be able to find anybody.

But yeah, I don't say it, I value my life and physical well-being.

[JustHaja]

I guess the point of this is not to think of the word as a context. Forget for a second that youre down or okay with people using the word and imagine this situation.... if you are white or black and youre walking down the street anywhere in the world and you see a black person being called a nigger by someone who isnt: black and not in the my nigga way but "you fu@king nigger!" The way that you feel in this hypothetical situation should be the basis on your use of the word thereafter. And that icky feeling in the pitt of your stomach means its WRONG! or is it not cool to be down with that?

[Guest StuckOnStupid]

Funny how this thread is all white boys deciding when/if it's okay.

hilarious.....

[Guest StuckOnStupid]

i kinda was shocked when i lived in NY how many white kids i met that said it all the time. that wore off and i chalked it up to another way thta city is different than any other...

[BTT]

As an AzN B0ii, I feel obliged to say nigga whenever I have the opportunity.

[cheep]

so SOS... when is it ok for me to call you "my nigga"

besides when youre picking cotton of course.(10... for those who cant tell sarcasm... )

[Guest StuckOnStupid]

then again....what may be acceptable at houston & ludlow does not fly at nostrand & marcy....

[macuser3of5]

As someone who has purchased a Clipse CD, and watched Family Matters as a kid, and most significantly masturbated to interracial pornography on more than one occasion, I feel very close-knit ties to the Af-Am community and its mores. My thoughts are this; if you're relaxing with your friends, say smoking weed or eating watermelons or picking cotton on the farm, I think it's OK to use the word nigga, it keeps everyone on the same page, reduces classism, etc. By comparison, if you're at school, work or in an clean well-lit urban area, I would think it rude to call someone a nigga, even jokingly. The only exception I can think of is if it's a black person, then by all means, call a nigga a nigga.

[C0C0]

then again....what may be acceptable at houston & ludlow does not fly at nostrand & marcy....

damn ur always saying some priceless ish and it doesn't let me keep repping u lol

i would agree with haja...if someone has a problem with one aspect of how the word can be perceived then they shouldnt use it whether it be in a jovial way or not

[onemancult]

im really glad ive been busy and havent been around

for any of this.

[blm14]

I dont even think black people should use it to one another. It's a hateful word no matter what the context.

[Double D]

besides when youre picking cotton of course.

I take it this is for the (now not so secret) organic 28oz CMF Homme AW07 joints with the 42 inch super twisted inseam, am I right? I hear it takes a 'nigga' a whole day to harvest enough cotton for just one pair.

[Double D]

I guess that is what happens in liberal (naive, but not racist), midwestern (many white students have limited interaction with blacks coming into college) university.

See, as a liberal white middle class person who can easily go a whole day without seeing a non-white face, I do the sensible thing and don't derive my language from hiphop songs and tv shows that have absolutely no social or cultural relevance to me.

[buffalocloud7]

never say it...ever. i dont like it. i dont like the way it sounds....thats just my take.

(except when quoting "a rap song lyric"

i tend to agree with this