Nigga Nigga...

The “N” word- to say it or not! Once again, that is the question!

This word, whether spelled in its initial form of “nigger” or “nigga”, which is used as more of a modern way today, this word has been and will continue to be the topic of much discussion for years. Let’s first rewind a bit and find out exactly how the word nigger first came into use! Apparently, the first reference to the word in America was used as a name/ label for African slaves, spelled nigr/niger, meaning black. Side note- In referencing the word, I came upon a website that was titled the “Nigger Owner’s Manual”. I said hmm, I wonder what this is all about…. Well curiosity killed the cat because it clearly was a site with chapters dedicated to installing, configuring, housing and feeding your nigger, making your nigger work, entertaining your nigger and disposal of dead niggers, to name several subtopics of the manual. Several days later after losing the tab, I proceeded to search the same key words to again research this harmful website, but this time my search returned a consistent pattern of websites dedicated to topics based on ridding a nigger into extinction. These people, assumingly White, are speaking of the nigger in terms of a wild, untamed beast, unbelievably even falling short of the whimsical notion of the slave south where Black people were only considered to be 3/5 human. At times, various sites referred to the nigger as an animal or another wild species of its own.

I’ve pasted the link just below, but beware not to let the ignorance rile you. I include it only as proof of the unfortunate existence of many things that we tend to overlook in reference to the views that many White people still hold about African Americans, today. Now, this is a small percent of the Whites in America, but nevertheless, a very powerful percent. But, check out the link if you are so inclined.

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=niggers+guide+to

Smh!!! So as not to lose focus of my task at hand, in exposing the systematic inequalities that exist in America where race is concerned, I will not waste any precious time on the unfounded and ignorant thoughts of others who are too unhappy with their own lives to appreciate the precious remaining time we have to spend here on this earth. So again, it is strictly referenced with the intent of reminding all of us that we still live in a world where ignorance and bigotry exist, even if its ugly face hides behind a suit or dress in a corporate boardroom, a police uniform or judge’s gown.

So, this word that was originally a term used for referencing African slaves, soon turned into a mean, derogatory and defamatory term used to belittle and degrade anyone of African descent, who was brought to America. On the slave plantation this word was used by their White owners, showing slaves they/we were only worthy of low leveled self-esteem and conduct themselves in a certain way, in concert with the wild beast of a creature to which we were (Indoctrinated). Through all the struggles of slavery and every one for the Black race since, you would naturally think there’s no reason a Black person would EVER want to use that word. But this is where we move along to the use of the “nigga” word, as used in the African American community, today.

There are so many different interpretations of the word depending on which demographic(s) you may represent. Now, let’s take for instance the African American community at large. There is a huge disconnect between those generations born in the 50s and earlier, and those born in the 1970s and later. MOST people of my generation (1970’s) don’t see it as disrespect when WE as Black people use the word “nigga”, although I must say, I don’t EVER want to hear a White person say it no matter how cool you are. This is simply because of the way their ancestors used the term to degrade my ancestors, along with the pain that it’s caused ever since. Somehow, it just doesn’t feel right. It may sound discriminatory, but based on a system set in place to reduce the soul of a Black man, woman and child to less than human; the use of the “N” word in either form (nigger, nigga) by that other race who happens to be in the driving seat of that system, isn’t such a great idea.

Now, I can’t actually pinpoint and tell you exactly where the word changes from nigger to my nigga, but one thing that I can say is that when you have somebody that talks negatively about you and calls you all kinds of degrading names, you’re going to find a way to fight back, in a way of outsmarting your opposition. As such, a resilient people will figure out a way to flip it on the bully who is discrediting them, turning a flaw into a source of pride. One way you negate the power of a harmful word is to use it with your own distinction, allowing you to somewhat control its effect.

Well, this apparently is what has happened, because the term is rooted in the derogatory form- nigger, but it has since evolved for a younger generation and is used as a source of unity. The way that my generation uses the term nigga, and I am not defending it (well sort of), is in a non-synonymous way to the word “nigger”, as used by racists. And it is not White people’s fault today that they have to suffer racial tensions even when they themselves are not racist. Similarly, it was not the fault of my ancestors that they were savagely uprooted from our homeland of Africa and forced to live a life of bondage, where they could legally be beaten, raped and murdered, simply because of being Black. It is an unfortunate point, but nevertheless, this is America’s history and it is still somewhat reflective of our present. What will be our future???