The “N” Word

She is what she is, and from what I can gather she is fine with that. Poor Paula Dean- she is losing it all because of a word- or so they say. I will never allow a word, no matter how derogatory, take me to the edge of insanity. Of course there is a double standard about the use of the word- but not really. I guess that I am lucky because I can use both words. Yeah that’s right I can say “nigger” and “nigga”.
 

I find it rather funny that the racists who use the word did not even develop the word rather incorporated the word into their vocabulary from the Spaniards and Portuguese. At least create your own racial slur- or have the ability to understand that Negro simply means black. But then some decided that they wanted to turn it into slang and something derogatory a.k.a. Nigger. That was the past- now let’s move forward to today’s use of the word. As the Urban dictionary puts it, a nigger is a person that is “ignorant, ill mannered, or low-class people, without regard to their ethnicity.” That definition might suggest that you, reading this blog, could be classified as a nigger. 

The world has had different meanings for a variety of words. And like any word- has to be understood in the context that it is used. For example, I feel gay today. Well, in today’s terms that would mean that I may like the same sex. But in the past it was a simple way to say someone may be excited, alive, or having high spirits. Now the word has a derogatory meaning simply because society is dependent on some label to define themselves- as not being a part of the world but rather exclude themselves to some high horse that they ride through society with their moral standards, but forget that they are not living within those morals standards.

When I hear old Negro people, and old white people, complaining about my culture’s use of the word- I am confused. Very confused. Because most of the old people are cashing in on the use of these words, in movies, films, and even literature. If we can be brutally honest as we should be, instead of forcing the political correctness in our veins, we might be able to achieve something. 

Instead of just pointing to the use of the word- why don’t we take the time to talk about the society that has made the use of these words acceptable? Of course some rich white lady is going to be thrown under the bus because of her slip-up or personal feelings- but should she?   This is America. You have the right to be racist, use racist language, project your old fashioned values on people that do not believe them, and even tell me that Jesus is white and has long hair and blue eyes. But the last time I met a person name Jesus he was Latino. I guess they didn’t want to adopt Spanish names, but they could take their words. 

So when the white guy that lived across the street from me in Texas suggested that I spoke elegantly- I knew what he meant- I was not a nigger and- welcome to the neighborhood. When one of my employers told me that I was different than the rest because I showed up on time- I knew what that meant- that I was not a nigger. When I show up to the studio and hang out with fellow musicians- (you call them rappers)- and they say “what up, nigga”- I know what they mean- what’s up family- 

I have an extensive understanding of language and the use of it. I can even prove that Ebonics is a language, just like Paula Dean proved Southern is a language- “I is what I is”, sort of familiar to the structure of Ebonics. So while we all throw our two cents in to the argument- I want to know how the term slave in the bible turned to meaning “capture all the Negros- and beat them with whips because God said you could”.

This use of this word is just an example of how screwed up we are. We often let things evolve and then move on, but then we want to act like hoarders and hold on to old thoughts and philosophies. The word “nigger!!” coming out the mouth of a white person running towards you with a burning cross and a sheet to hide his fear of being known as a bigot- is vastly different than a rapper saying “these niggas is crazy on these streets”. 

If you don’t like the term then don’t use it. If you are a racist and use it, then pay the price- what every society feels you should pay for your thoughts. Thought crimes- we are in 1984.  If you like hip-hop music, and don’t mind the word, then keep the Beats by Dre in your ear and tell the world to go and fuck themselves- cause yeah, one minute I am chilling with my niggas, and the next I am debating with those that feel the need to think that I am an nigger-