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-   

Rebirth of a Writer

Last night I had the time of my life. It had been a few years since I have been to a real concert and I needed to remind myself of who I am, and what helped mold and shape me. The last few weeks I have felt as if I was stuck in an identity crisis. I mean, my environment is no help at all. Surrounded by open plains, cows grazing on the pasture and the constant natural gas rigs spewing their fumes tend to make a brother a little confused. There is no one around me that dresses like me, thinks like me, or even understands the complexity of some of the issues concerning identity.

Why am I still here? The answer is simple I am here for my children. See, the beauty of Hip-Hop is that it educates and motivates. When I was younger I fed myself so much Hip-Hop that I should have been a fat kid. It was like cake and soda. The clothes, the shows, and the lyrical delivery of some of the greatest artist of all time were helping me deal with the racism, the injustices, and all of the other issues that plague a black teenager. Last night there was nothing like screaming “Fuck the Police” with a thousand people. Nine hundred and sixty nine white folks screaming “Fuck the Police” is just want I needed in my life right now.

See, I never believed in the system. Because I know that the system is a lie and they only tell us what they feel we need to know. The stuff that we read in the newspaper and watch on the television is nothing but poison that slowly kills and slowly eats away any sense of reality that we were born with. But that is the difference with Hip-Hop. If the world would operate like a true Hip-Hop show things would be great. It is true that (C.R.E.A.M) cash rules everything around me. Did it take nine black youth from the East Coast to tell the world that? Yes it did.

Hip-Hop is like Wikileaks, some shit that the average person would never understand and would rather lock in a cage and call them a traitor or useless to society. But that is not the case to those that are smart enough to understand that we are all getting played. I feel that no matter how we learn the truth the importance is we learn the truth. I am glad that this information is leaked and that the world can see that there are some serious issues out there that we should be aware of.

For me, Hip-Hop introduced me to the New World Order, and broke down some of the greatest Philosophers in the world. Hip-Hop artist are the reporters for the ghetto. They are the real soldiers on the front line of equal justice for those that do not have a voice. No I will not trust the police. I will not believe that fake rap artist that plagues the airwaves and infects the public with the same nonsense that real Hip-Hoppers are trying to eradicate. See life is not just a party or sipping on a 40 ounce of St. Ides on the corner. Life is about a hustle, making things better for you and your family.

By Any Means Necessary? That is right by any fucking means necessary. Yes I was lucky to escape the struggle in the inner-city. But that should not mean that I cannot be a solder for the movement. Yes it is true that I am a recovering Conservative on a steady diet of libertarian values and insight. I want less government and more freedom. I want to blaze green without having to come up with some excuse to see the doctor. I want the opportunity to do what I like as long as it has no direct negative effect on another human being.

I deal with other people’s values and bullshit shoved down my throat all day long. The constant religious quotes, the unflattering number game, and the constant Facebook “look at me” post that often makes me want to swan dive into an empty pool to see if I am in reality or some fake ass computer world. Is this the Matrix or what? Do we force feed ourselves some shit so that we feel better about ourselves? Or is it because we want the attention and the acceptances of others? I am chucking up the deuces on that right now.

No longer will I try to blend into my environment. No longer will I second guess what I write, or filter myself. I am who I am. And I have to say thank you to Hip-Hop. Artist like Nas, Public Enemy, Paris, Wu-Tang Clan, Mobb Deep, and Ice Cube have turned on the light. While these new artist continue to play the role of the house Negro and do what Master wants, I will not fall victim to Master, but remember were I came from and who I am. I am not supposed to be here but I am, I can tell by the looks in the store and the glares on the road. But that is the beauty of Hip-Hop, no matter the age race, religion, or sex- we all belong.  There is no other music in the world that has the same power that true Hip-Hop brings to the world.