They Say We Can't Say Nigga

Nigga is one of those words that are always at the forefront of controversy when it pertains to internal and external race relations. I choose not to focus on external because the argument is never ending and frankly exhausting.

Their always has been blacks who argue that it is a term of endearment and can be use among one another, while others refuse to use the word citing its oppressive history. Many label who use the word freely as ignorant. Are we saying that they are ignorant of not knowing the word “niggas” rooted history? If that’s the case the word derives from the old English word “neger” which derived itself from the Spanish word “Negro” meaning black. We forget about the original connotations and just focus on the negative vulgar history of said words. Just like times, attitudes, and outlooks change so do words.

It seems that it has become a standard not only for older blacks, but these new upper middle class blacks to refrain from it because it’s “ignorant.” People say that we are ignoring 400 plus years of history, when we are not. Blacks have history of taking substandard things cultivating, refining, and popularizing them, and also making them superior. We went from a period where we were not wanted at most Ivy League schools then we created our own (HBCU’S). We created schools that weren’t downgraded schools, but ones that accepted some of the preeminent articulate, intellectual, and eloquent thinkers. They not only went on to be great and do exceptional things, but they showed they could play on a level playing field as Ivy Leaguers. Not mention blacks such as Cornel West, Marc Lamont Hill, Hill Harper, Rashida Jones and etc. graduated from traditional ivy league institutions when given opportunity. Let’s not forget blacks getting left over food and scraps and putting souls in those meals. So do we not eat these foods anymore because now whites have allowed us to shop at the same grocery stores at them? From education, to food, sports, and multitude of others things that we were discriminate against we decide to focus on a word.

By us not saying “nigga” to one another does what? It doesn’t focus in on the mass incarceration rate for blacks when it comes to non violent drug offense. It’s not focusing on the amount of black wealth that has been lost over the past 20 years. Does eliminating the word “nigga” put needed funds in the inner city school system? You not saying “nigga” don’t make you any more or equally conscious than the black man down the street who doesn’t eat pork. Why are we as a people so disconcert with each other using that word to each other. People always argue that whites can now feel justified saying it. Whites run this country and business in this country, I’m sure they can understand why blacks don’t want them saying it. We don’t have to infantile them by eliminating it from us.

This is not an argument for the continuing of blacks to use a derogatory word that is associated with blood from people being lynched, blacks being denied the right to vote, denied the right to read, or have a family structure. It’s about us focusing on a word that we feel tears us apart, but in reality it doesn’t. Why are we focused on a word used amongst us, when it’s other problems (like the above mentioned) keeping the collective community down and out.