One of the tracks "Hey Sucka Nigga" attempts to explain the etymology of the word nigga and why the hiphop generation uses it as a term of endearment. One college intern explains the use of the word: if you say NIGGA or NIGGA, then you are using hip, urban slang and describing a friend or a cool person. However, if you say NIGGER and with a tinge of hatred and disdain in your inflection, then you are being racist. This is the modern state of a word that has caused death and destruction for generations of our people.
The use of the word is derogatory and our relatives and friends from the south can especially remember exactly how the word is used. I can distinctly remember being called nigger at my high school even as we were bused to school - a byproduct of Dr. King's Dream... I can remember being called filthy nigger by whites while I served in the United States Marine Corps... I can remember being called an "affirmative action nigger" by jealous white folk as I moved up the ladder inside a bank where I used to work
I cannot condone the use of the word personally, and I do not know if we can stop the use as described above by our young people. And because our image drives American urban culture, folk are confused with how or when or not,,, to use the word. Why are we offended when white people use the word, but ok when we use it against or with each other.
On the other hand... I agree with Chris Rock when he says "I LOVE Black People, but I HATE Niggas...."( or is it Niggers???)
Should Dr. Laura quit? I suppose. But instead of getting ready to march, let's take this time to examine our culture. Why is this word so pervasive in our culture? Why are the young people using it so frequently? Why are young people killing one another? Why are the scores in the schools so low? why are we going to jail so frequently? Why is the music so self debasing, misogynistic, and violent? How did we get so hung up on material things? How did pimpin' get so glorified?? What's up with the gang bangers? Crime, health.. These are the questions of import within our culture..
No, Dr. Laura should not have used the word, no matter her intent, no way, no how, in any interpolation.. But she is perplexed. She turns her TV on and sees the comedians, the rappers and some films using the word frequently and profusely. She is confused.......
Yes, the music promotes it... we, by our very actions deny our children the knowledge of the history of this word and other negative descriptors of ourselves...
Before we get so up in arms about this issue, let's start in our own community and remove the word from our cultural vernacular... Let's keep our community safe, clean and promote higher learning and spiritual growth at every turn... Once we do that, we will overcome....
Read More: Greg J's World
