Nigge*! In my father’s day calling another black person a nigge* was a good way to get a swift introduction to someone’s fist. From the moment black people set foot on this soil, they have been called everything except that which they are—humans beings. However, the term that was used in the most malicious, degrading and demeaning manner was nigge*. White people used it almost exclusively to mean persons of African descent and included with the verbal baggage came the connotations we desperately try to avoid today such as shiftless, lazy and dumb.

Slaves can be forgiven for calling themselves ******* because that is only words they knew until they learned different. They lost their native languages and adopted the English of the slave masters, which included nigge*. Now that the N-word, as it is so sheepishly referred to in the politically correct word, has become a regular part of the naming conventions in how we refer to ourselves, especially over the past 30 years. Now we have updated to include *****h, ******z, ****** and host of other short hand speaking that still leaves no doubt as to the word.

Nigge*! Some say they say and mean it in a loving way. Others say it is a legitimate way to refer to ourselves, while still others say it should be deleted from the lexicon of American English. However, Nigge* is just one of many words we use to refer to ourselves. We also call ourselves and each other *******, ho’s, dogs and of course, nigge*!

Personally, I am none of those things and I resent being any of them or having any of my family being referred to by those names. I am not a dog. I do not lick my balls and my *** all day and scratch for fleas. I am not a womanizing, cheating, non-working man whose only interest is in getting over. My mother and sister are not ******* or ho’s. They never have been and never will be. I am not a ho. I respect myself and others, even those who are not worthy of that respect. Most of all, I am not a nigge*. Some say it is a term of endearment, but what term of endearment sparks anger if it comes from the wrong mouth? What term gives onlookers the thought that “it’s true what they say about black people having no respect for themselves?”

If that is not enough, then I stay away from it because it was not a name I gave myself. I did not choose to be called nigge*, that is what others made me. It is from the vocabulary slave owners and bigots that has no legitimate purpose other than as a term of demeanment. But what about “my *****,” “my ******z” or “*****z with Attitude?” That is a personal choice and it one that I choose not to adopt. I use the word in my writing as a dramatic key for realism or as a shock element, but most of the shock has been taken out of the word, except when it falls from the wrong lips.

Dawg? Not hardly. I won’t even be your boy. Calling a man boy when I grew up was an invitation to an *** kicking. I don’t answer to Roy or anything that sounds like boy. I don’t call women ******* or ho’s because I remember that I have a mother and sister. As much as we may want to paint a harmless picture of the names we call ourselves, the pictures we paint go far beyond our community and leaves bad art for the rest of the world to view, no matter that it isn’t who we are.

I’ve said all of this to say, that you can call each other what you please but when you refer to me, if you can’t remember my name, call me Mister or Sir.


Amun-Ra


:yo:

we lable self this way
playin' or not
saying the N word
is a self destructional
strong statement
i agre wit ya Ra....................

I am afraid I wear my feelings on my sleeve on this one. I ain't a boy! I've always been a man! I sho ain't no dawg because I don't walk on any man's leash and I certainly ain't a nigge* because it is not the name I call myself.

Ra

AGAIN ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF HOW WE WANT TO TURN A WORD AROUND TO MAKE US LOOK WORSE THAN WE HAVE ALREADY BEEN MADE TO FEEL.

WORDS ARE LIKE KNIVES, THEY CAN CUT TO HURT OR TO HEAL...IT'S UP TO THE SPEAKER AND/OR WRITER WHAT THEY WILL DO WITH THEM.

I HATE THAT WORD AND WORK TO ALWAYS ENCOURAGE MY PEEPS NOT TO USE IT IN ANY FASHION OR FORM...ESPECIALLY MY YOUNG KINGS AND QUEENS!!!

THE MUSIC INDUSTRY AND THE HIP-HOP CULTURE IN GENERAL TEND TO TAKE THIS WORD TO ANOTHER LEVEL AND ACT AS IF IT IS A GREETING TO EACH OTHER. IT REALLY DISGUSTS ME TO HEAR OTHER CULTURES TAKE THIS SAME WORD AND EACH OTHER IN THEIR OWN GROUPS THE SAME WORD NOT TAKING INTO MIND WHERE AND WHY IT EVEN EXISTED.

KEEP EDUCATION OF THE SPIRIT AND MIND ALIVE...

PEACE TO YOUR FACTION AND SPIRIT!

:hot: :hot: :hot:

Of course I have dismissed the topic out of hand based on my personal thoughts and that has given the subject short shrift. Surely, it warrants further discussion as to the pros and cons. I can think of instances where the sobriquet would be absolutely correct even though it might be inflammatory. I will be revisiting this and trying to take a more balanced view.

Ra

:D

We have to be so careful when we speak to/about ourselves. I believe that our images of ourselves have everything to do with what we're called and what we call ourselves. I speak to parents constantly about giving positive self-images when they speak to their children. Too often we hear the ugliness in a parent's rant against their own children, calling them the most horrid things. Constantly telling children that they're little bastards, and *******...and cussing and swearing at them, is very damaging to their self-esteem.

And the transformation and belief in those negative messages is extremely subtle. Our children generally won't disappoint us. They will then behave like little bastards and *******. I know. As a school teacher, I learned much from my students who were amazed because I wouldn't call them out of their names. Their other teachers did it; their parents did it....their friends did it. And why would I be any different?

It was because I recognize that I have a name my own parents gave me, and that's what they always called me. There was "family pride" and self respect instilled. And in order to receive respect FROM my students, I would address them in a respectful manner at all times. Even called them "Mr." and "Miss". Something some of them had NEVER heard.

"Nigge*" has the same debilitating affect on our self-esteem. Laughing and joking about it, like it means "nothing" to be chilling with the homies talking that talk, is so much blissful ignorance. The walls of self respect are slowly but surely coming down whenever our people engage in that negative self talk. And don't let someone from the other group(s) hear us! Somehow, "they" begin to think it's "ok" to say that word, too. And we all know that ain't the case.

So I like to head that kind of nonsense off at the pass. I am what my name is upon meeting and greeting the red, the brown, the yellow, the black and the white....and I, in turn, give them all due respect when they introduce themselves to me.

thank you for the opportunity

a

it's most def da truth coz so often too many tymes
i've watch our own call self not of blackman but *****
and our children lap all dis in at a point of less-esteem
now u made some very sweet points here , and now
we take it like it's our name ......Ra is right I am not a
***** nor all the other stuff one call out so proud i am
me a man wit a Name do address me in such form or let
it be ........i agree wit ya ....we must and will save our
children minds so they can blossom..

Try reading Randall Kennedy’s book, "******- The Strange Career of a Troublesome Word. Kennedy takes on all comers. He takes on the apologists, the sentimentalists and even himself in discussing the strange career of "******". I'll let you draw you own conclusions, but one thing Kennedy has succeded in doing is being thought provoking about a word that just will not go away nor will it be legitimized.

Ra

;)

The article below was shared on an email discussion list that I subscribe to. I immediately thought of your article Amun-Ra. I wrote the author, Davey D of www.daveyd.com, and asked permission to share it here.

He said yes (though I didn't include the transcript he shared w/me).yes you can post it up on your board also here is the actual transcript from the NBC3 newscast in San Jose.. It aired 2cd weeknd in March..

Thank god I work at a radio station.. We finally got the story confirmed. I saw it when it first aired and wrote about it.. But apprently no newspapers picked it up.. It was carried on NBC3 in San Jose but for some strange reason they did not have it on its website.. Interestingly enough KPIX which I believe also had it.. did not have transcrips for their weeknd newscasts..

Here is the actual transcript as it was read on air....you can email NBC3 and get further information.. I hope this clarifies any doubt..

Davey D*****S SUCK! or ******* SUCK!
Is There a Difference?
by Davey D (http://www.daveyd.com)

A major WACK Award goes out to those who insist and continue to use the N word. Whether you spell it ****** or *****, you still get the WACK Award. This past weekend the ridiculous logic of using this word came back to haunt us. A San Jose judge allowed a white guy who committed a hate crime against his Black female teacher off the hook.

His defense, the white guy did not commit a hate crime when he vandalized school property because he spelled the N word N-I-G-G-A and not N-I-G-G-E-R. The white guy used the friendly version of the word. Editors note: the above headlines is not what was sprayed painted on the walls. Dude wrote 'Thanks *****' and had an arrow pointed to the teacher's name.

For those who are still shaking their heads in disbelief, here's what went down. A white student at a San Jose high school got upset with his African American teacher for suspending his white friend. In retaliation he spray paints a school wall with the teacher's name and the N word which was spelled N-I-G-G-A. The police were upset. The teacher was upset and the community was appalled. Dude goes on trial for this hate crime and his defense attorney brings in some witness to testify to the judge that there's a difference between the two spellings of the N word. The judge listens and lets the white dude off and says no hate crime was committed and thus a dangerous precedent is set.

San Jose's Black Police officers association were extremely upset over the ruling. After all, they know all to well what this will lead to. Next time some cop pulls you over and hurls the N word he can get off by saying he said N-I-G-G-A and not N-I-G-G-E-R. Should you be careful before you file a racial harassment suit against a coworker or an insensitive boss? After all, he or she may actually be using the ***** spelling of the word. I couldn't help recalling the speech that Minister Farrakhan gave at the most recent Hip Hop Summit in LA. He emphatically warned us..'if we keep putting something out there we will one day have to answer for it'. This recent court interpretation of this hate crime and the use of the N word was proof. Think about it.

www.daveyd.com

Destee:

This piece brings the problem to light. We cannot haveit both ways. It either is a term that can be used freely, and that means by everyone, or it isn't. Yes, by acknowledging it as a term of affection or even attention, we can take power out of the word. However, as long as it has the power to incite, then it is a word that necessarily neds to be examined further and find some common ground for its usage or lack thereof.

Ra

:)

in solo agreement wit ya here on dis matter.......hummmm!!!!

. . . this is a troubling word for all that it has represented in the past and what it continues to represent for some right now at this moment--still, it is either a term that can be used by all freely and in any circumstance, or it is a word that cannot--if it cannot be used--then it gives rise to the thought--who determines which people can or cannot use it?

Ra

:)

Hey Amun-Ra ... :love:

The word is here to stay. It is a word. Have any other words been "outlawed?" Attempting to outlaw a word, would probably make it more popular. With a house full of writers of words, conscious writers of words ... others will see ... and the focus will be other words, better words, stronger words, more encouraging words.

Thank you for your words Amun-Ra.

:heart:

Destee

I don't know if we can ever lessen the blow when it comes from anothers mouth, but that could be a possible by-product--thanks for stopping past--I was in your area last week and I didn't even say hey--but I will be back next month--Ra

:)

Again I seem to be the voice of dissention. I don't mind. Let me preface this by saying I only have 30 years on this earth and that much of what I think comes from self-reflection Thus, this is my opinion and it is meant to provoke thought and nothing more.

I could care less about the word ****** in any form, spelling, or fashion. I understand the origin, the use of it to keep us feeling inferior, and the detrement it did to our pshcye as a people. However, it is just a word. I wouldn't give care if a white person or black called me that to my face, behind my back, on a wall, as endearment, or any other way. The fact is...I am not. So you can call me what you want to you are blue in the face it doesn't change who I am or who I will become. So I refuse to give that word or any other the power to insite anger in me. Call me dawg, boy, girl, ***, or whatever you want and it will not change who i am. So therefore, it has no power. I we didn't hate it so much do you think it would have given them power over us? Do you understand that when you react in a negative way to a word the person that used it has power over you? I have experienced being called ****** to my face by a white man at the age of 11. Because I was taught that it had no power, I laughed. The man got more angry. He called me "too stupid to know I was insulted", I laughed again. He got more angry. He called "***", I laughed yet again. He said again "you are too stupid to know you are being insulted" My reply...."no you are too stupid to know you are!! You are the one whos upset" I HAD THE POWER IN THAT EXCHANGE. simply because i was taught that words only have power if you let them!

That words have no power over you is indeed rare--****** is but one--fired, death sentence, cancer and a few others come to mind of words that have power, saying that they don't would negate thousands of year of the pen being mightier than the sword--but your point is well taken and you are hardly in dissent, you just have a different view and that's your right and duty--it is how we react that determines an outcome--for me--I haven't forgotten and I have no intentions of forgetting that one word--***, punk, *****, and whatever have no immediate impact for me because my history has no tie--but it does have ties to ******--just old school on this one--I am one of the ones who keeps the problem going because I will not let it go until I see this country live up to all the things it promises in its most revered documents even though they never had us in mind when they were written--Ra

:)

Thanks Ra-

I understand what you are saying and how most of us feel about the use of Nigge* and I agree. But, It is my sincere hope that we understand that WE make it what it is NOT THEM. I understand that it is rooted in our history and how much of an affect it had on our people, but isn't it time that we stop letting it affect us?? The word itself has no meaning. We give it all of its life because our inherent hatred of it. It is the latin word for black with an extra 'g'. We don't mind being called black. So why is being called black in latin so horrible. I submit that it is not the word it is THEIR USE OF THE WORD as a pshycological whip that still does the same thing today that it did 400 years ago...whip us into a frenzy. Now don't you think its sad for us to have asked them to change their behavior and use of the word when we have not changed ours in how we take it in 400 years?? All we have to do is relized that is pain that it causes is percieved not real and understand that we are fight an impossible battle in trying to change them. We need to fight the battle that we can win and that changing us. I say "if it didn't bother us, it would lose its power to incite. If it didn't have the power to incite, thereby losing it's power. So... their would be no other reason for them to use it other than in private for their own ignorant amusement. And guess what....that will never end no matter how we feel about the use of the word.

I did'nt read any posts but the first one,
True its deroge ge ga..(5hit I aint even gonna try) its negative but its kinda got a ring to it.
It roles off the tongue.

Can someone come up wit suppen similar?
thas a good start.
To be honest I like debates but i cant talk
too long without feeling we in the midst a solution.

Can I say 5hit with a five?
Please it helps my expression.

All comments are welcome--and you said it your way and that is the only way you can say it--your way--step up to the mike and speak anytime--the ears on the page hear you--Ra

:)

Good lookin brah!

Ysee the site im used to lets ya
say what ya wanna but i gotta show
respect fa ya family.

Anywayz
My prophesy is that ***** will
turn around and become used
on white people in about
a hundred years,
so stick
aroun!


Hey! that was *****r

What's goin on brother, it's been a while since we've talked, but I wanted to say I enjoyed your words and agree with you totally. I wish all my people could read this thread because if they understood where the "N" word came from, and the intentions for which it was used that would cut out alot of the "N" word usage.

Destee,
I enjoyed the article as well, it's sad :( how that student was let off, but this is AmeriKKKa :maddd: .

Thanks family

I still feel like this! The word is out there, but if we cannot all use it, then it is an offensive word. Even more than this, I am bothered by crimminal-speak. Once it slang came from the argot and jive of musicians, but now so much is styled after the gangster. That is regressive and stereotyping of ourselves that won't go away once we reach maturity and head to the job market. Tehere will be others who remember and we wiull have another stereotype to overcome. Actually, it is alreadyy there.

Ra :shades: