Nigga

I've developed a small thing for Dr. Marc Lamont Hill. [I love smart men. And it doesn't hurt that he's also handsome...] Anyway... I came across a clip of him on the O'Reilly Factor talking about the "n-word."

So... I agree with both sides of the argument to a point. Marc points out that it's not about right and wrong; it's more so about complex and simple. He also says that language can evolve to become redemptive. Both valid points. Jehmu thinks people should stop making excuses for using the word and that there should be the same code of right and wrong for black people and white people. Again, great points. However, I disagree with anyone who say everyone should stop using the word. I also disagree with people who say it's ok for black people to use it, but not ok for white people.

I am in love with language. I like words. I like grammar. I like accents. I like dialect. All that... No one owns language, so it's simply incorrect to say NO ONE can say "nigga." I can say whatever I want to say. Similarly, it's incorrect to say ONLY black people can say "nigga." You can say what you want to say. In this country we enjoy the freedom of speech. With that freedom comes consequences. You can speak freely where ever you go, but I can react just as freely. A white person can say "nigga" all day. I may try to gauge from where this familiarity comes, and I may ask some questions, but the simple usage of the word wouldn't offend me. Now, the same white person can be as cool as the day is long, but as soon as s/he crosses a line, s/he will get checked. But for me that's anybody. I'd be more offended by the person coming at me sideways than I would about the use of the word.

You can say what you want you about flipping the word and making it "our own," but to me it's just a word. You can put a black person in the same situation mentioned above, and my reaction would be the same. You can change "niggA" to "niggER" and my reaction would be the same. "NiggER" coming from a white person is almost comical to me. I would be thrown off guard and more inquisitive than angry. What are you trying to accomplish with that language? A person calling me a "nigger" to be offensive is trying to piss me off. Not only is that a difficult feat anyway, but I don't give anyone the satisfaction of trying to piss me off and succeeding.

I definitely use the word. And not to describe black people. "Black person" and "nigga" are not synonymous. Also "A nigga" and MY nigga aren't the same. Such are the complexities of language.

Oh, and I love to cuss. I like the way certain "4-letter words" sound. I use them for effect. I use them because I feel like it. But please don't try to say my vocabulary is limited or that I'm not intelligent enough to articulate a point without curse words. Sometimes the meaning you get from those words is the point. Sometimes curse words are the right words to use in a situation. Of course, if you disagree, cool. I respect that. But don't waste your words telling me not to say certain words because of this history of oppression blah blah blah. There are better ways to fight oppression than sit around talking about how hurtful ONE word is! We have better things to do than "bury" a word! There are better things for congress to do than memorialize Michael Jackson! (Wait... what were we talking about...) =]