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[spindashing]

Not gonna lie, I'm pale as fuck and use "nigga" all the time IRL when appropriate. Mostly stuff like "shit nigga, what are you doing", or "this nigga". It's not used in racist context, so none of my friends mind or care, and that goes for all of us, not just me; even some of my friends who are black say it and don't mind me when I say it either because it is all about the context.

Jesus Christ.

I figure if you're white and saying "nigga" around your friends , whatever, but dont act perplexed or outraged if somebody takes issue with it and gives you shit. You know full well what the deal is and the baggage around white people using the word.

Pretty much this.

That baggage also extends to black folk too, really. It's all good with the homeys and sometimes outsiders, but not everyone's cool with it. I'll never forget the time I said it infront of an older black guy who is somewhere in my social circles.

"You don't have to use that word, brother."

Shit had me shook for a bit...

 

[AKyemeni]

This topic reminded of this part from Gridlock'd

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-dQlLlNsVL0

 

[Wreav]

White people that say nigga are like people that throw faggot around and follow it with "not THAT kind of faggot!"

Just because you can say it doesn't mean people won't be offended.

 

[Diprosalic]

what's up with the *?

 

[ThirtyPlus]

How about nah?

Too bad Lupe closed his Twitter account, he coulda fried her ass again.

 

[theignoramus]

This topic reminded of this part from Gridlock'd

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-dQlLlNsVL0

ahahaha, Tim Roth and his nonchalant facial expressions with a gun pointed in his face.

 

[HUELEN10]

Jesus Christ.


Pretty much this.

That baggage also extends to black folk too, really. It's all good with the homeys and sometimes outsiders, but not everyone's cool with it. I'll never forget the time I said it infront of an older black guy who is somewhere in my social circles.

"You don't have to use that word, brother."

Shit had me shook for a bit...

Yeah, of course not everyone's cool with it, and it is more than understandable as to why one would not be cool with it. Among friends and with no ill context? That would be the time it gets said by some of the people in my group, regardless of color. You don't jusr go spouting this word in public, with no context, and with a sound that many find too similar with the racial slur (again, wiki article shows just how varied the opinion,meaning, and use of the word "nigga" can be).

 

[spindashing]

Yeah, of course not everyone's cool with it, and it is more than understandable as to why one would not be cool with it. Among friends and with no ill context? That would be the time it gets said by some of the people in my group, regardless of color. You don't jusr go spouting this word in public, with no context, and with a sound that many find too similar with the racial slur (again, wiki article shows just how varied the opinion,meaning, and use of the word "nigga" can be).

It is the racial slur, though. You (and anyone else) can sugar coat it all you want, but if a racist pronounced it "nigga" instead of "nigger" in reference to me or anyone else, that won't make me any less upset.

 

[Tragicomedy]

Today I learned that white people on GAF (e.g. Mr. Swag, Huelen10, and presumably others) believe it's okay to use "nigga" with their friends.

But not in a racist way...

 

[J10]

We shouldn't let the past define our present.


We should make our own culture, and damn it, but trying to ban a word or give power to an old meaning is the backwards thing that should be happening.

Fuck the way it used to be used!
But more importantly, fuck why it was used!


Stop stressing about people singing along to songs, stop stressing about people reacting to shit, stop stressing about it!

Stop telling the racists it hurts when they use it, because that's what they want! They want to hurt. That's the whole point of their existence, to hurt.

Fuck them!

I can't take this nigga seriously.

 

[Tragicomedy]

I love how there's zero back peddling when people are calling them out for using a racist term.

You aren't more progressive or informed than the rest of us, you're objectively less so for using that word as a white dude.

You aren't above the social norms of society, you are violating them and looking like a racist when doing so.

Instead of trying to argue on here that you aren't racist, consider dropping loaded racist slurs from your vocabulary. That way nobody will have any doubt that you aren't a complete prick, which is exactly what you sound like in this thread.

 

[Stet]

Not gonna lie, I'm pale as fuck and use "nigga" all the time IRL when appropriate. Mostly stuff like "shit nigga, what are you doing", or "this nigga". It's not used in racist context, so none of my friends mind or care, and that goes for all of us, not just me; even some of my friends who are black say it and don't mind me when I say it either because it is all about the context.

Personally, I think the tweet itself is dumb and racially insentive towards blacks and whites though. It almost makes it sound like she is saying that she is the end-all answer to how an entire group of people feel about the word and it also kinda downplays the importance of the context. George Carlin had a great sketch on the topic once, perhaps she should watch it before making claims like these. What is okay among the context of a social circle does not equate to an end-all with no context, specially with a term that can be seen as so close to another term.

it's easy to say none of your friends care when you have none

 

[theignoramus]

I love how there's zero back peddling when people are calling them out for using a racist term.

You aren't more progressive or informed than the rest of us, you're objectively less so for using that word as a white dude.

You aren't above the social norms of society, you are violating them and looking like a racist when doing so.

Instead of trying to argue on here that you aren't racist, consider dropping loaded racist slurs from your vocabulary. That way nobody will have any doubt that you aren't a complete prick, which is exactly what you sound like in this thread.

Young people in parts of America just have this weird pseudo-post racial dynamic among themselves. (Like Oakland, California.)
I dont think it makes them racist per se, doing this shit, just fucking strange, awkward and a little uncouth to anyone looking at them from a distance.

 

[DECK'ARD]

Yeah, of course not everyone's cool with it, and it is more than understandable as to why one would not be cool with it. Among friends and with no ill context? That would be the time it gets said by some of the people in my group, regardless of color. You don't jusr go spouting this word in public, with no context, and with a sound that many find too similar with the racial slur (again, wiki article shows just how varied the opinion,meaning, and use of the word "nigga" can be).

What exactly is your attachment to the word though, why do you like using it?

A minority reclaiming a word is one thing, but using it when outside that minority just makes you look foolish at best.

You really aren't aware how painfully awkward-sounding your original post was are you? God knows how it seems in real life.

 

[Tragicomedy]

I'm not a terrible racist, I just talk like one in real life.

 

[collige]

What exactly is your attachment to the word though, why do you like using it?

A minority reclaiming a word is one thing, but using it when outside that minority just makes you look foolish at best.

You really aren't aware how painfully awkward-sounding your original post was are you? God knows how it seems in real life.

Well, that's just what Banks said in the OP, isn't it? Being awkward doesn't make something racist or morally wrong though.

 

[royalan]

Demonstrate to us how it has a clear audible difference.

Or use that phonetic notation.

P.S. I know the different you say going to go with, and I can easily find examples of them being interchanged by the same people even in pop culture.

Can you post one of these mysterious examples please?

 

[Chunky]

I just disagree with that.
What I believe is that ideas can be hateful and powerful.
A word is not powerful, an idea is.
If you have a room of people saying: "Black people fucking suck and I hate them"
And you have another room saying "this nigga just got here" "damn nigga"

Which is actually offensive?
The first one of course, because they are attempting to spread an idea.
The only idea behind the second room is the acceptance of someone's arrival. Just cause they used a word dont change what they saying.

You summed up how I feel on this perfectly. I'm surprised so many posters disagreed.

 

[j-wood]

What is the proper thing for white people to do when singing along to rap songs? Just bleep that word?

 

[royalan]

You summed up how I feel on this perfectly. I'm surprised so many posters disagreed.

People disagree because words mean things, and you can't wake up one day and decide to wash all context from them because that's what you want. This really isn't complicated.

 

[Ecto311]

One big one is getting "gypped"; can't stand that one, and I can't believe most of society thinks it is in any way okay.

Joe Rogan brought that up recently and he said it's ok since the people it offends don't have computers. Granted its a joke but it feels true to me. People are just trigger finger ready to get offended at things and the internet gives them a voice and community.

For me its the intent of the words. There was a really good discussion on the Ari Shaffir podcast "Skeptic Tank" with Godfrey. They both said it was the intent of the usage of words.

http://arithegreat.com/category/podcast/page/2/ - on the top as of this post.

 

[collige]

People disagree because words mean things, and you can't wake up one day and decide to wash all context from them because that's what you want. This really isn't complicated.

I agree with this, but there's several decades worth of people using the word "nigga" in a non-pejorative way. It's not like white people just up and decided that the word has non-racist meanings, it's been used like that for a long time.

 

[Ecto311]

What is the proper thing for white people to do when singing along to rap songs? Just bleep that word?

This is a hard one since I have a 5yr old and we listen to all types of music. Being really conscious of the music you are listening to reminds you that even some of the softer stuff has lyrics that are out there. So if we are listening to something on a drive I just slur or talk over the "nigga" word in the songs. She doesn't really understand it yet but I do my best to get her away from it because she has no filter what so ever and don't want her judged on things she doesn't understand.


To me if you feel comfortable saying it then say it. It is no surprise to anyone that there are specific words that might elicit a response in public. Like a punch in the face if said to the wrong people/groups.

 

[HUELEN10]

What exactly is your attachment to the word though, why do you like using it?

A minority reclaiming a word is one thing, but using it when outside that minority just makes you look foolish at best.

You really aren't aware how painfully awkward-sounding your original post was are you? God knows how it seems in real life.

It's not that I am attached to the word so much as it gets used fairly often by the people I'm with. I mean, in my group at least, a majority of us are minorities. Being in a minority myself, I know what it is like to be hated on and I know the ugliness of bigotry, racism, discrimination, and hatered because I've experienced it myself. If one of my friends hasn't seen me in a while, I don't have a problem with them saying "my nigga" to me. They in turn don't mind if we're having a conversation, and someone says "this nigga" while giving them a pat on the back and you know, just friends being friends, I don't see how that is, at least in that group of people and in that scenario, racist, or hurtful. It seems to equate more to the term "homie" which seems to be more acceptable by most people. Hell, one of my friends even kicks it up a notch and calls me "mein neger" from time to time, and I am okay with that because I know they aren't being racist, or Jew-hating or discriminatory towards me. If I wasn't wouldn't that both be extremely hypocritical? And yes, I would be easing an eyebrows if someone outside my group said things like that towards me, just as someone might if someone hears the word "nigga" in public, outside of a group of people. I do believe that when it comes to words, specially words like this, that scenario, audience, and context are extremely important. Am I saying anyone can say "nigga" any time, for any reason and for any context and still be appropriate, specially considering how close to that other term it is (and wiki and many dictionaries actually do make a distinction between the 2 words)? Of course not. Can the word be said at times, with the right people and the right place in the right context and not be racist, so much so that it is positive? I can't deny that as I've seen it happen.

Also, there is the whole music thing. "Nigga" is in a lot of songs, and the view with most people in my group is that if we're jammin' along to some tunes, we shouldn't hesitate. Again, this is just one viewpoint from a non-black minority within their group of minority friends, and I understand and respect the differences in opinion in the matter, so long as no one is labeling us as something we're not.

 

[Chunky]

People disagree because words mean things, and you can't wake up one day and decide to wash all context from them because that's what you want. This really isn't complicated.

Look, I'm not HUELEN10. I can confidently say I'm from one of the whitest areas on GAF (last I checked my county, Devon, is at about 95% anglo-saxon), so there's likely never to be a situation where I even say nigga. And that's fine, I don't feel put out by having a word with such toxic roots removed from my vocabulary.
However, one of the fundamental parts of language is that it changes over time and the context that Mr Swag's using it in is far removed from its origin. What he's saying about the difference between the word itself and its usage is very true, in my opinion.

 

[User 73706]

That baggage also extends to black folk too, really. It's all good with the homeys and sometimes outsiders, but not everyone's cool with it. I'll never forget the time I said it infront of an older black guy who is somewhere in my social circles.

"You don't have to use that word, brother."

Shit had me shook for a bit...

Yeah, this. It's not something you can just drop mid-conversation when you haven't even broken the ice with someone yet.

 

[royalan]

Look, I'm not HUELEN10. I can confidently say I'm from one of the whitest areas on GAF (last I checked my county, Devon, is at about 95% anglo-saxon), so there's likely never to be a situation where I even say nigga. And that's fine, I don't feel put out by having a word with such toxic roots removed from my vocabulary.
However, one of the fundamental parts of language is that it changes over time and the context that Mr Swag's using it in is far removed from its origin. What he's saying about the difference between the word itself and its usage is very true, in my opinion.

The context of this word hasn't changed THAT much. That's the point, and why so many people are disagreeing with Mr. Swag.

It's coming off less like he's attempting to acknowledge the evolution of language, and more like he's trying to force a word to be more inclusive than it actually is because that's what he wants.

 

[Mesousa]

What is the proper thing for white people to do when singing along to rap songs? Just bleep that word?

How about not listen to music which portrays a minority group in a terrible stereotypical way by using offensive terminology in its music?

 

[Air]

Never seen the word nigga used so abundently in a thread before.

 

[Kyzer]

How about not listen to music which portrays a minority group in a terrible stereotypical way by using offensive terminology in its music?

Yeah how about you not like that disgusting hippity hop music problem solved

 

[Chunky]

The context of this word hasn't changed THAT much. That's the point, and why so many people are disagreeing with Mr. Swag.

It's coming off less like he's attempting to acknowledge the evolution of language, and more like he's trying to force a word to be more inclusive than it actually is because that's what he wants.

I would argue that the way the word's used now in popular culture is incredibly different to how it was used like, 50, or even 30-20 years ago.
But I just wanted to chime in on the language change side. Without cultural context, my opinion on this isn't really important. I am still amazed at how a word that used to be culturally accepted for white people to say is now basically the opposite, a way for racists to out themselves and be appropriately shunned. I just hope in my lifetime I can see it's meaning completely change from one to the other. We'll see...

 

[Mesousa]

Yeah how about you not like that disgusting hippity hop music problem solved

I know if I didnt want to be viewed as an ignorant racist I wouldnt like a sing along with songs full of N-word "this"....or terrible stereotype "that"....

 

[Chunky]

How about not listen to music which portrays a minority group in a terrible stereotypical way by using offensive terminology in its music?

good kid maad city is one of the best albums of the last decade. There would be so much brilliant music lost if we all followed your terrible, terrible advice. Fucking hell.

 

[Kyzer]

I know if I didnt want to be viewed as an ignorant racist I wouldnt like a sing along with songs full of N-word "this"....or terrible stereotype "that"....

Lol yeah those ignorant rap fans. That atrocious kanye west guy always n-word this n-word that never says anything important. Easy to spot who the racists are right?

 

[Mr.Swag]

Maybe its cause I'm in Dade County, but nigga is a regular word in the regional dialect.

People speak differently everywhere, and down here its not really an issue.

 

[BlackClouds]

The nword is the most charged and controversial word in the English language, no other word comes close. Folks really should not be using it as it cannot be tamed. Even the comedian Paul Mooney realized his mistake thinking he could tame the word by saying it over and over again until he saw that he in a way gave permission to use it, and frequently in malicious ways.

Certainly folks should not be using the word as as long as income inequality and racial disparities persist decade after decade. When people use it in the so called nice ways it just says to me that person is self destructive, not serious, not aware of threats against their livelihood and are easily railroaded. It's like telling on yourself to others that you are prey. You will hear it in rap music but that is a glorified minstrel show nowadays. Hopefully more people will see the light to just leave it alone

 

[Valhelm]

How about not listen to music which portrays a minority group in a terrible stereotypical way by using offensive terminology in its music?

While that's true about some hip hop, I think that a lot of music uses that word in a pretty conscious, critical way. Kanye's first hit Jesus Walks is a great example. No other word would work in that context, and he's using it to bring light on issues facing the Black community.

Maybe its cause I'm in Dade County, but nigga is a regular word in the regional dialect.

People speak differently everywhere, and down here its not really an issue.

Even still it depends, dude. I've been told by several Black people here that they're fine with me saying nigga, but a lot of Black people I know completely disagree. Don't assume that it's okay to use the word, and you'll be fine.

 

[freenudemacusers]

Never seen the word nigga used so abundently in a thread before.

never stepped inside BCT?

 

[Mesousa]

Lol yeah those ignorant rap fans. That atrocious kanye west guy always n-word this n-word that never says anything important. Easy to spot who the racists are right?

While that's true about some hip hop, I think that a lot of music uses that word in a pretty conscious, critical way. Kanye's first hit Jesus Walks is a great example. No other word would work in that context, and he's using it to bring light on issues facing the Black community.

I am replying to this in particular:

What is the proper thing for white people to do when singing along to rap songs? Just bleep that word?

He is talking about a specific form of rap that has the offensive words in there. Telling him that white people, if they don't want to be viewed as racist, shouldn't be listening to music with racist terminology is basic common sense.

 

[Kyzer]

I am replying to this in particular:



He is talking about a specific form of rap that has the offensive words in there. Telling him that white people, if they don't want to be viewed as racist, shouldn't be listening to music with racist terminology is basic common sense.

Seems wholly oblivious to what hip hop is and because of that even slightly racist bro, honestly. If you think that rap songs that have the word nigga are a specific form of rap and are I herently racist and only liked by racists

 

[Valhelm]

He is talking about a specific form of rap that has the offensive words in there. Telling him that white people, if they don't want to be viewed as racist, shouldn't be listening to music with racist terminology is basic common sense.

What specific form of rap is he talking about, though?

 

[Igo]

People disagree because words mean things, and you can't wake up one day and decide to wash all context from them because that's what you want. This really isn't complicated.

This hasn't happened overnight. 15 years or so of diffusion through pop culture did that. 15 more years and this probably won't be an argument any more.

The context of this word hasn't changed THAT much. That's the point, and why so many people are disagreeing with Mr. Swag.

It's coming off less like he's attempting to acknowledge the evolution of language, and more like he's trying to force a word to be more inclusive than it actually is because that's what he wants.

Really? Most aren't thinking about any racial connotations when they say nigga these days. In its popular form it's just a synonym for friend, brother, guy, dude or motherfucker.

At this point i'm willing to argue that ignorance is a valid defense. I don't think black people can stop this train.

 

[Zukuu]

He is talking about a specific form of rap that has the offensive words in there. Telling him that white people, if they don't want to be viewed as racist, shouldn't be listening to music with racist terminology is basic common sense.

You heard it here first folks, white people aren't allowed to listen to rap.

#allmusicmatters

 

[Mr.Swag]

Now yall want to ban music?

Damn, censorship not the way !

 

[Chunky]

I am replying to this in particular:



He is talking about a specific form of rap that has the offensive words in there. Telling him that white people, if they don't want to be viewed as racist, shouldn't be listening to music with racist terminology is basic common sense.

I can't think of much hip hop that doesn't use nigga though. You're essentially blocking off an incredible genre of music for an entire race, that's fucked up.
Am I only allowed to listen to Eminem now? That's not a world I want to live in.

 

[esms]

Is... is she allowed to make that sweeping ruling? Surely, coopting hip hop mannerisms doesn't make one an authority on race issues.

I figure this is a better time than any to ask a question to the black folks in this thread. I've encountered numerous black dudes who were OK with other minorities who grew up around them using nigga. I even met a dude from Harlem that said he was fine with white dudes from his neighborhood saying nigga. This just confuses me. Can any of you guys explain this to me like I'm an idiot?

 

[Kyzer]

I used to say nigga a lot unfortunately. Thank god I grew up and realized its not okay before I spent some years in the south where its actually still very relevant. Pretty sure its not okay and i would have been killed, professor banks. Its just where I grew up, I never saw myself as white or my friends as black, and I don't think they saw it that way either. When you're young in the hood racism is just this antiquated concept you learn about in history class that we chalk up to the generation before us being stupid. I was a nigga, my friends were my niggas, I was their nigga, I didn't think much of it. As I learned the historical context and how it evolved into slang I had to make the move to stop saying it. Its not my word to use or even argue for the use of. I don't shy away from words either. I still say it when I freestyle hard not to, its hardwired rhythmically into my brain at this point. I'm Brazilian BTW

 

[Mesousa]

Seems wholly oblivious to what hip hop is and because of that even slightly racist bro, honestly. If you think that rap songs that have the word nigga are a specific form of rap and are I herently racist and only liked by racists

What would you consider slightly racist about that post?

What specific form of rap is he talking about, though?

It seems those which promote negative images of Brown people worldwide.

 

[royalan]

Really? Most aren't thinking about any racial connotations when they say nigga these days. In its popular form it's just a synonym for friend, brother, guy, dude or motherfucker.

At this point i'm willing to argue that ignorance is a valid defense. I don't think black people can stop this train.

Ha, don't think so? Try going up to a group of random black people, call them niggas, then report back to GAF.

More and more white people may be using the term in secret, amongst themselves, and maybe even around the few black people they know who are trying to make them feel included (which, do you I guess). But it'll be a long, long, looooong time before the word nigga becomes so seperated from its history and racial context that a group of white people could go to a group of random black people and refer to them as niggas without there being any problems. That train hasn't even started yet.

 

[Kyzer]

What would you consider slightly racist about that post?



It seems those which promote negative images of Brown people worldwide.

You're being that guy right now, basically, that doesn't know what hip hop is and talks about it like gutter filth from the urbanites you stay away from...


To say don't listen to such music that uses the n-word, because its racist. It just shows you're oblivious and if you're that far removed from the culture its probably best to not stereotype the genre the way you are.