Alligatorjandro
Banned
Going to school I would hear the word everyday so I kind of became used to it but I wont say it.
If I have any problem with the word, its this kind of mentality associated with it. I can understand former black slaves and black people before the civil rights movement using the word and making it there own, but what claim do modern black people have to the word other than evoking the struggle of our ancestors?
And by being so adamantly against white people using the word, you are essentially equating them to the slave owners of the past. Most modern white people aren't slave owners, probably aren't racist, and hold no animosity towards blacks yet when they use the word, they're somehow evoking the will of their (possible) slave owning ancestors.
I just feel that this type of thinking has no place in modern society. Yes we still have racial issue to deal with today but this kind of needless segregation of "its ours and you people can't use it" isn't helping.
If I have any problem with the word, its this kind of mentality associated with it. I can understand former black slaves and black people before the civil rights movement using the word and making it there own, but what claim do modern black people have to the word other than evoking the struggle of our ancestors?
And by being so adamantly against white people using the word, you are essentially equating them to the slave owners of the past. Most modern white people aren't slave owners, probably aren't racist, and hold no animosity towards blacks yet when they use the word, they're somehow evoking the will of their (possible) slave owning ancestors.
I just feel that this type of thinking has no place in modern society. Yes we still have racial issue to deal with today but this kind of needless segregation of "its ours and you people can't use it" isn't helping.
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no but seriously within my group of friends it would be fine to say but I wouldn't go saying it randomly.
towelhead not good enough for you?Fine, Sand Nigger. I always felt bad that we couldn't get our own insults. All of ours are just cheap knockoffs of other ones. I mean, at least call us Sniggers!
Does anyone feel uncomfortable when they hear anyone saying Nigga?
I just shake my head every time it seems. Even when I hear black folks saying it I just mentally reconstruct the star trek facepalm.jpg
I don't really feel like the Italians were subject of such great oppression that it's a super taboo word. I'm Italian. Even if I'm supposed to find it offensive, I've never been the subject of persecution for being Italian. And no, I don't use it. It just feels weird and very faux-Ital. Like, I feel people who aren't Italian use that more than we do.sanda nigga? I've never seen or heard that. It's always sand nigger.
what about guido? little known fact: several people were banned for using this word back in the day on gaf. I guess Jersey Shore's changed things.
That's too narrow. You don't have to be from the Middle East to wear a turban, and Christians generally don't wear them. Most Arabs in this country are Christians. We need something general. Sniggers sounds fine to me, and it actually sounds sort of cheery!towelhead not good enough for you?
You make it sound like racism ended or something.
Did it? That'd be nice...
Exhibit A on how not to engage in racial dialogue.If I have any problem with the word, its this kind of mentality associated with it. I can understand former black slaves and black people before the civil rights movement using the word and making it there own, but what claim do modern black people have to the word other than evoking the struggle of our ancestors?
And by being so adamantly against white people using the word, you are essentially equating them to the slave owners of the past. Most modern white people aren't slave owners, probably aren't racist, and hold no animosity towards blacks yet when they use the word, they're somehow evoking the will of their (possible) slave owning ancestors.
I just feel that this type of thinking has no place in modern society. Yes we still have racial issue to deal with today but this kind of needless segregation of "its ours and you people can't use it" isn't helping.
Fine, Sand Nigger. I always felt bad that we couldn't get our own insults. All of ours are just cheap knockoffs of other ones. I mean, at least call us Sniggers!
It's all about context... I really don't use it (think the last time I did, I was greeting a white friend I hadn't seen in forever and I'm black). Where I grew up in NYC everyone used the word and applied it to anyone (asians included in both saying it and having it applied to them). It was like just saying m-fer: it was profane, but not racist.
Now that I'm older, out of the ghetto, and typically in the company of other college grads, it never even occurs to me to use the word and it's never used around me. I also only find it offensive if its delivery is intended to offend...and even then its more of a "what a jerk" type of reaction and not some deep seated invocation of generations of oppression of my people. Oddly, it's just about as offensive to me for some stranger to refer to me as "bro" or "brother" just because I'm black as it would be if they used a slur. Its still treating me differently based on my race.
There's this huge gap in understanding that most people are simply oblivious to. Slavery > Fucked up shit > Civil Rights Movement >>>> Stuff? >> Rap MusicNo, but black people using the word nigga probably doesn't sound to intelligent to your normal age 50 yr + baby boomer. I am 27 and white, I understand why black people say it. At least I think I understand. Definitely understand more then my dad does.
But I am sure most people don't give a fuck what others think, even though deep down most people do care to some level.
Again I just find the usage ironic as fuck, everyone want's to move past the old days of slavery and most good people want to get to a point where racism is not a problem in society. Yet you see black people using this horrible word, but since it has an A on the end it's ok. Any defense for using this word usually is poorly constructed to say the least.
I remember one Gaffer said "When I am chilling with my boys, drinking having fun, we are going to talk the way we want". Ok .... go for it, I don't give a shit. Still facepalm everytime I hear it.
This is great too.Exhibit A on how not to engage in racial dialogue.
#1 Disregard context
#2 Accuse the offended
#3 Surmise on minorities of sabotaging their own interests
That's too narrow. You don't have to be from the Middle East to wear a turban, and Christians generally don't wear them. Most Arabs in this country are Christians. We need something general. Sniggers sounds fine to me, and it actually sounds sort of cheery!
Everyone should stop using it. Black people included. It is so glorified in lyrics it is has lost its value and history for teens.
Why is hard to understand the word nigger/nigga is offensive to black people spoken by non-blacks?I call everyone bro. A horrible habit that should stop. But never once have I thought oh I shouldn't call this black guy bro because he might be offended. Should I not say that?
We'll consider your suggestion at the next Black Council meeting at the African Americenter.Everyone should stop using it. Black people included. It is so glorified in lyrics it is has lost its value and history for teens.
There's this huge gap in understanding that most people are simply oblivious to. Slavery > Fucked up shit > Civil Rights Movement >>>> Stuff? >> Rap Music
That's not the entire story. Its good to know that its a fucked up word and that you've got more of an understanding for the social environment than your parents, but there's still a ways to go - especially when your argument is centered around "well, slavery is over. move on already"
There's never a good time to use the word. I described it as best I could earlier - people on the receiving end speaking sarcastically about their circumstances. And that spreads to forms of expression (music, art, comedy, etc.) and unfortunately younger generations don't get the entire context either.
This is great too.
Why is hard to understand the word nigger/nigga is offensive to black people spoken by non-blacks?
Whether black people should say it is a conversation within the black community.
Sorry for the late reply.A black person using it in the same way a person uses "dude" or "Bro" doesn't make him a racist.
You could argue ignorant/detestable but not racist. The context is what matters.
lolWhat? I totally 100% understand why black folks would be offended by a white person saying this. I never said otherwise, you are making an argument out of nothing.
As for "Whether black people should say it is a conversation within the black community."
Actually no.
This is a topic, in OT, on GAF. It's up for discussion, if you have a problem with that then I suggest you contact OP.
I call everyone bro. A horrible habit that should stop. But never once have I thought oh I shouldn't call this black guy bro because he might be offended. Should I not say that?
Not at all.You're not racists though, right?
lol
I love how you're trying to tell us how we should feel about our own shit.
And no, you don't understand. Its okay that you don't, but stop trying to act like you're a subject matter expert over people that have been black for longer than you.
Again, context...
If you're the type that drops bro all the time, that's fine and it'll likely be reflected in your delivery. If I see 10 dudes served at a bar before me and when I get to order my drink, I get an overly confidential "bro" I might be offended. If you're a surfer or Hawaiian and you call everyone "brah", no problem...honestly, I feel like I'm often the dissenting opinion on these issues. There isn't one authority on the proper behavior towards minorities no matter what Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton would have you believeGotta keep them away from the Afro-Americenter
I was wrong and misread your reply about asking bro. I apologize. The word bro has no historical derogatory meaning so there isn't a common usage appropriation.What? I totally 100% understand why black folks would be offended by a white person saying this. I never said otherwise, you are making an argument out of nothing.
I said saying the word "bro" by the way, you may want to re read what you quoted me on. Literally has nothing to do with your reply.
As for "Whether black people should say it is a conversation within the black community."
Actually no.
This is a topic, in OT, on GAF. It's up for discussion by all races, if you have a problem with that then I suggest you contact OP.
I was wrong and misread your reply about asking bro. I apologize. The word bro has no historical derogatory meaning so there isn't a common usage appropriation.
"Whether black people should say it is a conversation within the black community" is true. Non-blacks should not have influence on how the black community chooses its appropriate usage for themselves.
Winfrey is staunchly against the use of the racial epithet. "When I hear the N-word, I still think about every black man who was lynched--and the N-word was the last thing he heard. So we'll just have to disagree about this," she told Jay-Z.
the rapper, on the other hand, acknowledged that use of the N-word in rap lyrics wasn't necessary but argued that the slur no longer stings as it once did.
"Nothing is necessary," he explained to Winfrey. "It's just become part of the way we communicate. My generation hasn't had the same experience with that word that generations of people before us had. We weren't so close to the pain. So in our way, we disarmed the word. We took the fire pin out of the grenade."
During her interview with Jay-Z, Winfrey brought up another reason why use of the N-word is problematic. If blacks use the word casually, so will whites.
"I was once at a Jay-Z concert, and there was a moment when everybody--including white people--was screaming the N-word," she recalled. "I gotta tell you, it didn't make me feel good."
When Winfrey noted that Jay-Z seemed undisturbed by this phenomenon, he pointed out how much good hip-hop has done for race relations.
"It's difficult to teach racism in the home when your kid loves Jay-Z," he said. "It's hard to say, 'That guy is beneath you' when your kid idolizes that guy."
To this, Winfrey said, "I'll give you that."
?Wow. I am not trying to tell black people how to feel. The dude fucking totally mis quoted me dude.
And sorry this was posted in the OT. I have a right to discuss it as much as you do. If there was a BLACK OT and a WHITE OT, well that would be segregation now wouldn't it? OP posts topic, everyone is allowed to reply DY_nasty. If you don't like that then I am sorry. Been nothing but respectful in this thread, and I don't appreciate your misinterpretin me. (Almost borderline trolling) Or that other guy putting words in my mouth.
And yes I 100% understand why blacks would be offended by a white person saying Nigga. I don't need to be black to understand this. It's called common fucking sense. Hence why I personally do not use the word nigga, as I am white. It would be offensive as fuck. How do I need to be black to understand this? Man GAF on fire tonight!
Ya I uses to rap (poorly) with my friend in his studio. Be was black and used it on his songs. I just never did I would feel so fake as I am white and never use it in real life.I say "nigga" exclusively when I'm singing along to any song that features the word. No reason to censor myself when the artist didn't, plus it's really stupid to stop over one word and start again.
It's how I keep my teeth white.
?
The OP says how you feel about the words use. It doesn't say anything about GAF's verdict or anything like that. Most blacks feel that its use within the black community should be something decided *gasp* within the black community.
And most non-blacks don't even know why its derogatory aside from it being a slur formed pre-slavery. Its just "a bad word that we shouldn't say" well, yeah, duh, that's your common sense part.
Again, we'll discuss at the Black Council meeting after settling this fried chicken matter.
Don't worry bro. My original statement was directed at the misread, but it applies to the replies in this thread about a double standard.That's fine, no problem. But this is a discussion on a forum. No one is saying white people should have a vote , or a right to determine weather African Americans can use the word nigga. But this is a thread about "What do you feel about the word nigga", in OT on GAF. So I mean you have to expect that at least some whites are going to post in here and give their opinions. So far all I've seen done is exactly that.
No one is telling anyone they cannot use the word in here. Nor is anyone telling black posters how they should feel (As I was just accused of doing). So much fukin tension gawd, where is the D3 OT already?!
if you can't call me by my name, then you don't respect me.