New topic
PrintableAnxiety said: doctamario said: Black people saying "nigga" is just making a lot of racists happy that they have succeeded and getting us to degrade ourselves and justify it by saying that it isn't negative when we say it. The word should be eliminated from everyone's vocabulary. I'm no one's nigger or nigga.
absolutely not. the word should be used appropriately, with due respect and within socially acceptable boundaries. again, i say - stigmatizing this word 100% not only continues to empower the hurtfulness of it, but it impedes our ability to express certain social and emotional realities. and if we force society to "forget" this word ever existed, well, you know the old saying...we'll be condemned to repeat it. | |
- E-mail - orgNote -  Report post to moderator |
Stymie said: Anxiety said: absolutely not. the word should be used appropriately, with due respect and within socially acceptable boundaries. again, i say - stigmatizing this word 100% not only continues to empower the hurtfulness of it, but it impedes our ability to express certain social and emotional realities. and if we force society to "forget" this word ever existed, well, you know the old saying...we'll be condemned to repeat it. Some examples? In art. In literature. In social criticism. In the teaching of history. To revisit your example earlier in this thread, Larry Kramer wrote an entire novel called "Faggots", and it was one of the most important and thought-provoking AIDS-era pieces of gay literature to come out of the '80s. A freedom to use words - ALL words - is essential for us to communicate. It's being responsible enough to use the right words at the right times for the right reasons that is the trick. And I can't tell you what ALL of the right words/times/reasons would be - my crystal ball is in the shop - but if we 'ban' one word, I think we create a dangerous standard. | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
I have personally quit using the word...though I used to use "nigga" quite frequently. I do think it is a personal choice as a person of color, to use or not to use. I choose not to... for some of the same reasons some of you have identified.
I do not remark on others use of the word, in this context, but certainly would if it were directed at me or someone else in a hurtful, hateful manner. I do engage in dialogue about this word and understand why some choose to use it...(culturally embedded, not succumbing to others conatations, etc.) especially those of the old school who use it as a "reclaiming" of the word. Bottom line for me...when any word is used to hurt others...it is unacceptable, especially words like nigger, that is related to so much pain BUT I understand others need to feel empowered by it's use...even if I am not. "We love you from the bottom of our hearts to the top of our souls...thank you!" Prince ~ Musicology Tour ~ Denver 8/2004 | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
I don't like the sound of it, especially when used with aggression. I can't ever imagine using it myself. Whatever its meaning now, I file it with swear words, crassness and general ignorance, whoever's using it. As with cussing, in the right context can be kinda amusing in an emphatic way, but ultimately it does nobody any credit. Just my two bahts. | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
I don't use it. It is offensive, to me, if non-black people use it. If black people use it, I have no say in it since I'm not black.
M MyeternalgrattitudetoPhil&Val.Herman said "We want sweaty truckers at the truck stop! We want cigar puffing men that look like they wanna beat the living daylights out of us" Val"sporking is spooning with benefits" | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Stymie said: doctamario said: Black people saying "nigga" is just making a lot of racists happy that they have succeeded and getting us to degrade ourselves and justify it by saying that it isn't negative when we say it. The word should be eliminated from everyone's vocabulary. I'm no one's nigger or nigga.  agree, I had friends who called me by nigga and I'm like "what?" I find it insulting, especially if the person is not black. [Edited 6/21/05 12:07pm] | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
I CANT STAND THE WORD!coming from any race-it used 2 didnt bother me but after i saw the Malcolm X movie(lol)i dunno it just became more offensive 2 me.i do slip here n there sayin it b/c alot of my friends always sayin whatup my ni*** or ni*** please...its like when ppl curse around u,u find urself cursin-so I really try 2 get my friends 2 stop and myself 2 stop b/c I have so many different races of friends that I be around and i wud hate 4 them 2 start usin the word or thinkin its ok 2 use the word.like 4 an example,my best friend is Asian and her ex-boyfriend is Asian and they both hang aroun black ppl-my friend doesnt use the word b/c i let her know its not ok but her ex thinx its ok b/c hes "in" with black ppl or he "is" black...but ill let anybody black brown yellow or white know its not ok even if it ends with an i instead of er that its not cool  | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Its just a word, who cares. it does not bother me at all what they call me. As long as you don't touch me, you can call me whatever. | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
mltijchr said: I can see how some people could be offended by it.
I understand well that this word is related to & associated with a VERY UGLY part of American History (which still manifests itself today in various, typically more "subtle" ways).. but me personally- this word has never bothered me. my perspective is similar to Anxiety's - I simply refuse to give that word or any 1 word THAT MUCH "power" over me. if some ignorant/evil caucasian person gets in my face & calls me that word or uses that word in my presence.. I MIGHT shake my head in pity.. but more likely, I simply don't react because I don't want to give that fool "the power" of provoking a reaction from me. I am BIGGER than that word. that word does NOT own me - I own it. I own it by saying it - whenever I want, regardless of the company present at that moment. . My brother, I applaud you for your self-control. I wish I had that. | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Anxiety said: Stymie said: When is it appropriate, Anx? What socially acceptable boundaries?
Some examples? In art. In literature. In social criticism. In the teaching of history. "Huckleberry Finn" for example. One of the greatest books on race & racism I've ever read. People who want to change the language don't get it. That's how folks talk, and Twain was a genius in showing the true sides of people. | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
if the use of an ugly word can in any way open a mind or save a life, then that word is only as ugly as the situation in which it is used. | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |