So in light of Obama’s “Race Speech”, I was thinking about how differently different generations have experienced race in America and approach the terminology of race in very different ways. There are of course still many older Americans who lived through segregated times and experienced the remnants of slavery culture, and most adults have lived through at least heavy inequality and racial stress overlapping the class war, but it seems like Courtney from South Florida and her best friend (“millennials“) have had a different experience again, where co-opting once segregated terms is completely non-offensive to them (whether or not it’s offensive to others in a variety of demographic sectors)… It will be interesting where terms of racial inequality end up in another fifty years.
Comments
230 responses to “A Couple of Niggas?”
I shake my head at this all. And just to make one point coming from a black chick… Nigga is used in both the positive and negative. It is all about the tone used. Like “What’s up my nigga?” or “Nigga, do you know who you are talking to?.” In the later statement the word is used to “put the person in their place”….which is a place lower beneath the speaker.
So lets review… Nigger…always used in the negative. Nigga…sometimes used positive or negative.
Now if you approach me and anyone I know with either word, regardless of tone, be prepared to pick your ass off the ground.
I shake my head at this all. And just to make one point coming from a black chick… Nigga is used in both the positive and negative. It is all about the tone used. Like “What’s up my nigga?” or “Nigga, do you know who you are talking to?.” In the later statement the word is used to “put the person in their place”….which is a place lower beneath the speaker.
So lets review… Nigger…always used in the negative. Nigga…sometimes used positive or negative.
Now if you approach me and anyone I know with either word, regardless of tone, be prepared to pick your ass off the ground.
I don’t know if it’s just something that goes along with tattooing the inner lip, but that ink isn’t very good-looking.
soup (#55) >> I’m not sure how anyone could claim that there aren’t still remnants of slavery, either… I mean I don’t want to get into a fight or anything. but I just want to say I very strongly disagree with that implication (as I do realize it wasn’t straight-out said).
Remnants? Outright, true slavery still exists in the world. Other than/in addition to sex slavery, that is.
An additional component to slavery seems to be frequently forgotten: The INTRAracial aspect. Many in the West tend to think it is/was exclusively interracial when “slavery” is mentioned, simply because that’s how it was in the U.S. (Naturally so, IMO.) But in a number of areas of the world it was members of one race enslaving others of the same race because of tribe/clan differences.
Racial differences aren’t the only differences that can lead to feelings of sufficient superiority that slavery seems acceptable; tribal and clan (and/or religious) differences have been enough many times. This needs to be remembered, if we want slavery to ever truly die an already-long-overdue death.
Chris Rock is a comedian but I’m convinced he was at least halfway serious in that sketch. I have heard similar things expressed, with straight faces and absolute sincerity, by black friends.
I don’t know if it’s just something that goes along with tattooing the inner lip, but that ink isn’t very good-looking.
soup (#55) >> I’m not sure how anyone could claim that there aren’t still remnants of slavery, either… I mean I don’t want to get into a fight or anything. but I just want to say I very strongly disagree with that implication (as I do realize it wasn’t straight-out said).
Remnants? Outright, true slavery still exists in the world. Other than/in addition to sex slavery, that is.
An additional component to slavery seems to be frequently forgotten: The INTRAracial aspect. Many in the West tend to think it is/was exclusively interracial when “slavery” is mentioned, simply because that’s how it was in the U.S. (Naturally so, IMO.) But in a number of areas of the world it was members of one race enslaving others of the same race because of tribe/clan differences.
Racial differences aren’t the only differences that can lead to feelings of sufficient superiority that slavery seems acceptable; tribal and clan (and/or religious) differences have been enough many times. This needs to be remembered, if we want slavery to ever truly die an already-long-overdue death.
Chris Rock is a comedian but I’m convinced he was at least halfway serious in that sketch. I have heard similar things expressed, with straight faces and absolute sincerity, by black friends.
The more power you give to words the more power they will have.
The more people think about the bad context of the word the worse the word will be.
I totally agree like the taking back “porch monkey” thing from clerks.
If people use words, like nigga, cunt, pakki, just as words genral words for what they are rather than insults then things would be fine.
though what I said probably makes no sense and needs explaining I havn’t long finished work and it’s 5:30am so I’ll do it another time.
But meh I get more offended by being called a paki than a nigger cause I don’t look remotly liek I am from pakistan -_-
The more power you give to words the more power they will have.
The more people think about the bad context of the word the worse the word will be.
I totally agree like the taking back “porch monkey” thing from clerks.
If people use words, like nigga, cunt, pakki, just as words genral words for what they are rather than insults then things would be fine.
though what I said probably makes no sense and needs explaining I havn’t long finished work and it’s 5:30am so I’ll do it another time.
But meh I get more offended by being called a paki than a nigger cause I don’t look remotly liek I am from pakistan -_-
68. But then who would hold down their lips to show off their sic tats?!
I find this pretty disgusting. Being ignorant about something (racism in this case) doesn’t mean it does not exist. And yes, racism does go in a 100 different directions, doesn’t mean any of it is justified, excusable or right. If I saw these girls showing this shit off in public I’d be hard pressed to find a reason not to punch them both in the jaw.
68. But then who would hold down their lips to show off their sic tats?!
I find this pretty disgusting. Being ignorant about something (racism in this case) doesn’t mean it does not exist. And yes, racism does go in a 100 different directions, doesn’t mean any of it is justified, excusable or right. If I saw these girls showing this shit off in public I’d be hard pressed to find a reason not to punch them both in the jaw.
74 — I definitely understand that “slavery” isn’t just about African American slaves in the U.S. I was commenting in response to what Shannon said in the original post, though, about how “older generations lived through the remnants of slavery.” I believe that there are still “remnants” of “slavery” when it refers to African Americans in the U.S. that people today live through, and of course there is still slavery in other contexts going on as well! so by no means do I see slavery in the U.S. as the only form of slavery. it’s just what’s being discussed here, and was pretty clearly to what shannon was referring in the original post.
75- as for using “words for what they are,” what ARE they if not representations of the meaning given to them historically and culturally? I realize that question does not mean that the definitions can’t change, but still, “words for what they are” doesn’t really make sense to me.
74 — I definitely understand that “slavery” isn’t just about African American slaves in the U.S. I was commenting in response to what Shannon said in the original post, though, about how “older generations lived through the remnants of slavery.” I believe that there are still “remnants” of “slavery” when it refers to African Americans in the U.S. that people today live through, and of course there is still slavery in other contexts going on as well! so by no means do I see slavery in the U.S. as the only form of slavery. it’s just what’s being discussed here, and was pretty clearly to what shannon was referring in the original post.
75- as for using “words for what they are,” what ARE they if not representations of the meaning given to them historically and culturally? I realize that question does not mean that the definitions can’t change, but still, “words for what they are” doesn’t really make sense to me.
you know, to take it a step further, I’d say there is still slavery in the U.S., just not institutionalized in the same way. but based on certain historical and economic situations, it happens that minority groups commonly end up in the service sector for unfair wages and unfair treatment. but still, my comment on “remnants of slavery” was purely in reference to shannon’s post, which I’m assuming was purely in reference to African American slavery in the U.S.
you know, to take it a step further, I’d say there is still slavery in the U.S., just not institutionalized in the same way. but based on certain historical and economic situations, it happens that minority groups commonly end up in the service sector for unfair wages and unfair treatment. but still, my comment on “remnants of slavery” was purely in reference to shannon’s post, which I’m assuming was purely in reference to African American slavery in the U.S.
“omg we are sooooooooo ironically gangstaaaaa”
“omg we are sooooooooo ironically gangstaaaaa”
Come on, it’s just an invitation for a Nigerian penis!
Come on, it’s just an invitation for a Nigerian penis!
I think its funny how people are. Whites invented the term to keep black people down. Blacks appropriated the term for unity and as a means to cope with their suffering. Whites see this behaviour, think it is teh kewl and start appropriating it back. Even being as moronic to tattoo their lips with it. The word became cool in spite of the white people, but fear not, these girls are making sure whites make it lame again.
I think its funny how people are. Whites invented the term to keep black people down. Blacks appropriated the term for unity and as a means to cope with their suffering. Whites see this behaviour, think it is teh kewl and start appropriating it back. Even being as moronic to tattoo their lips with it. The word became cool in spite of the white people, but fear not, these girls are making sure whites make it lame again.
What is everyones problems? It’s like no matter what is modblogged anymore everyone is going to bitch. It’s a fucking joke, if you are offended by this then you should be on another website. I’m so tired of everyone turning stupid things into such heated issues. Just grow up, this is not a big deal, if you are so deeply offended by this, how the hell do you deal with the rest of the world. Not everyone thinks the way you do or agrees with what you do, and if this angers you people as it seems to do, then I would hate to live a day in your shoes. And I am so sick of hearing the “white people can’t say the ‘n word.’ If it is such a bad fucking word why is it that I cannot spend an hour in a public place without hearing an African American say it. It is such a terrible word that they choose to call themselves that? Get over it, slavery ended, the word does not mean what it used to. It is a joke. Stop crying over a pointless issue.
What is everyones problems? It’s like no matter what is modblogged anymore everyone is going to bitch. It’s a fucking joke, if you are offended by this then you should be on another website. I’m so tired of everyone turning stupid things into such heated issues. Just grow up, this is not a big deal, if you are so deeply offended by this, how the hell do you deal with the rest of the world. Not everyone thinks the way you do or agrees with what you do, and if this angers you people as it seems to do, then I would hate to live a day in your shoes. And I am so sick of hearing the “white people can’t say the ‘n word.’ If it is such a bad fucking word why is it that I cannot spend an hour in a public place without hearing an African American say it. It is such a terrible word that they choose to call themselves that? Get over it, slavery ended, the word does not mean what it used to. It is a joke. Stop crying over a pointless issue.
I’m sure they will try to stay clear of black dentists, but oh do I hope that the dentist they go to has a black assistant. The lolz will ensue.
I’m sure they will try to stay clear of black dentists, but oh do I hope that the dentist they go to has a black assistant. The lolz will ensue.
shawnporter: No offense but I don’t know how well you get anarchy… it’s very much an anti-racist, anti-oppression movement. And the n word is a word of oppression… sure in some contexts people don’t mean it that way, but the fact of the matter is that in a lot if not MOST circumstances it IS used for oppression and that would probably be why yer anarchist friend was against it. That’s why I don’t tolerate it anyways.
shawnporter: No offense but I don’t know how well you get anarchy… it’s very much an anti-racist, anti-oppression movement. And the n word is a word of oppression… sure in some contexts people don’t mean it that way, but the fact of the matter is that in a lot if not MOST circumstances it IS used for oppression and that would probably be why yer anarchist friend was against it. That’s why I don’t tolerate it anyways.
Megan:
I’m fairly sure I “get” anarchy, but thanks for being kind enough to explain it to me.
And Im fairly sure that my ‘anarchist’ friend is an idiot. I love the kid, but like most people with left leaning political ideology, he seems to make it up as he goes along and picks and chooses what he wants to believe in. Which is fine.
Using your beliefs as a shield is fine too. Letting them define you, also fine.
Ironically, most of the conservative people I associate with (myself included) are more open minded to other people’s beliefs than the liberal minded people I’m friendly with.
You pretty much summed up my thoughts on it in your last sentence: I dont tolerate.
Intolerance is surprisingly common amongst people who cry out for tolerance 😛
Megan:
I’m fairly sure I “get” anarchy, but thanks for being kind enough to explain it to me.
And Im fairly sure that my ‘anarchist’ friend is an idiot. I love the kid, but like most people with left leaning political ideology, he seems to make it up as he goes along and picks and chooses what he wants to believe in. Which is fine.
Using your beliefs as a shield is fine too. Letting them define you, also fine.
Ironically, most of the conservative people I associate with (myself included) are more open minded to other people’s beliefs than the liberal minded people I’m friendly with.
You pretty much summed up my thoughts on it in your last sentence: I dont tolerate.
Intolerance is surprisingly common amongst people who cry out for tolerance 😛
What I think will be of even more interest and benefit than wondering where we will be on “racial” issues in the next 50 years, is when the majority of humans accept the fact that race is only a relatively recent cultural construct.There is no biological basis for the concept of race. The thing that keep us separated is not the fact that our ancestors adapted to various environments a long time ago, but the fact that we choose to make this an issue.
What I think will be of even more interest and benefit than wondering where we will be on “racial” issues in the next 50 years, is when the majority of humans accept the fact that race is only a relatively recent cultural construct.There is no biological basis for the concept of race. The thing that keep us separated is not the fact that our ancestors adapted to various environments a long time ago, but the fact that we choose to make this an issue.
Wow,they were actually dumb enough to get this tattooed on their lips and and even dumber for putting this on modblog.I would feel seriously embarassed if i were them.And if you asked them probably couldn’t even give you a half-way decent reason why they had this put on themselves.I’m black,and when other blacks say they are taking back the word,I just look at them like they smoked a buttload of crack.Because there is no way we as a people can take that word back,there is too much negative and ugly history for us to try to make that word our own.Everybody knows the history behind this word,there is nothing “cool”or “gangsta” about this word.And everyone who was digusted and putt off by what these girls did to themselves have every right to be appauled by this,I’m black and I don’t think the word “nigga” is cool,it’s the SAME WORD PEOPLE!!!Just replaced with the letter “a” on the end instead of an “er”.I hope they feel immensely stupid for this when they get old enough to understand the rammifiction this word has on people of color.And Giles thank you for what you wrote it was wonderful and I agree with you completely.
Wow,they were actually dumb enough to get this tattooed on their lips and and even dumber for putting this on modblog.I would feel seriously embarassed if i were them.And if you asked them probably couldn’t even give you a half-way decent reason why they had this put on themselves.I’m black,and when other blacks say they are taking back the word,I just look at them like they smoked a buttload of crack.Because there is no way we as a people can take that word back,there is too much negative and ugly history for us to try to make that word our own.Everybody knows the history behind this word,there is nothing “cool”or “gangsta” about this word.And everyone who was digusted and putt off by what these girls did to themselves have every right to be appauled by this,I’m black and I don’t think the word “nigga” is cool,it’s the SAME WORD PEOPLE!!!Just replaced with the letter “a” on the end instead of an “er”.I hope they feel immensely stupid for this when they get old enough to understand the rammifiction this word has on people of color.And Giles thank you for what you wrote it was wonderful and I agree with you completely.
I’m sort of offended that Shannon seemed to lump an entire generation into these two’s ignorance and stupidity. I’m 19, and while I tragically know a lot of people who use that word, with intention of offending or thinking their cool, but I feel most of us (Generation Y or Z or whatever we might be) find the word repulsive. These two are the people that embarrass the rest of us as a generation. They have no place getting a tattoo like that until they fully understand the weight of the word, which I honestly don’t believe they ever will, especially now.
I’m sort of offended that Shannon seemed to lump an entire generation into these two’s ignorance and stupidity. I’m 19, and while I tragically know a lot of people who use that word, with intention of offending or thinking their cool, but I feel most of us (Generation Y or Z or whatever we might be) find the word repulsive. These two are the people that embarrass the rest of us as a generation. They have no place getting a tattoo like that until they fully understand the weight of the word, which I honestly don’t believe they ever will, especially now.
the past is the past let it go. should i sue the government for the hardships my relatives went through, should i sue because they decided our last name wasnt american enough so they changed it?
the past is the past let it go. should i sue the government for the hardships my relatives went through, should i sue because they decided our last name wasnt american enough so they changed it?
How can the past ever be the past when there are people using that word in a defensive and deregatory manner against others?Like I said before nigga and nigger are the same word and carry the same meaning.There is no way in the world you can make that word “cool” when you know the meaning and the history behind it.
How can the past ever be the past when there are people using that word in a defensive and deregatory manner against others?Like I said before nigga and nigger are the same word and carry the same meaning.There is no way in the world you can make that word “cool” when you know the meaning and the history behind it.
Oh haiii, look at me while I be hip.
That is a stupid tattoo. I can’t even handle this.
Oh haiii, look at me while I be hip.
That is a stupid tattoo. I can’t even handle this.
point is your all overweight, one legged, homosexual, racist, hep c carrying scum.
learn to accept ignorance. its a major part of this world and its not changing anytime. ever.
as for you two sayin “nigga” under your lips, i suggest you dont go anywhere near venice beach.
point is your all overweight, one legged, homosexual, racist, hep c carrying scum.
learn to accept ignorance. its a major part of this world and its not changing anytime. ever.
as for you two sayin “nigga” under your lips, i suggest you dont go anywhere near venice beach.
good point, benedict. Now where’s my crutches?
good point, benedict. Now where’s my crutches?
Yes, we can all debate the gravity of semantics, and yes, there will always be ignorant people, but i must agree with ‘Sam and others in that there doesn’t need to be any kind of reclamation of such a word…but more, for me, the problem can be found in giving such ignorance a forum.what a waste of a blog spot.
Yes, we can all debate the gravity of semantics, and yes, there will always be ignorant people, but i must agree with ‘Sam and others in that there doesn’t need to be any kind of reclamation of such a word…but more, for me, the problem can be found in giving such ignorance a forum.what a waste of a blog spot.
Idiots.
Idiots.
Uh… it’s two fucking tattoos on some girls. Why do you all care so much? If they had tattooed “Wetback” or “Spic” on there, I wouldn’t be offended. I nothing these tattoos.
Uh… it’s two fucking tattoos on some girls. Why do you all care so much? If they had tattooed “Wetback” or “Spic” on there, I wouldn’t be offended. I nothing these tattoos.
neon6apocalypse – I completely disagree. I’m Puerto Rican, and if I saw some skinny little white girl with ‘spic’ tattooed on her I would be LIVID.
neon6apocalypse – I completely disagree. I’m Puerto Rican, and if I saw some skinny little white girl with ‘spic’ tattooed on her I would be LIVID.