This is a toughie...I understand arguments on all sides. Some say that when we (African-Americans) use the term "niggah" it connotes familiarity and a certain cultural bond. People who subscribe to this theory feel that the word "niggah" is ok when used by members of the same exclusive club..lol. What they also say is that it's not "n-i-g-g-e-r" which is a word with a totally negative connotation used by folks of others races, usually white. This dates back to before the Slave Codes.

Many feel that the word should not be used at all. I feel that the decision about how to use this word should be left up to those for whom it was intended.

This is similar to how I feel about the "abortion debate," if you don't have a uterus, keep your opinions to yourself.

However, I must say that I have felt differently about the word "niggah" depending on so many variables. My mood, the familiarity of the person using the word, level of education, gender, etc. all have an impact on how I feel at any given time.

I guess if the word were to disappear tomorrow, I would not miss it.

BTW: I can remember growing up around kids of others races/ethnicities and they would use racially-charged epithets in an endearing way as well, i.e., Jews, Italians, Peurto-Ricans, etc.

So, it's not just an African-American phenomenon. I think the difference is that our "culture" has been co-opted and appropriated in so many different ways that you hear our idioms more so than any other racial/ethnic group.

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Most people do not really want freedom, because freedom involves responsibility, and most people are frightened of responsibility.
Sigmund Freud

I will tell you that its very hard not to somewhat stereotype.

When my sister worked at Forman Mills on Rising Sun, she would have these large (300lb.) black women yelling and screaming at her and calling her "White Trash".

Now to the black woman she was fine with calling my sister white trash. But if my sister would have called this woman a N i g g e r?? ?? ?? All hell would have broken loose and Rick Forman would have probably got sued.

Tell me I'm wrong! !

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Are you one who complains and does nothing? Or one who complains and gets involved to make a change?

Whether or not you're wrong, there's no good reason why your sister would want to do that. Two wrongs do not make a right.

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Freixenet, Moët. Doesn’t really matter, as long as it’s not Great Western. -- Henri David

Blue, you are missing the point! She would never want to call her that. She's the last person I would expect to call anyone a name. My point is that for some reason the lady belittling my sister got a 'free pass' while "IF" IF IF>> My sister were to call her a racial slur back... you got the rest.. You understand my point now? good.

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Are you one who complains and does nothing? Or one who complains and gets involved to make a change?

Ni**** is a pejorative. Probably the perfect example of one right now. It's part of the Lingua Franca of Words-That-You-Probably-Shouldnt-Use-In-A-Job-Interview. Time changes all things, especially language... so who knows where that word will end up centuries from now.

As early as the late 1970s is was still in common use in everyday speech by all classes of people. It could be heard on the broadcast airwaves frequently (I remember a couple of episodes of Good Times and I think everybody remembers Richard Pryor's and Chevy Chase's most famous sketch on SNL). I remember Eddie Murphy's fake SNL ceral commercial: N---a Please!

It can be used in terms of endearment between people who belong to the same group the pejorative classifies. I'm not saying that's not wrong, but that's how pejoratives work. Sometimes those who are "classed" by the pejorative turn the word around and use it with pride.

Ham Radio Operator is a pejorative. These people are considered amateurs (and they often times annoy the FCC--my father is a ham). However, it's not an offensive term anymore as when it was first coined.

A rather embarrasing thing about the word n----, the Spanish word for the color black is "negro," and I've seen some unknowing AAs get upset in a situation where Spanish is being spoken and they overhear this and take it the wrong way. The N- word derives from the Latin word for black--niger. I doubt you can get all Spanish speakers to change their language off of Latin for this one word just to avoid offending anyone that might hear them and not understand what they're saying.

So, Spanish lesson for today:

I: I want to pay for that black computer. Not the green one.
E: Quiero pagar para la computadora negra. No el verde.

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WHYY pays their CEO $750,000 a year. So WHYY should I renew my membership? Seems they have no problems finding money and spending it unwisely.


And this is why you should donate to PACCA, not PETA:

In September, PETA made headlines in Vermont and across the nation for asking Ben & Jerry's ice cream to use human breast milk in their ice cream, instead of cow milk

Just tell her it's always inconsiderate to stoop to that level. If you're uncomfortable saying it--then don't.

Personally, I don't care if someone phones me up [sup, faggot?] and they happen to not be a homo. I also use it on choice people who are straight. Some gay people I know get upset over that... but they're generally always uptight anyway. Nothing Monistat-7 can't fix (I feel sorry for the ladies that went through the failed Monistats 1 thru 6).

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WHYY pays their CEO $750,000 a year. So WHYY should I renew my membership? Seems they have no problems finding money and spending it unwisely.


And this is why you should donate to PACCA, not PETA:

In September, PETA made headlines in Vermont and across the nation for asking Ben & Jerry's ice cream to use human breast milk in their ice cream, instead of cow milk

I always laugh when the radio plays a rap song that uses the N word. The latest radio friendly version = 'iggin'

Then there's no point in bringing it up.

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Freixenet, Moët. Doesn’t really matter, as long as it’s not Great Western. -- Henri David

Yeh, you're right, what was I thinking bringing it up?
Of course there is a point in bringing it up.. and I think everyone got except you. The point is that generally it is ignored when it comes from black to white, but it is not ignored when its white to black.

Hey EastChestnut. that "Sup Faggot" line you said makes me wonder if you are one of my cousins.. they would throw that line around often.

Peace

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Are you one who complains and does nothing? Or one who complains and gets involved to make a change?

this conversation is too funny! this is levity!

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Most people do not really want freedom, because freedom involves responsibility, and most people are frightened of responsibility.
Sigmund Freud