Why Nigga IS a racial slur

[Drew2]

I had a post pulled for using the word "nigga" (in this instance, I am using it to explain something so I do hope no one is offended by it).

Now, am I correct in saying that Nigga is NOT the same as... well.. its counterpart?

I think so.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=nigga&r=f agrees with me.

It is like saying "man" or "dude", as far as I'm concerned.

Your thoughts, please.

[Edited on 10-27-2004 by HarmNone]

[Kadumi]

it'll get ya in some serious trouble in the wrong part of town

[Drew2]

You are right and you are wrong.

It's like... you have a nickname that only your dearest friends or loved ones call you.

A stranger, or someone you don't know very well, comes up and uses it on you. You're going to have a problem with it. Even if the nickname is something mundane like "Flower". Who are they to be so familiar with you??

Same issue. If I were to go up to a random black (or maybe even not black) person and say "What's up, nigga!", then OBVIOUSLY I'm very stupid. It's all about situation and application.

On an online message board, when referring to no one person in particular, I believe it is perfectly acceptable.

[Edited on 10-27-2004 by Tayre]

[Nieninque]

Even using the definitions in the Urban Dictionary (which is spurious at least), the use is from one black man to another.

Also, if you have a policy that says no racial slurs and one person says, "But I aint using that as a slur coz I am Black" how would you enforce that Policy?

edited to remove one too many alsos

[Edited on 27-10-04 by Nieninque]

[CalaDheNar]

Damn you nigga's need to chill. Slavery was more than two generations ago. Racial slurs are getting old. There hardly is even a straight race anymore, what with everyone being mixed with one another. Almost everyone could get offended by being called a racial slur, Cause if you aint got it in you, I'm sure your family does somewhere down the lines, whether married in, or what not. And I agree, I'm white as it gets and I've used the word nigga in front of lots of blacks, and they dont get offended. But in the same respect if I walked up to somebody I didnt know, white or black, and said wat up nigga, what the dilly, I'm sure I'de get some bad stares if not a fight.

:shrug:

[Drew2]

Exactly. It's all about context and situation, as I've already stated.

[Makkah]

I think it's retarded to hear a white (hispanic, asian, etc) kid\man\woman to say the word. It's somewhere I don't personally go unless I'm quoting some rapper and don't feel like editing what he says.

It's rather a pet peeve of mine, and I know quite a few cats that don't take kindly to a white or even hispanic kid sayin that shit.

Conversely, I know dudes that don't give a fuck.

rht

[Makkah]

Might I add that apparently "urban dictionary" thinks the word "spic" is cool too.


http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=spic&r=f

rht

(and beaner, and wetback, and cracker, etc etc etc)

[Drew2]

Spic has all 3 definitions listing it as a highly offensive term. I don't see the connection.

[Tsunami]

Although I understand your argument Tayre, perhaps there is another word you could use instead to avoid this kind of thing?

There are differences between the words 'nigga' and its counterpart, I would be willing to bet a large majority may not be aware of said differences.

Surely there is a substitute that would convey the same or similar sentiment your trying to convey without offending anyone, for whatever reason they may have?

[Nieninque]

And while you are obviously an intelligent person with insight into the history and usage of the word, not everyone else is. What you may be seeing as reclaiming a word once used to oppress, other people will just see it as it has always been.

[Mistomeer]

Damn, you're an idiot if you believe that.
Go say it to a group of black guys on the street, and see how they react to you calling them "man" or "dude."
Better yet, next internship you get, just use that word instead of "man" or "dude" and see how long you last.

[CrystalTears]

Oh yes. Urban Dictionary is the best resource for resting your case. :rolleyes:

[Makkah]

<<Oh yes. Urban Dictionary is the best resource for resting your case.>>

That was my point, apparently Tayre is incapable of drawing conclusions and\or obtaining assumed meaning.

rht

[Back]

Yo dude, check it out, I was watchin this crazy dude the other day. This dumb ass dude walked up to a bunch of dudes and was all like, fuck you dudes! Well, those dudes got pissed and chased that dude down the street. I’ve never seen a dude run so fast! Then the cops showed up and busted all those dudes heads!

See the difference?

[Amberlei]

Even your urban dictionary, states that Nigga is a word which evolved from the derogative term "nigger". As such, how can it not be offensive? The use of the word "nigger" was meant to dehumanize and demoralize blacks, and in any of the derivations of the word, I feel it continues to do so.



Many young Anglo children want to be viewed as cool, and in today’s schools that includes anything “urban” that translates into stereotypes of gangs, poor, predominately black communities, and represents social rebellion. One African-American student reports, “They [whites at the school] think it is a new slang word.
http://www.alliance.brown.edu/programs/eac/equitynews/fall_01/cool.shtml



The word Niggah means: inferior, low-life, ignorant and stupid. Think About that? Would You Let Somebody Say To you "What's Up You Stupid, Ignorant, inferior and Lowlife MotherF*****?"

http://www.stouteweb.com/brian/no_nigga.htm




I'm not in anyway trying to equate the word Nigga with Black folks.. But the reality is when that word is used the image that pops up is a Black Face.. It's the streotype of us in all its fullness.. As a result we continue to suffer from the negative streotypes often associated with that word...
http://www.daveyd.com/nigaornigpol.html

[HarmNone]

I have asked Kranar to rule on the use of this particular term. As far as I'm concerned, it is a racial slur. Until Kranar says otherwise, I will edit it out of posts in any topic other than this one. I am not editing it out in this thread, since the ongoing discussion herein speaks directly to its meaning and allows posters to let us know whether or not they feel it is racially insulting.

I will ask that people give us the same respect we are trying to allow here, and do not use it in other threads until a ruling is made. Thankee kindly. :)

*Edited because I'm too tired to make sense*

[Edited on 10-27-2004 by HarmNone]

[Vestarr]

Just because some people of a class/race try to change a word to make it more empowering and less harsh , doesnt make it right ...so Tayre what yer view on the word Fag ...i find it as offensive as the "n" word, but some gay folks think its ok to call each other it ..

Again just my opinion

--Vest

[Nieninque]

Given that it was one of the two words in Bob's notorious post, I think we already know that answer.

Edited to add this post was a response to HN's

[Edited on 27-10-04 by Nieninque]

[HarmNone]

Kranar has, indeed, ruled that the word "nigga" is a racial slur. Therefore, it will not be allowed on these boards and will be edited out of posts. Its use will also accrue demerits when the new system is implemented.

Thanks for your comments, folks. Much appreciated! :)

*Edited to add that I will now close this thread, after changing the title to reflect Kranar's ruling as to the use of this word on these boards*

[Edited on 10-27-2004 by HarmNone]