The N-Word
The words Negro, nigger, and nigga have
always been a sensitive topic, yet it is a topic that needs to be addressed in
light of the more common use of its vernacular. One word is used to describe a
color, while the others are used to define a people. It’s very clear to many the negative
connotation these words carry, but where did these words come from? Furthermore,
is there a difference between the word nigger and nigga; and why is it that African-Americans
now use the word nigga to degrade each other in today’s society? These words,
in spite of their spelling, still holds the same degrading power as it did
during the time of slavery, and they are still spoken out of cruelty and
ignorance, but who is to blame? Can one still blame the Spaniards for
considering people of a darker skin tone –Black? Can we blame the Europeans for
perpetuating their hatred and ignorance of superiority over a race of people to
the point they felt it lawful to define and dehumanize them? Or does the blame lie with the
African-American race as we use this degrading labeling on our own kind, thus
becoming the victimizer? Either way nigger or nigga are words that should be
eliminated from the vocabulary of every human being.
According to Anthony T. Browder in from
The Browder File: 22 Essays on the African-American Experience, “The
Portuguese were the first to enslave Afrikans and they were the first to call
them Negroes. When the Spanish became involved in the slave trade, they also
used the word Negro to describe Afrikans.
The word Negro is an adjective to describe the color Black in Portuguese
and Spanish, but during the slave trade it became a noun used to describe a
race of people” (qtd. in Trinicenter, par. 1). It is ironic that the word Negro is so closely
related to the Greek word Necro, which means death. Death is exactly what came
with being a Negro, when it came to European slavery. The Europeans were conduits of physical,
mental, and spiritual death to enslaved Africans and eventually to
African-Americans. It is not clear how the word nigger came to be, but Lerone
Bennett, Jr., senior editor of Ebony
magazine notes, that Americans of African descent have been arguing about names
ever since they were forcibly transported from Africa by Europeans who
arbitrarily branded them "Blackamoors," "Moors,"
"negers," and "negros" (Ebony 23). The Europeans no longer
used the word to describe a color, but used it to describe a people. No matter what
the origin, this word was used as a weapon to destroy and kill the mind and
spirit of a race, and has become the self-fulfilling prophecy for many African-Americans
today. So many people have forgotten or either do not realize the destruction
behind this racial slur; that it has simply become another by-word with a
forgotten history.
Ignorance is the state of being
uneducated, unaware, or uniformed. There is an old saying, “What you don’t
know, won’t hurt you,” but I contend that what you don’t know can stifle you from
moving ahead. There are so many young African-Americans walking in ignorance to
the history of their race. For example, when I was growing up, my attentive
parents often took opportunities to teach me about and encouraged me not to sit
on the back of a public transportation bus. Their ideology came from the idea
that there were many who fought for, were imprisoned, and even died for my
right to sit anywhere on a public bus. However, I consistently watched as my
African-American friends immediately flocked to the back of a bus. I used to
mentally ask myself, “Do they not know their history?” If they did, did they
not value the costly sacrifices that were made for them before they were ever
born? I concluded after years of observing many of their wild and rude behavior
on the back of the bus that they had not fully comprehended the ransom paid for
the privilege to sit anywhere on the bus, and to be viewed as a respected
citizen just like the white race.
In
Chicago, where I grew up there is a street named after a fourteen-year old, African-
American boy name Emmitt Till, who was brutally beaten and murdered in
Mississippi for allegedly whistling at a white woman. He was dragged out of his
great-uncle’s home a few days after the alleged incident by the woman’s husband
and his brother. Emmitt was beaten, his eye was gouged out, and he was shot in
the head and thrown in the river. When his body was discovered, his mother had
him flown back to Chicago, and insisted on an open casket funeral to show the
world the brutality of the murder. Support and protest began to break out all
over America. This story was so prominent in Chicago that throughout the years,
you would read about the story, and even how the fight for justice was still
contending to the point that years later, the case of Emmitt Till was reopened.
I want to paint a clear picture of this story before recalling an incident that
took place at a barbecue a few years back in Chicago. The barbecue was coming to
an end when a friend asked if he could get a ride home. He stated that he lived
on Emmitt Till Street. In response, my cousin leaned over to me and said, “Did
he say he lived with Emmitt Till?” she went on to say, “I think I know him.” My
heart sunk because I immediately realized she didn’t recognize who Emmitt Till
was. Later, it was confirmed that she did not know anything about him, but that
she somehow recognized the name. I recalled the story to her that I had heard
from my dad. Emmitt Till’s family never stopped fighting for justice and
through his death raised awareness, support, and scrutiny across the United
States about the civil rights of Blacks in Mississippi. The case caused many
people, including whites to come together and support the fight for the rights
of Blacks. Not knowing our history, in my opinion, hinders us in our efforts to
know what we are capable of doing in spite of the adversity we endured and
still endure today because of the color of our skin. It also keeps us walking
in ignorance to so many important facts, such as: there were whites who didn’t
agree with the brutal treatment of color people. I know many African-Americans
believe that all whites were prejudiced and never did anything to help, and to
this day won’t take help from whites because of this false belief.
I have
also been a victim of ignorance in regards to the word nigga. It has become widely
and socially acceptable in my culture, and I used that as an excuse for my
usage of the word when I was younger. My parents, even though they taught me a
lot concerning Black history, they didn’t speak much about the word nigger. Yet,
I heard the word being pronounced as nigga by African-Americans on sitcoms,
stand-up comedy shows, music videos, and amongst my peers. It wasn’t until I
watched a documentary about the words nigger and nigga that I gained a true understanding
of its derogatory meaning. I vowed never to use that word again, even though I
must admit it was hard at first because it had become a common use of my
vernacular. I’ve heard so many people say that nigger means ignorant, and I
believe it has become a self-fulfilling prophesy in the African- American
culture; especially this younger generation. Their behavior accompanied by the
use of this word confirms my assumption. There are African-Americans that claim
the word nigga is different from nigger in a sense that it is a label that they
gave themselves to build a private community amongst one another; as a sign of
endearment. It has become a cultural identity, which is accepted by many
African-Americans today. They do not realize their behavior, in addition to the
use of the word nigga, implies what many people outside that private community
think, that it means thuggish, ghetto, ignorant, violent, dangerous, and Black. Then, we as African-Americans have the
nerve
to be indignant when someone of another race is comfortable using the word
nigga in the same context that we do to one another. This confirms that the
word nigger and nigga have the same negative connotation, if it were not so,
why is it such a controversy when a white person uses the word nigga? We have
set a low standard of who we are as a race. The use of the word nigga
perpetuates the degrading and stereotyping of African- Americans, no matter who
uses it or how it is used. I am not sure who is to blame; I can point the
finger at the Spanish, the Europeans, African-Americans, and parents. I can
even blame our public education system for not teaching the ugly truth
concerning African-American history. I know it is too ugly to look at, but
until we are brave enough to look into the face of this ugliness, we will all
walk in ignorance to what African-Americans endured. The impact that this
perpetual evil has on this current generation of African-Americans is a huge
disconnect from their history. As a result, they have picked up the “labeling
chains” and have ignorantly placed them on one another. I believe that the word Negro, nigger, and nigga
should have been banned from the vernacular of all humans when slavery ended. I
also believe that because of ignorance, many African-Americans are imprisoned
to a slavery mindset. The younger generations of African- Americans are
behaving the way they have been projected. They don’t reach for anything more
because all they see is the culture they created for themselves, which is far
from who they are and what they can accomplish. Even though ignorance has
played a part in the identity and the history of the African-American race, it
can no longer be an excuse with all the available resources we have in our
reach today.
Works Cited
Bennett,
Jr., Lerone. “What's In a Name?” Ebony
Magazine Nov. 1967: 46+. Web.
19 Feb. 2014.
Nantambu,
Dr. Kwame. “Origin of terms 'Negro' and Afrika.”Trinicenter 2007. Web. 19
Feb. 2014
The “N” Word
Black people saying the “N” word is not
the most surprising or troubling attribute of American lingo; although, I do not
consider this a “Black” problem. To believe so, only further contributes to
criminalizing the Black experience and culture. The English language is ripe
with words and terminology that degrade the “other.” Martin Luther King once
stated, “Somebody told a lie one day. They couched it in language. They
made everything black ugly and evil. Look in your dictionary and see the
synonyms for the word black. It’s always something degrading, low, and
sinister.” Although this is rarely quoted, it is a powerful statement about the
use of language in race and race relations. It’s about how all of these
different variables work together to create a divide and ranking system between
two of America’s most discussed “races”: Blacks and Whites. If we take a look
at the word “white”; it’s always in reference to something pure, high, and
clean.
Much like other modes of oppression,
the “N” word was used against us, to the point that some of us have become
accustomed to and often perpetuate it ourselves. Almost without a choice; it
becomes a stamped phrase lingering in our minds.We have managed to carry this
word with us as Blacks, and have given it so much power. A power that has held
us against our own will as Blacks to progress from the offense it caused our
ancestors.
In society; the “N” word is mostly used
to greet, compliment, and of course in some instances; put down a person of the
Black ethnicity. Influenced by the urban society of today, this is the mindset
of how majority of Blacks comprehend the use of the “N” word; they would rather
be called a “nigga” than a “nigger”. Apparently, when using “nigga”, they are
referring to a companion or someone close to them. Many would ask: what really
is the difference between the two of these terms; especially if “nigga” is
derived from the word “nigger”? Ironically, I guess changing the ending to an
already offensive word can make it less offensive; almost friendly. The use of
“nigga” instead of “nigger” is more complex than it seems. When it’s used
within the African American community, it signifies recognition of a shared
experience. It’s almost like an inside joke or inner laughter is taking place
towards the dehumanization. It’s like laughing to keep from crying while at the
same time saying, “But I’m still here.” Within this seemingly unrecognized
state of tyranny, we’re surviving. I am in no way advocating for the usage of
the “N” word. I’m just saying, I understand; this is what I believe many people
are trying to articulate, when they say we’ve taken the word back.
Rappers and entertainers are seen in
some way as “public” leaders and mentors for youth. Therefore, when Jay Z and
Kanye West tell the youth the “N” word is a term of endearment; they buy into
that philosophy due to being ignorant of the history of the word, and not
because they simply want to be ignorant. Today’s youth truly believe there is a
difference between using the word with an “a” or “er” on the end as term of
endearment, therefore, I can’t side with the logic of today’s youth; black
youth in particular, wanting and choosing to be ignorant about the history of
the word if they truly believe there is nothing wrong in using it if used with
an “a” on the end.
In regards to other publicized individuals and celebrities:
when apparent outsiders like Paula Deen, Madonna or John Mayer; who has
publicly used the “N” word, it’s automatically rejected. This is not done in
some sort of hypocrisy but instead out of an often unspoken understanding that
these people do not share the lived experience of being boxed into the “nigga” identity
by main stream society.
Ever since the “rebirth” of the “N”
word into the urban hip hop culture of today, the people in our society who
find offense to it have felt the need that anyone who uses it; does not care
about its past meaning, use or even black history overall. Anyone who uses this
word is considered to be ignorant and socially blinded by the hardships of
Black ancestors. Not only has this word become somewhat socially acceptable to
use by Blacks, but other races these days tend to find it acceptable to use
too; although, for most Blacks, their first instinct is to become defensive
when someone of a different race uses the word against or towards them.
In my opinion, it seems the true history of the usage of the
“N” word is based on its revamped or recreated definitions of the past; during
the slavery years, Whites turned the original term, which was used as a
descriptor; with no value attached to it, and created a new definition with the
intent to degrade Blacks. So when I think about how the “N” word is used today,
I’ve realized how our urban culture has reclaimed this term or word and have
created yet, another definition for it; a definition that seems way less
derogatory than its original or historically intended use.
So should people be prohibited from
using this word? And if so, how do we stop them from using it? I find it almost
impossible to forcefully erase a term from common language. If people continue
to identify with it; whether misguided or not, it will still be used. However, much
of our concerns could be solved if we use our own legacy as a guide. There are
words much more powerful than the “N” word will ever be. Like for instance; Sankofa.
Sankofa means, “One must return to the past in order to move forward”. The
symbol of Sankofa is that of a bird whose head is faced in the opposite
direction of its body. This emphasizes on the fact that even though the bird is
advancing, it periodically makes it a point to examine or return to it's past,
since this is the only way for one to have a better future. Another example
would be Ubuntu. According to Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Ubuntu is the
essence of being a person. It means that we are people through other
people. We cannot be fully human alone. We are made for interdependence and for
family. When you have ubuntu, you embrace others; through generosity and
compassion.
In conclusion, though the past is still
in our minds when we hear the “N” word, we must come to the realization of the
differences between then; slavery years, and now. Not to mention; the word
should have never had so much power over us. We need to move past the racism of
the past and prosper with the unity of all people. If this continuous way of
thinking; holding onto this “N” word as a identifier, then we’ll always still
remain locked in “chains” of racism and injustice. Yes, there is the idea of
“abolishing” this word, which in return may initiate those steps needed in
discontinuing the lingering sense of discrimination towards Blacks, but who’s
to say this will contribute to the overall improvement of social inequalities
and social views of or for our people? If I’m not correct, there are many other
negative and stigmatizing labels or words given to define Blacks: “coon”,
“porch monkey”, or “monkey”. If we are in need of abolishing one derogatory
word from being used in society, shouldn’t we abolish all words found to be
derogatory towards a race? If so many
blacks believe that an outside race is not allowed to use the “N” word, than
neither should they. It is time to let go of the word and move on; but never
forget about its origin. If so many truly feel that this word needs to be
removed from people’s vocabulary; then it has to be done by “voluntary
removal”. With voluntary removal of the “N” word from our own individual
language and vocabulary; can this be eliminated as well as remove the
hypocritical definitions and stereotypes that come with it. This can be done if
each and every person refrains from using this word; and then can this truly
have a realistic effect. As the great Gandhi once said, “Be the change you wish
to see in the world”. We have to lead by example.
Reference
Page
"The
Meaning of Our “Sankofa Logo”."Sankofa Achievement Center Inc.
N.p., 29 May 2013. Web. 15 Mar.
2014. <http://thesac.org/2013/05/29/the-meaning-of-our-sankofa-logo/>.
"Archbishop
Desmond Tutu Explains Ubuntu." Off to See the World. Amkotten,
19
July 2012. Web. 15 Mar.
2014.
<http://amkottentravel.wordpress.com/2012/07/19/archbishop-desmond-tutu-
explains-ubuntu/>.
Monroe,
Lisa. "Black and I'm Proud." Social Justice (2011): n. pag.
Devotion Reader.
Devotion Media, 16 Jan. 2011. Web. 15 Mar. 2014.
<http://www.devotionreader.com/social-justice/martin-luther-king-jr-holiday>.
