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By Christian Bliss, For The African-American Athlete
No matter your stance on the usage of the word, irrespective of context, or the intended meaning, nigger is a term that makes people feel extremely uncomfortable.
Though its origin is hard to pinpoint, it is now a derogatory term, a racial slur, a social slang, and a term of endearment all-in-one.
The hip-hop movement of the last five decades that made the word ‘cool’ in some circles, and has definitely took the edge off to some degree. However, make no mistake, only black people should be allowed to use that word, and here is why.
But, before I state my reasons for why the usage of that word should be exclusive to blacks, let’s explore the evolution and controversy surrounding the acceptance of the word in American society.
It was first used by slave masters to describe the physical appearance of their slaves. It was then used as a weapon to psychologically strip black people of their basic humanity. It then codified black individuals as savages deserving of the less than humane treatment received.
From that point on a negative stigma was forever fused to it, often times being the last word heard in the racist, and deadly rants some were subjected to before their lives were taken away in the most gruesome, and evil ways.
There are stark generational differences in how the word is understood, because the use of the word nigger affects everyone differently. Although its etymology is unclear, we all have a sense of how the different interpretations over time have simultaneously shaped its acceptance in younger people, while repulsing the older generations more and more
The reason why I am not against its usage is simple:
No one will ever be able to completely remove it from the lexicon. No matter what we say, or try, people will ultimately do what they want. We cannot control which word people use in private, however society has proven that it is possible to control language in the realm of public discourse.
I know this is a very emotional topic, but bear with me, as I explain. Words do change over time, and as words change, associated meanings change accordingly. The power of words actually lies in the hand of the recipients, not those who utter them.
No matter the intended purpose of venomous words spoken to, or towards an individual, how she/he takes it will ultimately determine the effect those words have on him/her.
“Bricks and sticks might break my bones, but words will never hurt me” is a phrase that perfectly exemplifies that notion.
There is a noble concept of empowerment in taking a word that has such a heinous history and flipping it, giving exclusive rights of usage, and choice to black people.
This isn’t an open discussion, and should never be for obvious reasons.
If you are not black this truly isn’t your concerns, so trying to insert yourself in something you cannot be affected by, is in itself proof of your sense of entitlement.
Let me also call it exactly what it is: a double standard. Indeed it is! But double standards are prominent in our societies so that’s a moot point.
Women speak to women in ways that men could never. Officers of the military, or corporations, address each other in ways that their subordinates aren’t allowed to. Sexual behaviors of men are sometimes lauded, while the same behaviors by women are castigated.
Nothing in this world irks me more than seeing a white person trying to dictate how a black people should feel about the word nigger.
It is the most asinine thing in the world. The fact that white America got around it by labeling it as “the N-Word” grinds my gears.
The white establishment created the word, used it to inflict severe physical and psychological damages onto black people for centuries. Now, it wants to sanitize and neutralize it by calling it the N-Word?
Nah…you don’t get to do that white America.
It isn’t up to you how dull or sharp the edge of that word is, anymore. We have taken it over. You can’t hide from your past by shaming the very people you abused into forgetting certain things just by sanitizing a word or two.
What are you going to do next, refer to lynching as “the L-Word”?
