On Niggers.

I’m not so much interested in debating whether nigger is offensive or not. My general feeling on emotionally charged words is that if something bothers you, you should ask yourself why. It’s important to understand our motivations.

How long ago was it that the black community decided to “take back” the word nigger? I suppose I’m ‘too young’ to remember that, specifically. Maybe Chris Rock could write a nice skit on how some black guys got together and decided to call themselves niggers, as if it’s a good thing. It’s my understanding their goal was to make the word not a negative word anymore. Yet, as I think about it, nothing has changed.

Memory serves me right, the etymological meaning of nigger is “someone less than human”. Thus, calling a slave a nigger is a proper application of the word, regardless of skin color. (Of course, there’s also the theory that ignorant slavers thought all imported africans were from Niger.) Meanings change, but origins are useful.

It’s a funny thing. Who do we see calling each other niggers? Niggers! Niggers are calling each other niggers as if it’s a good thing. What do I mean by this? It is the proliferation of a black culture which attempts to justify itself in its victimhood. I’m not about to write a massive treatise on “thug” or “gangsta” culture. The rise of wiggas is proof that there’s an appeal to act as if you’re “from the hood”. Wiggas are NOT niggers.

Nigger meant someone less than proper class, someone with less privileges, someone of a lower opportunity, someone of less intelligence, or less capabilities. And that’s precisely what it means now. It’s like a room full of idiots proudly claiming, “Only idiots in this room. Go us!” Instead it’s a group of people out in the street championing, “We’re niggers, go us!”

It’s the 21st century. Prejudices still exist, but otherwise, NOBODY IS HOLDING YOU DOWN. It’s no different than women claiming they’re victims of ages-old patriarchy. In terms of the law, women have the advantage. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for the average black male ages 16 – 25. Instead of trying to change this, instead of bettering themselves, they champion being niggers.

Or their supposed origins. Correct me if I’m wrong, but to get into college in the first place, you have to have SOME level of education, and SOME drive to be there. No? It’s the same here as it was at Rutgers, there’s niggers calling each other niggers everywhere. Maybe some of them genuinely have bad backgrounds. But if you’re in college, you’re not a nigger, you have an opportunity to better yourself. To niggify yourself and your friends is to lower your expectations.

Of course, that’s probably not what the average person thinks when he or she calls a friend “mah niggah”. After all, calling someone “mah bitch” can be a term of endearment. Being “totally retarded” for someone is a form of affection. Yet the negative connotation of nigger remains, and that’s not something that can be ignored. Maybe I’m just naive, maybe I don’t understand. I have no problem with that. I just find it funny how people call each other niggers when A. You don’t need to be a nigger and B. YOU AREN’T A NIGGER. I disagree with your niggardly assertion! You are all human beings who deserve love, respect, and higher expectations, not intracommunity masochism!

I remember my second year roommate in college. (At the aforementioned Rutgers.) Absolutely charming fellow, the antithesis of a nigger. Whitest black man I’ve ever met. We used to play Smash Bros Melee, and he’d beat my white ass with Marth. (Damn counter-attacks.) See! You can be black and not be a nigger!

The homeless could be niggers. People without running water could be niggers. Serial killers are DEFINITELY niggers. So are convicted pedaphiles. ..Okay, I can’t think of too many offhand. But the average black american? Maybe I’m naive because I spend time on a college campus, but you’re not ALL niggers. Nor do you need to be niggers. I just don’t believe the color of your skin means all that much in the grand scheme. It’s the content of your goddamned character!

No wait, Chris Rock DID talk about niggers. A lot. That’s what he does. Of course, I’m just a silly caucasian boy, I have no right to talk about niggers. ; )