Disclaimer: I am against the use of 'nigger' towards black people and 'nigga' from black people to black people. I think it would be better if all forms of the word were dropped from our language.


A couple of weeks ago Bill Maher used the the phrase 'house nigger' for comedic purpose and it generated all kinds of hate and blow back. So much that he was forced to issue an apology and had Ice Cube on the following week to discuss it. Between that interview/apology and all the other commentary on the subject in the rest of the media is:

It is not ok ever for someone to use that word if they are white and it is perfectly acceptable for black people to use it.

Not exactly earth shattering information here and anyone with a little common sense should realize this. HOWEVER, recent event have unfolded for me have made me think about this a bit. We have young black people in this country that have never faced slavery, are a few generations removed from segregation, and grew up with vastly more opportunity and equality than their grandparents and great grandparents had. There are some that can't even trace their lineage back to slavery because their ancestors and family came here on their own much later.

Why is it still accepted in society for them to use the word 'nigger' in any form? Is it simply due to skin pigmentation regardless of no history of actually having to face the problem themselves?

On the other hand, it is never acceptable for a guy with pale skin like myself to use the word 'nigger' or even 'nigga'. It has nothing to do with anything other than how light my skin is compared to other people, period. This is true even if I were to tell you that I am an actual descendant of a black slave belonging to a white plantation owner in the late 1700's.

True story, recent DNA testing followed by research (easy research at that) traced my lineage back to a black slave. I also have far removed cousins that are 'black' that I have never met or even knew about. Interesting stuff and finally provides the explanation as to why I am so well endowed for a white guy.

"...regardless of no history of actually having to face the problem themselves"

What is "the problem", slavery itself? Institutional racism is still obvious albeit diminished since the time it was enshrined in law; and popular racism has recently resurged into the open after being suppressed a great deal for 20 or years.

I find it distasteful in all but the most historical or cultural context, and wouldn't recommend suggesting to any person darker than an Irishman that he's not entitled to it because he "wasn't a slave".

Use the word at your own risk.


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Capitalism is based on the ridiculous notion that you can enjoy limitless growth in a closed, finite system.

In biology, such behavior of cells is called "cancer".

I also have a great grandparent from the early 1700's that was Native American. Time to get me some of that casino money .....

Like I said, it is all about skin pigmentation. Nothing else.

As a 'white' guy it is never ok for me to use the word despite being a descendant of an actual black slave. Not enough pigmentation bro.

I work with "county" people who use the word in daily conversation. I heard it spoken in public a few months ago for the first time in decades. I'm sure several people on this forum use it in their daily conversations.

It would be nice if the word died with the next generation or two, but racism is a learned behavior, so it will be passed on after the next two generations are gone.



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I was right.

it just means "of African Descent"
it became derogatory
they took it back, they own it now.



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"The truth is incontrovertible.
malice may attack it,
ignorance may deride it,
but in the end,
there it is." -Sir Winston Churchill

When I was working in a warehouse I was 2 out of 30 employees who were white...all the rest were black and most had been in and out of jail and worked through temp services. In there I had a "nigga pass" I was called nigga, I called people nigga, it was all gravy and the word had the same meaning as bro, dude, or man.

I have also met black people who consider it a word for ghetto and low class people, and they despise it and the people who use it....they think it makes black people look bad and equate "niggas" to white peoples "white trash", or red necks.

They really hate when they see black parents hurling that word around their kids, it becomes one of their first words......what is the point of this topic LOL???



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I troll 2L.com to be a better person in real life

Always thoughtful, miker.

Interesting about your heritage. Do you know what a melungeon is? There are (probably spurious) claims that Elvis and Lincoln were.

Race relations are complex. My bent is for us to all learn more about each other while remembering that many minorities already know a great deal about the dominant culture. Acceptance goes a long way.

Also, don't panic when all the TV analysts for the NBA finals are nonwhite.

Define 'they' and since I am descended from a black slave do I qualify or does my skin pigmentation disqualify me?

There is one, even if it is vague ....

Interesting that you should ask. I do have a portion of my family from southern KY and both my grandmother and grandfather are from there. (Corbin and London respectively)

Half mine comes from western NC, but I doubt I have anything other than white guy there. Even though there are native americans and black guys (one famous one) with my last name.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKQuL-RC1-4

You can use any word you want. Societal norms and basic politeness dictate that you pick and choose your language in accordance with the situation. For example, I'd never use the word MF'er in the presence of my mother. I use it routinely in the presence of my brother, however, often in the context of calling him one.

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I :heart; Q

The mixed heritage comes from my Grandmother's side and while both her parents and great grand parents lived in the Corbin area, which was not known for having 'melungeon' population, one of the surnames of my great great grandfather is one known for it.

The back and forth and the debate on the subject is pretty contentious. Free people of color, former/escaped slaves, and darker skin European/Asians trying to avoid slavery or being classified as second class citizens ...along with the Cherokee population intermixing in trying to escape their fate as well. Add to that generations of trying to marry and breed 'white' and you have people with very interesting heritage.

Some people even think the whole thing is bullshit and a myth, however as DNA testing becomes more and more ubiquitous, they seem to be proven wrong. It certainly would provide an explanation for my DNA.

I have better records from my Grandfather's side of the family via a bible passed down through generations. It was fairly common practice to keep track of the family lineage by writing it in a bible before the days of the internet. I can firmly trace back some of my ancestors to indentured irish, heh. If my wife of 14 years and I were to ever have a child (2nd one for me), that child could claim all kinds of fucked up heritage as my wife is 98.5% Ashkenazi Jew.

Tpap for the laugh of the day.

FWIW, I wish the Africa-American community would realize that continued use of the N-word is about as productive for advancing race relations as white guys driving around with confederate flags.

I'm not saying either is inherently bad. I'm saying if people want race relations to improve, there are some things they could sacrifice to help the cause.

http://www.aaregistry.org/hist...ger-word-brief-history

I have some Ashkenazi on my mom's side that she traced way, way back to a guy named Ascher. Otherwise also white, though less western europe.

IMO one is not one's particular DNA when you really get down to it.