Not trying to start any internet beefs or anything like that, as they're jah pointless and signal an individual's lack of having an adult conversation.
But I'm just thinking out loud... I always felt like anybody saying "nigga" is dumbing it down. Don't get me wrong, I love Lupe's work. I feel like he's a revolutionary...and his band is ridonkulous.
That said, I don't understand why someone so "conscious" uses the word...
I mean it's a free country, so everybody's gonna do what they do, speechwise. But as for me, I can't stomach using the word when so many countless individuals died, bled, and were beaten on its behalf. I am no nigger/nigga/or otherwise. I feel like us calling each other that plays a large part in the inferiority complex a lot of blacks have.
Just speaking my .02. I'd love to hear other people's opinions on the matter, especially you, Ms. Kaycee, as you seem to have no qualms about it. I've tried to understand the rationale behind the use, but nothing's convinced me so far.
I feel you, Kaycee...but I feel like it's an issue that should be addressed.
And I'm with you, a lot of my fam/friends say it as well, but I've never been able to get with it. I've always wondered where the trend came from...
How and why did we (if there is such a thing as the black "we")start using it? It's not like something can go from being the title of utmost contempt to endearment just like that...
I feel like we just accepted it b/c that's what "massa's" ignorant arse called us...
i appreciate and respect what you have to say Joe E...honestly i don't think that the word is going anywhere any time soon...it don't matter if march, argue, whatever...white folk are always gonna view us "coloreds" (yes that word is still used people!) as "the n word"...thats just how i see it...
as far as your other questions i honestly don't have an answers for you...but this is a topic that i always an interesting one lol
Nas said it best....the use of the word nigga is the LAST problem black folks are facing. I've never understood why some people get wrapped up in their distaste for the word. And the reason a "conscious" nigga would use the word is because that's how he was raised. I came from the same general neighborhood, and it just is. It just becomes part of your vernacular when you are raised using the word.
And, I did a thesis on the subject two, and I don't think it contributes to any inferiority complex. It was a way to recapture dignity that was taken from a culture through the use of the word nigger. It's like a tag of "yes I am a nigga, and you aren't". Though the word, through inflection alone can change in meaning, the general concept behind the word's usage today is the "we" identifier. It signifies an exclusive club, of which NO ONE else can be a member.
Of course there are other theories of well, and there definitely are theories that it is repressive to black people, but I am not of that school of thoughts. My 5 cents, thats what I use the word.
I'm sure George Bush wrote a thesis at some point, too.
Few points...
1. Nas' purpose in raising the issue seemed more like a publicity stunt than anything else. Case and point=that daggon red carpet interview where he and Kelis have on the "nigger" jackets talking about "we're all niggers." If "we're all niggers" that doesn't sound like the exclusive club that you mention. He knew the title would stir up a lot of press for him, hence his actions. I listened to his album a few times and still don't think he came up w/ a coherent point on the word. On other issues, yes...Nas can be brilliant. I'm a fan of a lot of his work, but I don't vibe w/ him on this issue.
2. If we want to "redefine" ourselves why do we define ourselves by the same word used to refer to us as the scum of the earth? If we were truly redefining ourselves we'd do everything in our power to dissociate from it.
3. I also have to think of the issue as Chamillionaire talks about it...especially with regard to Lupe's use of it. Cham stopped using it in songs because he
..."saw one negative consequence of performing to diverse audiences. Each time he said the N-word in any of his songs, many of his white fans would rap along with him."
This made Cham say, "OK, I'm going to have to do this run again and I don't want to be subliminally teaching people to say it,"
He goes on to say..."That's why I made the decision at the beginning stages of “The Ultimate Victory” to erase it from my vocabulary, long before the Don Imus controversy even started brewing."
I can imagine Lupe's in a similar boat. Correct me if I'm wrong, but most of the people who buy his records/attend shows are of the lighter variety (that's how it's been at most of the shows I go to). And just as Cham states, they'll rap right along with every lyric...even though they're not members of the "exclusive club" you mention. It's hypocritical for us to use the word, thinking it's somehow positive, while at the same time decrying other people's use of it.
I respect your view, homie...but it's clear we're on different sides of the fence.
12 comments:
Not trying to start any internet beefs or anything like that, as they're jah pointless and signal an individual's lack of having an adult conversation.
But I'm just thinking out loud...
I always felt like anybody saying "nigga" is dumbing it down. Don't get me wrong, I love Lupe's work. I feel like he's a revolutionary...and his band is ridonkulous.
That said, I don't understand why someone so "conscious" uses the word...
I mean it's a free country, so everybody's gonna do what they do, speechwise. But as for me, I can't stomach using the word when so many countless individuals died, bled, and were beaten on its behalf. I am no nigger/nigga/or otherwise. I feel like us calling each other that plays a large part in the inferiority complex a lot of blacks have.
Just speaking my .02. I'd love to hear other people's opinions on the matter, especially you, Ms. Kaycee, as you seem to have no qualms about it. I've tried to understand the rationale behind the use, but nothing's convinced me so far.
Peace,
JE
^^ True. Totally agree. I don't like the word.
YEAH NIGGAAAAA
i didnt mean to start any type of revolution by saying the word...i simply said "yeah nigga" because bishop says it in the video at the end!
Me personally, im from the south, and nigga is a word that is used freely in my family...so its not really a big deal to me...
I feel you, Kaycee...but I feel like it's an issue that should be addressed.
And I'm with you, a lot of my fam/friends say it as well, but I've never been able to get with it. I've always wondered where the trend came from...
How and why did we (if there is such a thing as the black "we")start using it? It's not like something can go from being the title of utmost contempt to endearment just like that...
I feel like we just accepted it b/c that's what "massa's" ignorant arse called us...
i appreciate and respect what you have to say Joe E...honestly i don't think that the word is going anywhere any time soon...it don't matter if march, argue, whatever...white folk are always gonna view us "coloreds" (yes that word is still used people!) as "the n word"...thats just how i see it...
as far as your other questions i honestly don't have an answers for you...but this is a topic that i always an interesting one lol
I don't really care how white folks view us...
My concern is more w/ its use among us.
But like you say, this issue ain't going anywhere...the word will keep getting used. Hopefully the sting of it leaves one day...
As for me, though...I'm nobody's nigga.
Nas said it best....the use of the word nigga is the LAST problem black folks are facing. I've never understood why some people get wrapped up in their distaste for the word. And the reason a "conscious" nigga would use the word is because that's how he was raised. I came from the same general neighborhood, and it just is. It just becomes part of your vernacular when you are raised using the word.
And, I did a thesis on the subject two, and I don't think it contributes to any inferiority complex. It was a way to recapture dignity that was taken from a culture through the use of the word nigger. It's like a tag of "yes I am a nigga, and you aren't". Though the word, through inflection alone can change in meaning, the general concept behind the word's usage today is the "we" identifier. It signifies an exclusive club, of which NO ONE else can be a member.
Of course there are other theories of well, and there definitely are theories that it is repressive to black people, but I am not of that school of thoughts. My 5 cents, thats what I use the word.
YEAHH NIGGGGAAAAA
"still waiting on this record to come out"
^^^me too....i was just thinking bout this song the other day..
@S-preme
I'm sure George Bush wrote a thesis at some point, too.
Few points...
1. Nas' purpose in raising the issue seemed more like a publicity stunt than anything else. Case and point=that daggon red carpet interview where he and Kelis have on the "nigger" jackets talking about "we're all niggers." If "we're all niggers" that doesn't sound like the exclusive club that you mention. He knew the title would stir up a lot of press for him, hence his actions. I listened to his album a few times and still don't think he came up w/ a coherent point on the word. On other issues, yes...Nas can be brilliant. I'm a fan of a lot of his work, but I don't vibe w/ him on this issue.
2. If we want to "redefine" ourselves why do we define ourselves by the same word used to refer to us as the scum of the earth? If we were truly redefining ourselves we'd do everything in our power to dissociate from it.
3. I also have to think of the issue as Chamillionaire talks about it...especially with regard to Lupe's use of it. Cham stopped using it in songs because he
..."saw one negative consequence of performing to diverse audiences. Each time he said the N-word in any of his songs, many of his white fans would rap along with him."
This made Cham say, "OK, I'm going to have to do this run again and I don't want to be subliminally teaching people to say it,"
He goes on to say..."That's why I made the decision at the beginning stages of “The Ultimate Victory” to erase it from my vocabulary, long before the Don Imus controversy even started brewing."
I can imagine Lupe's in a similar boat. Correct me if I'm wrong, but most of the people who buy his records/attend shows are of the lighter variety (that's how it's been at most of the shows I go to). And just as Cham states, they'll rap right along with every lyric...even though they're not members of the "exclusive club" you mention. It's hypocritical for us to use the word, thinking it's somehow positive, while at the same time decrying other people's use of it.
I respect your view, homie...but it's clear we're on different sides of the fence.
...by the deuce, that quote is from cham's myspace
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