By: Kenneth Michael
Dinkajay802@aol.com
The term “nigger” is a racist and offensive adjective used heavily by whites to describe African Americans in the nineteenth and early mid-part of the twentieth century. A nigger was considered ignorant, uneducated and lower in economical class when describing the minority race of blacks through white Southerner’s eyes. Used as slang in present day society, the word “nigga” expresses a sign of endearment between individuals inside the black community. With a swift removal of 2 letters replaced by 1, a word that was once deemed offensive and racist to the black community is now welcomed only in the black community with handshakes. No matter the change in letters of the term, the word still boasters the same tension if spoken by the wrong race or in the wrong tone today. The word is censored in many public forums and media outlets; there has been recent talk by civil right activists for the word’s abolishment.
Dinkajay802@aol.com
The term “nigger” is a racist and offensive adjective used heavily by whites to describe African Americans in the nineteenth and early mid-part of the twentieth century. A nigger was considered ignorant, uneducated and lower in economical class when describing the minority race of blacks through white Southerner’s eyes. Used as slang in present day society, the word “nigga” expresses a sign of endearment between individuals inside the black community. With a swift removal of 2 letters replaced by 1, a word that was once deemed offensive and racist to the black community is now welcomed only in the black community with handshakes. No matter the change in letters of the term, the word still boasters the same tension if spoken by the wrong race or in the wrong tone today. The word is censored in many public forums and media outlets; there has been recent talk by civil right activists for the word’s abolishment.
“We’re taking power away from the word,” was rapper Nas’ response to the February 2008 release of his controversial album titled “Nigger.” The album’s title was changed from “Nigga” to the present title “Nigger,” which has caused uproar in the entertainment industry and among civil right activists. In an interview with MTV News, the often labeled “conscious” rapper said, “I’m talking to the streets…I wanna make the word easy on mutha----as' ears. You see how white boys ain't mad at 'cracker' 'cause it don't have the same [sting] as 'nigger?' I want 'nigger' to have less meaning [than] 'cracker.' With all the bullsh-- that's going on in the world, racism is at its peak.”
“[For You] To think I’m going to say something that’s not intellectual is calling me a nigger.”
Civil rights activist Reverend Al. Sharpton who, completely reproves the album’s title, says the rapper “is helping out the racists.” Nas’ response to the present day civil rights activist is one of simply understanding the message behind the unreleased album and not just its title. “If Cornel West (the philosopher) was making an album called “Nigger,” they would know he’s got something intellectual to say. To think I’m going to say something that’s not intellectual is calling me a nigger.” Nas’ can be labeled among one of the conscious rappers in the hip-hop world that speaks on social and political issues. His last album was controversially titled “Hip-Hop is Dead...,” which addressed the state of hip-hop music, its history, and the essence of the genre. According the MTV News interview, Nas could attempt to bridge the connection between streets and the real history behind the N-word, sort of the N-word 101. “No disrespect to none of them who were part of the civil right movement, but some of my n----as in the streets don’t know who Medger Evers was. I love Medger Evers…they (people in the streets) know who Nas is.”
“We’re taking power away from the word.”
With support from Civil Rights activists lacking, artists in the music industry support Nas and the album’s title. Rapper/ President of Def Jam, Jay-Z, (the label that houses Nas) and Island Def Jam music chairman, L. A. Reid, both stand behind the artist’s decision. Jay-Z says, “He's not just doing it for the sake of being provocative. Of course we're going to support his art...I hope [the concept] is coming from a great place.”
From a media and advertising standpoint, will this album receive the same promotion as the rapper’s previous album? With the album carrying a taboo word that is heavily censored in the media, how will it come across to the public and radio?
Reid, Shaheem (2007, Oct 18). Nas Explains Controversial Album Title, Denies Reports Of LabelOpposition. Retrieved November 05, 2007, from MTVNews Web site: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1572287/20071018/nas.jhtml
Reid, Shaheem (2007, Nov 1). Nas' Album Title Gets Support From Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, LL Cool J,Reverend Run. Retrieved November 05, 2007, from MTVNews Web site: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1573280/20071101/nas.jhtml http://holamun2.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/12/Nas.jpg
Reid, Shaheem (2007, Nov 1). Nas' Album Title Gets Support From Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, LL Cool J,Reverend Run. Retrieved November 05, 2007, from MTVNews Web site: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1573280/20071101/nas.jhtml http://holamun2.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/12/Nas.jpg
2 comments:
Wow I as a black man is guilty of using the word nigga. It wasn't til' I moved to the south when I truly began to embrace, accept, and understand my own people. While finding myself, accepting my sexuality, and finding my place in spirit the word nigger became less hurting to my ears. It was a surprise to me since here in California, I've experienced more racism than anywhere in the U.S. But not being afraid to use the word has actually help me through places and to people I usually wouldn't have been to or connected to in the past. On the flip -side I am aware when to use the word and when not. Unfortunately, It still hurts a whole generation people. So I try not to say it. We should all just use our better judgement and be slow to speak especially if we are in a mixed environment. After all, I don't know if I could take someone constantly using the word Faggot. Gay or straight.
First let me say that this here is the reason that I LOVE EXCAPE THE MATRIX!!! I feel like Nas. The pharse where he says to think I don't have anything intellectual to say is callin him a Nigger is 100 grand am correct!!! Words only hold power if you allow the person who's using them to feel powerful!!! I asked before and I'll ask again...Is it really that serious? Blacks are the face of HIV!!! Where's the passion?!!! Where the fight, where's the money to fight for that shit?!!! Creating an Act to remove the word, ain't shit when you'll still have people running around with NIGGERDUM (ingorance) in their heart!!! Nigger isn't a word its a state of mind!!! If you're going to fight....THAT SHOULD BE IT!!! WITH ALL THATS GOING ON IN THE WORLD RIGHT NOW, WE'RE ALL BEHAVING LIKE NIGGERS!!!! WAKE THE FUCK UP!!! AND I MEANS THAT SHIT!!!
~Onyx....Because I AM a Black Gem!!!
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