Hip Hop, Its Use of Nigga, and Its Implications On the Non-Black World

Allow me to disclose the fact that I'm not trying to write a political piece, at all. To further illustrate it, I said Black, instead of African-American. African-American is such a rigid term; actually, I find it to be more offensive of the two. It’s used with good intent, with its manifest function serving as a politically correct show of respect and tolerance. However, latently, it is also a distinguishing term – creating an us - them dynamic that is, in my opinion, far more detrimental to society’s perspective on the world. So, to recap, I refer to Blacks as Blacks, Whites as Whites, Filipinos as Mexicans, etc. I was totally kidding on the last statement so don't cry.

Let’s start off with the word, Nigger. Merely access your own internal reaction to it and there is no denial of its weight. It’s wrong and I swear to never say it again, but I needed to illustrate my point. It’s a word, so powerful and dense with history that I’m sure your hands are hovering over your mouse just so that you can minimize your computer screen in case someone goes near it.

“Oh my, oh my, oh my. Please, Shirley, I hope my eyes are deceiving me because I just glanced at your computer monitor and….”

Iron Mike Tyson of a word, right? Well then, how about the word Nigga? It leaves non-Black folks (like myself) in a bind. I mean, it’s another intonation of the aforementioned; it’s still Mike Tyson, but more so in a crazy-ass-tribal-tattoo-on-the-face kind of way than a sexy-ass-Robin-Givens-on-the-face kind of way. It’s like what crack is to cocaine, but due to its lower potency level, cost effectiveness and accessibility, the term Nigga experiences more widespread usage. However, the major difference is that the Nigga seems to be more of a mindset than an identity. For example, Cypress Hill uses it, and B Real is Cuban, que’ no? And if you’re from the East Coast and you’re Puerto Rican, it’s like you’re getting unlimited minutes just by being in close proximity of Blacks. But, if you’re Boricuo and from San Bernardino, you’ll be in for a shocker when you yell it out while you’re losing at Street Fighter at the Gameworks in Ontario Mills. I guess the West Coast equivalent for the Non-Black community and its permissible use of the word Nigga would lie in the hands of, like, anyone who lives in the city of LONG BEACH.

But how about a cat, such as myself? I don’t know if my use or non-use of it is a reflection of my ignorance or my attempt at being polite/politically correct. I mean, I hear it in the song and shit, like, they fucking wrote it, right there, in the song. I’m not going to substitute that verse for the fucking radio version. That is why the best MC will always be Black; simply because he can use the word generously. Not being allowed to say it is equivalent to using steroids in bodybuilding; it’s wrong but you cannot be a serious contender without it. I’ve always pondered it in my mind, and a strange thing happened to me a few years ago that made me realize I could no longer ignore its taboo usage….

It was during an annual snowboarding trip to Big Bear, among friends and friends-of-friends. Turned out there was this one cat, a White guy that shared a mutual love for hip hop. So of course I took out the Lame Day album (American Idiot was humungous that year) that was playing and threw in my iPod playlist, “Classic 90s Hip Hop Joints.” Befuddled at first, we soon wove a common thread once “Fu-Gee-La” came on. We were elevated and in unison started rapping to it. Then I thought, “Ok, Lauryn Hill’s verse is coming on and she says, ‘niggas huff and they puff but they can’t handle us.’ How am I going to address it?” He started to mute his voice; and the quivering of his mouth suggested he was thinking the exact same thing, so we both looked at each other. Cliff hangers suck.

Which brings me to this point -- when is it permissible for a non-Black person to yelp it out? To me, it’s anytime I want to feel just plain gangsta. To my ghetto ass friends, it’s anytime. To my colleagues, it’s “oh my, I would never say such a thing.” It’s not like I am exercising my first Amendment right to use it generously, but the same music that glamorizes nigga is the same music that pumps through my veins. As I mentioned earlier, it’s a mindset for most, but for me, it’s a part of my Hip Hop, cultural vernacular. Nigga isn’t meant to be righteous or correct; and neither is Hip Hop. It’s just meant to be, as is, and I guess I’ll have to take away from it what I will and use it accordingly.

Currently, I find myself in this awkward place where I can still use it liberally (in its appropriate context) as long as I consider the possible, oppressing ramifications it may have on my audience. Trust me guys, I anticipate your reactions and I am always curious to observe how people respond when they, too, are faced with the predicament. And to all the Black folks, please know that everyone secretly wishes they could incorporate it into their daily vocabulary because it just makes us feel all gangsta (and shit).

And don’t worry, all you nigga loving, non-Black folks; I’m not going to keep you hanging, so here is my basic rule of thumb. Privacy of your own car = Yes. In the company of close friends that know you = Yes. In the company of friends that you know = Not necessarily. In a work environment = Hell no. Dancing at a club where they play hip hop music = Depends but should be ok so long as it’s at a Black club and you’re a White girl (I’d say it’s fine). College bar = Don’t do it, even if you are Black. Underground hip hop show = permissible, but only try to make eye contact with the artist so that you can explain yourself by saying that you were so captivated by the performance and that of course you don’t have any ill meaning by it and “come on man, I’m a hip hop head.” Just don’t say your best friend’s Black. Punks jump up to get beat down. And all you Uncle Tom, yuppie Black folks…nigga please.

You see, a tolerance mindset started taking form in the late 60s. Fast forward to now and you’ll see that it’s so correct that even the term Wigger seems derogatory (I’m still trying to figure out which group finds it more offensive).

Throughout my upbringing, I was raised on the acceptance standpoint. I had to accept the fact that Whites were going to lump me into the same boat as all Asians and start a fight with me (6 wins, 1 loss). I had to accept the fact that Filipinos were going to think I’m also Filipino and that they’ll start shit because they thought I was from the same privileged, yet neglectful background as them (1 win, 0 losses). I had to accept the fact that any Asian gang was going to think that I was from either Wa Ching or Asian Boys and try to start shit with me no matter how I responded. And finally, I had to accept the fact that Mexican kids were going to ask me if I knew Karate and try to kick my ass because I was un chino, cochino (6 wins, 14+ losses). You see, tolerance is institutionalized and forced by law. Acceptance, on the other hand, is the maturation of the outcome and the next natural step; but not necessarily better, either. But perhaps with discussions and reconsiderations like these; in the form of arguments or even the shattering of friendships, can we, as a generation, perpetuate society to the next stage. From tolerance (where the coexistence is coerced) and acceptance (where you just kind of have to fucking deal with it) to embracement – where we discover that the differences and similarities and between us are merely two sides of the same coin (and we’re like, “fuck it, doode!”). Our generation can build this house, and niggas…they can huff and they can puff, but they’ll never handle us.

--- Sonnyred (proefound@yahoo.com)

Simplified version: Sometimes, I just want to say nigga.