Should White People Be Able to Say the “N-Word”
In today's western world, the most organic influencer of all might be Hip-Hop. The clothes worn and the ideas expressed are that of Black culture, but Hip-Hop serves as the medium as to which it gets to the masses. Due to its nature as something heard and something said, the vocabulary used in the music listened to is often repeated and used. These are the "YOLO's", the "Swag's" and the "Lit". As well as the "N-Word". However, that last example brings many people of different ethnicities to the crossroad: can people who aren't African-American or Black say the word "nigger" or its variations?
To answer such a loaded question, the analysis of the history of the term is needed. An adaptation of the spanish word negro, meaning "black", the terms origins are slightly murky. While the first written usage of the word can be traced to 1574, its first usage in a derogatory sense was in 1775. The term was used to refer to black people and people of African origins. The term, while also used in the northern United States, would find its current etymological form in the southern States. As time progressed, the term would slowly be used in a simply pejorative sense, with terms such as "negro" (which would also be labeled as taboo), "blacks" and "African-American" becoming the social norm.
Where the term "nigga" comes from is still being debated and researched. There is no real answer as to its origins, but the 1970's saw the term begin to arrive in African-American social settings. The usage of the term changed from one that was derogatory in nature to black people to becoming a symbol of common bond and camaraderie between members of the community. It didn't take long for the word to enter Hip-Hop, with groups such as NWA using it in their name, A Tribe Called Quest's "Sucka Nigga" and the popular "Niggas in Paris" by Jay Z and Kanye West's group the Throne. With Hip-Hop's power and relevance in the social conscience, the question is therefore important to know: can people who aren't black say the "n-word", even though its prevalent in the music?
While I respect everyone's differing opinions on the topic, I must stand on the side of "no". People who aren't black cannot say the "n-word".
It all begins with who started the word and why. Caucasian people used it to disparage people like me - black people - as they whipped us and enslaved us. While the practice of slavery hasn't been as prevalent since the XIXth century, the concept of whites over blacks still exists in 2019. People of African American descent make up 11% of the population and over 50% of the prison population. Black people with the same qualifications for a job or twice as likely not to be chosen. Racial segregation turned into gentrification. Police brutality. Color blind racism. Those are only a few of the key words and statistics that I cod use to show anyone that the racial disparity exist and many black people are conscious of these things. Therefore, whenever a person of european descent uses the word and language associated to it, no matter the context, back to the idea of us being slaves. Doesn't matter if there is a beat behind it, because it's not going to change the way many African-Americans feel.
Now for the term "nigga" and how its explicitly used in Hip-Hop and popular culture. Don't use the word, especially in this context. White people used the term negatively .and we changed it into a positive word amongst us. Only black people can define what hurts us. Therefore, why will you appropriate from a culture of which you or your ancestors already profitted from? We turned the darkness created on the slave ships and created a light that you now want to take? My apologies but no. I don't go around and sing songs that include the f-word because I know its history in the LGBTQ+ community, nor do I mention the w-word in spanish songs that I listen to. It's never crossed my mind to utter words that weren't mine to utter. This LGBTQ or Latino artist is saying their story; no matter how much I relate to their art, I won't allow myself to say those terms because I know my place. The music could be great, but never good enough to make me think of saying a derogatory term that I know will affect others negatively, but clearly it's passed through yours and it truly makes me wonder if you've sung those words and if you do practice their usage on a general basis.
Those who stand on the side of equal free speech, can you stay on that side after all the points I enumerated? Probably not. You know the playing field was never equal to begin with, and that the person who is below cannot bring balance. What is needed isn't equality, but equity. Leave what is as it is and Black people to our own word. Don't go around u*sing white privilege to try to condone the fact that you want to say the word. Let it go. From the perspective of a black male, having to remember the systemic racism in modern society and the cultural appropriation by hearing people who aren't black isn't my cup of tea. In conclusion, please stop saying the word "nigga" and all of its variations, no matter the situation or song, if you're not black. I don't care what race you are, as this transcends being caucasian, latin american or anything else. It's a question of respect.- Thank you for coming to my TedTalk.