I was surfing blogrolls when I happened upon a post about some Big Brother chick getting kicked off the show for saying “nigger”. Well, I was shocked that they had a Big Brother in England, but that’s not the point. There was some commentary about why it wasn’t that bad for this chick to use that word. It all made my head hurt, to be honest. I guess when someone doesn’t have to explain to their toddler what a nigger is and why the babysitter shouldn’t be calling her that they really don’t see the issue. I’m fine with that. Ha! Yeah right.
Anyway, I’m not going to go through all of that again because I covered it so well here. If you haven’t read it, go there now. Anyway, I felt compelled, as I often am with one of the issues close to my heart, to comment on this. But not so much as to go into a rant. That says a lot about the state of my rant button right now. Very sad.
In related news, I went to visit a blog that I used to frequent, but stopped when…well, nevermind. Not important. Anyway, for some reason I thought that this blogger was black. Mostly because he commented about his blackness a couple of times. Imagine my surprise to see a picture of him in all of his white glory. HA! Now that’s some strange shit right there.
By the way, I’m really a tall, hairy man. Oh, and I shave my head. I’m not short, fat and cute at all.
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I don’t think whites should use that word, period. I don’t GAF if it’s “unfair” that blacks get to use it (whether they should or not is a separate issue). Grow up! I try to be openminded because I realize that I was brought up to believe that the word was HORRIBLY offensive and other people’s parents didn’t think that so much, but shit. Just don’t use it. How hard is that?
It’s an idiotic, bigoted word, period. I disagree with the “we can use the word because we’re black, but you can’t because you’re white” attitude, however, for two reasons.
First, it’s simply another form of racism, and I don’t think racism gets better because the targets of it aren’t black. It’s all bad.
Second, look at the western world over the last 60 years. there are always a large group of white people who want to act like black people. We adopt the music (jazz, blues, rock and roll, and rap all originated with black people and were adopted by whites. When I managed a record store 20 years ago, white middle school boys bought the most rap tapes.) Clothing styles and language are two other ways that we tend to copycat the black comunity. When black people say “nigga” and it’s on tv and radio 24/7, then white people who don’t hate blacks but instead want to emulate them will start using the word, too. Sure, that isn’t right, but it is really, REALLY predictable.
In general, if don’t want people to do something around me, I refrain from doing it myself. It just makes sense to me that way.
you’re so right, jenny. the word ‘nigga’ pops in to my head all the time just from how much I hear it in hip-hop songs. if they don’t want white people to say it, they have to stop saying it themselves! it’s not possible for me to hear it as often as I do and not say/think it, even though I think black people are cool and have several black friends.
I don’t allow that word in my house. Period. I personally use it only when arguing against the use. It’s funny to me that many people argue that whites can also be considered “niggers” because that’s wrong. The etymology of the word itself tells us that it was developed to refer specifically to African slaves. I understand there’s an argument to take back the power of the word and make it non-offensive. But that doesn’t work, because the people who use the word to dehumanize blacks use the “They can say it, why can’t we?” argument to justify it’s usage.
That said, I don’t believe it’s my place to tell a black person not to use “nigga” when referring to other black folks. I have said and will continue to say that it’s their word from their history and they have had to live with it and so it is different when they use it. The same way that “bitch” is different when I refer to myself as opposed to someone else using it against me. Of course, that doesn’t stop me from telling black folks that they can’t use that word in my house. It’s a matter of respect.
But then I’ve said all this before, haven’t I? Almost got a rant out of me though.:)
“I personally use it only when arguing against the use.”
I only use it when quoting lines from “Blazing Saddles.”
I don’t try to tell black people that they shouldn’t say the word, I just try to point out that when they do, they help create their own problem.
I positively cringe whenever some white guy cries (like a freakin baby) “waaaah! waaaah! blacks can say the word, so why can’t I?? waaaah! waaah!”… (as a bloke at my work place more-or-less said the other day - the doofus).
I think that if you’re genuinely pining to use that word in your everyday life, then it’s time you took a good look at your life…
Unless (as Joe says) you’re quoting Slim Pickens in ‘Blazing Saddles’
I just want to make myself clear o one thing.
When say “I disagree with the “we can use the word because we’re black, but you can’t because you’re white” attitude”, I’m not saying I WANT to say the word or that white people should be allowed to. I’m just saying that the attitude is just another form of racism.
Agreed. Anyway, we’re all Africans if you go back far enough
Joe,
I don’t try to tell black people that they shouldn’t say the word, I just try to point out that when they do, they help create their own problem.
Some folks think that because I don’t allow the kids/adults to say that in my home that I’m all high and mighty and trying to do that. Personally, I don’t think anyone should say it at all. It’s like saying “Hey, my lowly non-human slave, what’s up?” Grrr.
And I realize that you’re not that way. No explanation needed.
Cheezy,
I think that if you’re genuinely pining to use that word in your everyday life, then it’s time you took a good look at your life…
Yup. But I think it’s more that certain people want to feel free to use it in public without rebuke.
And if you go ahead far enough we’re all going to be dirt in one form or the other.:)
You were suprised that they had Big Brother show in England?
Well here is another shocker for you - so do we in Slovenia and in almost every other European country.
It seems the reality show disease is spreading all around the World. That’s really sad. Sad for me, that is. Everyone else seems to be watching the shit.
If you are by any chance interested in link exchange, you can drop me a comment at http://photo-blogging.blogspot.com.
Keep blogging!
“It seems the reality show disease is spreading all around the World.”
See? We don’t need military action to take over the world. All we need is bad TV.
Howdy, Marko! Welcome to my humble spot. To answer your question, very much YES. Shoot, I was surprised we still had it. I was sure Europeans wouldn’t fall under the spell of that garbage. Ha! That show me, huh?
I’m so sick of “reality t.v.” That’s so going to be a rant soon. If I see one more game show or one more spin-off of “Survivor XXX” I’m going to throw my television out the window.
See? We don’t need military action to take over the world. All we need is bad TV.
Mwahaha!!!
Ok, Marko, I went to your site. I had to make sure there was no nonsense that I don’t want to bother with. I actually enjoy it. Very nice pictures. I will most definitely add you.