Nigger v. Nigga: Is There A Difference

Aye what's up my nigga! Nigga please or is it Nigger please? This word has long been debated, discussed and placed under constant scrutiny but is it really that bad? The term "originated" during the days of chattle slavery and was used intentionally to berate people of African descent. However within the last 30 years it has become a term of endearment amongst many African American youth and adults alike. The issue with this is, how can a group of people take such a derogatory saying and transform it into something acceptable. Sayings such as my nigga or I love my niggas makes it hard to criticize other races for using the expression as well.

The word NIGGA itself has a lot to do with race and when I say race I mean African Americans and Caucasians. That is the only reason it is an issue. Plenty of rappers use the word in their songs. For example (Jigga My Nigga, Real Nigga Roll Call, Down 4 My Niggas, Niggas Die For Me etc...) have been acceptable to play on radio and these videos have been broadcasted on tv screens across the nation. Who's to blame? The only time it becomes an issue is when someone outside of the color line uses the word or the frame in which they use it is compromised.

We have created this double standard within the black community that makes it acceptable for "us" to use it, but when a person of Caucasian descent uses the word it turns into a racial issue and in pops Al Sharpton. I have heard many of my friends say "well it's the manner in which it is used"...blah blah blah. As a people the only way we can overcome anything is to first look at the problem and solve it from the inside out. Meaning stop worrying so much about what another race is doing if we inflict it upon ourselves the majority of the time. I even know of people who allow other races to say the word as long as there is a friendship between the two parties. Backwards, backwards and backwards. We have to look in the mirror and evaluate ourselves if we want to point the blame at others. Check out these videos on the use of the word nigga/nigger and if you like reading pick up a copy of Nigger by Randall Kennedy!