I totally agree with you about the N word. Nothing changes the fact that it’s an ugly word used by anti-black racists (especially white racists) to denigrate black folks and remind us of what they consider “our place” which is at the bottom rungs of society. One big problem of our use of this word, even as one of “endearment,” is that people outside our race will never value us any more than we value ourselves. Therefore, they will look at us as “niggers,” and we will have only ourselves to blame. There are things we cannot control, but this is one area in which to take personal responsibility. I have noticed incidents where non-blacks tried to use the word in those endearment terms. One example was Jennifer Lopez while she was dating P Diddy, and someone in turn referred to her as a “red beans and rice eating bitch.” It was only because that person felt that we are the only ones with the right to use that word, not because he thought it was derogatory. I firmly believe that in not using it, we can avoid silly and pointless arguments with non-blacks or even each other as to whether a word loaded with so much historical negativity is appropriate for anyone to use. I also believe that these silly arguments are most likely to gin up racial animosity among potential allies in fighting for justice, and perpetuate it in folks who already assume the worst of us simply for being black.

I don’t think there’s a rapper who’s ever said the words nigger/nigga and/or bitch more than some males and females.

Your Sister in Nation Building,
M.