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If you’re black and you have white friends who greet you as ‘my nigger’ or ‘ma nigga’, then whether that bothers you or not is between you and your friends. I can understand people wanting to avoid using this word even as a form of endearment, due to its historically negative connotations. However, what is key here is how the word is being used, and the context in which a person is using it.

Personally, I don’t like to use the word even in a ‘friendly’ setting, despite many black people wanting to reclaim the term. I don’t think there is anything wrong with a non-black person (or anyone) saying, ‘Back in the day black people were often described as niggers’ or ‘I don’t like the usage of the word nigger.’ In this way, the word ‘nigger’ is not being used in a rude or derogatory context.

There are some non-black people who use the word nigger in a racist and disgusting context. That is clearly not alright. But, most non-racist white people generally don’t use the word nigger, even when explaining something, they say ‘N-Word.’ I do think that saying ‘N-Word’ is unnecessary when you are simply being descriptive, especially if you are simply relaying information.

We evoke meanings onto words, and using a word in a descriptive or non-prejudiced context is fine.

What about white rappers? Eminem has used the word nigger in his rap songs before. Again, it is about context. Eminem is not a racist so the context in which he uses the word ‘nigger’ or ‘nigga’ is down to him and whether or not his music team think that it is appropriate. Then again, there are many ways in which you can greet a friend or describe someone in a rap song without having to use the word ‘nigger’ or ‘nigga.’ If there are multiple other terms to use, like ‘brother’ or ‘fam’ or ‘dude’, then why not use one of them instead?

Overall, nigger is a horrible term, but I don’t think we can censor people from speaking in certain ways, as long as usage of such terms are not being used in a racist or derogatory manner. If the context is positive, descriptive, or used in a comedic setting to make light of a serious topic, then I see no issue with this. But I am not a ‘nigger’, a ‘negro’, a ‘half-caste’ or ‘half-paki’, and prefer not to be greeted as such.

About Post Author

zarinamacha

Zarina Macha is an award-winning independent author of five books under her name. In 2021, her young adult novel "Anne" won the international Page Turner Book Award for fiction. She also writes contemporary romance as Diana Vale. She is releasing "Tic Tac Toe" in 2023, a young adult dystopian satire of identity politics and social justice.
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