Nigger.

~2pac-Souljah’s Revenge~

…so my boy posts a question on his face book status:

In honor of today being Juneteenth, I will ask this question. How do you feel about the word NIGGER/NIGGA in 2009? Is it a word people take too seriously or do people not take it seriously enough?

i jumped in the discussion and for the first time was able to articulate (as best i could) how i feel about its use, and why  at this point in my life (i’m aware time may bring change) i feel no qualms using it.

to simplify things, i’ll just re-post. starting with my original reply to the question:

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a word is a word, its all about the context in which it’s used. to eliminate the word nigger is to actually give it more power. it exists deep within the roots of american history, and as long as there are descendants of [american] slaves, the word nigger will be forever on the conscious of the world and on the lips of various races. even if it were to never be uttered again. to look in the eyes of another man and know he is THINKING nigger is no different then him [or you/i] saying it. what people really want, but rarely articulate, is for there to be less niggerish behavior. and THAT comes with educating our young and drawing a bridge between the past and the future.

on a personal note: i’d prefer the word to remain because it is a memorial site for the atrocities of the african diaspora. even if some use the word unknowingly.

either way…before we can eliminate its use, the country AS A WHOLE would have to have serious dialogue about our past. very few of us, however, have the stomach for that.

a response:

“…And Matthew a memorial for a word that symbolizes the torture of my ancestors mind,bodies and soul is blasphemous… Like a woman degrading a man’s sexual performance and him saying “hey girl let’s frame that up in a plaque….”