Terms Of Endearment

Ok White people let’s get this straight once and for all, you cannot use the N word just because you hear some Black people using it. The Paula Deen debate over her use of the word has brought to the surface some the most stupid ignorant arguments I’ve heard in a long time. Paula and her supporters claim to be confused as they say that they hear Black people using the word all the time. First of all, no you don’t. Contrary to what people may have you believe, in the black community the use of the N word is not as common as ants at a picnic and is a heavily debated argument. I don’t understand why you are so anxious to use the word anyway, are you a rapper or a wannabe thug? And come on, let’s stop playing stupid there is no double standard. You all know full well the offensive history of the word so stop trying to compare calling someone a white boy or a honky as being equally offensive as the N word. As far as the derogatory term cracker I have never used the word. In fact the first time I heard it used was when George Jefferson said it on an episode of The Jeffersons back in the 80s. It’s an archaic term from the early 20th century and frankly never received much use outside of the Deep South. Regardless, none of these terms carry the same weight or historical baggage as the N word.

In a recent interview with Piers Morgan, Rachel Jeantel who provided witness testimony for the prosecution in the Zimmerman trial, unsuccessfully attempted to explain the difference between the terms nigger and nigga. She stated that the term nigger was racist yet nigga was a term that could be used to describe any man, regardless of color…ok. Look, I know she was attempting to make a valid point and no offense intended but this woman has trouble articulating a thought to let you know she needs to use the restroom so why would anyone take her opinion as a statement of fact?  At any rate the poster boy for fat bigoted puffy faced racist white men, Rush Limbaugh, has decided based on Ms. Jeantel’s statement that he has a pass to toss out the word nigga like the first pitch of the World Series and did so repeatedly yesterday on his radio show. He also stated he would hereafter refer to the Chinese man at his Laundromat as his nigga beginning with his next visit and would use the term freely with any man he may encounter going forward…seriously, I would gladly contribute to a fund to have this man just disappear. And don’t get me started on the stereotypical racist implications of a Chinese Laundromat, it really must take some effort to remain that racist.  But you can’t blame him he’s simply fulfilling his job description, which is to exploit racism and white resentment and appeal to his racists listening base. Of course he says nigga on the air but if he’s so eager to as he says, “rightfully use the word” he’s free to walk into the middle of any inner city housing project located in any major city and scream it at the top of his lungs…no guarantee he’ll live to tell about it but that could take care of that disappearance fund.

Now I’ve been known to drop the N bomb now and then but I also understand the term discretion. I don’t walk into an office meeting with a room full of white people and holler to the lone Black in the room, “James my nigga, wassup?” I understand where the word came from and how it was used to demean and degrade Black people and to keep us in our place.  I’m aware of how those who fought and died for civil rights would cringe at how freely the word is used today among Black people. But I also know that not all Black people think alike as some would have you believe and there are differing opinions on the use of the word within the community. In fact attempts by the NAACP to officially bury the word brought about varying views but did nothing to extricate the word and the argument continues. What Rachel Jeantel attempted to convey is that my nigga, f**k you nigga, nigger please or damn, that nigger got game are often terms of endearment and are ultimately different when recited by a Black person. It doesn’t matter whether you think you can use it as a term of endearment as well because quite simply, you can’t. So, yes White, people there are words Black people can use that you can’t but you’ve got the whole white male, birthright entitlement, institutionalized racism thing down to a science…so get over it.