Why is "nigga" acceptable from a black person as opposed to a non-black person?

Question

I know this is controversial so I apologise if I offended anyone.

Don't get me wrong, I am personally not a fan of using the "nigga" word and cringe whenever people use it. I have become accustomed to think that it is a rather racist term and that if I say it, I am being disrespectful. But when I hear those words being thrown around in rap songs these days, I can't help but wonder out of frustration why this word still even exists.

ConstantlyIntrigued · Accepted Answer

Historically, non-blacks used it to demean and "dehumanize" black people during slavery and then segregation etc. Sadly some still use that word in that way🙄
Now I asked my black friends this sometime ago cause I was curious too and they said that basically black people kinda turned it into a positive thing. Instead of something that made them feel like shit and inferior based on something so superficial. Skin color. Also treated as such because of it 😕
If a non-black person says it its kinda like history repeating itself in a way. Not all blacks are offended by it but its a sensitive thing. I wouldn't say it ever just to be safe and also respectful. Where ever I read or hear it, like in a meme or song, I just replace it with "dude", "guy", "bitch", etc.
My freshman year, we read To Kill A Mocking Bird. The N-word wad in there A LOT so my teacher just said say "n-word" and everyone did. I mean no one was comfortable saying the actual word anyway so🤷‍♀️
My brother uses the word a lot... it annoys me. Especially since my oldest half brother married a black woman who has a son from a prev marriage and then had a bootiful mixed baby😍😄so I honestly dont know why hed do something so stupid... but then again... he is pretty... dim..😂🤷‍♀️

seekingadvice90 · Accepted Answer

I think this will help:

MrMysteryMan · Accepted Answer

I'm not a fan either and I'm black. But the understanding is that when a black guy/girl says to another, say, "my nigga", there is a moment of understanding of the oppression that we share because of that word associated with blacks. So then it's more of blacks try to lessen that oppressive connotation of the word and make it more of a euphemism of, "I'm your brother in cultural stigma and oppression so I know what you are going through and so you are my brotha from anotha motha", if that makes sense.

Some others just say to it that if I get called it enough, it must be true so might as well accept it and embrace the hate, if you get what I mean. It's all in the attempt to psychologically lessen the weight of the word on the culture. Make it more of a norm than a weapon and reverse the damaging affect.

But I know what it means really, and it really isn't something specific to a black person. It was just used for blacks back then because it means ignorance and uneducated, which is what blacks were kept as during the slave days. So that description stuck for them.

GreedyGiver651 · Accepted Answer

I see too many falsr reasons to let this go uncommented.

No matter what the outside view of how pointless or hypocritical it is. It's a reclaiming. For decades it was used to put down and belittle black people. Hell, it only really changed policy around the 60-70s in America. So when black people use it, in anyway they want, they are taking the power of that term for themselves.

Other races can say anything they want about it, say it doesn't make sense or it's defeting the purpose or unfair that they get to say it. It doesn't matter, it's not your word and if all black people want is equality and equal treatment, consider it lucky. With the decades of systematic oppression and hate, it could be a lot worse.

Oh, I'm white by the way, so I'll clarify for anyone who wants to use that as fual for lashing back.

IonHat · Answer

Because of mankind's unsurpassable stupidity. People are willing to let a resonance of sounds affect them enough to send them into a rage simply because it was used in a negative manner once in history. These people still live in the times of plantation and "suffer" through everything the actual slaves suffered even though they are what, 200 years apart?
This trend of self victimisation has even lost it's logical foundation since they don't even know where the word n** comes from. In one of the more common languages in Africa "niga" is what the beggars say when they ask for money. The colonialists heard that since as they passed through colonizing the land they appeared rich and wealthy in various ways. This would mean that the colonialists would hear the word niga all the time and eventually, without knowing the meaning of the word, they decided to call the natives niggers.
Anyone who thinks that the creation of the word n** was like so "Oh boy! Let me think of a way to suppress these people. Ha, how about I call them niggers!" is obviously incapable of critical thinking and should be denied their right to vote.
Lastly blacks are hypocrites. If this word symbolises oppression then why tf would they call each other "nigga" all the bloody time...

jaydtre · Answer

Kinda like gays calling each other faggot or women calling each other’s bitches/cunts, none of those groups of people wants anyone not like them calling them those slurs.

Your ever notice family members talking shit about one another, but the minute a non family member chimes in everyone gives that person the stank face lol

It’s all about culture at the end of the day, if you’re on the outside looking in then you’re probably wondering why you can’t say it. Why do you think no ordinary person can become Jewish?

Kweencelene · Answer

In my opinion coming from someone who lives in the westcoast. We are in 2018 . hellooooo. Yes back then they would refer to African Americans as Niggers or negro whatever.. I feel they use it so whoever dislikes African American can see that it doesn't bother them. They are no longer slaves. They are passed that. I use it , I guess it's just how we talk out here but not anyone can say it lol I can say it around my black friends they call me a nigha too. It's all a reflection of what YOU portray.. because i see nothing wrong with it. Now if a racist or some ignorant person calls an African American a n** then there might be some problems.

doogo · Answer

I have been saying this for years. We are the only group who still refers to ourselves as what the slave masters used to label us as. They said nigga too. Southerners back then didn't have the proper southern talk they do now. We are only carrying on the legacy of the slave master. If they were alive they would be laughing their ass off at this shit. "We got he the niggers to say it in their music lol" . It needs to stop. It's really embarrassing. Especially when we get mad at each other Nigga this nigga that and so on. I think everyone should start saying it so my people can wake up and realize its not right. I call the D. N. S.
Dumb nigga syndrome.

rednekreeder · Answer

It's because in our society some people still believe that the color of your skin enables/denies you rights to curtain things. Black people are allowed to say it because they were called it, is the usually excuse. And because their ancestors were the ones who were being oppressed, therefore they have a right to say it. Honestly I think that's bullshit. I mean my ancestors were called a whole bunch of names (I'm Irish) but if I went around and just put an A on the end of it, people would still be pissed. Look I say don't say it. Black people should stop conflating it, and everyone should stop using it. Just say bud, friend, pal, you. All work the same

Jeffreeyy · Answer

In my country a lot and i talk about a looootttt of black people are just butthurt. I am not racist at all. I have brown friends black friends half half friends. I admire the Asian race, so i dont think anyone can call me racist. But a white person using nigga makes me just like you cringe. But no matter if the person is black white yellow or whatever if they talk like some rapper, i get this feeling of rage building inside of me. I am no intelect myself nor am i a master of my native language or the English language but why can't 80 percent of the people our age can't speak as if they never had real parenting or whatever? I guess it dont matter since i will move to japan within a few years😂

deric_97 · Answer

I'm not even a black person but ni🅱️🅱️a should mostly be used by black people because it's kinda "degrading'. But it's fine for blacks because there's both black. It's equal. But when you use it, you ain't the same as them. You don't know what their life in the hood is like, you don't know their life, and yet you calling out to them as if you've known them your whole life. It can be equated to randomly calling a stranger, "we're best friends!'. They'd think you mentally ill, but with the "N' word, it's just much worse. That's all.

Introvert94 · Answer

I don't tolerate being called that word from blacks and especially non blacks. That word to me is no different than the one with er at the end. In black English, plenty of words have always been pronounced differently (ebonics) and it's basically the same word. We all know the history of that word. Racism still exists, this isn't one big, equal world. Blacks are some of the most exploited people on the planet. So when non blacks say it, it's like saying I'm less. When blacks say it, it's like saying we're trapped in the system together. But I don't ever use the word and no one should.

anon907 · Answer

I roll the r around my black friends, they know we are homies, they like to see other white crackers' reaction when I, a white male say niggerr to a black person. I also call them brothas and white people get offended.

I never understood why black calling black n** is fine but not if white calls black n**.
My n** friends call me cracker and i don't take offense, cause I know them, they chill af. My white friends are like what? He called you a cracker and you're not even offended?

No that's where rasism will end, when we can call each other whatever the hell we feel like, and no one takes offence. When we don't stereotype people based on race.

Never ever ever in your life
Never say the word n** or cracker in the same sentence when you are saying something about how good or bad they are/did something.

tiny2013 · Answer

Because white people used that term towards us in a derogatory way for centuries. We basically reclaimed that word in a symbolic way to reclaim the power that white people held over us. Therefore it’s offensive when whites use it because it echos former times when blacks were treated as if they were a sub-human species. However it is ok for blacks to use it towards one another because we have overcome the struggles that others imposed on us for so long.

rightly · Answer

Do you even know what that word means it has nothing to do with color the meaning of that word means ignorant so if you sit around and you watching now they're talking to each other what's up nigga they don't even know the true meaning of it or else I don't think they be calling themselves ignorant that's just a nice way of putting it's like a fucking retard it's like stupid just another word to say it and that explains why it's acceptable by them and I'd be kinda upset too if somebody called me a retard or fucking idiot or ignorant but yeah I'll look it up itsfunneh cuz when you hear him say it to each other that's just like you walking up to your friend being like what's up stupid or hey you fucking retard are you ignorant piece of shit that's what the word means

Anonymous · Answer

I don’t like the term either but it’s because it is a slur that they have reclaimed similar to how gay people reclaimed the slur queer and it’s acceptable for them to use it but not for non-gays too. Also the n word obviously has a very painful, violent history from slavery to lynchings to Jim Crow era violence to modern day hate crimes and so I don’t think white people have a say in who can the say the n word or in what context because regardless I think it is wrong for white people to use that word.

VaIiant · Answer

I used to live in LA up until last year, and it was heavily populated by blacks/Mexicans. Even the white people called everyone “nigga”. I’ve never liked it, and have always seen it as an extremely disrespectful, racist curse.

Borrkan · Answer

if you enjoy sucking cocks and everyone knows that you can't hurt someone by calling them a cocksucker however you can use it for a joke or embracing to someone. So the word nigga is considered to be the swear word that aims to hurt when it is coming from a white fella but an embracing word when it comes from a black person (embrace maybe the wrong word, excuse my english)

baddiebunny · Answer

Think of it this way the only reason you wanna say is because you see black people saying it. You only wanna say it because you’re favorite black rappers are saying it. It’s a word only black people use because it’s a way to embrace someone of their own group. Someone of a different race wanting to say it because they think it makes them co is pathetic

Disrev · Answer

It's just silly that some words can trigger someone that bad no matter the context. If I call someone I don't like a cunt is totally different from me calling a friend of mine cunt. The same should be applied to that word. If I say it in the context of a song or a news article or whatever, It shouldn't trigger people. But hey I don't live in the US so I don't understand what's going on over there.

Isaack · Answer

The word from which is derived was used in a time of slavery, and has since been considered a hate word, so nobody uses it unless they’re some rabid monster in a hate group like the KKK. The way the current derivative is used is as a word exclusively for black people (regardless of ethnic origin). So if you encounter someone using this word, and you aren’t black, then you are now excluded from the conversation. Feel free not to listen to that person anymore.

Cwazzycwafter · Answer

I don’t really get it either. Saying it with a hard R is what should be considered bad, if you should consider it bad at all. What we ought to be doing is saying it so much that the actual value of the word is dropped to becoming equivalent of saying “fuck.” If you call it a bad word, then you are giving it the power that you wish to keep people away from.

DabbingSquid · Answer

Best thing I can think of is this, The Game in a song says, "The word n** is nothing like nigga, they don't sound shit alike like game like jigga. One came before the other like aim and pull the trigger. One is slang for my brother, one is hanging take a picture." A word is nothing more than that, a word. With that being said, it's either all okay or none of it is okay, we can't cherry pick what words we want to censor and which ones we want to keep.

lovedejj_xo · Answer

Watch this video...

Lea96 · Answer

Nigga comes from the word n** which means an ignorant person , it's what white people used to call their black slaves it was used in a derogatory manner. Which is why i think black people wouldn't like hearing it from white people.
Personally I'm against this word in general i don't think anyone should use that word but oh well

_pearl_ · Answer

That is what I always wandered I mean they can call each other that word but when a non African American says it It's "Racist." I don't think they truly understand the meaning behind that word correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't that word used by slave owners?

Anonymous · Answer

White people can't say it because there ancesters used it to belittle and demoralize black people in the past, there's just too much hurt and history behind the word. It's literally just common decency to just not use it and the that fact that certain white just can't help them selves from saying it or get offended when they can't or offended when they hear other black people say it I find very hilarious. Black people can say it because black people do what they do best when they are faced with adversity, they use it to there advantage and make it cool AF. Lol the master gave them pig intestine to survive on and they put hot sauce on it and called it chitlines for God sakes! and it's really not that bad if cooked right. lol if it weren't for systemic racism and certain aspects of our culture black people would flourish beyond belief.

Anonymous · Answer

Because blanks are insulted no matter what you call em. Call em black man how are you? They say you fucking racist.
Call em niggar thy say you insulted me.
Call them white man they say you asshole do I look white.

So what can we call em then a chimp or Bigfoot?

I'm talking about those who feel insulted I'm not targeting all blacks. I know this message will be reported and deleted because you are not allowed to talk about two different stupidity anywhere on social media. One you can't say a word about how false Islam is an second never talk about a black. I blacks insult us or Muslims destroy us it's all FINE.

Rizack · Answer

In my language "negro" has never been a bad word, it's out dialectical word for black. Damn, there are a lot of songs or products with that word in it made by white people and no one ever got offended by it. "Amaro Montenegro", or the song Watussi, where there are the "altissimi negri" (really tall niggas).
For us Italians has never been a bad word, so don't point on us if we still use it in our dialect

Nakthesnack · Answer

see black people use it as A play on the word. like it used to be offensive and now we over came and made it a sign of endearment and to show that it cannot affect us any more. but when a non black person does it, it just feels like they are mocking us. I personally try to refrain from using the word but when I hear people using it negatively especially a non black person it becomes offensive. I hope that doesn't confuse you i tried my best to explain

EvilPimp · Answer

I think non black people say it because they want to be black , at least the trendy positive aspects of black people, but they don't want the negative aspects. For example a non black person will listen to rap and "act black", but when its time to face the judge , police, or interview for a job they all of a sudden turn back into being the race they were.

vald9inches · Answer

Because they are racist and don't accept white people into their black club!

ZanyInternetName · Answer

Because the idea is that blacks cannot be racist against blacks (which is bullshit, by the way, since those are very diverse).

I personally don't have any problem with the word n** and still use it as an equivalent to the word "dude".

Saoirse1122 · Answer

First off: you do not have to apologize for causing offence. Second: black people use every racial slur in the book therefore it is perfectly acceptable to say n** even as an oppressive white man. 3rd: free speech. 4th endearment. 5th: fuck double standards. End of story.

BirdFly · Answer

White guilt and niggas being uneducated. Call me white trash idc.  This comment will be removed by gag mods becausr there is "nigga" in it. Ignorance...

james770 · Answer

It's acceptable for either. Some people are still living in the past. I live where there are more black than white people. So everyone can say it. Depending on how they use it. If they use it as a derogatory term, then yes it's bad. But as in greeting someone it doesn't matter.

SmartGirl92 · Answer

I cringe when I hear it to... except in songs! I don't know why, it just seems to fit within certain lyrics. Which I do sing that part without bleeping myself. Should I also bleep myself when curse words are said in lyrics?

Goliathena · Answer

I live in New Zealand and an Asian called me nigga and I jumped on him and scratched TF out of his mouth. So every time he sees his scar on his cheek in the mirror it can be a reminder not to use that word again in any country!

Farzam · Answer

Its like a self-promotion of long era of slavery and racism... even black people in other lands rather than the US which never experienced those days, today do it. may be it is the side effect of how white people treated colored people durion colonialization era. Like a tradition of Modernism. Jewish people also have kind of that behaviour cause of antisemetism. So generally speaking may be it is an influence of suppression after getting rid of it which remains among next generations.

rooster529 · Answer

i think either version of the word is acceptable by any race, and also frowned by any race. to me its dependant on the context and usage. if used as greeting or lyrics or history text than its ok, however used in a demeaning or derogatory way is wrong.

XIcExRainsX · Answer

N*gger and Nigga are 2 different words one is ignorant while the other in African American culture is a term of endearment like buddy, bro , friend its not like we say wassup n*gger to 1 another as for why its frowned apon by non blacks using it that really depends on the person like me I don't really care as long as you're not calling me n*gger you're fine its all in how you use it really.

bad_ollie · Answer

because when coming from someone outside of the community uses it, its feels intrusive/invasive. most people dont care (like me) but its usually better to be on the safe side

madgoat · Answer

You might consider that they use it to take ownership of a previous racial slur. Like the gates use queer.  I'm not sure that's the case here though.

ThreeSevensSalvo · Answer

It should be used by everyone and more often until it loses its' sting as far as I'm concerned.

UltimateGohan · Answer

Coz..

sophia141 · Answer

To be honest. I don't accept it either way. Even if people tell me that I have the card to because I'm of color but I hate that word.

davidrees · Answer

They aren't the first oppressed communiy to repurpose a derogatory term and take ownership of it, e. g. gay men calling each other queens or faggots.

Angelicmonster · Answer

I assume that word has been appropriated by the black community as a way of changing it original down putting slur it was created to be. When other groups use it the original intent may be in the minds of the people who you used it on

Leafpool2 · Answer

It's reclaiming the ugly history of it for themselves. A bit like how gay people use queer.

thebadwolfe · Answer

I live in the south and as long as you're not using that hard "er", most people, black or non-black say it around one another like it's nothing.

gclark2708 · Answer

It's what Black slaves were called I think sadly, so the word basically belongs to Black people.
I hate hearing it in real life but in a series or something I'm okay with it unless it's really excessive

Malita55 · Answer

Because it’s considered like a friendly thing between black people but considered offensive from a white persona

Anonymous · Answer

Its cause when a regular white person uses nigga there is a double meaning under their thoughts. When a black person uses it, they use it as a positive thing. To me I'm cool with nigga just I hate people adding the -er at the end.

opinoinsofk · Answer

The word means nothing.. I'm African American and hearing other races say nigga bothers me NONE! If anything it shows childishness.. for those using or being offended

Guanfei · Answer

Because clack people love to complain, to pass as the victims. And it's just another excuse. Nowadays you can't do or say anything concerning black people without risking a riot in front of your home.

Anonymous · Answer

that word was originated for you to keep us under And when we use it, we know that's just how we greet each other And when you use it, we know there's a double meaning under

mrspaceman · Answer

They aren't the same word. It's about how you say it, tone of voice.

DevikaButts95 · Answer

Because people are racists so they think it's okay to have a racial double standard.

Safa01 · Answer

Because then both are black. But yes double standard and I think it sounds uneducated nobody who uses it.

false · Answer

ni🅱🅱as know that when a white person says it they got the right to be angry at him and when they say it to a white person it doesn't matter because its their word anyway

Opinionated_ · Answer

There is a difference between calling someone the n word and calling your friend “my ni**a” it is not racist if not used in a derogatory manner. I use it when talking to my good friends in a good way and not a bad way

PAWSTTG · Answer

I I think it's mainly because people think that only white people can be racist. Which is a racist thing to think.

Dread1987 · Answer

Personally, I try to keep the word out of my vocabulary unless I'm quoting something. The word is offensive regardless of how you use it (with an "er" or with an "a").

MarkTheory · Answer

This post really expose the ignorance and twisted view of black people. Only replies I've seen state how ALL black people think and act the same. I'm black and I never say it. I prefer no one say it

Why is "nigga" acceptable from a black person as opposed to a non-black person?

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Is it disrespectful to say 'nigga' as a white person?

Why is "nigga" acceptable from a black person as opposed to a non-black person?

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Is it disrespectful to say 'nigga' as a white person?

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