Is nigga an offensive word?

Question

RockyHammock · Accepted Answer

Think the "er" version is def considered offensive. The "a" version, however isn't offensive.

Can't believe people are getting so worked out over an innocent question. From what I saw, you didn't even post anything derogatory lmao

Berethor · Accepted Answer

N-Word Privileges Trope, Blacks can use this word freely because they Black, you not Black.

ShadezMcgee · Answer

Technically no. If we want to be real, the African American culture essentially reclaimed the word replacing it from the racial slur it was with the hard "er" at the end to make it into something more synonymous with addressing another individual in either a respectful way or as a way to address another person overall, kind of like "motherfucker, that guy, etc." So in theory, no. Issue is unless you are black you essentially need the permission to say it or you will probably get your teeth kicked in.

I personally don't give a shit at this point. I still see it as a slur, just spelled differently, but not worth the energy or time to get worked up over.

Kaneki05 · Answer

No such thing as a offensive word. All words are contextual in the way it's used aka why it's not offensive when some black guy say's it to another but then it when a white guy does. Because when a white guy does it, it's typical to be racist.
And of course I would argue if the context of which it was spoken wasn't to be racist then I don't get how the word is offensive at all. At that point it becomes just offensive to the person who say's it is rather than having a logic behind why it is. And there is a lot of people who do that with this word tbh.

Like someone will say it's offensive when someone sings in a song when I'm 100% willing to bet singing that song wasn't with the intent of racism.

relativelyamerican · Answer

I see so many people saying it isn’t offensive. That’s wrong. It was a term created for the express purpose of talking down to and making black people (slaves at that point) feel dehumanized and lesser than.

That argument that black people still use it all the time is irrelevant. If you’re not black, don’t say it. Simple as that. Though your intention may not be to offend anyone, you’re the one in a billion case there. The other 999,999,999 times that it’s said by a person who is not black, it’s offensive and unnecessary.

TheorionMage · Answer

There is a quote from  'Jaberwoky'  which goes:  "Words mean no more nor less, than I intend them to have; it is a matter of WHO is to be the Master..."  The ebonic common noun "Nigga" is a low-born corruption of the geographic word  'Niger'  (as in  originally  someone whose ethnic ancestory hails from the Affrikans region of Niger)  Often derrogatorily applied  as a class status inference , to those whose tribal ancestors became enslaved into servitude through POW inter-tribal conflict.  On SOME occasions it is used as a street slang coloquealism meant to express peer solidarity,  though rarely intended or applied as such. MUCH is determined by HOW  and WITH WHAT intonation  it is evoked~ Its meant to evoke an intuitively-strong response.

Vegasrunner · Answer

To white people because they face repercussion for saying it publicly. It's actually an acronym

Never Ignorant Getting Goals Accomplished Always.

However most Americans regardless of color struggle w/ viewing AA as three deminsional humans, and believe that they dictate the context of all vernacular.

You're asking because u heard it in a song, and it's taboo for you and your social circle so now you're seeking an excuse to justify why someone else can do something that you're not allowed to.

Red-Blaze · Answer

As many thing depends on context
Jts not what you say its how you say it
Nad many words are like that

Bitch can be both
Fuck can be both
Slut can be both

Overall there very few words if at all that are really offin I've on them self, its who says it and where they say it that makes the changes

Breanna_nonbinary · Answer

Yes. And it always amazes me that in the black community it’s accepted as normal speech. If the black community is so enraged when other cultures or people use that word then they shouldn’t be using it either. If we want words to die then we need to stop using it in everyday speech. I don’t see other Asians and say what’s up Jap.

Chazmatazz269 · Answer

I don’t take offense to words. Mostly only children and the perpetual victims do. I take offense to ignorance and attitude. Most people who don’t profit from one or the other do as well. If you use any word with the wrong attitude, or ignorance, it can cause problems and it often does.

Tenebrae_mentis · Answer

It depends on who is using it. The word is a slang version of a racial slur. So it is highly offensive if used by anyone outside of the race that it was intended to harm, as that group has taken the word and use it in a different way. In other words, it's not offensive (to the vast majority of people) if used by a black person. It is extremely offensive (to the vast majority of people) if used by anyone else.

Youryeodongsaeng · Answer

With the hard R, it's disrespectful. I don't see it as offensive if anyone other than black calls a black person that (with the A, of course), trying to be friendly and try to fit in. Why? Because there were no ill intentions. I don't see it as something that should get you so upset to the point where you assault the person. I see it as something that you can just say, "No, don't do that." No need for violence, sheesh.

D_Bone_Steak · Answer

It's just a word... but the word is so policed that I would be afraid to use it on a site like this or say facebook for instance. It has a racial context that people will try to figure out your race if you use it.

I love using it online to play video games and everybody just assumes I'm black and gives me a pass. Not as easy to get away with though when I use the hard "R" 😂

Amy10223 · Answer

Yes, it's an offensive word to describe a person of a race, just like the words "honky", "cracker", "spic", or "chink".

Anonymous · Answer

Go to an all African-American Gym, ask this question & I guarantee a white-trash bitch like yourself, will get an answer (in under 5 seconds).

nudetru · Answer

ya I think for white blue collar professionals sure..

ever one else needs to remember context in which the word is spoken .. to. whom by whom.

but since it's pop cultural injection into mainstream... no one should bat a eyelash over is use by anyone

yet I'd still tread carefully

HippieVeganJewslim · Answer

Na, bra. Nigga means friend. It’s just sad how non-rhotic people say nigga and n***er the same way, and get in trouble many times. K***, g¥π$¥, c****er, Yìd (nu, not really, if You’re speaking Yiddish), etc actually are offensive, and I ain’t sure about redneck.

purplepoppy · Answer

The answer is are you using it with the purpose of offending?

Mayo503 · Answer

Wow…
That’s all depends on who is using it
You hear people saying it to themselves to brothers but they use it against the other people for saying it…..
So in my view it’s a no
But you will get people to say yes
So who’s right or wrong?

chronic22 · Answer

If some African can call me nigga when he's mad I should be able to do the same or nobody should be able to say it it's just some dumb word that nobody likes to be called I bet some racist made up the word and now it's black peoples favorite word to say when they are mad talk about racism I can't even anger a African without getting called a nigga

Guardian45 · Answer

Yes, " Nigga  is a colloquial and vulgar term used in African-American Vernacular English that began as a dialect form of the word n**, an ethnic slur against black people. The word is commonly associated with hip hop music and African-American gang culture."

Ms_Facesitter · Answer

Not for me, but when you're not black, people are going to be offended when hearing the word. Because of the past. But black people use it among themselves just to acknowledge eachother, confusing.

Givemeanswersplease · Answer

It's the same as calling a white person melanin deficient, mayo dripping, wet dog smelling, peckerwood, cracker. Only difference is nigga is a common word used among a lot of black people, that would take offense if someone else said it that was not black. Last time I checked I never heard white people calling each other melanin deficient, mayo dripping, wet dog smelling, peckerwood crackers like it is normal.

Anpu23 · Answer

It is inherently racist, regardless of who is using the word. As in one case it is exclusive to skin color (only we can use it because of the color of our skin) and the other it is an insult based on race.

RolandCuthbert · Answer

It is offensive to the people who are offended by it.  How can a slur be offended to everyone? I can be called the slur for Chinese people and never think twice about it.

Sour-rose · Answer

Honestly no. I use it all the time as you might see around here. Not because I'm allowed, it's because there's a difference between "black guy"  and n*gga. trust me. :)

melanieeeB · Answer

Yes. That you even have to ask this. Go read about slavery in American history.

Being_a_good_Indian · Answer

In the English language, the word n** is an ethnic slur used against black people, especially African Americans

lightbulb27 · Answer

It depends on the context and who is saying it.  I hear this in the basketball court, I find it annoying.

Fromdusktilldawn · Answer

What I slqays find funny is how American black people call each other n**, like "Yo n** whats up" 😅 but when a white person says "Yo n** whats up" everyone takes out a gun or knife

ShyKI · Answer

During black history month though? you had to ask.. smh lol

AviatorTom · Answer

It depends on the individual. Some people consider everyday words offensive. I personally would not use that word.

Anonymous · Answer

Yes! I don't care what race you are, it's considered an offensive word. I don't even like other black people calling me that! If someone is bothered by it, don't use it.

welcomemen · Answer

Yes, it is because it is generally used as an insult.

Deliciouscookies · Answer

It will be most places in the world, including I imagine the USA.

snowboarder720 · Answer

Definitely, yes. There’s no reason why you would think it’s not offensive.

20yearsolder · Answer

It is to some people. I don't think any word is offensive.

Anonymous · Answer

I think it is, I got so offended when I got called one, even though the person who called me one said he just meant 'bro' like i don't think so..

Anonymous · Answer

I don't believe the term was ever meant to be racist. It was just pronounced wrong.

NostalgiaSenpi · Answer

I see it as a bastardization of a word that is considered offensive in certain context. If I were to say it, it would probably be taken to offense.

CateM · Answer

It depends on the individual, but I don't say that word

DarkLegacy · Answer

Apparently it is very offensive to call black people that, but i hear it in so many songs that are sung by black singers so...

KostasKouvalis · Answer

I think it depends on the context. Don't apologize to these snowflakes. It's these constant apologies that lead to cancel cultures.

tfan1 · Answer

Damn right it is. And I say it shouldn’t be said at all. What’s the difference between the a and the er? To me they are one and the same.

Dargil · Answer

I find it annoying like any other ethnic slur. Mine is  Mick .

SmokinAces2000 · Answer

You would think that questions like these should be a no brainer

rabbitzzz · Answer

Oh no this site is going down. Do you have a N word pass?

Anonymous · Answer

It depends on who is using it and the context it’s used in.

Anonymous · Answer

Its racist. Unless you're black. Then, somehow, it's not racist at all. And THAT isn't racist because only non-black people can be racist.

Anonymous · Answer

Meh, I don’t care. I used to drop it casually just as a reflection of where I was raised. Now a days tho I don’t. Just because I never did it to be offensive.

Cubus · Answer

Snoop Dogg uses this word all the time, and he's Black So I would say no

PainusNdeeAnus · Answer

Who is this offensive to? Because the people it’s supposed to offend say it the most 😂

Jerre · Answer

Yes, very offensive when white people use it.

Alex8736 · Answer

in older editions of Merriam Webster the definition of the word meant "ignorant"

jimmy2 · Answer

Only if a white person says it and that's a doubled standard so we have to hear 2 blacks nigga this nigga that

Anonymous · Answer

Why don't you go up to a black person and ask them

Anonymous · Answer

My wife calls me that in bed. It’s pretty hot, I’m not gonna lie.

Anonymous · Answer

Why would you wanna know this? Are you getting pumped by a BBC?

Justneedtokno · Answer

Yes, if and when used by the wrong person

Anonymous · Answer

Not when it’s said by another black. Non blacks shouldn’t use this word.

Pegases · Answer

It depends on who uses it, and why.

HumeyraHaktanır · Answer

No, I don't think so

Is nigga an offensive word?

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