Why do black people like to give themselves nicknames?

[Sevenpointfive]

[Telekinetic-Potato]

Because black people are naturally untrusting. Many of them grow up in dangerous areas so they use nicknames so not to give out their "government" names.

It was originally meant to be a way to protect your family in case you got caught up in something.

As time went on and gangsters became more famous, some people had names that were pretty cool. Keep in mind, not all gangsters act the part. Many tried to just act like regular people of the community and use their charisma to avoid unwanted attention. Which is also related to the phenomenon in black culture known as "giving back" where someone who becomes successful by legal or illegal means, provides funding or assistance to homeless, children and other suffering individuals from the area they grew up in, usually starting with the people who showed kindness to them when they were suffering in their youth.

For other young black people, the nicknames don't carry just the connotations of illegal activities, it also carries the charisma and the values the person with the nickname presents to others, even if the persons actions go against what they preach.

Now it is common for black people to create their own nickname or be given one to make a statement about their values or to pick something they feel is stylish. Usually something that denotes their status or where they're from, giving them the ability to assign their own meaning and write their own story.

[argot]

If you're doing crime you try to hide your real name.

[laly520]

many give emselves nicknames not only black people

[Sevenpointfive]

that's not my question

[Dargil]

Oh Nooooooh! My wife is a Resident Alien!!!
https://th.bing.com/th/id/OIP.0R0uwgEKhG40di5UmTW8HQHaJ4?w=125&h=180&c=7&r=0&o=5&dpr=1.1&pid=1.7

[Sevenpointfive]

you're a lucky dude!!

[RebelinSteel]

Everyone gets a nickname, it’s a sort of right of passage. It’s not colour specific.

[Sevenpointfive]

but they don't give themselves nicknames, they are given

[RebelinSteel]

Nope, people actually give themselves nicknames, try working in pretty much an all male environment. Guys will give themselves something rather than just being called Smithy, they will go for Boondog, Trader, Ghost (a mate of mine who got fed up with Mouse),

[Sevenpointfive]

i think that depends on if they're respected or not. most nicks are given as a joke. like my two friends pebbles and bones. pebbles because a shitball ran out of his pant leg one time and bones because he was skinny

[itsclearlynicholas]

I'm white and been called Big Nick, Nickelodeon, Nick with a Big ,----, you name it

[Sevenpointfive]

do you swing your nick around?

[ab2shifty]

Yeah I’m actually big black

[Sevenpointfive]

that must suck being white

[ab2shifty]

Nah I earned that nickname 😎

[Sevenpointfive]

i hope it's not bruised lol

[electromagnetic]

Do most people not?

[Sevenpointfive]

i don't think so. most non-black people are satisfied with their regular names. but prove me wrong. what is your nickname?

[electromagnetic]

Lefty luna cause I had a hard time growing up with learning to do this with my right hand (culturally) instead of just my dominant hand left.

[Sevenpointfive]

well played. you'll get right someday