Those who want to use it, need it to be a part of their lexicon because of the Imperial nature that is an underpinning of the wider "American" culture.  It's another example of culture appropriation. It won't be okay until they are able to use it in the colloquial way that some of us may.

 

What they need to understand is that because of the origin of the word and the venom that was imbued in it and the hate that still informs its use against us (whether they claim they are using the -a vs -er ending), it will NEVER be okay for a white person to say to a Black/Afro-origin person. Never. Ever.

 

This is one area, no matter how much they want to police what WE do within our own cultural/ethnic circle and how much debate WE have about it internally, that will never be open for discussion or consideration for non-US to use. Say it to me, about me or mine or those of my group, and you go no further with me.

 

I almost committed an extremely violent act against a man the very first time i was ever called that. I was 23. I had my 'The Club' in my hand. 
 

The word carries that much history when used by white people and they know it. That's why those who say it know damn well its weight and how it will be taken.

 

Whether my people use it or not, unless you belong to the exclusive club that colorism, bigotry and racism created and fostered worldwide... keep this word and its variation out of your mouth.

 

Blog Comment:

I often wonder if the younger generation is too far removed from the history to understand the power and the offense of the word. My son and I had a conversation about the word today, its prevalence in music and what he called "reappropriating" the word. Hmmm.

 

J.C.'s response:

It has only been 50 years since the civil rights act was passed. It hasn't been that long. I think some of the urgent focus has been diluted and with that dilution, a grand scale of cultural appropriation has caused a depreciation in respect for the seriousness of the word.

And while I know it is used throughout our culture and our music, one must remember that even though WE (Black people/culture) are now pop(ular) culture, it is still OURS. Therefore, while the music that pervades the airway is peppered with the word and the uncensored versions are readily known by non-Blacks, there is still no pass card available for those who may attempt to emulate what they hear and use the word. 
Just because the song says it doesn't mean you can say it.

It's kind of like when you were a kid and began to use profanity, but you knew good and well that your parents had better never hear to say such?? Yeah...that.

As for "reappropriating" the word...yeah, no. The word was foisted on Africans as a perjorative label/classification by whites. No matter what one says about "I didn't have anything to do with slavery..." no white person will ever be able to appropriate the word without stigma and recourse. It was put upon us...now its ours...for the good or the bad.

 

 

©JRC