Am I a “Nigga” or "Nigger" (My opinion)

In our previous class, we had a discussion over whether it was okay for one black person to call another a “nigga.” Some of my peers argued that it was okay to call another black individual a nigga if that person shared the same race. Some classmates even went as far as to create a different connotation for the word, making its meaning dependent upon race. Before I get into the history of the word, I would first like to state that I do not like being called a nigga. It is not because of where the word comes from, but how it makes me feel based on my past experiences with it.

When someone of the same race calls me a nigga, I believe they think they are superior to me and think they can call me whatever they want. Growing up in predominately black neighborhoods and constantly seeing the local thug, nigga is a term I remember being called several times. This terminology was followed by a hard push and a slap in the face to demonstrate superiority. Knowing about the history of nigger and how whites used it prior to the emancipation proclamation and Civil War, I know that the word is used to degrade another person who one believes is subordinate to them. Regardless of whether a person is black or white, I’ll be damned if someone calls me a nigga because in my opinion, a nigga can be anyone.

Nigga is a slang term that derives from nigger. Nigger is a derogatory word that was used to categorize African Americans prior to the civil war and is unfortunately still used today in many other countries. The word nigger is so offensive to many black individuals today because of its history that dictionaries refuse to define it. It is notable for its usage in a pejorative context to refer to black people. It is offensive to many African Americans because the word symbolizes the everlasting chains of a people plagued with hate and bondage simply because of the color of their skin.

Many black people believe nigger is the most pejorative word in the English language; however, I believe it is an expression of superiority that can be used towards anyone regardless of race. The word nigger suggests that black people are second- class citizens who are ignorant and less than human. It is a term that makes many black individuals angry just by hearing it. To take the word nigga form the word nigger and attempt to provide a different connotation for the word is absolutely absurd. Nigga still derives from nigger;thus, maintaining the same meaning whether partially or wholly. The question arises as to whether I consider myself to be a nigga or nigger, and to answer the question, I consider myself neither. Nigger is a word that evokes negative emotion from many individuals and should therefore not be used in respect to all races regardless of who says it.