Nigga?

Do you agree with the way that this word is used so freely and casually by black youth and just people in general. Are you offended by it. Do you think only black people should be allowed to say it? Do you think the word should not be used at all. What are your opinions?

I don't use it personally.

I dont think it should be used at all.... and I'm Jesus.. and what I say should go.......without question

Personally as a black women I would prefer it not be used at all. At the same time those who choose to use the word dont use it in the sense it was during slavery. It really depends on how its being used and as long as its not derogoratory<--sp it doesnt matter to me. I dont get offended because I dont consider myself one. I'm not ignorant by far.

i dont think it should really be used IMO......even tho people dont use it to be offensive, it came from something that was...

I think the word nigga has become so mainstream that people aren't offended by it much. But it is a "black only word". I might jokingly say it in front of my white friends, but I wouldn't in front of black people. I'm not allowed.   I don't think it is offensive to black people because it has become a term of indearment. Like this is my friend, this is my nigga.

I think it's okay to say because we all have freedom of speech, but I think anyone can say it, if anyone can say cracker,beaner,mooly and well you get my point then every should be able to say nigga, as for me I don't say none of that out of respect for other people and if anyone is wondering what a mooly is it's a bad term for Italians (my race.) But I highly believe in freedom of speech if people want to say that then whatever it's their life lol.

I look white but I am mixed and I was raised by a black man. The only time that I ever use the word "nigga" is jokingly with friends that I know are comfortable with me saying it. Maybe this is weird, but I have an issue with people saying "nigger", but not "nigga"...it seems so much more harsh and insulting. I don't think I've ever called a black person that though, although my black friends make fun of me and call me white girl and stuff. I just don't really like racial slurs at all. But I don't think that only black people should be able to say "nigga" not unless only white people can say "cracker" or "gringo" or only hispanic/mexican people can say "beaner"...and so on and so forth.

Depends on how the word is being used, but if one race can say it everyone should be able to say it.

personally it doesn't offend me either way. i think that u can't change what a person thinks of another and if thats what u see when u look at me ur gonna say it in ur head anyway. i know that i'm not one so. think what u want. if i choose to use the word its not in a degrading way, my baby father and i use it towards each other all the time. ppl are gonna think what they want and say what they want. if i tried to change everyone's mind and try get everyone to use nice words i would drive myself crazy. everyone doesn't think like me and i don't think like everyone. the only person we all have to answer to is God. so let Him judge me.

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
nigger

1786, earlier neger (1568, Scot. and northern England dialect), from Fr. nègre, from Sp. negro (see Negro). From the earliest usage it was "the term that carries with it all the obloquy and contempt and rejection which whites have inflicted on blacks" [cited in Gowers, 1965]. But as black inferiority was at one time a near universal assumption in Eng.-speaking lands, the word in some cases could be used without insult. More sympathetic writers late 18c. and early 19c. seem to have used black (n.) and, after the American Civil War, colored person. Also applied by Eng. settlers to dark-skinned native peoples in India, Australia, Polynesia. The reclamation of the word as a neutral or positive term in black culture, often with a suggestion of "soul" or "style," is attested first in the Amer. South, later (196  in the Northern, urban-based Black Power movement. Variant niggah, attested from 1925 (without the -h, from 1969), is found usually in situations where blacks use the word. Nigra (1944), on the other hand, reflects a pronunciation in certain circles of Negro, but meant to suggest nigger, and is thus deemed (according to a 1960 slang dictionary) "even more derog. than 'nigger.' " Slang phrase nigger in the woodpile attested by 1800; "A mode of accounting for the disappearance of fuel; an unsolved mystery" [R.H. Thornton, "American Glossary," 1912]. Nigger heaven

the only reason anyone gets offended by the word and doesn't think other races should use the word is because of they oppression and hate behind the word. there is 200 yrs off hate behind the word. no other racial slur carries that much hate.

I am white...it makes me uncfomfortable seeing and hearing white people use it... I think black people have the choice...BTW I am Australian so it is not used here that much...but some Aboriginal men i know have picked it up in the last few years because of the rappers...so they call each other that....is it just me or is that wierd???

I don't personally use it, but it doesn't bother me if other people do. White or black.

IMO its just a word. I have been called a cracker. I think everyone has been called something one time or another. It all depends on the way its used but either way I dont let it cut me deep like some people do. Call me what you want but it will never change who I am and thats all that matters.