From major media outlets like CNN to social media controversies on Twitter there has been ample conflict around who can and can't use the N-word, or whether the term should be banned altogether. As Hip-Hop continues its reign as the dominant popular music genre and black culture continues to be commodified, discourse over the N-Word has raged on. For some, especially older, black folks the term is considered derogatory to people of African descent and should not be a part of any person's vocabulary. Colloquially, for many younger African Americans, the term holds less meaning as a slur, but is simply a part of the vernacular, or in some cases is used as a term of endearment. The term means different things to different black people depending on context and social situations.
Hip Hop artist, Kendrick Lamar, who is known for his consciousness, comments on the use of the N-Word by black communities on the hit song "i" from his 2015 soul-infused album, To Pimp A Butterfly. At the end of his song "i," Kendrick defines his understanding of the n-word in an acapella verse saying,
"Well, this is my explanation straight from Ethiopia
N-E-G-U-S definition: royalty; King royalty - wait listen
N-E-G-U-S description: Black emperor, King, ruler, now let me finish
The history books overlook the word and hide it
America tried to make it to a house divided
The homies don't recognize we been using it wrong
So I'ma break it down and put my game in a song
N-E-G-U-S, say it with me
Or say no more. Black stars can come and get me
Take it from Oprah Winfrey, tell her she right on time
Kendrick Lamar, by far, realest Negus alive.[1]”
Kendrick chooses to define the word as an affirmation of black identity rooted in African royal ancestry. By defining the term under these terms, his intent when using the term is to be positive, demonstrating solidarity with other black folks. His understanding of the word is only one opinion and does not reflect the thoughts of all African Americans. This diversity of opinion in discussion surrounding the word is indicative of the diversity of thought among all black folks. Opinions of the word can be influenced by region, class, age, and family upbringing.
Regardless of black Americans choice to abstain or intent when using the N-word, the use of the word should be exclusive to black folks. As many non-black individuals are avid fans of hip hop and black culture, white people constantly wonder, "Why Can't I Say it?" In some cases, white people consider it a badge of honor to be "allowed" to say the N-Word by the African American friends and peers. Some believe, because they hear it in rap music then it is okay to repeat. It's been said many times by white folks that "no one should be allowed to say it." In each way, white folks yearn for access to this aspect of black culture. As African-American author Ta-Nehisi Coates states in response to a question the N word during an event at Evanston Township High School in Illinois stating,
"When you’re white in this country, you’re taught that everything belongs to you. You think you have a right to everything. … You’re conditioned this way. It’s not because your hair is a texture or your skin is light. It’s the fact that the laws and the culture tell you this. You have a right to go where you want to go, do what you want to do, be however — and people just got to accommodate themselves to you.[2]”
In this, Coates displays how it is a function of white privilege that white folks believe they should have a right to say the n-word. Similarly, white folks who believe black people shouldn’t say the n-word either are attempting to police the speech of black folks, because they cannot have access to this portion of black culture, since they are used to owning everything, as Coates points out astutely. The practice of using the n word is exclusive to blackness, through a shared racialized experience, which is not all inclusive.
Pledged Cody Stockton.
FWC=709
Hi Cody, I think this is a very well written post. I really liked your concluding points, about how the reclamation of the N-word works to stand in the face of dominant white culture. It is the reclamation aspect of the post, however, that I find more interesting. Because it is such a derogatory term tied to white violence, the idea of Kendrick using it to describe beauty and pride is very powerful. Such a statement is part of the larger apparatus of reclamation, but turning a word so deeply tied to white anger into one for black pride turns something meant to wound into something that heals. Kendrick is using white violence to build black power.
ReplyDeleteI have never understood what is so exotic about the word for white people to feel the need to beg their black friend to say it. Yes, it is probably one of the most utilized words in hip-hop/rap in which white people are the biggest consumers, but even there a precedent has been set. Eminem and Macklemore are the only two contemporary white rappers that come to mind and they are very successful without the usage of the word often showing disdain for it all together. Eminem is quoted saying in several different interviews he is not comfortable with him or any white people saying it because "it is not meant for us" and Macklemore echoes these sentiments in both "White Privilege" and "White Privilege II" stating a lot like what Coates says that its white privilege if white people don't see why they cant use that word. I am glad not only white rappers are speaking out against it's use but rappers like Kendrick Lamar are using their platform to reclaim their blackness and that word. I love "i" and personally had never even heard that definition of the word before its release and it gave me a whole new perspective on the word itself.
ReplyDeletePhillips i do not think that kendrick is using White anger to build black power. I think he is reclaiming the word in spite of white violence. I think Kendrick is using the form of the word Negus because it was created before white rage tainted the meaning of it. This word was incorporated in black culture before white people stole it, in effort to take power from black people. We say everyday in class that slavery has ties into todays thoughts and actions, and this a prime example of that. To eradicate a word that once gave power to black culture purely because it was stolen and misused by white people, only gives them more power than they deserve. I think kendrick is just trying to shed light on the fact that the derogatory nature of the word is not its true definition therefore shouldn't be recognized in that manner. This is a word rooted in black culture that is meant for black culture. White rage is what forced the incorrect definition, black people are the only ones that can truly use it for its true meaning therefore they should be the ones to use it.
ReplyDeleteI have always wondered why exactly white people desire to use the N work so much. This is a very good explanation for this. I do see what Kendrick is doing by reclaiming the word “Negus”. But I do think this was somewhat done also by changing the word itself from “niggers” to “Niggas” also changing the definition of this word in the black community to some people repurposing something that was meant for harm and insult to some more positive. I think shares a cultural aspect in the black community but when used by White people diverts back to being negative. I think the work “Nigga” and “Nigger” are completely different words with completely different meanings like you don’t ever hear black people calling each other “Niggers”.
ReplyDeleteI watched this response by Choates and I think he does a great job at breaking down why white people shouldn't use the n-word for people for people who don't get the picture. He used a few examples to explain this concept. The one that jumped out to the most was, “My wife, with her girl friend, will use the word ‘bitch,’” Coates said. “I do not join in. You know what I’m saying? I don’t do that. I don’t do that. And perhaps more importantly, I don’t have a desire to do it.” Choates took a step back from race to address the fundamental idea that certain people or groups can use certain words but others cannot. If I am in a situation where someones questions why they can't use the n-word I might use this example to try to explain it to them. However this will only work if the person isn't misogynistic which is a whole different can of worms... Thanks for the post Corey! I included the link to the a Choates article if anyone wants to dive in deeper. https://www.vox.com/identities/2017/11/9/16627900/ta-nehisi-coates-n-word
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