Writing atΒ Very Smart Brothas, Damon Young says that there is an appropriate time and place to say the word "nigga," and determining one's audience is an integral part of figuring out when that time is.Β
Interestingly enough, my knowledge of and affinity for words could be an argument forΒ notΒ using some of them. Since there are hundreds of thousands of them β and since I seem to be very aware of this fact β why use one I know will offend when another will suffice?
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Thatβs the thing. Knowing exactly what words mean and exactly how you want to use them means that, in some instances, another wordΒ wonβtΒ suffice. Sure, βman,β βdog,β βcat,β βdude,β βmy man,β and even βninjaβ exist and work,Β sometimes.Β Most times, even. But, there are other times when only nigga can accurately convey the feeling or thought I want expressed. And, in those instances, nigga is used.
This knowledge also comes with the realization that certain words probably shouldnβt be used unless youβre completely aware of the audience. Nigga is one of those words. Not only will I not use it around βmixedβ company, I wonβt even use it around Black people Iβm not familiar with. This isnβt self-censoring as much as itβs just being considerate.Β (Who said niggas didnβt have feelings?)Β
Read Damon Young'sΒ entire piece atΒ Very Smart Brothas.
The RootΒ aims to foster and advance conversations about issues relevant to the black Diaspora by presenting a variety ofΒ opinionsΒ from all perspectives, whether or not thoseΒ opinionsΒ are shared by our editorial staff.
Damon Young is the editor-in-chief of VerySmartBrothas.com. He is also a contributing editor at Ebony.com. He lives in Pittsburgh and he really likes pancakes. You can reach him at [email protected].
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