Hard "R" or soft "A"... does it matter? To some yes, and to others, it is a cool slang word with no offense. Whether one says "nigger" or "nigga," there is still history behind each word. This word went from being derogatory, to taboo, and now just as common as the word "hello."

The term nigger originated from the Latin word niger, meaning black. Negro later became in existence in the English language meaning black. In the 1800s, nigger became a Southern mispronunciation of negro, then just stuck to the language as a derogatory term to African Americans. This word stuck with black people for centuries and was used to put blacks down and make them feel less of themselves.

As time went on, instead of letting the word continue to torment the race, blacks decided to change the word from "nigger" to "nigga," and use this word as a comfort word. A word that only people of African decent use, this word is used as a welcoming term or an everyday conversation term.

Now it's time to get to the issue, in the past the word was so taboo of any other race to say it, but now in the year 2016, it seems every culture feels they have the right to say this word. These words can become highly offensive if someone of the opposite race says it. It doesn't matter if that person is singing lyrics to a song or repeating a message.

Let's just start with white people. It seems that white people say the word to be cool or look cool. When in actuality they don't resemble any ounce of coolness by saying that word. They began to say the word, around their white friends and think it's OK, but once someone of color comes around, there's a problem. Caucasians have been assaulted or confronted for saying this word, simply because they do not know the history, and if they did they wouldn't say the word at all. Black people feel the most disrespected when whites say nigga because they are the ones who gave blacks the original word, nigger. If white people say nigga, it is not as offensive as if they say nigger because when you use the hard "R," it seems that there is malicious intent behind it, and that person is trying to hurt an African American by saying that word.

Other races such as Hispanic tend to get a pass saying the word due to the fact that Hispanics have gone through some of the torment and torture that blacks have. Blacks may make a quick look when someone of Hispanic descent says the word, but it is usually not as much as an issue as if whites said it. Then races like Asian, Middle Eastern and etc., should not say it either, due to the fact that it is not a part of their culture, and there's no need for them to say it.

Looking from another side, the word nigga can be a very controversial term. Even in the black community, there are some black people who do not like to be called that word because even though some see the word as a term of endearment, the word still has a negative connotation behind it. Some black men especially feel it can be degrading, and do not even use the word. The original word nigger was used to strike fear in black people, by that being said many older black people who were alive during segregated times in America, don't think the word nigga or nigger should be thrown around in daily conversation. Since the original word has such a negative notion behind it, some black people are trying to get away from the word and feel rather disgusted by the word.

As I finished my first year in college, I've noticed a big use of the word by other cultures and feel it's highly inappropriate. Just because you are dating a black male or female does not give you a pass. Being friends with a black male/female does not give you a pass, and if you happen to live next door to someone of African descent, definitely does not mean you get a pass to say the word. That word is for black people to use if they want to and should be designated to one culture. Each culture has their own special things that they do, and this is one of them. Some things are meant to be kept and not stolen.