My best friend is Puerto Rican; she holds the balance of beauty and brains, and I absolutely adore her. We were raised together and know everything about each other. So why did she feel comfortable referring to me as "my ni**a"? And so nonchalant at that? Even though she knows that I am African-American and very passionate about black community and culture.
Following her outburst, I had a very long conversation with her about crossing lines. But it begs the question: Why did she initially believe it was okay for her to use that word?
It is difficult to say, but my friend is one of many non-black people who throw around the word ni**a with no fear of repercussion. In school alone, I have overheard students from various racial, ethnic, gender, and class backgrounds say ni**a at one point or another. One would assume that if students have been through enough schooling to reach college, such people should be educated enough to know the historical background of the word. To them, it is just another slang term to playfully say at the right time and add emphasis to a conversation. Of course they mean no harm—it is all in good fun.
Mind you, many of these young adults unanimously agree that slavery was awful, or racism is bad, going to the extent to proclaim "I'm not racist!!!" Though when they say such a derogatory racial slur that has played a roll in the oppression of a single race, they become participants in the centuries-long battle that African-Americans have been losing. As ni**a becomes the norm, everyone becomes desensitized, leaving the work of the Civil Rights and its successors all for naught.
To me however, there are humorous moments. Most of them occur when young adults try to find "excuses" as to why it is morally alright for them state the word. By far my favorite is "It's in every song, so it's ok." Those who defend their actions using that specific reasoning are quick to popularize genres of music that express the struggles of black Americans, but ignore the issues at hand. Using culturally distinguishable music for personal entertainment, yet disabling the culture itself to have its voice be heard. Ironic isn't it?
African-Americans have only popularized the term as a mockery, because they are the ones who have been directly affected. It is a coping mechanism, which also means it is not entirely wrong to affirm that saying ni**a seems "cool" only because black people say it.
I am not saying that ni**a is a word solely to be used by African-Americans; the United States is a free country with free speech, sadly enabling masses of hate speech to be acceptable in the process. In time, African-Americans themselves should no longer deem the word to be tolerable in any shape, way, or form.
Although ni**a has been stupefied into modern slang and no longer holds the same power as its original intention, it is still a stark reminder of the tribulations, abusive history, and systemic oppression African-Americans have faced, and continue to face. Turning one of the most offensive words in the English language into convenient slang is only a reminder of how little America has evolved, and how much work we must do.
