The N-Word

You don’t get it. That’s fine. You’re probably not black.  And if you aren’t black, you can’t use it. So, ultimately, it’s none of your fucking business . . . But to those who are inquisitive and wish to understand the contradiction that is the use of the N-word, please stay tuned.

I have found that all my life I can’t explain the use of the N-word to non-Blacks. We can spend time together in school, at work, outside of both school and work, etc. but if you aren’t Black you kind of miss the point of our word (yeah, I said OUR). But here's my first, best effort at trying to explain . . . 

So, I was watching my favorite network, the Home Box Office, aka HBO, checking out another one of their exciting dramas. And I came across Boardwalk Empire, one of my premium channel favorites, due to its healthy balance of sex, violence, and drama. Then, another amazing analogy aroused my arteries to allegro animato (i.e. my heart skipped a beat). Prepare yourself. . . <insert suspenseful pause> . . . The N-word is like alcohol.

Perfect sense, right? Or maybe too brilliant?? Anyway, check out my timeline of the transformation of each:

	Alcohol	The N-Word
Beginning	- Used for partying/ caused death - Provided medicinal use	- Used by slave holders as a defeating mechanism
Transformation	- Removed via Prohibition	- Removed via re-identification of Blacks (Negro -> Colored -> Afro -> Black)
Today	- Recognized as troublesome - Used in moderation	- Recognized as troublesome - Used in moderation

In the beginning, both were bad. Alcohol, in the early 1600s was considered to be a sure way to end life. It separated men from their families, made women unfit mothers, caused crime, and undoubtedly death. However, there were always components of alcohol that made it good. Por ejemplo, its delicious nectar could be manufactured to produce anesthesia (kinda like marijuana being medicinal #LiesAndDeceit).

Similarly, the N-word was a derogatory term. Not only was it an identification of race, but it was a socially acceptable deprecating adjective for Non-Whites (yes, including Native Americans, Indians, Mexicans, pretty much anyone who wasn’t white). It was used to show dominance. There were no positive subtexts or associations, unlike alcohol.

Then, it transformed. The use of alcohol was banned. Essentially, it became the devil’s choice of beverage. And legally, its reign over society “ended.” Most adults were sober, or so they said. . .  #MoreLiesAndDeceit

Additionally, a new generation of Americans understood the moral implications of the word and sought to end its prejudice (or they were busy hating Nazis). Just like banning alcohol, the N-word was replaced. Members of the non-white community became “Negroes” and/or “Coloreds.”

However, in both circumstances, the audience sought not to end them completely (they ran out of Nazis to hate). The use of alcohol grew as knowledge of its positive uses increased and the Prohibition ban lifted. Additionally, the identification of the “Colored” became “Black” or “African-American.” Yet, the original n-word still lingered.

Today, their presence is complicated.When used in excess, alcohol has been understood to be destructive (#WhiteGirlWasted). Yes, the over-use of alcohol is a disease. The combination of alcohol and driving kills. It has its bad moments, but overall it is a pleasure . . .

In a similar way, The N-word is used to the dismay of many. Me, myself, personally, I don't use that word often, but when I do I gets rachet. In the Goodwin household, a "nigger" is an ignorant person, not of any particular race. Yes, the use of the N-word by a non-Black still stings. It bears a major historical weight and is used as a self-destructive mechanism. But truth be told, “niggas aint goin no where."

And that’s my brilliant analogy. . . well, I tried. Of course, the debate over the N-word is more complicated but at a high level, I think this makes a lot of sense. 

And, as noted by Einstein, everything is relative. Depending on your experience, you probably interpret the word differently. Various flavors may be as follows:

-          Nigga: a friend, associate, or another person endeared

-          Nigra: the Creole/ French pronunciation

-          Niglets: the children version

-          Nigette: the female version

Some Blacks use it in the household, some don’t. Some use it in mixed company, some don’t. Some whisper it to themselves shamefully or curse others with it, and some simply do not. It is as equally versatile as the alcoholic beverage, and probably just as troublesome.