Soul Reasonings: The N Word

Coming out of this week “Soul Sounds” is a small discussion I have been meaning to open for awhile. The Spotless Cussbud and I have engaged in a couple of heated debates over the use of the word “nigga”. Over many house limes and glasses of scotch, The Curious Mouth (of “Bring It To The Table” fame) and I have also had conversations along similar lines. They are both of the steadfast opinion that the “N” word needs to disappear (TSC more so than TCM). I hold the more moderate view that, though derogatory, it does hold a valid place in our vocabulary. (In short, I do use it, but I’m cutting back. Drastically.) This place just needs to be very carefully and clearly defined. Now, please note that I am not advocating the existence of this word in everyday vernacular. I acknowledge that it is very offensive in nature. But I also believe that the word serves to describe a very visible and real subset of society.

So, we all know where the word gets it roots from. If you don’t know, wikipedia.org will do a better job of bringing you up to date than I can. 50% of people get offended simply by its use. The other 50% could offend you with simply the sheer volume in which they use it. I don’t necessarily fall into either category, because I simply think the word is being used in the wrong syntax. If I call you a “nigga”, trust me, I am not your friend, and I am not bestowing you with compliments. I am classing you with a breed of people who do nothing other than cause me endless heartache and embarrassment: ignant black people. And I did not misspell. Trust me, I wrote this in MS Word first, and my spell-check is on. Right now, there is an angry, red, squiggly line staring at me. Ignorant means “quick to anger”, or “lacking in knowledge”. I mean ignant.

Now, let’s examine what the word “ignant” means. By doing this, you will see what I mean when I refer to “nigga” behaviour, and thus come full circle to the type of person I am referring to, when I call someone by this moniker. “Ignant”, in my opinion, is the antonym of “classy”, or even common sense. “Ignant” is sitting down in your office, around your co-workers, and discussing in a loud voice over the phone that thing your man did to you last night (be it good, bad or indifferent). “Ignant” is arguing with the cashier at Burger King for 15 minutes, that you want chicken fries as your side order, when she is explaining to you quite clearly that it is a premium item. (True story, though the cashier got so frustrated that she acquiesced. Maybe I should try that some time. But I digress). “Ignant” is crying that your daughter died a virgin, when she just got stabbed to death in a fight over a man. (That one is also just plain sad on many levels, social, emotional and common sensical. And yes, I made up sensical).

Being “ignant” (aka “nigga” behaviour) goes beyond just random acts. It’s the attitude that makes it ok for us to refer to women as hoes, sluts and bitches. It’s the belief that a college education is overrated because you either think it is a waste of time, or that you “keeping it real” (Note: I am willing to understand if you tell me college isn’t for everyone, or that shit happened, and you never got the chance. But at least try to bullshit me). It’s the belief that the guy who gets up every morning to hit his 8-4:30 (we in Trinidad, unless you have flexitime, 9-5 don’t exist), is a fool and an ass, because he is trying earn an honest day’s pay. Conversely, it is the belief that you never had the chance the first guy did, so you’re going to rob him, because you gotta live/feed yuh family. When you both went the same schools, and had the same opportunities. “Nigga” behaviour gave us Soulja Boy and the “Superman”! (Ok, end rant.) And by the way, this behaviour is not limited to only black people. It just irks me the most because black people always seem to have the most to lose, yet this type of bullshit seems to be most prevalent amongst us. And no, it isn’t our culture either.

I end with this: the word “nigga” isn’t going anywhere, anytime soon. While I agree with the Spotless Cussbud and the Curious Mouth that it is offensive (to a point), I do think that it has its place. We just need to look at what that place is. And stop being niggas while we’re at it.