Hey All. Me again.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

I am still ... curious about the "n" word in regards to the children of today's society. Especially in light of what is happening in Ferguson, Mo

My 14 y/o nephew is white. He has always attended multi-racial/ethnic public schools since he was in first grade. Also, from a baby he was in public day care system and so, has been raised in very diverse background.

I am friends with him on FB and I can see what he posts and who replies to him. He has over 400 "friends" on FB and they are a cross section of races, genders, cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds. They are all using this "niggaz" word amongst each other.

Boys and Girls. White and Black and Brown and Yellow. (Is that even okay to use color words in regards to different nationalities?) I was raised singing: "Jesus loves the little children of the world." Is that song offensive to any one? Is it even still sung? Red and Yellow, Black and White ... they are precious in his sight.

He and his friends use "niggaz" to each other regardless of race, color, creed. His black friends use it to each other but, also with the white kids and the vice versa.

It seems that word is .... evolving among the younger generations to mean something more akin to "good friends" .... ?

Being raised in a different era, I am somewhat ... questionable with this ... in that ... I want to "educate/school" him differently.

But, am I right to do this?

Is it okay that this word is evolving/changing? Are you guys (all generations) okay with this?

I want to know what you all think about this. Is this a generational thing? Is this a phase? I don't think his older (17 y/o) brother is using the word but, I don't see him post as much on FB so maybe he is, too.

I never use the word. I hear it used from one black to another when talking and they are including me in their conversation but, they are talking about/amongst themselves about events that happened when they are out with each other socially. Like talking about what they did over the weekend.

I know I have asked in here before but, seems I need some additional reassuring.

Am I worried/concerned about nothing?



After reading Urban Dictionary I really do not know what to think about this word =

1. Niggaz
Plural for nigga, (nigger). A word that describes IGNORANT African-American's. Do not judge the entire African-American race solely on this group.

(Mind you, I am a African-American, and not some racist prick.)
You can't take niggaz anywhere because they always screw things up!

1.) Can be found shouting at the screen in the back of the movie theater.
2.) Occasionally uses slang like their first language.
3.) They come in groups and destroy the friendly atmosphere of any public establishment.
4.) Purposely loud and obnoxious in public to prove how "hardcore" they are.
5.) Start fights with their race like no other.

by Raz June 17, 2006

more at link: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Niggaz



I just do not know. Maybe it is just a thing his group will outgrow ... ?

on edit: I will take answers off the air. Will be back later tonight. Thanks.

[NOLALady]

1. It depends on the individuals I guess.

No one used the word in my parents home and I was taught to not ever THINK about using the word. My husband was raised the same way so my kids know the word is not acceptable in any way shape of form in our home or presence.

But, I think they probably use it sometimes when not around us. I have heard their "white friends" use the word when they thought I was not within hearing.

Generational? Phase? I don't know and don't give it much thought. To each his own I say as long as they keep that filth away from me.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

7. Thank you for your comment. n/t

[onecaliberal]

2. I would NEVER allow my white children

To use that word in any form. Obviously I'm not at school with them, my daughters best friend is African American and I know she would never call her friend that. They have been taught to value all humans. I also don't allow my kids to have Facebook accounts. A lot of people rightfully take offense to that word.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

8. Thank you for your comment. n/t

[brer cat]

3. I am glad you posted this Tuesday Afternoon.

My daughter is having this situation with one of her daughters. My granddaughter is white and her best friend is black. She insists that her friend uses the word and expects her to use it. My daughter and I are appalled and have told my granddaughter to never ever again use that word.

Have the times changed that much? It really makes me sad to see beautiful young girls like my granddaughter's friend use that ugly word.

[Schema Thing]

4. It's not ugly to them, it's ugly to you.

words aren't inherently anything. They are ONLY proxies for the INTENTIONS of whoever speaks them.


I have Black female cousins who use the word to mean "boy" or "guy" mostly, but I'm sure they also use it with their female friends on occasion to mean "my friend" or "dude(ette)".

[brer cat]

5. Thank you, Schema Thing.

I have never heard it used except in a very negative way. Children and young people don't have the memories we have....and have probably never had their mouths washed out with soap for saying such a thing.

[Schema Thing]

6. true that

[Tuesday Afternoon]

10. yes, this is what I am getting at ..

it sounds friendly ... the way they say and the way they use it with each other.

Thanks, Schema Thing!

[Tuesday Afternoon]

9. Yes, you understand. Thank you for replying, brer cat.

It is a jaw dropper to hear it so casually used between the races ... these young kids and it is said with affection

one thing, I notice ... it is not "n*gger" ... it is more like "n*gga"

and then the "z" to pluralize.

[bravenak]

11. It's fine.

I allow white people to use it as long as they are cool. Nigga or niggaz is fine. It usually means homies.

Millennials are a multiracial generation, much less racist, and much more open and free.

If a white dude or lady i know walks up to me and says,"what up my nigga!?!" I be like, "damn my nigga, i ain't seen you in a minute!"

As we get older, we use it less. If we ban it, it won't never die. Most white kids are pretty sharp, they know when to use it, and when to not use it.

Now, if they use nigger.... That's a whole different thang.

I like this definition:

nigga
Slang term for homie, friend, buddy, etc., used primarily by African-Americans but has spread to other races as well;
"'Sup my nigga?" "How's it hanging my nigga?" "Yo, nigga wassup?"
by Jose M. August 08, 2005

6501 3630

[Tuesday Afternoon]

12. thank you bravenak and Yes, the pronunciation and spelling is a Huge Difference

I think they are ALL trying to be Too Cool for School like teenagers are wont to do, yanno

I never "like" those posts but, I never chastise him on FB either.

That would be --- counterproductive, I think. (definitely Not Cool)

But, I did wonder if maybe he needed some conversation.

[bravenak]

13. You might want to let him know not to let older people hear him.

My uncles are old school. They would give him a lecture, but not a painful one. Just boring.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

14. haha, that is so great ... I am the Aunt to your Uncles except -

I don't Want to Be The Boring Aunt

History wise the child is pretty knowledgeable.

I am inclined to think they will outgrow this and move onto something equally reprehensible to their elders

[bravenak]

15. I figured!!!

Kids are starting to roll their eyes at me now, I'm finally over Thirty. My little cousin told me i drone on and on.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

16. yeah, watching this happen of FB ... making me feel really Old and Out of Touch.

me? Never!

*sigh*

Yeah.

Me.

thanks, bravenak

[bravenak]

17. No problem.

I still think you're cool, if that matters.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

18. hells to the yeah. You Matter and Thanks, my friend

wonder if this will give me any street cred with my nephew

[bravenak]

19. It better!!!

Or I'll have to tell him about that time I got jumped into a gang. My street cred is golden. I'm an OG now. lol!! Funny cause it's true!!!

[Tuesday Afternoon]

20. that is scary/awesome.

I had to google that

[bravenak]

21. The OG part?

Yeah.... I was dumb and smart at the same time. All of the former members are now... Small business owners.

[CreekDog]

22. It's now something that non African Americans aspireto be called

Gotta admire the hat trick.

Who knew that a number of African Americans a generation ago who decided to take ownership of the word would have this outcome?

Language evolves and African Americans have been particularly string influences on American English, beyond their numbers.

[Blue_Tires]

23. I don't...

There was a time in my teen and early 20s when I'd probably let it slide, but then that was when I was still using the word myself...

But now that I'm creeping up on year number 38(!), I let people know my disapproval, especially if I know they're smart enough to know better...


Yes, I have gotten old

But the good part is I have turned into my father