Is it an offensive word?

Question

Please understand me, I'm not trying to create any issues here but just want to know the real deal.

The word "*igger", as everyone knows it's an offensive word to African Americans. But why do these rappers use this word so freely and frequently in their lyrics? Are they not offended?

Answer 1

For no less than the past fifteeen (15) years,
the people (as well as the 'true' leaders) of the
African-American (AA) Ethnic group have protested
the lyrics (and behavior) of rappers and their followers.

Of course 'the media' will never place a focus on this fact.

Another fact 'the media' will never focus on is
that ... the largest purchasers of rap CDs are
(and always have been) WHITE teenagers.

Just as, in the days of the Minstrel shows,
the target audience was laregly White & the
protesters the people of the AA Ethnic group
-- YET -- 'the media' led people to believe
that the situation was the exact opposite.

It is not fair to judge any group (including
the AAs) by the ignorant behaviors of
some of those who are members of
said group (ex. rappers).

Just a thought.

An excellent resource is the book:

"DONT BELIEVE THE HYPE: -- Fighting
Cultural Information about African-Americans"

(-- written by Newsweek and Meet the
Press correspondent, 'Ferai Chideya')

Related Links of Interest:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Generation-Mixed/message/991
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Generation-Mixed/message/1399
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Generation-Mixed/message/1570

.

Answer 2

Everyone asks this, but the answer is so obvious. Let me put it this way: if someone you don't know calls you a horse's ***, is it more offensive to you than if a friend calls you the same thing? The word is bad because it is a term derived from what racists called blacks for over a hundred years, beginning with the degrading circumstances of slavery. So naturally it is more bad when a white person calls them that than if a black person does. For some blacks, however, the N-word has become a part of their heritage, like it or not, so they use it amongst one another as a symbol of their past. That said, it is NOT like ALL blacks approve of its usage, even among other blacks. Many black people don't like the rappers who use it, but it is a matter of cultural diversity, and it ultimately is none of our white business how they use it.

All it really means, when you really get down to it, is someone from Africa. BUT its meaning is different when a white person says it, because white people have said it as the deepest form of insult since long before the Civil War ended black people's enslavement. Even today, most blacks have been disparaged by that term, and if not, their parents have. I cannot understand why it is so difficult for some white people to get that through their heads. The fact is that white people do not have slavery in their immediate history, so they cannot possibly understand what a black person feels involving that word. The best thing to do is to let it go until the word loses its current meaning, which won't happen until every ounce of racism is wiped off the face of the United States.

Answer 3

As an African American I can't stand the word and I don't care if It's _igga or _igger I find it ignorant when we call ourselves that. So to answer your question, yes the word is wrong to use.
And I don't mean to get off topic but when was it okay for females to call each other bitches, some females say the word is powerful and its a compliment, but when a man call them one all hell breaks loose.

Answer 4

while somebody makes use of a curse notice, I see the notice. If this is clever. So while they're speaking approximately urinating I see, in my innovations, urine. instead of rain water. while somebody talks approximately hardship or a bad time, and so on and that they use the notice "sh*t" I concentration on the notice. the comparable with intercourse. they don't relate to the region in hand. they're often detrimental words, with gruesome connotations - and the question should not be why i discover them offensive, why do human beings use them? As component to their well-known language. So we actually would desire to talk inner maximum factors, defecating, urinating, intercourse while we are speaking approximately every day matters? it somewhat is a sort of revolt - yet all of us can swear. some in basic terms % to not.

Answer 5

I think that it is. This was a name used by slave owner to belittle slaves. I hate it when I hear this word used and I hate it even more when I hear it in the African-American community, why used a word that has so many hard feelings associated with it from slavery?

Answer 6

Yeah it is kinda weird in a way...

I have heard it mentioned in a lot of American movies, and recently too!

Ever watched Samuel L. Jackson in the movie Jackie Brown (1997), for example?

And it's a (abusive?) verbal exchange strictly between African-American (or black) males, I have noticed, never between females.

Why is that?

Have you seen Grindhouse (2007) yet?

I think I heard it too in there somewhere...

Hold up a sec!

Didn't Quentin Tarantino direct both movies?

Yes I just checked; it was Tarantino!!!

What's his deal with the N word anyways?!?

Answer 7

Actually, they don't use that word. They change the ending to -gga. It is because they feel it gives a power over the word, changing it into something positive and fraternal.

The northerners did the same thing with Yankees during the Civil War.

Answer 8

No they will claim that they are saying *iggah an d that's OK but if you say *igger they get mad. Its all BS. When you are around your black friends do not act like a wigger.

Answer 9

I often wonder this myself... Kind of a double standard, isn't it? No one else can say that word unless it is a black person...

If "no one" can say it, then NO ONE should be allowed to say it, including black people. I don't care if they change the ending to _igga... It's still the same word.

Answer 10

N***er is an offensive word is used out of context. N**ga has a dual meaning....it is a term of endearment between two african american males.