We all by now have heard the Cosby comments. I feel this is yet another case of the generation gap that we must bridge in order to push or people forward. Any fool could realize Cosbies comments were extermely generalized if near true at all. I must admitt I agree with him on some issues but I will not harbor on any of this or that. What I wish to discuss is the word that has caused so much backlash over the years. It has caused pain on one end and has been used as a term of enderment on the other. Of course this is that dredded "N" word. The word nigger has been the subject of much debate since it's use. Some trace it back to the latin word "necro" wich means dead flesh. It can be easily traced back to the spanish "negro" and the french/Latin "niger"(pronounced knee-jeer)both of wich mean black.The word possibilly existed before the french conquest of the region in Africa of the same name. "Niger and "Nigeria" are named after the river "Niger" that runs through those respective countries. I belive that the ancient Ethiopian word for emperor "Negus"(pronounced Nay-Jus or Nay-Goose) is a possible root as well. The english word cadence wich means rhtym or beat is derived from the greek word(personal name) Candice wich is derived from the Ethopic word Candake(or Kandake) wich means Queen. As many know Africans are a rythmic peole and one can see how an African word for Queen has become simply another word for rythym. A similar tranformation is the word "Vandalize" wich means to destroy something. The root of Vandalize is "Vandal" wich is the name of a paticularly violent European tribe that existed in the middle ages. Having said this I turn full focus on this word "nigger". We all know it's recent history. It is the adultrification of the Spanish and French words meaning black or dark. It has been used as an insult by White's and others against the decendants of African people's in America and abroad. Beggining soon after wards Blacks in America began using this term against one another. I must admitt I know not when but from my knowlege around the early 1900's this term started being used as a positive afromation interchangably with it's negative use by Blacks. In fact Blacks do not say "nigger". When used in a positive context, Blacks say "Nigga" in my opinion creating a new word in it's self. There are many who have never heard this word used in it's negative conotation. Many used the word "nigga' as a positive until told otherwise. Young Whites,Latins,Asians as well as Blacks all use this term as an expression of camaraderie. It's use can be compared to the way the slang word "Dude" is used. What up "Dude"-What up my "Nigga". The pronoun "my" being interjected before "nigga" to indicate the positive meaning behind it's use. A person tone is important as much as his or her pronunciation -ie: "nigger" or "nigga". I feel this word should not be used in public die to it's negatove stigma. However I believe Blacks and those with in the culture where this word is used as a positive, have the choice to use this word freely is so desired. Those using it should be aware of this words negative stigma and avoid using it in public places around those who may take offense. I believe in taking the power out of such a negative term and the way "nigga" is used in Hip-Hop and other arenas is an exllent way to do this. African Americans started the whole concept of taking negatives and turning them into positives
ie:-"Thats a BAD car bro" or "That jacket is the BOMB". One does not mean that the subject "car" is mischievous or does not run good, any more that one means that subject "jacket" is an exsplosive device. Many minority groups have followed this pattern such as the homosexual communities embracing and owning the words gay and queer both once used as negatives. So when I see my folks I will give him a pound and say "wha up my nigga" and when departing company I will say "peace,one love my nigga" In the work place or in public situations where there are other groups present I will choose other colloquialisms to express my self. For now this is as it should be. One day the word "nigga" will have lost all of it's sting despite people such as Cosby constantly reminding us of it's "dredded" past context. Not that we should forget the past but as I stated previously I'd rather take the venom out of a word than to leave it as the proverbial "N-Bomb". The word "slave" is derived from the word "Slavic". This occurred before the African slave trade when the Slavic peoples were put into bondage so frequently their tribal name began to be equated with being in involuntary servitude. The word "Slavic" means "People of a great multitude" in thier eastern European tongue, In thier former western European masters tongue it now means "A person in bondage". Just a little food for thought. Words are what we make them. They are only as powerful as we let them become.
-Hugh-EMC
