The Nigga Blues Re-visited:

March 11-2006:


The Nigga Blues Re-visited:


Ever since my childhood, I could recall hearing my mother and other older folks refer to some Black people as 'niggers.' This expression overtime conveyed to me the distaste for a certain type of Black, male or female, who displayed a certain stereotype behavior, that was generally found to be distasteful, and derogative of Black people.

I heard my mom and others say that they do not like Black people who behaved like Niggers... This expression of distaste was eventually explained to me by my mother when I asked her what she meant.

She said in no uncertain terms the following:

* Blacks who behave violent:

* Black who cussed a lot:

*Blacks who were too loud or vociferous:

* Blacks who did not seem to care for their children:

* Blacks who did not support their children financially:

* Blacks who were not interested in maintaining a stable home or environment, and was not inclined to pursue an education, or a good job.

These are just some of the categories that she mentioned to me, and advised that I should never allow myself to fall into any of those categories.

Of course all of these categories were subliminally taught to us via the schools historically, And Blacks under colonial rule internationally, were subjected to all of these humilities, and categories, because it was felt and believed by the White or European conquerors, that we were not human, or even sub-human.

And therefore, had no feelings, felt no shame, had no ambition, could not compete with Whites at anything, and was not their equal. The expression 'NIGGA was used by the Whites in the USA historically, as a way to dis-associate themselves from us, and to assume a superior status. So giving Blacks the category of NIGGA, made them feel superior.

They taught their children, who ensured that their children too, had the same education as they, that Blacks were inferior, sub-human, and could never be their equal. That is why it was so difficult for Souther American Whites, before the Civil Rights struggles began, to understand and appreciate why Blacks would want freedom, equal rights as they, the ability to vote, equal jobs with equal pay, equal protection under the law, and the ability to rent, or purchase property, just like the Whites could, if they were sub-human or un-equal to Whites.

The current generation of Blacks do not have this experience of racial or ethnic experiences like those of us prior to the 1960's in America.

What todays young Blacks have, are the rewards from those who suffered, died in the thousands, fought for, was beaten, burnt out, and spat upon, in a struggle that many felt could never attain much, much less produce Statute Laws to ensure out Civil Rights are protected eventually.

Young Black & Latino entertainers call each other 'Nigga as a form of camaraderie, even grade school and high school level students use this expression very casually, as a form of identity, camaraderie, as an association of like-minded
people, with common interests, needs, desires, and aspirations.

Unfortunately, the historic negatives associated with this expression is still abhorred by many Adult Blacks, and those whose past experiences with this term was painful, humiliating, and derogatory.

So how do we deal with this new flair for the expression 'Nigga that seem never to go away?

I say to those who are disturbed by it's prevalence, to teach their young the history behind it, and let them decide if it is still proper to use it as they do currently. Because failing to teach our young people the history of this expression, will only cause resentment from them, for not appreciating what they see as 'cool' and Hood camaraderie!

Om Shanti.
Derryck S. Griffith.
Educator-Advocate & Blogger.
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