Black Nationalism

Printer-friendly version

Dr. Laura Schlessinger's remarks in which she used the term "nigger" numerous times, created a stir within the African-American community. Appointed leaders of the community were livid that she had the audacity to repeatedly use the word in response to a caller's question and they even questioned her sanity for what was termed as a rant. Yet, while people may not agree with her choice of words, one wonders if she made a statement that few others have had the audacity to say.

Throughout history African descendants have been referred to and referred to themselves by different names. During slavery and until the Civil Rights

Movement, the language was: coloreds (coloureds), negroes, niggers, niggras, and niggards (though the last two might be more an issue of dialect than distinct labels). From a modern perspective this language is offensive. This language was heaped on the Black community without their consent or input and therefore, usually rejected by all but the elderly in the African-American community. Coloureds and negroes are largely terms referencing skin color. Side note - in Spanish, "negro" means simply "black." The other terms - niggers, niggras, and niggards - are derogatory by de�nition and refer to characteristics, notably laziness and stinginess, rather than to skin color.

During the Civil Rights Movement, as Black Nationalism began to build up the psyche of the community, the language of the past, negro and coloured, elicited images of the slavery, segregation, and discrimination. Black and Afro-American became the widely used language of youth during the era as a way of identifying and paying homage to African heritage. The term African-American in modern times has replaced Afro-American.

Nigga is a term commonly used by blacks within their homes, among clusters of friends, among rappers, and black comics. While many see the term as simply an extension of the vulgar language of the past, the argument is made by many that it is a different word. That youth claimed the term, changed it slightly, and use it as a term of affection and love - a perspective rejected by a large segment of the community. Many question whether a past saturated with the blood of generations of African-Americans - captured, tortured, forced into servitude, whipped. beaten, hanged, water-hosed, attacked by dogs, discriminated against for employment, housing, and education, castrated, and raped - whether that stain can be removed simply by changing the last two letters of the word.