A friend of mine and I got into a heated discussion over the topic of race.  He claimed it’s all I ever talk about and admittedly, I have discussed race with him far more than I would a brotha of a similar colour but I digress…

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We began discussing the liberal use of the word “nigga” and how he, in the past, and some of his white male friends have said some variation of the word “nigga” in the prescense of black folk.

After telling him what he ain’t gone call me not now nor never, I began to wonder, why do some black folks allow their white friends to use this word in their presence?  And conversely, why do white folks think it’s ok…even when given the green light?  Is it the word “nigga” itself that’s the issue or is there a line that certain people, depending on their make-up, aren’t allowed to cross? I wonder if the same logic/objection could be used with other words?

I got a potty mouth.  I sometimes call my girlfriends “bitches” and they do the same.  “You Bitch,” “That Bitch,” “Bitch Please”…are all fair game.   I know, horrible…how dare we?!?! As wrong as we may be, we never call each other out our names in mixed company.   So I guess our use of the word is similar to how I thought black folk did and should use the term “nigga” if they feel the need to do so.  It’s something you say amongst yaselves but never in mixed company.

Allowing a white friend to call you a nigga is akin to being at Walmart with your boyfriend on a busy weekend and in an effort to get your attention, instead of saying, “AYE Kisha!,” he says, “AYE BITCH!” “BITCH COM’ERE!“, “HOLD UP BITCH!“  What would you do under this circumstance?

Do/would you allow your white friends to call you nigga?

Why or why not?