White people ironically using the N Word: C/D?

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I think most of us have probably come across this phenomenon or practiced it ourselves at least on one occasion. The movie Shaun of the Dead has a prime example of this n-bombing which the audience seemed to love. I noticed my friends seem to love to drop the word here and there and I might accidentally do it around them but I always feel sort of bad afterwards and try not to do it. Note that my friend also seems to use the word around his black friends and they don't mind.

This seems largely something that white people just do when they're not around black people though.

I'm curious how widespread this is and where this will go in the future.

― Colin Cassidy (Colin Cassidy), Tuesday, 17 October 2006 20:16 (nineteen years ago)

2600 new answers by midnight

― jaymc (jaymc), Tuesday, 17 October 2006 20:17 (nineteen years ago)

huge D. I try to avoid socializing with people who do this.

― . . .and a soda on the side (Molly Jones), Tuesday, 17 October 2006 20:18 (nineteen years ago)

http://www.theoldcomputer.com/Libarary

― latebloomer (latebloomer), Tuesday, 17 October 2006 20:20 (nineteen years ago)

i dont remember anyone saying 'nigger' in Shaun of the Dead

― PRKLTR (flezaffe), Tuesday, 17 October 2006 20:22 (nineteen years ago)

2600 new answers by midnight

Heh, how many answers do you think until this n-word is actually used?

AND X-POST!

― Pleasant Plains /// (Pleasant Plains ///), Tuesday, 17 October 2006 20:23 (nineteen years ago)

Does it make me racist to find it hilarious when British white people say it but ashamed when American white people say it?

― got yourself a fish biscuit! (nickalicious), Tuesday, 17 October 2006 20:23 (nineteen years ago)

either way this is all going to go horribly wrong.

Dud, incidentally.

― Matt (Matt), Tuesday, 17 October 2006 20:26 (nineteen years ago)

Dud. Really, really dud.

― Sara R-C (Sara R-C), Tuesday, 17 October 2006 20:27 (nineteen years ago)

obviously dud when directed at someone or for comedy purposes but i think calling it "the n-word" in discourse is pretty ludicrous.

― jed_ (jed), Tuesday, 17 October 2006 20:32 (nineteen years ago)

Before things go horribly wrong:

I pretty much know it's a dud, I just meant to make this thread for the purposes of discussion because this is something that goes on a lot whether we like it or not and it is different than just using the word in an overtly racist way. Not saying that makes it right or okay...

― Colin Cassidy (Colin Cassidy), Tuesday, 17 October 2006 20:34 (nineteen years ago)

Never heard anyone do this - don't really get what it involves. I, and most people I know, would say the word 'nigger' rather than 'the N word' in contexts such as the thread title, though.

― Eyeball Kicks (Eyeball Kicks), Tuesday, 17 October 2006 20:34 (nineteen years ago)

"what n-word? nuisance? nailgun? nostradamus?"

double x-post

― Matt (Matt), Tuesday, 17 October 2006 20:35 (nineteen years ago)

Really, I never knew it was weird to use the term "N word", note to self...

and nailgun is just offensive, I prefer the term pin pistol

― Colin Cassidy (Colin Cassidy), Tuesday, 17 October 2006 20:40 (nineteen years ago)

I, and most people I know, would say the word 'nigger' rather than 'the N word' in contexts such as the thread title, though.

Really?? Most (white) people I know have been preconditioned to never let it past their lips, even among themselves.

― jaymc (jaymc), Tuesday, 17 October 2006 20:41 (nineteen years ago)

"white people ironically using/doing" anything = megaDUD 99% of the time. "The N-word" = also DUD.

I'll use the word nigger if I'm quoting something/someone or discussing it as an abstraction (ie, like now) but that's about it.

― Shakey Mo Collier (Shakey Mo Collier), Tuesday, 17 October 2006 20:43 (nineteen years ago)

I got two spankings in my childhood, one for my first F, the other for when I said ni...ni...the n word.

― got yourself a fish biscuit! (nickalicious), Tuesday, 17 October 2006 20:44 (nineteen years ago)

This seems largely something that white people just do when they're not around black people though.

― Coach Dave (Fluffy Bear Hearts Rainbows), Tuesday, 17 October 2006 20:44 (nineteen years ago)

"white people ironically using/doing" anything = megaDUD 99% of the time = 99% of white pop culture = TS: imperialism v. irony?

― literalisp (literalisp), Tuesday, 17 October 2006 22:00 (nineteen years ago)

This thread is dumb!!

― The Real Esteban Buttez (EstieButtez1), Tuesday, 17 October 2006 22:04 (nineteen years ago)

racist.

― literalisp (literalisp), Tuesday, 17 October 2006 22:09 (nineteen years ago)

what's wrong with being racy?

― Shakey Mo Collier (Shakey Mo Collier), Tuesday, 17 October 2006 22:10 (nineteen years ago)

the only white people using the N word that are funny are elderly weathermen or animated cartoons trying to rap for the first time.

― ▒█▄█ ▄▄▄ ▒█▄█ , Tuesday, 17 October 2006 22:12 (nineteen years ago)

http://content.ytmnd.com/content/2/d/f/2dfcac9d423578b627ac313ba8c4928c.jpg

― literalisp (literalisp), Tuesday, 17 October 2006 22:19 (nineteen years ago)

Not as classic as white people ironically stoking hatred against Muslims.

― Doctor Jaggernathy (noodle vague), Tuesday, 17 October 2006 23:19 (nineteen years ago)

That Eddie Murphy video is so awesome. "What a silly negroe!"

― Andrew (enneff), Tuesday, 17 October 2006 23:24 (nineteen years ago)

A buddy of mine called it "the magic word." He said whenever he heard a white person say it, no matter what the context, he felt an enormous rush of rage.

I'm not blind to race issues but that conversation opened my eyes quite a bit.

― Edward III (edward iii), Wednesday, 18 October 2006 00:22 (nineteen years ago)

What on earth do you mean by "ironic"? How on earth can someone use it ironically?

― You must be JOking! (section241), Wednesday, 18 October 2006 00:29 (nineteen years ago)

I still get mad at 'wigger' much less the real one.

― milo z (mlp), Wednesday, 18 October 2006 00:41 (nineteen years ago)

How on earth can someone use it ironically?

http://www.eastbayimprov.com/more/davesactors/chris.rock.jpg

HI DERE

― James Herbert Dip (noodle vague), Wednesday, 18 October 2006 00:43 (nineteen years ago)

whats the verdict on white people actually using the term 'n-bomb' to show appreciation for a black person. example: "ray lewis is my number one n-bomb"

― t0dd swiss (immobilisme), Wednesday, 18 October 2006 00:43 (nineteen years ago)

milo OTM. actually, I would amend it to say "as much as the real one."

see also "white trash."

― researching ur life (grady), Wednesday, 18 October 2006 00:44 (nineteen years ago)

god, i detest "wigger". why do people find this acceptable?

― RoxyMuzak© (roxymuzak), Wednesday, 18 October 2006 02:38 (nineteen years ago)

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2002/Oct-06-Sun-2002/photos/rock.jpg

"There are black people and there are niggas. I like black people. But I hate niggas. Niggas always be taking credit for shit they supposed to do. They'll be like, "I take care of my kids." You're SUPPOSED to take care of your kids!"

― The Real Esteban Buttez (EstieButtez1), Wednesday, 18 October 2006 02:57 (nineteen years ago)

http://static.flickr.com/49/116422122_56b05a878d_o.jpg

― literalisp (literalisp), Wednesday, 18 October 2006 03:11 (nineteen years ago)

how about "wiggardly" - can we use that?

― timmy tannin (pompous), Wednesday, 18 October 2006 03:15 (nineteen years ago)

hmm this is like the only word i abstain from saying for some reason. this was like the only taboo in my house growing up. what about the patti smith song, is that ok ethan?

― chaki (chaki), Wednesday, 18 October 2006 05:53 (nineteen years ago)

That 'NIGER please' image made me laugh for about half an hour when I first saw it. Now, I can't figure out why.

― Andrew (enneff), Wednesday, 18 October 2006 06:12 (nineteen years ago)

Am I mistaken, or are some of these evasive picture posts implying that because black people use it, white people should be able to?

The person above didn't answer my question, and apparently can't read in context. I'm asking how a white person can use it ironically. I won't get an answer, either.

I can remember a time when you would never see this sort of trash on ilx.

I look forward to more evasive picture posts from people who are unwilling or unable to speak plain English, most likely because they have something to hide. Like I said, there was a time when nearly all of ilx was articulate and had some familiarity with an education.

Some people notice this stuff.

― You must be JOking! (section241), Wednesday, 18 October 2006 06:48 (nineteen years ago)

Should Mark E. Smith be allowed to use it?

― S- (sgh), Wednesday, 18 October 2006 07:06 (nineteen years ago)

I'm asking how a white person can use it ironically.

http://www.google.com/search?q=site%3Ailx.wh3rd.net+nigga

― ;_; (blueski), Wednesday, 18 October 2006 09:12 (nineteen years ago)

in b4 mark e smith picture post

― The Real Esteban Buttez (EstieButtez1), Wednesday, 18 October 2006 09:21 (nineteen years ago)

why do you use it (in writing)? just attention-seeking?

― ;_; (blueski), Wednesday, 18 October 2006 09:34 (nineteen years ago)

I can remember a time when you would never see this sort of trash on ilx.

no you don't

― Thomas Tallis (Tommy), Wednesday, 18 October 2006 11:27 (nineteen years ago)

I was just drunk and saluting the magic of Chris Rock. You can stick your "evasive picture posts" right up your arse, if you like.

― James Herbert Dip (noodle vague), Wednesday, 18 October 2006 11:42 (nineteen years ago)

And I like black people.

― The Real Esteban Buttez (EstieButtez1), Wednesday, 18 October 2006 11:43 (nineteen years ago)

I'm asking how a white person can use it ironically.

http://2000.openairgampel.ch/bands/commitments.jpg

― Andrew Farrell (afarrell), Wednesday, 18 October 2006 11:48 (nineteen years ago)

And I like black people.

-- The Real Esteban Buttez (estiebuttez...), October 18th, 2006 1:43 PM

Answer my question.

― ;_; (blueski), Wednesday, 18 October 2006 11:50 (nineteen years ago)

sigh

― electric sound of jim [and why not] (electricsound), Wednesday, 18 October 2006 11:53 (nineteen years ago)

maybe you could answer it for him?

― ;_; (blueski), Wednesday, 18 October 2006 11:55 (nineteen years ago)

Skipping 81 messages at this point... Click here if you want to load them all.

Chevy Chase & Richard Pryor

― Sir Lance A Zit (Dick Butkus), Thursday, 19 October 2006 00:22 (nineteen years ago)

vs Sly & Himself

― Sir Lance A Zit (Dick Butkus), Thursday, 19 October 2006 00:23 (nineteen years ago)

vs Clawfinger lololol

― PRKLTR (flezaffe), Thursday, 19 October 2006 00:41 (nineteen years ago)

god, i detest "wigger". why do people find this acceptable?

because it is a category term for a class of (white) people who stereotype African Americans and so, without even realising it, parade their racism.

mind you, maybe you get people saying "yo, I am a wigga", and then it is not cool - it should always be a term of abuse.

The N word (Nyarlathotep) should never be used.

― DV (dirtyvicar), Thursday, 19 October 2006 12:40 (nineteen years ago)

I don't know if you guys know this, but if you listen to enough Hip Hop you begin to think using the N-word.

A brief (and completely true) example:

I am in Banana Republic, browsing their sale items when in my field of view two white guys rush over to the belt rack.

The thought verbatim that popped into my head was this:

"Niggas be buying belts!"

Lol, now I'm not about to go around voicing these kind of things, but that's the sort of context I meant...

― Colin Cassidy (Colin Cassidy), Sunday, 22 October 2006 06:37 (nineteen years ago)

I think the harder the "r" is pronounced the more racist the word becomes. For instance, someone who might pronounce the word "nig-ai" avoids racism all together while someone slurs that "r" like a pirate might be up to no good.

At this point the word has reached the level of confusing social taboo, like something out of Seinfeld. People who normally scoff at the concept of "bad words" get very incredibly superstitious when it comes to slurs, racial ones in particular. The joy people have in using the "n-word" ironically is the fact that it plays around with a superstition/taboo and almost always gets a conditioned reaction from people.

This reminds of the time I watched a comedian tell a joke about Bush eating children for breakfast and after receiving little laughter or horror from the crowd he suggested that Bush eats black children for breakfast and the whole audience gasped in horror.

― Cunga (Cunga), Sunday, 22 October 2006 07:21 (nineteen years ago)

"nig-ai"???

― A. Lingbert (A. Lingbert), Sunday, 22 October 2006 07:56 (nineteen years ago)

it is a category term for a class of (white) people who stereotype African Americans and so, without even realising it, parade their racism

Errm, kids liking Hip Hop and overdoing their imitation of its codes does not equal stereotyping African Americans. Thinking that "Hip Hop = All African Americans" seems much more dubious to me. I've been called a wigga on more than one occasion simply for saying that I like Hip Hop. My opinion of the people who use that word is waaaaay lower than it is of some 15 year-old scamp who thinks he's 50 Cent.

― James Herbert Dip (noodle vague), Sunday, 22 October 2006 08:59 (nineteen years ago)

hip hop is stupid. now, what else would you like to know?

― Portable Dorkness (Dick Butkus), Sunday, 22 October 2006 10:48 (nineteen years ago)

Dud, but slightly less dud than non-ironic usage.

― mh. (mike h.), Sunday, 22 October 2006 14:16 (nineteen years ago)

I've been called a wigga on more than one occasion simply for saying that I like Hip Hop.

Don't you just want to punch people for that? I know I do.

― Tantrum The Cat (Tantrum The Cat), Sunday, 22 October 2006 15:42 (nineteen years ago)

busted

― ;_; (blueski), Tuesday, 31 October 2006 12:05 (nineteen years ago)

waht

― benrique (Enrique), Tuesday, 31 October 2006 12:08 (nineteen years ago)

oh shoosh you lot!

― wogan lenin (dog latin), Tuesday, 31 October 2006 12:17 (nineteen years ago)

anyway, i'm black.

― wogan lenin (dog latin), Tuesday, 31 October 2006 12:17 (nineteen years ago)

Posh Panther

― teh_kit returns! (g-kit), Tuesday, 31 October 2006 12:18 (nineteen years ago)

frat boys = still assholes.

The invitation to the party, posted on the Web site Facebook, encouraged guests to wear "regional clothing from our locale" with jewelry including "bling bling ice ice, grills" and "hoochie hoops."

― kingfish prætor (kingfish 2.0), Tuesday, 31 October 2006 20:11 (nineteen years ago)

I have used the N-word, but only while singing along to the music I'm listening to. I wonder if thats okay? It seems a bit stupid to substitute a word or even pause every time the particular artist you're singing along to uses it.

― I'm down for runnin' up on them crackers in the city hall... (papa november), Tuesday, 31 October 2006 20:37 (nineteen years ago)

what was the music?

― ;_; (blueski), Tuesday, 31 October 2006 20:57 (nineteen years ago)

Skrewdriver

― Shakey Mo Collier (Shakey Mo Collier), Tuesday, 31 October 2006 21:03 (nineteen years ago)

It never quite devolved to 'niggaz' (unless I missed part of the story, possible) but last week's Dallas Observer cover story was about their NYU-grad 'Girl on Top' columnist getting a $100 grill and wearing it around town for a week, including ('OMG so ironic!') to a country-club wedding.

― milo z (mlp), Tuesday, 31 October 2006 21:09 (nineteen years ago)

cut down in its prime.

― danny viborgu (viborgui), Monday, 6 November 2006 05:08 (nineteen years ago)

consider this scenario: i have a friend, "big daddy" (not his real alias), who is a white boy who grew up in the projects of SF. he recently told me about when he used to go visit family in rural colorado as a kid. he said his cousins were shocked because he frequently used the term "nigga" (as is common among underprivileged youth OF ALL RACES around here), and he had to explain to them the difference between "nigga" and "nigger"...is this still forbidden speech? obviously, he was using the term in a completely un-ironic (sincere?) context, and as far as i know, he had as many black friends as white (/brown/yellow) friends, and presumably didn't change his speech habits too much depending on the company he was keeping.

― viborg (viborg), Monday, 6 November 2006 08:17 (nineteen years ago)

some of his best friends are black cool i see it now thanks

― cousin larry bundgee (bundgee), Monday, 6 November 2006 08:27 (nineteen years ago)

THIS JUST IN: Dom Passantino ironically used the word "nigga" during karaoake!!

― wordy rappaport (EstieButtez1), Monday, 6 November 2006 08:32 (nineteen years ago)

xpost

right so its forbidden no matter what the context and no matter what his intention? i'll go ahead and report him then.

― viborg (viborg), Monday, 6 November 2006 08:33 (nineteen years ago)

You're out of touch with reality. A few of you in a few smoke-filled rooms, calling that the mainstream, while the masses of the people, white and black; red, yellow and brown; poor and vulnerable are suffering in this nation.

Makaveli "White Man'z World"

― viborg (viborg), Monday, 6 November 2006 09:28 (nineteen years ago)

more snark, please

― viborg (viborg), Monday, 6 November 2006 22:44 (nineteen years ago)

"presumably didn't change his speech habits too much depending on the company he was keeping"

seeing as how langugae is all about context, yr friend is an idiot.

― Shakey Mo Collier (Shakey Mo Collier), Monday, 6 November 2006 22:56 (nineteen years ago)

THIS JUST IN: Dom Passantino ironically used the word "nigga" during karaoake!!

-- wordy rappaport (estiebuttez...), November 6th, 2006. (EstieButtez1) (later)

No, no I didn't.

― dommy p is alright WHICH IS A LOT MORE THAN I CAN SAY ABOUT A LOT OF PEOPLE (Dom, Monday, 6 November 2006 23:12 (nineteen years ago)

more snark, please

more defensiveness, plz

― deej.. (deej..), Monday, 6 November 2006 23:14 (nineteen years ago)

more defensiveness, plz

i'm just not feelin the snark on this one...

seeing as how langugae is all about context, yr friend is an idiot.

i'm not sure about "langugae", but you're getting warmer- if you could throw in a little more snide, you would really nail it.

― viborg (viborg), Tuesday, 7 November 2006 04:38 (nineteen years ago)

If you didn't want to have to answer to any disagreements, why did you post at all?

― Allyzay Eisenschefter (allyzay), Tuesday, 7 November 2006 18:01 (nineteen years ago)

sand-in-vagina syndrome

― The Android Cat (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 7 November 2006 18:04 (nineteen years ago)

i was hoping someone would address the actual content of my post without resorting to semantics or one-liners, but honestly by the end there i was just straight trolling, for which i should surely be flogged. yesterday was a long day. my bad.

― viborg (viborg), Tuesday, 7 November 2006 18:06 (nineteen years ago)

and yes, my p*ssy does itch.

― viborg (viborg), Tuesday, 7 November 2006 18:07 (nineteen years ago)

Too much information methinks

― Dadaismus (Takin' Funk to Heaven in '77) (Dada), Tuesday, 7 November 2006 18:09 (nineteen years ago)

You had one snarky response, and replied to it multiple times. Wee bit tetchy. Anyway, there are two issues going on there. One, is that this is ok for him to do in his circle of friends due to his experiences growing up. As long as it doesn't offend his friends, I don't see how this is anyone else's business but his (though I'm going to go out on a limb and say no matter whom I've hung out with in life, I've never really felt it was appropriate to just go around using the terminology constantly so I do think it is something to consider for himself personally--just because his social circle doesn't mind this behavior doesn't mean that he won't end up in a different social circle who will be offended, despite all other similiarities to the current situation). Info in parenthesis leads to my next point--not changing your manner of speech regardless of the company you are in is really dumb. I mean, I hate to say it but Shakey OTM on that point. If he ISN'T around his friends who presumably approve of this, he shouldn't be using the term, if just out of manners.

― Allyzay Eisenschefter (allyzay), Tuesday, 7 November 2006 18:13 (nineteen years ago)

Which goes back up to the point I made WAAAAAAAAAAAY upthread:

Quite honestly, the number of contexts in which you are going to be allowed to get away with using either ["nigga" or "nigger"] is small enough that you're better off expressing your thoughts in another manner.

― The Android Cat (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 7 November 2006 18:17 (nineteen years ago)

quite right. i did take offense summarily, and that was based more on previous experience around these parts (and what i felt was the general tone of of this thread) than on that one post in particular. by this point, i'm waaayyy too tired to get deep into this right now. i'll get back to you (if this discussion is even worth furthering) after i finish the gig i have moving crap from 11PM-7AM tomorrow morning. should be loads of fun! (the contractor did specifically offer nodoz (and trail mix?) as part of the deal..whee-hoo!

― viborg (viborg), Tuesday, 7 November 2006 18:27 (nineteen years ago)

Thanks for the update! I'll put your file aside for future reference if an opportunity arises.

― Allyzay Eisenschefter (allyzay), Tuesday, 7 November 2006 18:37 (nineteen years ago)

thanks for the snark, missy.

― viborg (viborg), Tuesday, 7 November 2006 18:59 (nineteen years ago)

that's not snark, she actually got me a job once

― gear (gear), Tuesday, 7 November 2006 19:02 (nineteen years ago)

Gear is now the commissioner of baseball.

― Allyzay Eisenschefter (allyzay), Tuesday, 7 November 2006 19:03 (nineteen years ago)

the cubs will now be forced to wear all black uniforms and sign no one who weighs under 180 lbs and walks less than 50 times per season.

― gear (gear), Tuesday, 7 November 2006 19:07 (nineteen years ago)

http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/images/n9/n48096.jpg

― Dadaismus (Takin' Funk to Heaven in '77) (Dada), Tuesday, 7 November 2006 19:11 (nineteen years ago)

OMG ALLY IS REALLY MISSY ELLIOTT??????

ALLY WHAT IS U SAY IN THE HOOK TO "WORK IT"??? MY FRIEND SEZ IT'S "FREMME NEPPA VENETTE" BUT I THINK IT'S "IT'S UR FAULT MY PUSSY NOT WET"; WHO'S RIGHT??????? XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

― The Android Cat (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 7 November 2006 19:38 (nineteen years ago)

no, Missy Albarn!

― 2 american 4 u (blueski), Tuesday, 7 November 2006 20:42 (nineteen years ago)

BICYCLISTS ARE THE NIGGERS OF NEW YORK

― (9ò_ó)-o Q(^.^Q) (Adrian Langston), Tuesday, 7 November 2006 22:34 (nineteen years ago)

is teh borat racist?

― viborg (viborg), Thursday, 9 November 2006 08:53 (nineteen years ago)

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