Anyone catch The Boondocks last night? The plot was fairly interesting–what if Martin Luther King emerged from a coma in 2006? Pretty funny, right?
You would think that. By the time it was over, I felt like Richard Pryor going to Africa. Because that show has me considering never saying “nigga” again.
I won’t break down the entire plot, but the ending really didn’t sit well with me. See, in order to promote a revolutionary political party he and Huey were starting, Dr. King hired an “urban promotions company” to generate interest. Of course, this firm used a radio campaign to get people to come to a par-tay, not a political party.
There were some chuckles in that misunderstanding, but the show ended with a fiery speech from Dr. King that started with him calling the party full of people–all of whom were stereotypically “ghetto”–“ignorant niggaz.”
What followed was an extended diatribe about the ignorance of these black people, who clearly were not representative of all black folks. It seemed like a pointed attack against the underclass instead of a critique of the entirety of post-Movement black America. Just more black bourgeoise bullshit that would make Bill Cosby smile.
But what got me more than anything was the hateful, disdainful way that “nigga” was used. I’ve always maintained that people make much to big a deal of the way black people use the word, but I’ve got to rethink that. It seems that I made a mistake that I punish others for making–ascribing my views to the rest of the world.
Silly me, I thought that folks that used the word with the same frequency as I do were thinking the same way as I did. Yanno, I figured those folks had taken some level of control over the term and were not using it as a way of battering black people. And somehow, I figured I had an idealogue in Aaron McGruder.
Clearly, I do not.
A few weeks ago, I was talking to John Lee about the show. On top of carrying an impressive resume, John is probably the smartest guy I know in the media (along with probably being the funniest). John told me he met McGruder and could feel the self-loathing. In the two times I talked to Aaron, I didn’t feel the same thing. I had some issues with him–which people who know me have heard me complain about ad nauseaum–but I didn’t think he was self-loathing.
But after watching him channel Dr. Martin Luther King for the purpose of calling folks a bunch of niggaz, I have to reconsider that and seriously reconsider the cartoon. Between this and the “nigga moment” premise–one that delineated the difference between black folks and niggaz, something I absolutely refuse to stand for–I might be done with Aaron’s cartoon.
Sorry, but I don’t find laughing at poor black people like that to be funny. Not at all.
But why my trip to Africa? Most know that Pryor stopped calling people “niggers/niggaz” after his trip to Africa. The Boondocks has me considering to do the same thing. It’s not because I’ve changed my personal take on the word. It’s because I really don’t wanna get confused with folks that use the term with that spirit. I will never put myself in a position where someone rational will believe that I have a distaste for black people.
Will I hold to that? I dunno. At this point, though, I’ve gotta give it a thought or two.
30 Comments
by Kirk
I watched it last night for the first time in a couple of weeks, and it’s the first time I’ve watched the show and didn’t laugh once. The impression I’ve always had is that Aaron really seems to think he’s a lot smarter than most of his audience. I think that attitude probably backfires as often, if not more often, than it works.
by Rico
That show was funny. Very funny. The problem with us Black people is that we take everything personal. None of those things the cartoon said applied to me, so why should I get mad. It was entertaining. The reason why it was entertaining because there was some thruth to it that everyone deep down believes. Now equating Niggaz to Poor Blacks that is a matter of personal perspective. If that is how you believe then so be it. Poor Blacks are show some of the characteristics they said on the show last night are called Niggaz now(Note not all Poor Blacks share those characteristics). Big whopp ti do. We as black people change the meaning of words every five years. This is just one more evolution of the the word Nigga, and probably won’t be the last. So I will continue to use the word, just in it’s new meaning.
How is using nigger to negatively refer to black folks an evolution?
by Rico
That show was funny. Very funny. The problem with us Black people is that we take everything personal. None of those things the cartoon said applied to me, so why should I get mad. It was entertaining. The reason why it was entertaining because there was some thruth to it that everyone deep down believes. Now equating Niggaz to Poor Blacks that is a matter of personal perspective. If that is how you believe then so be it. Poor Blacks are show some of the characteristics they said on the show last night are called Niggaz now(Note not all Poor Blacks share those characteristics). Big whopp ti do. We as black people change the meaning of words every five years. This is just one more evolution of the the word Nigga, and probably won’t be the last. So I will continue to use the word, just in it’s new meaning.
How is using nigger to negatively refer to black folks an evolution?
by strongforu
What channel does the ‘Boondocks’ show come on? I’ve heard about it for the last year or so but I must be watching something else at that time. I’ve read the cartoon on and off for several years now.
I will say that I’ve always felt that A.M. is a little bit ‘out there’ and a recent blurb I read on him leads me to think he’s obsessed with white folk, especially white women. (See the latest Vibe magazine Feb.06′). This may explain the self’loathing.
Additionally, I’ve never liked the use of the ‘N’ word for many reasons, one of which is just the type of confusion mentioned here.
by strongforu
What channel does the ‘Boondocks’ show come on? I’ve heard about it for the last year or so but I must be watching something else at that time. I’ve read the cartoon on and off for several years now.
I will say that I’ve always felt that A.M. is a little bit ‘out there’ and a recent blurb I read on him leads me to think he’s obsessed with white folk, especially white women. (See the latest Vibe magazine Feb.06′). This may explain the self’loathing.
Additionally, I’ve never liked the use of the ‘N’ word for many reasons, one of which is just the type of confusion mentioned here.
by eauhellzgnaw
First, let me say that I have never seen the show–I don’t have cable. Second, from your explanation, I have a problem with you referring to McGruder’s “self-loathing.” Granted, I don’t know him personally, but I don’t think condemning individuals’ behavior constitutes self-loathing simply because those individuals have the same racial/ethnic identity that you do. It reminds me of the people who refer to Norman Finkelstein as a self-hating Jew for criticizing Israeli domestic and foreign policy. This is herd mentality at its worst and it is racist to the core: it suggests that all (“real”) black people have to think the same way. McGruder is not criticizing black people; he’s criticizing ignorant people who are black. Decent black folks (not just the educated and well to do) ARE different from and better than those black people McGruder was talking about (at least with respect to the behaviors in question). As for “nigger,” I haven’t used the word in about a decade, though I’ve longed stop trying to argue with people who do use it. I hate all of its manifestations: nigger/a as friend, nigger/a as male, nigger/a as black person, nigger/a as ignorant black person. I find it ridiculously hypocritical that otherwise intelligent black folks revel in spouting it at every opportunity and will get all up in arms when white people use it. I know about linguistics and context and all, but it’s a disgusting word. If you decide to stop using it–good riddance.
Here’s the tricky thing about it being a “disgusting word.” A word is no more disgusting than the way it’s intended. The reason I get up in arms when white folks say it is because I don’t have time to gauge their intentions. I’m lazy and use heurestic devices. I assume that black folks that use it aren’t doing so with negative intentions and I assume that white folks that do have negative intentions. Those aren’t absolute rules, but those combine to be the place from whence I start. Once I find out that I’m wrong in dealing with a person, then I gotta flip it up. But this can be such an interesting issue because there will always be a disconnect what people say and what people hear, even when people are talking to themselves.
by eauhellzgnaw
First, let me say that I have never seen the show–I don’t have cable. Second, from your explanation, I have a problem with you referring to McGruder’s “self-loathing.” Granted, I don’t know him personally, but I don’t think condemning individuals’ behavior constitutes self-loathing simply because those individuals have the same racial/ethnic identity that you do. It reminds me of the people who refer to Norman Finkelstein as a self-hating Jew for criticizing Israeli domestic and foreign policy. This is herd mentality at its worst and it is racist to the core: it suggests that all (“real”) black people have to think the same way. McGruder is not criticizing black people; he’s criticizing ignorant people who are black. Decent black folks (not just the educated and well to do) ARE different from and better than those black people McGruder was talking about (at least with respect to the behaviors in question). As for “nigger,” I haven’t used the word in about a decade, though I’ve longed stop trying to argue with people who do use it. I hate all of its manifestations: nigger/a as friend, nigger/a as male, nigger/a as black person, nigger/a as ignorant black person. I find it ridiculously hypocritical that otherwise intelligent black folks revel in spouting it at every opportunity and will get all up in arms when white people use it. I know about linguistics and context and all, but it’s a disgusting word. If you decide to stop using it–good riddance.
Here’s the tricky thing about it being a “disgusting word.” A word is no more disgusting than the way it’s intended. The reason I get up in arms when white folks say it is because I don’t have time to gauge their intentions. I’m lazy and use heurestic devices. I assume that black folks that use it aren’t doing so with negative intentions and I assume that white folks that do have negative intentions. Those aren’t absolute rules, but those combine to be the place from whence I start. Once I find out that I’m wrong in dealing with a person, then I gotta flip it up. But this can be such an interesting issue because there will always be a disconnect what people say and what people hear, even when people are talking to themselves.
by Rico
In response to the question above.
Nigger/Nigga has taken on a couple of meanings throughout history as most of us already know.
First Nigger/Nigga had a negative conotation(mostly by white folks). Then we (black folks) kinda took it changed it a little bit and tried to give it a positive meaning which is all good.
But now it seems that a segment of the black population is currently changing the meaning of Nigger/Nigga again so that it reflects a certain segment of the black population, which happen to be the black poor who share certain characteristics that are seen as unproductive
Nigger/Nigga is not being used to describe all black folks or all poor blacks.
In my mind that is evolution. The word is changing meaning or changing who it is talking about in each instance.
Now if people get mad for using Nigger/Nigga for that meaning, then that is personal, but I shouldn’t be mad at it just because I am black because those characteristics do not apply to me.
That doesn’t change the fact that referring to a certain class of black people as “niggers” is an inherently white supremacist notion.
by Rico
In response to the question above.
Nigger/Nigga has taken on a couple of meanings throughout history as most of us already know.
First Nigger/Nigga had a negative conotation(mostly by white folks). Then we (black folks) kinda took it changed it a little bit and tried to give it a positive meaning which is all good.
But now it seems that a segment of the black population is currently changing the meaning of Nigger/Nigga again so that it reflects a certain segment of the black population, which happen to be the black poor who share certain characteristics that are seen as unproductive
Nigger/Nigga is not being used to describe all black folks or all poor blacks.
In my mind that is evolution. The word is changing meaning or changing who it is talking about in each instance.
Now if people get mad for using Nigger/Nigga for that meaning, then that is personal, but I shouldn’t be mad at it just because I am black because those characteristics do not apply to me.
That doesn’t change the fact that referring to a certain class of black people as “niggers” is an inherently white supremacist notion.
by Skelow
I remember the day I stopped using the N-word. October 13, 1994. I was walking across my Ivy campus, holding a quiet conversation with the (Black) person next to me. I mentioned something “some crazy nigga” had done, just as a middle-aged Black man walked past us. That man stopped me, and asked me if I knew who Emmett Till, Medgar Evers, and MLK were. After I responded in the affirmative, he asked, “What do you think they would say if they happened to hear you, not me?” Haven’t said it since.
I agree with your re-thinking of the “N-word,” but not your analysis of the show. I think last night’s episode was spot-on. What WOULD MLK think of what his people have become now? I agree with Aaron- I think he might consider a great many of us (rich, poor, or middle-class) ignorant buffoons.
I may be wrong, but I take it your main problem was that you felt he equated niggas with poor Blacks in this episode. I didn’t get that at all. I think he was casting a wide net at all of us. Poor Blacks didn’t create BET, one of the largest and most successful purveyors of negative Black imagery in the world. Poor Blacks don’t drive Beemers and Benzes, live in McMansions, and contribute emabarrassingly small amounts to the UNCF or even their own children’s educations. And poor Blacks don’t reside in most shady pulpits.
by katrina
the boondocks isn’t as uplifting as people like to believe…to say the least. every now and then, i watch it. i’m still hoping that i’ll get something out of it. doubtful.
by eauhellzgnaw
Rico,
Your assessment about the history of the word is wrong in this sense: using “nigger” to refer to lower class and/or ignorant/unproductive blacks is definitely not a new thing; it’s at least as old as Reconstruction. This tension has existed as long as there hasbeen class/educational differences between blacks.
And I respectfully disagree about the “we took nigger and turned it into a positive” thing. In fact, I don’t respectfully disagree: I think that argument is bullshit used to justify an inexcusable bad habit.
by Rico
@ skeelow
I am not sure if I am reading your post correctly, but I didn’t have a problem with him equating Niggas to some poor blacks.
He mentioned one rich black guy(which could be debated also) but the rest of his speech was talking about character flaws of individuals.
Your comments about Beamers, Benezes and McMansion vs contributing to eduction is off base and sounds like half way hating if I am reading it correctly.
@ eauhel
You might be right as far how black folks used the word, but the majority of us were never in those circles nor was it said on a national stage as it has been recently.
Don’t get me wrong I never took the N word as positive, but that does not mean it wasn’t the going interpetation of the word and how it was being used.
by eauhellzgnaw
OK, Rico,
now I RESPECTFULLY disagree. It’s not a strictly middle-upper class black thing. Talk to any black people raised one, two, or if you’re lucky, three generations ago. The poor and uneducated black folks are just as likely (if not more likely) to use the word in this way. It’s long been a very popular usage.
And the national stage thing is a product of the information age: it is no longer possible (nor deisirable for that matter) to try to keep “black business in-house.” I’m amazed that the Cosby thing didn’t happen sooner.
by Rico
@ eauhel
“The poor and uneducated black folks are just as likely (if not more likely) to use the word in this way.”
For clarification what way are you talking about.
by eauhellzgnaw
Rico,
A lot of times, educated black folks have cultivated a certain type of public performance in which they feel they have to defend ignorant/criminal/irresponsible black folks (usually with sociological explanations) when white eyes are upon them. Educated black folks are the ones making the most stink about Bill Cosby, even though privately they say the same things. This mentality of defending all black people (no matter their deeds) in the face of white criticism served us well in times past, when white people could lynch a black person SIMPLY for being black and “uppity.” Nowadays it’s not only obsolete, it’s regressive. But anyway, a number of non-educated black folks have less decorum when it comes to these things, not because they think any differently, but because educated black folks have been socialized in a certain way. ==================================================And Bomani, I think I misunderstood your underlying point. It’s not that you are simply upset that he was criticizing poor blacks without criticizing the rest of us, who are just as responsible for the current situation. You are upset that he’s using the word in that specific way (the whole Chris Rock thing). I actually agree with you. I detest the use of the word in this way, perhaps moreso than the others: it suggests that there is a basis for the white supremacy. I still think you’re off-base with the whole self-hatred thing, though.
Sure, the actual words are not disgusting, and I know the intent behind the use of a word is key, but would you EVER refer to your mother as a “ho” even if you meant it as “female”? Or lets say the word “cunt,” popular among many white English speakers came into use among black folks for some reason. Could you see yourself using it with a meaning that is positive or even neutral?
by sekou
I got put on to this blog by and friend of the author, I check it from time to time and for the most part I agree with a lot that is written (Much props to Bomani).
That being said I am more intruiged by the reactions to the show than the show itself. I’m not sure what Aaron is trying to do with this show, but I tell what he is doing that I didn’t think could still be done. Make black people REALLY uncomfortable with the n-word. I thought the Chappelle Show would do it, but people loved it. So I salute Aaron for successfully doing what I think the Boondocks was created to do – cause controversey! Get people talking! Stir up the mental juices in the black intellegensia/digerati (Now if he would only change Heuy’s voice).
On a personal note: I use the word nigga semi-regualarly. Mainly with my closest friends from home. That is how we grew up talking. That is how we still talk to each other. I could care less who is offended by it. Around others I curtail the use because I realize some people get all bent outta shape by it and I don’t need the extra drama. I appreciate those that stopped using it, and those that keep using it. We might all be black, but dammit if we are all alike!!
by ladyb
Something oddly powerful and corrective happened in that moment that I saw what Aaron imagined Dr. King thinking and saying. I felt like people who worked hard to break down race walls in non-entertainment sectors or society finally had their day. If my mother were here, she would applaud, saying something along the lines of wondering whether people would have been so ready to withstand the water hoses and dogs while they trudging hundreds of miles if they realized that they were paving the way for the next generation of black people to openly demonstrate the very stereotypes these people struggled against. I’m glad this dialog has opened and I respect y’all for engaging.
I wonder, though, if “referring to a certain class of black people as ‘niggers’ is an inherently white supremacist notion” as you say or if it is simply a supremacist notion, in the general sense.
I think it is safe to detach race from at least the doling side of the comment. In the show and in life, the issue with that word is clearly not about white people labeling black people. Rather, it is about certain black people ascribing worth to their way of life (values, cultural capital, or whatever), then positioning themselves above black people who share some other characteristics, particularly those that reflect negatively on the black people who don’t have them.
Maybe that’s the real issue. Some of us can justify nigga as a term of endearment or whatever but it becomes more difficult to hear it used the way it was intended, particularly when labeling people representing our friends.
I think this critical use of the word is important. At the same time, I think Aaron can do a hell of a lot better at conveying his message. I’m disappointed in general by the show.
I could be wrong, but I think King would take more accountability for his generation and the next’s role in molding black culture into what it’s become, for better or worse.
by hseuss3000
WHAT!? Did that nigga really write that article? As a socially well adjusted individual that was raised in a single parent home, I find Roland’s argument a little re-fucking-diculous and offensive. While my parents were married, they got divorced when I was 5. I barely remember them being married, so to me it’s as if they weren’t really married at all. My Dad raised me alone and as far as I’m concerned a mother and or step-mother wouldn’t have made me any more successful.
Unless this Roland cat considers me a failure for pursuing a Masters instead of a PH.D he is totally off base.
BTW in response to Bo’s last post can we start calling dumbass educated negroes with good jobs, “Rolands”.
by hseuss3000
Sorry posted comment to wrong article.
Even still, Aaron took some liberties that I couldn’t quite get with. These well read educated black folk are only a pink slip away from being the poor “niggas” they thumb their noses at. One of the things I’ve enjoyed most about my upbinging is that my father went back to school and for a couple of years we lived off a graduate stipend. For those of you who are in grad programs, you know that is a lot of money. After he graduated he got a really good job and our lives went 180. But as high as my dad got on the corprate ladder, he still went out of his way to stay on a first name basis with the brothers with that mopped the floors, deivered the packages and, had all the other jobs that they could have had before the civil rights movement. I asked him why he went out of his way to be friendly to those people and he said,”I’ve worked those jobs before and I’m only one bad day from being back there. I’m not better than anybody.”
The point of all this is that having been raised in a very poor household and a “well off” household has shown the only difference is taking advantage of opportunities. Unfortunately, many poor blacks aren’t given those opportunites. Even when those blacks that are fortunate enough to “make it” are still at the mercy of the white man.
For Aaron to insult a certain class of black folks using white supremacists thinking is all the more infuriating when one considers he is at the mercy of those same white folks.
No matter how educated and important a black person might get they will always be at the mercy of white people. If you don’t believe me ask Colin Powell.
by ladyb
you could be wrong but you’re not. i think 2 generations were represented in that room and i think that between the 3 generations of interest, there is a disconnect. but i still contend that if people knew the ball would be dropped at some point such that black people would find it acceptable to enact the same stereotypes our predecessors worked to overcome, they may have thought twice.
but that’s the problem with being complicit in one’s own oppression, isn’t it.
by large professa
Funny how as I read this, I am watchiong bernie mac.On the show his infant daughter overheard him use the word and repeated it in class.
Funny how we take the construct of a a racist slave system and keep its legacy alive through the language of oppression.
Bomani, I love you my brother, but whenever i hear you justify the use of the word, I get confused about your genius. You are still a genius in my book.
I am patient for I recognize that its not just class but a generaional-class reality. Case in point. My broke ass uncle uses it and my not broke uncle’s son, my cousin uses it. Same family complicated bullshit.
I notice that as you age your propensity for use decrease. Yes it is connected to ignorance but more accurately compassion or the lack of it for your own people.
Some food for thought.
1. Since the n word is the construct of white supremacy why do we hold on to it? With that logic we shoud all wear shackles and call them endearment jewelry,
2. Or maybe burn down the homes in S.W, Atlanta because there are uppity n— living there.
3. Or maybe, whenever a black person kills another black person we should just say the culprit is acting white. oh that would never happen…
4. Funny how proponents of the use of the word, never use craka, etc, to talk about white people…. with love,
5. Or the next time you go on a cruise call it a Columbus mission. I can hear it now, “me and my woman went on a columbus to…”
6. Or the next time you have an argument with a blackman, tell him you will slavemaster emasculate his ass,
7. Or the next time you are busy being a scholar and your boy calls you, tell him you are busy “whitening”
8. Or the next time you reference a great black woman like Ida B. say “Ida B with the phat ass.”
I can keep going but you get my point. I am sure ya’ll get my point.
Anybody that still uses the word must still be singing plantation lullabies
Arging the use of the word is justified is like shitting on on your past.
by Jude A. A.
I saw the episode of The Boondocks last night and thought it was right on target. When I initially heard about the show and its consistent use of the epithet, I was disturbed. Subsequent to watching the show, I have revised my initial uninformed opinion. Watch carefully everyone; the show is actually a critique on African American culture as it is portrayed in the media. The show is a critique on those of us that aspire to be like that the images that are portrayed on the “boob tube”. Most importantly, the show puts our dirty laundry on Front Street. The brutal fact that so many of us use this hateful and loaded word as a term of endearment, salutation, insult and other innocent social exchange simultaneously.
It is appalling that so many are unable to understand the nuances and actually critique of “us”. In the day and age, “The Man” does not have to call us “NIGGERS, NIGGAS”, spooks, porch-monkeys, lynch us, stop us from getting an education, or keep us in dilapidated housing. No…We do it to our selves. The man merely has to sit down and watch. I do not see any other racial or ethnic minority referring to themselves in racially derogatory terms. Therefore, I guess I am wrong. I am sorry those that are offended. Aaron is “self-loathing”….with that said, peace my “NIGGAS”.
Locks_smith
by Matt
I TIVO’d the show and watched it last night, I found the episode to be very poignant.
I LOVED the speech that MLK gave at the end, and then the revolution that followed. I was particularly amused when they showed the news headline of Bob Johnson apologizing for creating the stereotype of all stereotypes that is BET.
The mock BET videos they showed were hilarious also.
The moral of the episode to me was that black people should have more self-respect.
by Shady Ln.
i agree with the last comment. the speech was simply a play on the “infamous” Cosby speech. It SHOULD open eyes gape jaws. also i totally missed the whole “nigga” in reference to poor blacks movement. In truth as blacks we should all pay attention. paying attention only to the speech and not to the movement. Please stop seeing the forest for the trees.
by DNarrell
Let me be the one to stand up for McGruder. The man doesn’t use the word nigger because he likes the way it sounds. He uses it in the show for a specific reason. He displays blacks in his cartoon and sometimes in his comic strip acting a certain way or doing certain things or saying certain things to make a point. It’s satire, and often criticism. Not to say he’s self-loathing as the other brother referred to him as. He is critical. And in this day and age, as a black man, not only in America but all around the world, you have to be. Most of us have become settled in our current position and are comfortable. Well, we shouldn’t be. This is not the land of equality which our (not their, our)forefathers envisioned. We have stopped trying. We have stopped dreaming. I won’t use the word nigger now, but there are a lot of blacks out there who are damaging our people and reversing our progress. Celebrities are included. So read up about Aaron McGruder, read some of this man’s interviews. They can easily be found on the web, that’s how I found them. Just read them, I feel you will understand him and his humor and his messages much more so afterwards. And please, brothers and sisters, speaking as a 19 year old black man in America, stop the hate. Or at least stop the disrespect. You may not agree with the man’s methods, but show some respect to a black man in America with a voice, who is actually trying to do something positive for our people. Those black people are hard to come by these days. We have way too many 50 Cent’s and not enough Aaron McGruder’s. He is doing what he can to stand up for our people. Maybe you should read his comic strips for a month, then listen to these rap songs you hear on the radio all day for a month,and then see what you think of him. And talking on the internet isn’t enough. We need to get out there and re-ignite the revolution. But regardless of our differences of opinion, know that i got love for you. Stay black, and keep fighting. It’s bigger than us, it’s about our children.
by Lizzy
I didn’t see the whole episode, but I immediately recognized the genius and the wrongness of the premise. Controversy usually means ratings which means money so hey…
The civil rights generation dropped the ball, torch or whatever? Hmmm…I always find that interesting. I don’t think the civil rights movement was thoroughly thought out. But I guess no one really knew what the real affects would be if/when white america DID budge and grant black folks rights; what would have to be given up to get what we thought was a better life. What defines better? I think I may call you on this one Bo. Cuz it keeps recurring to me over and over. When I talk to my parents about life before integration, particularly education and family life, how much blacks had before “rights.” Now, it seems that blacks can’t get a good education in a good environment unless they’re attending with a white majority. But maybe that’s another conversation. I think it’s really interesting though.
In many ways, seems like we had more then than now. Instead of lynchings we just have more of the same in different forms from any color. Only now just not so much over the top blatant racism.
A part of living in America is supposed to be having the right to free speech regardless of who agrees or disagrees. A word is a word and I still believe meaning is conveyed through intent. Just like fuck shit snow or coca cola, it depends on what meaning you as the speaker/writer is applied. No one can be the deciding factor on decency and morality, right? I hardly ever say nigger/nigga though. But people have the right to say what they want even when they’re dumb or self-loathed or whatever.
One thing though. It seems like Boondocks uses nigger when it doesn’t seem to fit. Flung carelessly throughout the episode, sticking out like a sore thumb in spots, which tends to be more of a turnoff to me. I think the Chappelle Show used it more artistically and meaningfully. At least it fit and he got the message across.
by Lizzy
I didn’t see the whole episode, but I immediately recognized the genius and the wrongness of the premise. Controversy usually means ratings which means money so hey…
The civil rights generation dropped the ball, torch or whatever? Hmmm…I always find that interesting. I don’t think the civil rights movement was thoroughly thought out. But I guess no one really knew what the real affects would be if/when white america DID budge and grant black folks rights; what would have to be given up to get what we thought was a better life. What defines better? I think I may call you on this one Bo. Cuz it keeps recurring to me over and over. When I talk to my parents about life before integration, particularly education and family life, how much blacks had before “rights.” Now, it seems that blacks can’t get a good education in a good environment unless they’re attending with a white majority. But maybe that’s another conversation. I think it’s really interesting though.
In many ways, seems like we had more then than now. Instead of lynchings we just have more of the same in different forms from any color. Only now just not so much over the top blatant racism.
A part of living in America is supposed to be having the right to free speech regardless of who agrees or disagrees. A word is a word and I still believe meaning is conveyed through intent. Just like fuck shit snow or coca cola, it depends on what meaning you as the speaker/writer is applied. No one can be the deciding factor on decency and morality, right? I hardly ever say nigger/nigga though. But people have the right to say what they want even when they’re dumb or self-loathed or whatever.
One thing though. It seems like Boondocks uses nigger when it doesn’t seem to fit. Flung carelessly throughout the episode, sticking out like a sore thumb in spots, which tends to be more of a turnoff to me. I think the Chappelle Show used it more artistically and meaningfully. At least it fit and he got the message across.
by williethepimp
It seems the potential for humor in the use of the word “nigger” is lost on many. Chappelle’s show was just funny. From “I’m Rick James, bitch” to the black white supremacist, to the black crackhead, to Roots, to etc… Chappelle just provided the audience with skits that made you laugh. They provided quotables and memorable characters that you can remember. It was just funny. I don’t think there was any message to “The Nigger Family” other than it was just funny (correct me if im wrong please!). It was artful in the humor and the timing was spot on. Where is the mastermind behind it trying to subversively create a powerful statement that will influence public opinion or the common good? Dave makes fun of black celebrities because he has that ceratin liscense to niggerdom. He just makes it so funny. Also of note were the older black male characters like Granny’s man (“can I holla-acha”) and Leonord Washington with compressed naps (he demanded those thieving niggas show him some respect and knowingly accepted a bullet as a consequence). Boondocks presents a hypocritical grandfather who uses (w/e that shit is) and I believe was called one by another black civil rights activist back in the day at a rally/march/riot. He feels the need to say it is wrong and admonishes his grandsons for doing so (therefore?). Who knows how King spoke when he was alone. Who knows what he intended each word to mean. I view nigga as curse word in that I wouldn’t use it in that i’m comfortable with it in many situations and there are still situations where I feel uncomfortable. I watch which whites and even some black people that I use the word around. Most white people (and other non-Black identifiers) I know are pretty cool about it leaving it out of quotes or at least apologizing or asking permission (in order for that dirty nigger music with its jungle rhythms or the Chappelle show to become comercially succesful, there has to be an extensive white audience cuz they got the #’s and the cheddar still). Is there a responsability on the artist in that situation? Yes. Does that mean censorship? No. As for other races of people that use self-deprecating terms, that”s a tricky one. Comedy Central, a network run by wealthy Jews (it celebreated it’s Bar Mitzvah recently), is responsable for a lot of Jewish comedian affirmative action but we’ll get to that later. Jewish humor is based on laughing at Jew stereotypes. Is black humor similarly focused? We still tend to laugh at others to a great extent it seems. Sarah Silverman, who I find humorous, mixes in Jew jokes with her barbs about Asians (she chose “Chinks” for the funny sound of the word and I agree). Still she won’t say nigger, just blacks. Any thoughts? I’ll just be going on my negar way.
by williethepimp
It seems the potential for humor in the use of the word “nigger” is lost on many. Chappelle’s show was just funny. From “I’m Rick James, bitch” to the black white supremacist, to the black crackhead, to Roots, to etc… Chappelle just provided the audience with skits that made you laugh. They provided quotables and memorable characters that you can remember. It was just funny. I don’t think there was any message to “The Nigger Family” other than it was just funny (correct me if im wrong please!). It was artful in the humor and the timing was spot on. Where is the mastermind behind it trying to subversively create a powerful statement that will influence public opinion or the common good? Dave makes fun of black celebrities because he has that ceratin liscense to niggerdom. He just makes it so funny. Also of note were the older black male characters like Granny’s man (“can I holla-acha”) and Leonord Washington with compressed naps (he demanded those thieving niggas show him some respect and knowingly accepted a bullet as a consequence). Boondocks presents a hypocritical grandfather who uses (w/e that shit is) and I believe was called one by another black civil rights activist back in the day at a rally/march/riot. He feels the need to say it is wrong and admonishes his grandsons for doing so (therefore?). Who knows how King spoke when he was alone. Who knows what he intended each word to mean. I view nigga as curse word in that I wouldn’t use it in that i’m comfortable with it in many situations and there are still situations where I feel uncomfortable. I watch which whites and even some black people that I use the word around. Most white people (and other non-Black identifiers) I know are pretty cool about it leaving it out of quotes or at least apologizing or asking permission (in order for that dirty nigger music with its jungle rhythms or the Chappelle show to become comercially succesful, there has to be an extensive white audience cuz they got the #’s and the cheddar still). Is there a responsability on the artist in that situation? Yes. Does that mean censorship? No. As for other races of people that use self-deprecating terms, that”s a tricky one. Comedy Central, a network run by wealthy Jews (it celebreated it’s Bar Mitzvah recently), is responsable for a lot of Jewish comedian affirmative action but we’ll get to that later. Jewish humor is based on laughing at Jew stereotypes. Is black humor similarly focused? We still tend to laugh at others to a great extent it seems. Sarah Silverman, who I find humorous, mixes in Jew jokes with her barbs about Asians (she chose “Chinks” for the funny sound of the word and I agree). Still she won’t say nigger, just blacks. Any thoughts? I’ll just be going on my negar way.