Who Is a Nigger?

There are many ways to address a friend: Hello. Hey! Wassup? But, in the Black community, another word has joined the lexicon of greetings: nigger.
According to Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, a nigger is a member of any dark-skinned race or socially disadvantaged class of persons. This label of degradation is rooted in slavery, when European settlers used it toward Blacks. It was one of many psychological tools used to make Blacks feel inferior, and the verbal and physical abuse led to families being torn apart. And because Blacks were considered less than human even after slavery was abolished (thanks to Jim Crow laws), their suffering was seen as par for the course.
In recent years, some Blacks have rechristened the racial epithet as "nigga". They say they're empowering themselves by redefining the word as a term of endearment ... but by embracing such terminology, Blacks aren't just disrespecting themselves -- they're also encouraging other groups to look down on them.
Jews, Latinos, and Native Americans have also experienced the horrors of oppression ... but they don't use it as an excuse to denigrate themselves. They don’t call each other kikes, spics, and redskins -- despite dealing with genocide (the Holocaust), human smuggling, and forced relocation (the Trail of Tears). Meanwhile, Blacks have internalized the prejudice inflicted upon them ... and this behavior is best exemplified by Nas, whose latest CD is Untitled (unofficially known as Nigger).
Released on July 15, this derogatory word is a bold idea for a concept album because its execution is so tricky. (Full disclosure: I haven't purchased nor listened to it in its entirety.) Nas is well-versed in Black history, as demonstrated on songs like "I Can," and he's displayed lyrical prowess on tracks like "The World Is Yours" ... but the rapper's past achievements didn't help him this time around, for the CD received mixed reviews from fans and critics alike. This goes to show that America may not be as comfortable in confronting this dark chapter of its past as some people would like to believe.
If Blacks can't agree on when -- or how -- to use an ugly word that's part of our history, we're in no position to combat bigger problems such as poverty. While censorship isn't the way to go, we need to stop perpetuating the notion that we're not worthy of respect from our fellow human beings. After all, there’s nothing endearing about being held in low regard.