Nigger or Nigga?

by Ethel Bessem

Student contribution by Ethel Bessem

Leading etymologists believe the term "nigger" was derived from "Negro," the Spanish word for black, according to Randall Kennedy, author of Nigger: The Strange Career of a Troublesome Word (Vintage Books, 2003). In an article in Harper's Weekly, Randall stated that precisely when the term became a slur is unknown.

"We do know, however, that by early in the 19th century, nigger had already become a familiar insult. It is a profoundly hurtful racial slur meant to stigmatize African Americans," he wrote. "On occasion, is also has been used against members of other racial or ethnic groups, including Chinese, other Asians, East Indians, Arabs and darker-skinned people. It has been an important feature of many of the worst episodes of bigotry in American history. It has accompanied innumerable lynchings, beatings, acts of arson, and other racially motivated attacks upon blacks. It has also been featured in countless jokes and cartoons that both reflect and encourage the disparagement of blacks. It is the signature phrase of racial prejudice."

Kennedy recently gave a lecture at Adelphi University about this topic, making it clear the word "nigger" had been unearthed to demean, and today, it is spoken to greet, yet it has carried with it such impact and history that to employ or refer to it in any context is to guarantee a raised eyebrow.

"He did a good job of explaining what nigger meant and its verbal journey through history, but is it 'right' to use the word?" asked Julio Martinez.

Questions like that as well as others circulated Adelphi's campus for days after Kennedy spoke to a full auditorium at the University Center in September. Kennedy read excerpts from his book and spoke in depth about the definition of the word "nigger," both in the historical and contemporary sense.

Kennedy used anecdotes to relay dos and don'ts about the word "nigger." Who can use it, why, in what situation and where? Kennedy told a story about the prominent white coach of a college basketball team and how the African-American players on the team used the word when referring to each other and their playing skills. The coach felt the need to use "nigger" when motivating the players during a halftime pep talk in which he said, "...you guys have to start playing like niggers." Before he made the comment he asked if he could use the word and was given a go ahead. When word got out about this coach, in spite of the efforts of his players (black and white), he lost his job.

This example of when and when not to use "nigger" raised many comments and questions. "I was just uncomfortable and now I am confused," expressed Frank Farley, a non-black AU student. "I mean, I know I should never use that word, but his analogy about the coach totally threw me. I'm just never going to say that word."

Kennedy, however, did share that he was for the usage of "nigger" by African-American people as a term of endearment. But one AU non-black student, who asked not to be identified, said she believed that was a form of excluding people.

At the end of the night, the Kennedy lecture stirred up a lot of mixed opinions and raised many questions to Adelphi students. In doing so, the lecture partially served its purpose by opening dialogue about unspoken issues on campus and in society.

As Kennedy said, "Nigger should have a place in any serious dictionary. The word is simply too important to ignore."