Hip-hop artists are not shy about using the n-word. And then pitifully, one will hear White men (it’s men around 100 percent of the time) whine, “How come they get to use that word?” As if they’re disappointed that someone gets to use it and they’re not supposed to. Aww.
This is not new: groups treated poorly with nasty language hurled at them, applying that language toward themselves as a term of endearment or a badge of honor. Do you think hip-hop invented this? It didn’t
This tendency is age old. One example that comes to mind is the Irish. Around the mid-nineteenth century, the Irish—who were not considered White, let that sink in—were referred to as dogs. Not in the cute way, like “Sup, dawg!” I mean the four-legged kind that defecate and fornicate wherever. The term was a nasty one—and it was meant, like the Irish were no better than dogs. So, the Irish flipped it and began referring to themselves as dogs. They even barked! “Whoof, whoof!” became a battle cry, again, a badge of honor.
So Black people self-applying racial epithets is not new. At all.
Being disabled is a new experience for me. I think I take it in stride—figuratively. Don’t get me wrong, it’s annoying. Everything is more difficult and takes twice as long. What makes me feel better? When my teenage half-sister makes fun of me. She will imitate how I walk and make monster noises. This never fails to crack me up. She, too, has disabilities, so it’s a way for us to laugh at this ludicrous BS. However, if some stranger at the grocery store did that, it would not be funny. I’m not saying I would be offended—I’m not sure that is possible. I thought about that a few months ago. What would someone have to say to offend me? I could not come up with anything! Now, maybe that’s the privilege talking. Being White, cis-male, and heterosexual, I am pretty well positioned in this society. So, there is precious little I have to tolerate when I leave the house. That said, I don’t think someone could offend me if they tried.
My point is that if some guy at the grocery store began making fun of how I walk (which is badly) and making monster noises—which admittedly paints a funny picture—it would not have the same effect as when Lauren does it. She can do that, he can’t. Same behavior. It’s who’s doing it.
Same with the hip-hop folks. And, I guess, Dave Chappelle and Samuel L. Jackson. I would say those fellas overdo it. And Chappelle has taken heat from his family for his use of the n-word. But, he has resumed use of it. It’s none of my business. I don’t have a dawg in that fight (see what I did there?). It’s who’s saying it. When 50 Cent uses it, it’s different than when a Harley-riding Trump supporter says it.
There’s nothing magical about language. Yes, words have meaning and therefore power, but it’s how those words are used. And by whom. For the Irish, 150 years ago, “dog” (when self-applied) was a source of pride. It was not a source of pride when, for example, English factory owners used it.
I have made this point before, but it bears repetition: If you take the racist language out of a society, you just have a racist society with better manners. I have heard plenty of White folks speak in code. They’re still making racist judgments, but they use soft, oblique language. They talk about “elements” in Chicago. Hmm. Now, what could they mean by “elements”? One is not supposed to use hard racist language anymore—at least in White, white-collar, professional culture. It’s frowned upon. But, not for moral reasons. Overt racist language is considered low class. One sounds like trash when one uses that language. Isn’t that interesting? It’s not a moral issue, it’s a class issue. You can still be a racist. Just do it with a wink and a nod. Far more sophisticated. The social-justice-warrior types who are constantly on the prowl for unacceptable language are missing the point. Racism has become cloaked. But, it’s still there. Is it ever.
So: professional White folks using “elements”? Racist. 50 Cent using the n-word? Not racist. My sister making fun of my disability? Fine. Some guy at the grocery store doing it? Not fine. A woman calling another woman a bit**? Fine (I guess). Some guy calling a woman a bit**? Not fine. See a pattern?
