WHEN HOUSE MUSIC REJECTED FEAR FOR FREEDOM TO DANCE

Part of the phenomenon of House Music in the early and mid 1980's within the club sense, was the devastation of AIDS within Urban Communities. It was in the false narrative of what AIDS was, the exploitation of images it created, the unknown, numbers of Deaths that created a fear within communities and the faces associated with AIDS changed the perception of the club scene. Including dancing. The idea of dancing "with" someone changed into dancing "on" someone and if you did that, you were going to potentially die. This on an intrinsic level deconstructed the "sharing of energy" that was at the heart and soul of House Music; the foundation of its Spirit and Spirituality and Afro-Centric expression. Those that over came the desire to separate and stayed true to the music and culture, the words and essence, maintained House Music's core values and survived the devastation both socially and physically. They became the guardsmen and gatekeepers of the music both past and present. Music such as RAP and HipHop began to embrace the separation during this time and the divisions within the Music Industry as well as the fear that came with marginalizing people by expression with AIDS and Homosexuals overall, the music reflected this in culture, interactions and attitude. The Music Industry embraced that separation as did RAP and HipHop (with a few exceptions) the fear and hate within its Art while House Music rejected it outright.

On the level of Price Points and Investment, it was in the best interest of the Music Industry to fuel and fan the flames of fear in HipHop and RAP because it was easier to control and misdirect this agenda into profit. Not so much with House Music. The message remained consistent thus its absence of fear allowing for it to be free of control and continue to evolve into its inner and existentialist connection to it fans. It was in essence, allowed free will to stay pure.

TO THE LOST MILLENNIALS

My generation never abandoned the Millennials, it was their love of the "other" America, the one where collectively they decided to drop the African in the African-American for just being American. The generation that rejected our constant reminders, pleas, lessons, dialogue, history and stories of our past legacies that has brought them full circle to this moment. It was and still is their LOVE AND HIPHOP consciousness that is keeping them from picking up the work put on "pause" and Turn-Up on the people we kept reminding people were not "your friends". When we said, "The revolution will not be televised." We were direct and clear. No Cartoons, No Coonery, No Shuckin'-n-Jivin', No Parties, Fashion Show, False Entertaining Prophets and definitely No Procrastination. The same critical mass of people then are still here now, we just are older, more tired and have old shoes worn out from the marching, marching and more marching. So you can't blame us, its the Millennials that have to catch up on the work delayed and find your strength, shake the brainwashing and abandon the fear that is called "sacrificing for the future".

THE LANGUAGE OF URBAN CHILDREN THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHY

WHY EVERY BLACK CHILD IS TRAYVON MARTIN

There is the Truth and the Bold Lie. Florida, the Media (paper, local and cable) and those that just want to oppose what is obvious have, since the day of the shooting, been trying to find justification and (fictitious) evidence to exonerate David Zimmerman. The events and actions were clear from the start. It was very cut and dry. The more the other side pushes with their desire to apply justification for an innocent child's murder, the more uber-evidence comes to the surface. Almost like an erupting volcano. Just this video alone shows that the reports of a "life-and-death" struggle fall flat.

There is one thing about having an open mind and another to look for reasons to reject the truth. THIS IS ONE OF THEM. What the nation (Florida) is struggling with is accepting that not only was this a CHILD but a child that did not fit the psychological profile that has been brainwashed into its psyche ... the THUG, the Criminal, the Dangerous Boogie Man-Child. It speaks to proving that this nation has a deeply rooted psychological "need" to categorize and profile based on looks, dress and mannerisms. Whites are even (slowly) starting to acknowledge that if the role/races were reversed, Trayvon and the nation would be calling for the DEATH PENALTY. This even exposes how People of Color, Creeds and sexualities have to exercise CODE SWITCHING so that they can function in society. When Black families have to TEACH their children how not to walk, talk, act, dress, eat, sing, dance, play, respond, stare, smile, associate, travel, drive, shop, study, write, work, travel, worship, vote etc. for fear of being "misinterpreted" ... how any action or normal behavior will be subject to an error in judgement or confrontation ... or the end result will be adding them to the thousands of Black and Brown children being shoot all over the country ... you don't pull a Rick Perry and say, "Opps" and keep it moving. This is what the Florida police tried to do and found out that Black people were not going to let it happen.

The media tried to ignore it and deem it as "another common Black child shot" story and they were in error. If the police and media had done their job, there would not be the national rallies, social media barrages, community marches, Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson on call. But when you ignore the facts and ignore the reality of murder, looking for "another truth" , you are simply copping out for not wanting to take off the Rose Colored Glasses and seeing the events as they are.

Geraldo Rivera is catching Hell for his statement that it was Trayvon's hoodie and or his parent's fault for "allowing" him to wear Thug Clothing ... the same clothing that every college and university child wears. Even worst, the police did a FULL toxicology and autopsy and found NOTHING. Where was Zimmerman's tests on that day and a "citizen who killed someone? Now they are trying to brand Trayvon as a school trouble maker and drug user/dealer. NOT TRUE.

Stand Your Ground is a law that was to protect innocent people attacked within their homes, businesses or in protecting their property from an aggressor. NOT a person looking to play TOP COP with known psychological issues. Maybe I have dedicated myself to gathering all the information I can on this case and trust me, the evidence from the other side is all weak and non-existent. But for the idea of two truths ... there is only one and all the evidence points to it. Now its up to Florida to show its TRUE COLORS.

THE GOODEST BITCH IS BACK

So Inga Marchand is finally out of prison. It was almost 1 year ago she was ordered to go to Ryker’s Prison for probation violations. I mean all she had to do was stay under the radar and be like “normal people”. You figure at 28 years old (that was how old she was when she was sent to serve time) that one would have enough sense to enjoy freedom and a use enough Common Sense to behave. I mean as Thug Girls go, Inga Marchand’s claim to fame was beatin’ down little Asian Women at Nail Salons and throwing Blackberries and people. But she didn’t behave because somewhere in her mind, Inga Marchand thought she was Naomi Campbell. You see when too many people tell you that you ARE, “The Baddest Bitch”, when you’re NOT, you better have Naomi Campbell Money or at least Contacts.

In the end, The Judge said, “Naw, I’m the Baddest Bitch, now get your Monkey Ass in a jumpsuit and get locked up”. And that’s is just what happen. Inga Marchand was sentenced for 12 months at the Rose M. Singer facility at the New York prison since October of 2007.

So if you have no idea whom I am talking about by now, Inga Marchand is also known as the Notorious, Hardcore, Make No Mistake, Queen of the Mic, Battle Bitch Foxy Brown; the epitome of Rap Glamour and Hardcore Lyrics. Foxy Brown, just like lil’ Kim, were the future of Women in the Rap Game, what the media labeled as the "Gangsta Girl", what Real N_ ‘s wanted in a Woman. Well Ryker’s Prison wanted her more and decided to re-defined that image Big Time.

When Inga “Foxy Brown” Marchand, entered lockdown in the tradition of all other Rappers as a “Rite of Street Cred”, Girl’s chest was pumped like Kong as she perp walked her ass into the clink. What Inga “Foxy Brown” Marchand didn’t know was that the “REAL” Bad Bitches were waiting for her. Now I am not one to disrespect Women by calling them the B-Word but to make a point and or describe the World that Inga “Foxy Brown” Marchand was working from and eventually into, we must call it the way the Players want it to be played. This is a story more about what IS real and what WAS fantasy.

Inga “Foxy Brown” Marchand gets into Ryker’s Prison thinking that her Foxy Brown persona would give her the Street Cred needed to be Queen Bee behind bars. What she didn’t know was that she was NO MARTHA STEWARD. Real Street Cred is having WEALTH ENOUGH to say (or in this case have a Lawyer say ) I want to be Upstate New York with my own WING, some groupie, making pastel quilts, floral curtains and planting flowers. Instead Inga “Foxy Brown” Marchand got the "First Year State Attorney Three Meals And A Cot" deal. Based upon her Bitching throughout her stay, it can be assumed that the Real Bad Bitches told her she had to skip the cot and “Grab Floor”.

Within days, Inga “Foxy Brown” Marchand was in an “altercation” with a fellow inmate, which required her to be placed in SOLITARY. We don’t know what the circumstances were but in talking to my connections within the system, the Women up in Ryker's don’t usually react as the Men do. There is no period where they “TEST THE BOOTY” or “LOYALTIES”. The Women’s Prisons tends to connect and bond more so than challenge and control UNLESS you enter with attitude. Trust me, if you do not have a grip on Anger Management, there will be someone to give you a Crash Course. A crash upside your head. Thank Goodness for Solitary Confinement.

Then we hear The Baddest Bitch stepping to The Judge to ask if she can be released early to get her ear fixed because of some infection. In reality it was a request to have a broken ear piece repaired. WHAT? You mean Thug Girl got some Forrest Gump Up In Her? “OH HELL NAW”, the judge told Inga “Foxy Brown” Marchand, “Get your HALF HEARING BLACK ASS BACK BEHIND BARS, I AIN’T PLAYIN WITH YOU!”

Well The Judge didn’t say it like that but you know what I meant.

Then every other story you heard was Inga “Foxy Brown” Marchand pissing this one off, Inga “Foxy Brown” Marchand pissing that one off but in the end, FOXY got her act together because the word was out that she was soft. Word back on the Street was she calmed down too because The Judge didn’t care that she needed to be in a recording studio either. The reality of knowing that on the outside, the legal system wasn’t going to cut her any slack and on the inside, they had her number, it was best to WOMAN UP and recognized that by doing the time “RIGHT” you can get the FUQ out in one piece … the Baddest Bitch learned to be the Nicest Woman. In essence Foxy Brown learned how to accept being just Inga Marchand and keep it real with herself. Lesson learned, she got out a few months early.

So now Inga Marchand has been released and the media is all up in her face. She comes out and is ALL SMILES. She is now an Official Thug Girl With Street Cred. Without a beat, Inga Marchand runs out and meets her Mother followed by her Publicist, her Hair and Makeup Artist, Manhattan Councilman Charles Barron (why he was there I HAVE NO CLUE), and was whisked away to the backseat of a chauffeured white Rolls-Royce Phantom chased by paparazzi. But here is the REAL COMEDY, in a quick interview; Foxy Brown was asked what was it like being in prison? Her response, “ It was horrible, I was sitting next to all kinds of people, I mean I was next to Drug Addicts and Murders and … oh I can’t even describe it.” Then she was asked, “What do you plan to do next?” Her response, “I plan to go to Church and drop to my knees and pray and then go home.”

Well alright Inga, you did learn something about being human. Then her Manager puts out there that FOXY BROWN has lined up a Reality Show, a project through VIACOM and VH1, speaking engagements, promotional rounds in support of her delayed new album, Brooklyn's Don Diva, May 13 because we need to get BACK ON TOP OF HER CAREER.

The Baddest Bitch is Back.

THE POLITICALLY CORRECT NIGGA

Don't say African, say Slave.
Don't say Slave, say Nigger.
Don't say Nigger, say Negro.
Don't say Negro, say Colored.
Don't say Colored, say Black.
Don't say Black, say Pan-American.
Don't say Pan-American, say Afro-American.
Don't say Afro-American, say African-American.
Don't say African-American, say Nigga.
Don’t say Nigga, call me the Jigga
Jigga this my Nigga that, say it Politically Correct.

Correct me if you may.
Is there something wrong with what I have to say.
To think my essence is still the same,
Yet my true being existing in a hollow frame.
Not knowing what to be called
When I enter a room filled with gasping breaths of people awed.
Whistled and jeered,
Shunned and revered.
And all in all I still do not know my name,
Oh mother and father, what a crying shame.
Who is to blame? Me. Myself. I
Really do not know if my existence is but a lie
When my pictures and books do not open up to tell me.
Not showing me what my skin is suppose to be.
So says philosophy, psychology, history, sociology
All of which painting my world in shades of mythology.

I may never know why I am king no more.

The Politically Correct Nigga by Shazza Nakim
Copyright © by Peace of Mind Publishings and with permission by Shazza Nakim

DEFINING "Superman Dat Ho"

I was in a situation where the television was watching me when a CNN Reporter was talking about the phenomenon of Soulja Boy. "Crank dat" was the topic, how the Boy's music is#1 in downloads, ring tones, instructional videos, how cheerleaders are doing it at football games and etc. The Reporter when on about how fun and exciting Soulja Boy was and how he's a role model for future youth musicians.

Doing my usual research online and fell upon this article about Soulja Boy and how lyrics reflect the commonalities in Youth Culture. In response a young man replied to the online discussion with the following comments. Before I judged, I had to step back a bit and look at the BIG picture and examine if in my youth would my friends or I would have done what this person suggested by decree of Soulja Boy. Although I personally would not have done this act, I'd have to say that even in the enlightenment of my generation, there would be a percentage that would have, its just the actual numbers I am at a lost at confirming. I then looked back at that CNN Report and thought as well, in all her praise, she never broke down this little fact in her presentation, no mention about the lyrics BUT much praise to the BEAT. Interesting don't you think? Here is the online response of this kid on Soulja Boy:

ANONYMOUS AUTHOR: "So here's the deal. Most dudes (myself included) has been in the situation when you've been trying all night to sleep with a certain young lady. Y'all have been messing around for hours and you've tried everything from "I'll still respect you in the morning" to "Just let me put the head in" but she keeps shutting you down hard like a faulty car trunk. Well, according to our songwriter/rapper Soldija Boy, now's the time to give up and "Superman Dat Ho"!!! I'll try to keep this as clean as possible for those of you who read this at work. So basically, you let her fall asleep and you commence to "take things into your own hands", you know, make it a party for one! Hopefully you catch my drift by now. You then "release" on her back while she's sleeping...Next, you take the sheets and cover her up with your little soldiers still on her back. What happens next is actually the funny part! Throughout the night, your liquid love will dry and wind up sticking the sheet to that lovely lady's back. When she awakens the next morning, she'll stand up with a sheet stuck to her back like a cape! My friend, you have just Supermanned dat ho!!! LOL LOL LOL It don't get any better than that. I will say that I've never done it but, I can't front, I kinda want to now LOL LOL!!! She has a cape!!! LMBAO! Are you kidding me?!?! Even funnier is that, I came across this little jewel of information cuz my boy B-Hop found out from his teenage cousin! The dude, Soldja Boy, who sings this song is 16!!! What the hell is going on with youth! In the words of Jay-Z,..."I'm afraid for the future…" i AM

SO GOING TO TRY THIS OUT !!!"

GETTING MY MENTAL FOOTING ON

I walk down the streets where I live and it takes every bit of my spiritual energy to get through my day. I honestly think I need my own private island somewhere far. I find my patience with people is getting shorter by the day.

People.

Really its ignorant people. Not ignorant rudeness, its more in a sense that I run into Ghetto Acting Folks and Clueless Privileged White Folks more and more with the numbers growing, its more like the lack of people even trying to move towards getting better with evolving beyond their assumed limitations. And when you do find something that just might be a ray of hope -- BLAM !!!! A freakin pile of shyt in front of you.

Today my friend told me about this new CD that I had to hear. Being a music lover I said let me check it out. Looking at the artist I wasn't quite sure because the name seemed familiar. Then I really looked closer at the package and noticed that it was Marsha Ambrosius from Floetry. I'm thinking, 'Yeah Man, this is gonna be some HOT SHYT'. Even though the CD was entitled, Neo Soul is Dead, I still looked past that and started pumpin' the tracks.

Uugh!!

Marsha Ambrosius' Neo Soul Is Dead, it was some Ghetto Stripper Pole Smelling Dirty Crotch Having, Baddest Bitch Wanna-be Female Rap Shyt. 'Ol Girl Sold Out. I get it .... Neo Soul is Dead because it takes too much effort to be creative and Marsha Ambrosius wants to get paid.

I sat back and listen to the whole CD. I contemplated keeping it for future reference but my consciousness was debating to whether keep it as "art" or "research" or to designate it as garbage since there is so much of that particular style of music out there (most of which is either collecting dust on the shelves or bootlegged 6 million ways to 1).

I kept it and put it in the "research" category. You'll find me referring to it sometime in the near future to prove a point.

What got me bugged about the CD was the fact that with the limited "conscious" music that is out there in R&B, Rap and Hip Hop, Floetry was one of those groups you could depend on when you needed to detox from the madness people call music these days. To hear Marsha Ambrosius talking about POW POW, YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE CLIT ... and other perverts messages overlapped with tacky and over used sampled beats .... I felt I had lost a dear friend and as a result, diminished my faith in music that much more. And if Marsha Ambrosius' CD is true to who she really is, then even worst, she lied to me all that time and Floetry isn't quite the art that influenced and cultivated my spiritual state of mind.

Soulja Boy Pissin Off A Balcony

This is why it's important to practice an "Each One Teach One" philosophy in our communities, Soulja-Boy. The more I keep on top of what today's youth read or (or as teenagers and teenager wannabe's say) generation write and listen to (and that's almost laughable since kids are reading less and watching TV), we need to intervene with a sense of pro-active consciousness and responsibility. Now that TI is on a PATH TO PRISON, the new assault on youth behavior are in the actions of people like AKON, SEAN COMBS (ain't he almost 40?) and Soulja-Boy. Certain actions might look like fun and comedic but there lies actions that cross the line of inappropriateness and illegality.

Just the other day I was talking to an associate of mine whom I hadn't seen in a few years. We were discussing how the neighborhood had and is changing and why Whites, through gentrification and the politics behind it, were moving People of Color out especially since the kids on the street just don't care or respect enough to join in the fight their community. Within minutes, and I swear, as if on cue, I was in a Boondocks episode when a young Black kid no more than 16, walked down the street pissing straight out in front of himself, penis whipped out, just striding down the street talking on his cell phone as people and children approached in the opposite direction. There, just leaving a trail of urine as he sauntered to his destination. He had no care, no conscious, no modesty, no respect. JUST NASTY.

THAT'S NOT HIP-HOP NOR RAP OR EVEN BLACK

But, here I am working on a writing assignment when I get a piece of video from a writing buddy on Soulja-Boy and I am smacked in my Common Sense again. Yet another example of how not to represent ones power, influence or roll to model for our youth. Watch the Video first before continuing:

I DIVERT MY THOUGHTS FOR A SECOND

After watching a recent episode on The Boondocks (The Story of Thugnificent) where the show's premise was an infamous rapper "Thugnificent" moves to the neighborhood of Woodcrest, with his friend Macktastic and Flonominal, eventually leading to Granddad becoming annoyed with his new neighbours. Your basic older generation conflict of image control and respect vs the Niggaism of youth and just not giving a damn. After watching this episode, I took a second to examine if I was coming off too hard on Black youth because I am now moving into the point in my life where I am becoming my parents and envying my loss of youth. Then I later watched a program on PBS where teachers had gone into the slums of India and rescued children of prostitutes and sent them to school. All the while these children are learning, they are aspiring to become doctors, lawyers, engineers and business owners so they can come to America and become something greater than the children of the streets. There was common sense, a drive and a chance to capitalize on opportunity in each of them and that was when I said, FUCK NO !!! Regardless of their assistance, the help, the possible MOST FAVORITE IMMIGRANT STATUS, they would still have to put in the work to become what their goals are. With the amount of resources we have in the US; libraries, mentors, apprenticeships, community advocates, churches, libraries, sports and music programs (and I am not referring to Government Sponsored Programs), and even in the poorest academic settings, there are still outlets for additional resources if you actively seek them out, I can only say that our youth are just lazy, embarrassing ignorant and it's by choice.

Don't Call Me Uppity !!!

How I was raised worked out well for me. Now I know to some that might sound 'Uppity' but hear me out on this. I did not come from a fatherless family with a prostitute mother, my upbringing was not an easy story to read nor one traveled. My parents were not wealthy or anywhere close to wealthy. I wore all the stereotypical ghetto attribute labels but the one thing that divided me from my friends and family was that I did not want my conditions to define me. I made opportunities happen and I took advantage of all things that came my way. Not like a hustle but as distinct decisions that build upon the next as steps toward success. A sacrifice of what was "fun" verses what was "work". The payoff in the end was my goal(s). I made my progress on my own and not something community based. Because in the end, your successes and or your failures are your own. yes there are people who can and will help but you need to know where and when to ask for it or avoid those things that will pull you away from your growth. Do I have mansions and millions? No. But I do know where I came from and its a lot better than where I was. My choice.

When I look at my friends from my youth, we all had the same opportunities/possibilities and I can honestly say that in my desire to move toward my personal success, their choices were their own. Their decisions where based upon "fun" as oppose to "work" and now that we are all adults, when we speak, their thoughts often go back to the point in their lives where they step away from that path and walked in a different direction.

Who's Fault?

For these kids from India, the bastard children of prostitutes, it will work out well for them and they will be in America. The actions of that boy relieving himself in public like that, I'm not so sure. He was ignorant and nasty considering the fact that we live in a civilized nation with plumbing, running water and bathrooms. You can't tell me that no one ever taught this boy that what he was doing was wrong. He clearly just didn't give a damn. No excuses. Worst case, the boy could have crossed the street and walked into the park -- AH YEAH, THERE WAS A PARK ACROSS THE STREET. He could have relieved himself there. Then there were a number of shops with bathrooms along his walk. Hell, the shop that I stood in front of talking to my friend had a public restroom. How do you begin to address the "disconnect" when no one want to listen or even try?

The Soulja-Boy video, (outside of the fact that you have a 17 year old in a room unsupervised), the kid was in a hotel room. Last I checked, hotel rooms have bathrooms. WHY ARE YOU DROPPING URINE ON THE HEADS OF PEOPLE? Not to mention the balconies of the people below. THEN YOU VIDEO TAPE YOUR STUPIDITY??? Even more so, you are more concerned about having your tiny penis being filmed or having the stigma of being "gay" than being arrested and thrown out of the hotel? GO FIGURE?

I have been told that I sound like Bill Cosby ranting about the poor. I really don't know how to take that. I mean I do believe in a lot of what he has to say yet I am also part of the community he is talking about as well. In being that, and having an open mind, much of what he preaches is true and behind closed doors, inner city parents, clergy, educators, small business owners, and others agree whole heatedly. It just seems that those whom scream the loudest opposing Bill are those who capitalize on the disenfranchisement and perpetuation of Niggaism in the poor as it relates to People of Color.

Bill Cosby has a book out entitled, "BLACK PEOPLE, COME ON", which should be the focus of Black People for the next ten years. Say what you want about the man, he has a serious point to make and we are missing it because all we only see is Bill Cosby as a comedian when he is a man who wants to re-connect the disconnect in all of us by keeping our youth from pissing on the path which lies before them.

Why I Am Not Your Nigga

Why I am not your Nigga ....... What is interesting about the whole phenomenon of the usage of the word "Nigga" in dialogue is that as People of Color (specifically African-Americans, not excluding Americanized Caribbean and Africans) use the word and consider it as a "term of endearment". It’s meaning in the new millennium transformed into a word of love, respect and unity. Blacks not accepting to be referred to as Nigga is, in a growing movement, being considered 'Uppity' or not a part of the 'Accepted Community' or even as low as to be considered ‘Acting White’. Regardless of their reasons for not wanting to be addressed as such, Black people's validation for self-identity is negated by the numbers that feel the N word’s past association is over and its new association should now be embraced.

What is understood, regardless of one's intelligence or ignorance is that Whites, when speaking, say what they mean. Irrefutable, if Whites are naive and or in absolute understanding of their immediate environment, in the choice of their words, Whites are very exacting in their meaning. Whites socially either like or dislike you, it is expressed not only in action, but also in their choice of words. So when Whites use the word "Nigger" or "Nigga", it is understood by history that it is a word that was, is, and will forever be an American word used to epitomize the "disenfranchisement of Africa", the dismemberment of the infrastructure of Africa, the experiences of the Middle Passage, the barter and selling of African slaves on the auction block, slavery within the Americas, the erasure of Black identity, the fight for civil liberties in the Americas, lynchings, church fires, bombings, and the assassination of Black leaders just to name a few atrocities. So when People of Color use the word "Nigga" or "Nigger", we interject that which we want to use it for. A unifying sub-culture of disenfranchised peoples. There is an association difference when Whites use the word Nigger, and Blacks. When Whites use it, they want it for its historical connotation and social merits where as Blacks use the word for its social experience and inclusion. Last examined, Whites were never included in the attrucities of the Black American experience and yet they all were benefactors of it active or passive.

With the logic that social perception is a representation of social reality, Whites will interpret African-American’s use of the word Nigger (Nigga) as Black people on a people, not to be taken seriously for their philosophy of the Nigger usage isn’t genuine and an obvious double standard. This meaning that Blacks can refer to each other as Nigger (Nigga) but Whites can not. Whites then see this inconsistency as African-Americans not being able to say what we mean and as such should not be taken seriously which is the one thing African-Americans have fought for since the auction block. The communicating of this concept has now become part of the Black political, cultural, and social frustration for validity in solidifying existence in America. The African-American fight for injustice and double standards in society, in regards to the word Nigger (Nigga), is a self imposed social prison where the walls of cultural and historical respect is regulated to non-existence. Ultimately, Blacks place upon themselves the double standard of respect vs. disrespect in communicating ‘endearment’ through the word Nigger.

Contemporary leaders of the modern generation argue that “Nigger” is just a word. It has no power, no sting, nor a place in current social standards. Still others say that by embracing the word “Nigger”, it becomes transformed into something that people will understand as endearment and or social frustration. The reality is, the word and its history can not be re-invented because it makes some people feel good, or sell records and films, or it makes Black Men more masculine or loved. Peoples' support of the word "Nigger" such as Whoopie Goldberg, Michael Eric Dyson, Nelly, Isiah Thompson, Eddie Griffin, just to name a few would argue the later and feel that to embrace the New-Nigger is only to move away from the pain and into a future of true acceptance. But acceptance by whom? Closely examining the “N” word, it would seem that Blacks are the only culture that allows for the World to be comfortable to use Nigger as a social norm when referring to BLACKS as well as other non-Blacks.

The word "Nigger” is a word of historical and ethnic disrespect for more than 400 years or more. Anyone knowing basic World, American, or Black history can not refute that fact. It's a reality. It doesn't matter if you colorize it as "Jigga" or "Nikka" or "Nicca", it’s still the same disrespect that people were dying for to over-come in America’s dark past. It’s as obvious as the color of skin that labels it a Black word. A word not to do or re-define, but to keep from the lips from every individual that wants to use it as a label for anyone regardless of Color or Creed, National Origin and Religion as a catch phrase for cool. This thus becomes a cultural responsibility. A Black Legacy. Black Responsibility.

It simply amazes advocates against the usage of the word “Nigger” that African-Americans feel more disrespect when Americans resist to accept Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's Birthday as a National Holiday yet not acknowledge that millions of dollars in Rap, R&B, and Hip Hop music has entrenched the word "Nigga" as a label of Blackness on a Global level. Jay-Z, an award winning rapper and business-man, in an interview stated it surprised him that he had gone to Japan, where no one spoke English, yet knew all the words to his songs. As amazing as it was for him, it never occurred to him, that even though the people didn’t speak English, they did know how to say “Nigger” and the fact that he taught it to them. Jay-Z, a Black man, from America, whom had no history behind the words to his lyrics, is now seen as a messiah for new language and social teachings for a people no more attached to Black history and the African-American experience than Whites.

This responsibility isn't just an African-American issue alone. Jews, Asians, Indigenous People to the Americas and others share in the responsibility of keeping their harmful and hateful words from entering America's daily vernacular. African-Americans, unfortunately allowed “Nigger” to flourish and take root for all to see systematically, the levels of disrespect that has historically been fought against yet negated for each and ever individual Black person. Now African-Americans can only now react with apathy because the problem is now on a global level where all of Black culture is inundated with its effects. No other ethnic group allows this to happen to their communities accept African-Americans.

A word cannot be re-invented to give specific people its own special meaning. That defeats the whole concept of language and communication. Granted words do evolve such as the word “silly”. Once considered a word meaning holy, now it's closely referred to as immature or one without focus; childlike. This evolution did not take place within one or two generations but hundreds of years. Slang however does have the same lines of historical evolution as most language and far inbetween as a word of negative connotation been transformed unilateraly into a word of acceptence, love and or spiritual meaning. truth of the matter, the word,, how ever used in the American lexicon, “Nigger” isn’t slang, a fad nor a recent cultural phenomenon. Nigger is a word as significant to the English language as grammatical structure is important to comprehension. The "Us" feel better about ourselves notion does not and cannot work when using the “N” word because millions of Blacks have died because of the intent and meaning of it. Ultimately it’s a lie, a deception, and pure fantasy to think that Nigger can be used as a word of endearment. Even more so, if it is/was possible, we dismiss the very history, the very nature of who Blacks were, are and will evolve into being.

The word "Nigga" is not a European concept or an African word, nor is it an American word but it is a conception disrespect. Whites do not use or even try to re-invent vulgar words demeaning themselves as words of Power or Endearment. This can also be said for other ethnic groups. Why is this so? Because other ethnic groups recognize and respect words that exist to remove people of their power.

Recently, the word "Nigger" has become one great privilege some desire to use again without retribution since the 1960's. To legitimize calling someone Black a "Nigger" has been dancing the tightrope of vicious slang to proper English since its "artistic" non-constraints of the 60's until now. Today, by right, Nigger is a proper word with significant meaning. So now we are faced with Nigger (Nigga) and having the stigma of "intent" behind it duel or singular, bias or impartial how does one poll the true desire to speak the N-World as endearment? At its core Blacks have to intellectualize the definition and then psycho analyze the person saying "Nigger" (that is if you are Non-Black because if you are Black, you get a pass). By the way, did anyone ever poll the African, the Caribbean or the South American on his or her desire to be included in this fraternity of disrespect? Do African-Americans even care?

Being part of the English (a standard language spoke internationally) as a word recognized within the legal text of our American language, it isnow a free-for-all for whomever wants to direct it’s many meanings. Whites now have that right, at any time and any place, to have it freely flow from their lips and not hide behind the legal "shield of intent" backed by The Freedom of Speech thus bypassing any speculation of a Hate Crime. So until a court case is brought before the public where a corporate executive refers to one of its (Black) employees as a 'Nigga' and the case is dropped because the word is not considered offense by definition, then and only then will the real debate begin?

Why I Am Not Your Nigga by Shazza NakimCopyright © by Peace of Mind Publishings and with permission by Shazza Nakim

nig·ger - The term nigger is now probably the most offensive word in English. Its degree of offensiveness has increased markedly in recent years, although it has been used in a derogatory manner since at least the Revolutionary War. Definitions 1a, 1b, and 2 represent meanings that are deeply disparaging and are used when the speaker deliberately wishes to cause great offense. Definition 1a, however, is sometimes used among African-Americans in a neutral or familiar way. Definition 3 is not normally considered disparaging—as in “The Irish are the niggers of Europe” from Roddy Doyle's The Commitments—but the other uses are considered contemptuous and hostile.

–noun

1. Slang: Extremely Disparaging and Offensive.
a. black person.
b. a member of any dark-skinned people.

2. Slang: Extremely Disparaging and Offensive. a person of any race or origin regarded as contemptible, inferior, ignorant, etc.

3. A victim of prejudice similar to that suffered by blacks; a person who is economically, politically, or socially disenfranchised.

Racisim and Ignorance in the Media

You know, people always look to the people at the top of the pyramid whenever you find fault or praise. Not long ago, we had a very public example for “Foot In The Mouth” disease and right there at the top was Don Imus.

Don Imus in his famous, "Nappy Headed Ho’s” comment directed towards the Rutgers Women's Basketball Team became a National mess. We argued over what was obvious and to American’s surprise, there was a need to debate if what he said was a slip of the lip or Don Imus' true opinions. What was said on public radio and cable was wrong without a doubt. It was disrespectful and prejudiced, the statement sat high on the wall of racial bigotry. And although the media tried to scapegoat the issue on Rap and Hip-Hop music, it did not negate the point that a professional and assumed intelligent man like a Don Imus knew the lines drawn in the sand on this topic and for the respect of his audience. A line even the worst of comedians know not to cross when doing stand-up. Yet Don Imus wasn’t the only one at the time using such language and intentions, he just so happened to be at the top. There are other is so-called “Shock Jocks” deeming themselves successors. John Depetro, National Syndicated Radio Shock Jock has now stepped up his fowl opinions on the American airwaves and most recently (again) towards Blacks.

Recently John Depetro made comment on the Bill O’Riley issue (and he is also a piece of work as well) were O’Riley stated the following. “I couldn‘t get over the fact that there was no difference between Sylvia‘s restaurant and any other restaurant in New York City. I mean it was exactly the same even though it‘s run blacks, primarily black patronship.” Now Sylvia's Restaurant is a World Famous eatery in Harlem New York and one on Manhattan's jewels to visit for great Soul Food. He then goes on to say, “There wan‘t one person in Sylvia‘s who was screaming, “M-Fer, I want more iced tea.” You know, I mean everybody was - it was like going into an Italian restaurant in an all-white suburb in the sense of people were sitting there, and they were ordering and having fun. And there wasn‘t any kind of craziness at all” .

To O’Riley surprised, he did not see how those comments would offend the very Black people he was referring to. Since he (O’Riley) still has not gotten it, and I really don’t think he will, there is no regard for him even trying to understand.

Now with John Depetro, who by his reputation alone. has been suspended and fired from radio stations across the country, has recently chimed in on the O’Riley Factor in a radio interview by saying, “… it goes beyond that. It was a discussion on race and we‘re talking about Harlem. And by and large I lived in New York for years. White people don‘t go to Harlem. If Dan Abrams and John DePetro and Bill O‘Reilly, some white guys sitting around a table, and Dan Abrams said, “Yes, I was up in Harlem last night.” We would think you were, “A,” looking for drugs or “B” a prostitute. It was a discussion on race.”

Just as that statement floats upon the airwaves, Michael Medved, a syndicated Movie Critic and sometimes columnist published an article entitled, “Six inconvenient truths about the U.S. and Slavery”. In his article he suggests that African-Americans are better off being brought over to the Americas bonded as slaves. Michael Medved writes too that slavery in American only existed for a short period of time and only in certain regions. He also suggests that slavery wasn’t a new and unique institution and because of that, the slave trade and slavery in America isn’t as much as an issue as it should be. As hard as it was, I read the entire article with high restraint. Then I remembered, this is my America and why I keep my mind right. Why I need to keep the African in the American of my identity. It also defines how little White America knows about Blacks and the damage of Michael Medved’s words as "his" truth transferred to those ignorant of my existence.

The problem with Michael Medved’s article is that he uses the same tired arguments and hollow facts that pseudo-White Intellectuals have used to dismiss or even validate the continued oppression of disadvantaged People of Color in the Americas. Interesting enough, Michael Medved is all for the continued tradition of recognizing the Jewish Holocaust to be ever present on the conscious mind of America and downplay the tragedy of over 400 years of Black Slavery in the Americas. Even more so, no other media outlet has made his comment an issue of debate or discussion including Black Media. What Next? Do Black People allow this to sit and fester and sore our legacy or do we wallow in the background shadows while another institution regulates us into insignificance?