Speaking of ignorance

[Inchante]

The way I understand it is that it's ok when used by black people. Ah, here it is:

My natural inclination is to see it as similar to words like "dyke" being reclaimed. But now people who aren't dykes are fairly safe in using the word (though I've known lesbians who bristle when someone straight uses the word, no matter how inoffensively). But given what I've heard, including from my 2 really close friends (who are ostracized from the black community in part for having improved themselves and their lives significantly), I suspect there's some inferiority complex and/or hyper vigilance at work going on (like with lesbians I see who bristle when non lesbians use "dyke"), too, so in a way it's a defiance against society that looks at them a certain way and holds them down but at the same time take extreme offense when anyone else uses it. This is strictly a guess on my part.

You could ask on YT, but please tell them your race and national origin (especially as way too many whites who ask this actually mean, "Why do you get away with saying this but I don't?"). My impression (limited as it is to only most of one video) is that DANIGGAWITDATATTOOS is lucid, intelligent and would be willing to answer, especially when he realizes you're not a native of the USA. You could try a private message as he may feel more relaxed in answering, or if you post on a vid then you could get a lot more input (but YT posters include some of the worst as well as the best replies, so don't unless you're willing to accept a lot of trolls, stupidity, and immaturity to hopefully get at something coherent and enlightening). (ETA: he already addressed use of the word, which I'm watching now: .)

Oh, and I just skimmed an article that looks like a really good look at the word and its use from an academic standpoint:

http://wrt-intertext.syr.edu/XI/Nigger.html

I believe it is an aspect of what is called language reclamation, that is, taking the language of subjugation and claiming it for your own and subverting its original intention. Gay people do it with the word queer and fag.