Some are offended by the use of profanity in hip hop music. Others simply dismiss it as part of the culture. I wonder what makes it acceptable to use derogatory terms as a part of slang or even endearment. Words like ‘bitch,’ ‘nigga,’ and ‘faggot’ have become part of the slang language used in hip hop. The problem comes when these words spill over from the hip hop world and culture into society that has been affected by hip hop but is not fully aware of hip hop’s definition of these terms. I also think that a lot of the communication comes from the tone in which the words are used. I admit that I have taken pride in being called a bitch. It was the tone of the person using the phrase “You are quiet the bossy bitch,” that made me take the statement as a compliment. However, there have been times that my younger brother has called me a bitch and it completely enraged me because he used a hateful tone that was meant to belittle me as a woman. Check out this link to a teacher who used the term ‘nigga’ when addressing a student and has been suspended from his job.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCM8STStfGw&NR
I think that the teacher was using a term that he knew nothing about but had become familiar with through the influence of hip hop. Not that this man would listen to hip hop because it seems that he does not understand the connotation of that term being used by a middle aged white man to a teenage black boy. Crazy! Just as my younger brother knows nothing of being a female it is wrong of him to use the word ‘bitch.’ I think that there is a certain context in which these terms can be used and they may not offend any one but when used in these circumstances they are found highly offensive. However, when the teacher’s words were remixed in a hip hop manner they are still slightly offensive, but now they are freakin’ hilarious.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrrC-V3MhCk&mode=related&search=
Do you feel that only certain people have the right to use slang words?
http://www.answers.com/topic/list-of-slang-used-in-hip-hop-music
Which slang words are appropriate and non offensive to use outside of hip hop music?
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5 comments:
Becca I totally understand and agree with what you are saying about slag words and how they are used in context.....I to have been called a 'bitch' a time or two and it has been said in both a joking way and in a not so joking way. I have had some of my girl friends tell me that I am acting like a bitch, but when that comes from people that I know I take it as helpful criticism not as an insult. But one time in high school I had a guy refer to me as a 'bitch'. Well needless to say he didn't know how big of one I could be til I heard him call me that. haha
I have also noticed that a lot of african americans refer to each other as 'niggas' and sometimes other white people as well but if a white person was to do that it would be taken as an insult. I personally do not like the word AT ALL.... I think that even when african americans say it to eachother it is down grading. I just think that there are a lot of words and things that are said in hip hop music that some people don't really understand what they mean in that context. I know this first hand because when we were asked to explain what the lyrics meant in the common song I got the wrong idea from it. So I think that hip hop though it is good to speak the truth can also be mis-understood very easily by those who don't listen to it all the time.
I like your blog, but I don't think I want anyone calling me a bitch whether it be my best friend, my mean brother, or a complete stranger.
I think words that belittle ANYONE should never be used.
When I was growing up I was never allowed to use words such as:
weirdo, nerd, idiot, fag, dork, and that also means I was DEFINITELY not allowed to say...slut, bitch, whore, prick, nigger etc...
I don't think those words are appropriate in ANY situation.
I don't think black ppl calling each other "nigga's" is respectful. and I definitely don't understnad why it's okay for blacks to call one another "nigga" but if a white person were to say it..."OH HELL NO!" that's not accepted!
In my opinion..if you are going to put yourself out there and make it okay for your peers to call you that stupid "N-word" then anyone should be able to call you that.
All I'm saying is...don't ever call me a "bitch", "slut", "nigga" etc..I will PUNCH YOU!
This is a really good issue that Bekah has brought up. We touched on it in class, but it’s good to dissect it a little more. My personal thoughts are that if you use the words, you had better be sure that the person you are speaking to won’t care. It’s a sensitivity thing. You have to be sensitive and aware of other people’s feelings. If it is someone you don’t know that well, don’t use a word that may or may not offend them. That is common sense, right? Secondly, I don’t really think it’s ever OK for a white person to use the “N” word. The only exception I can think of is that a white guy friend of mine has a black friend, and they’ve been best friends for their entire lives. They have an understanding about it and the two of them exchange the world casually. The white guy would never use it to another black person. If someone else called his friend that word, he would be pissed. But this goes back to being sensitive and knowing how your language is going to affect people. But it’s hard because a lot of double standards are created with my approach. So if that’s hard for people to understand, don’t use the words at all. I honestly don’t care if my best girl friend calls me a bitch jokingly or even if my good guy friends call me a bitch jokingly. It’s when it’s someone you don’t know, or when someone you do know is using it negatively. I think it can all be about tone. If you mean the word offensively, then the person will take offense. If you mean it as a joke, then hopefully the person will see that. If you aren’t sure, there’s only one way to make sure nothing bad comes out of the situation: don’t use the words.
I completely agree with what you are saying as well. I think that the people that have a problem with the vulgar language used in hip hop, are the same people that don't listen to it regularly. There is a lot of slang words used in rap, but you just to take them in context. Just like you said, I agree that depending on how the word is said makes it offensive or not. Just like you, there have been times that I was called a bitch and not been offended, and there are times that it was inappropriate.
I watched the video on the teacher that said the N-word, and I feel that he should not have said that. I don't think he really understood the impact that word has, and he shouldn't have said it. Especially in today's society of stereotypes, a middle class 40 year old man, is not the typical person that would say that word. Many people would look at it as he is being racist. I think in his profession, and teaching black students as a white man, he shouldn't use that word no matter what. There are plenty of other words that can be used, and he is educated enough to know that the N-word is a racist word.
I think most of the words used in hip hop slang should not be used outside the hip hop culture. Many of them get taken out of context, and become very vulgar. People need to understand that there are different contexts the words can be used in. I think a lot of it has to do with kids listening to the music, and hearing the words and then using them. Most of these kids don't understand what the rappers may have gone through in their lives, and why they use the slang. Kids just see their influences using the slang, so they go around saying it to parents, teachers, and siblings. They need to realize the severity of the words.
Just as hip-hop itself (including the music) has evolved and changed over time, so too do the words, language and vernacular associated with it.
I am a firm believer in free speech. Also, think about the context people use when they speak these words that you question. It is not fair or realistic to condemn some words unless you are specifically noting some kind of circumstance where that word or phrase should be forbidden.
As someone else noted, there is also a sensitivity issue. Some people are more sensitive to certain words or phrases than others are. You will never be able to completely satisfy everyone while at the same time avoiding offending anyone. That's just a fact of life.
Personally, I believe that if someone believes they have free reign to use a certain word, I must also have free reign to use that same word, while maintaining some level of contextual awareness, of course.
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