Word Reclaiming

So… I’ve been having some fairly interesting conversations with some individuals about words such as nigga and bitch. Some of them use the words, some don’t. Then the questions becomes why and why not?

Nigga was a term used in reference to blacks pre and post slavery as a defamatory term to show that slaves were inferior to their slave masters and to other humans. Slaves were essential the equivalent to animals in the eyes of whites during this particular time in history. Other terms such as Nigger, and Negro, Monkey and many others were also used to dehumanize slaves and blacks. The dehumanizing continued post slavery, then onto to the Harlem Renaissance and during the Civil Rights Movement. Then we looked at the word bitch.

Bitch was first used as a term in reference to a female dog but then used for a woman in 1811 in male voice. Ever since then this word has been used to address women negatively. Unlike the term Nigga being race-based bitch is a gender-based term that shows the misogynistic connotations.   So some raise the question, how can a word with such a negative history be reclaimed and where does this reclaiming come from? Some individuals look at Hip Hop and point fingers.

In Hip Hop, some MCee’s use these terms frequently. Some MCee’s such as Ice Cube and many other rappers have discussed taking the power back, reclaiming of the term nigga. They have discussed nigga being a term of endearment to other blacks. Phrases such as “My Nigga” or “Me and my Niggas” show that the term is more of a relationship-based term. Many individuals use the term nigga to relate themselves to other blacks in their society. For example as we used to say “My Sista or My Brotha” during the 60’s and 70’s from the 90’s until now individuals are saying “My Nigga”. Also in Hip Hop MCee’s use the word bitch frequently. Bitches and Hoes are the most common words used by MCee’s to reference women. TRUTH! Male MCee’s talking about women in a misogynistic manner that some women are ok with but the majority of women are against. It’s ironic for a male to call a woman a bitch or a hoe and then turn around and say “ But I have the utmost respect for my sistahs”.  Interesting?  Though, some women reference themselves as a bitch. This became mind bottling to some individuals because most women are raised to know that if someone calls you a bitch it is automatically offensive.  So, when someone calls a woman bitch such as “Bitch you tripp’in” her nose flares, her eyes bulge and you probably need to take cover. Lol. Though some individuals feel as though if a woman can call herself a bitch then why can’t someone call her a bitch? Some women call each other bitches all the time. Interesting? Though looking back the importance of WHO can reclaim the word is important. How do you feel about this topic? Be Heard