"Mommy, What Does Nigger Mean?" Analysis

The word nigger and its meaning is and will always be controversial. Personally, i have no problem with the word being used in certain context, just like Naylor's mother hinted towards. I mean, yes I will feel a twinge of resentment towards a non colored person using the word freely, but at the end of the day, a word has no real effect until you impose meaning upon it. That being said, I love the way black folk can take a word that originated to oppress and condemn, to a word that makes us remember a dark time for us, not in bitter contempt, but appreciation for our will and fight. The word nigger to me, in a black folks vocabulary is a heartfelt expression. It has so much meaning that it has outgrown its negative connotation and taken on a mind of its own. I don't use the word often, but i don't mind using it either, in fact, when I use it, I don't even think about it being demeaning to the person I'm talking too, and neither do they. "Nigga please, wateva nigga, that nigga crazy", are all expressions that help emphasize the connectedness of our people while in dialogue, it can make you laugh, mad, cry, whatever, but it still effectively gets your point across and I think that's what Naylor's mother was trying to get across to her in the essay. The context is the aggressor, if anyone feels disrespected by any word, it is definitely the context that the word is used in. For me, "nigga" will always be apart of my vocabulary without any traces of guilt or shame, because i know the power behind the word that i present.