This letter is in response to John Balz’s November 1 column, “Why hip-hop will never be mine”. In his column, Mr. Balz explains how he feels alienated by use of the word “nigga” in rap lyrics. How dare you, Mr. Balz? How dare you twist things around to suggest that the word “nigga” makes YOU feel like an outsider? By portraying yourself as the victim, you disrespect generations of oppressed people. Your complaints display a sense of entitlement—a sense that you should be allowed to enjoy hip-hop music without being confronted by the nasty truths that influence the genre.
Seminal gangsta rappers N.W.A. (Niggaz with Attitude) popularized hip-hop’s use of the N-word in the late 80s. While suburban pop stations were discovering the commercial viability of MC Hammer, N.W.A came along to tell us that we wouldn’t get away with it. The anger and disillusionment felt by our nation’s black youth would not be conveniently glossed over and absorbed into mainstream culture. Hip-Hop would not follow the emasculating paths of jazz and rock which came before. To earn our fearful respect, N.W.A broke a big taboo—they called themselves niggers.
You admit, Mr. Balz, that you are ashamed to confront the term: “It’s a word I hate to think about, hate to think about saying and hate to think about defining.” This is precisely the point. Hip-Hop wants you to think about it, wants you to face the uncomfortable truth, wants you to confront not just the events of America’s past—but the oppressive legacy that is still strong today. In this context, the n-word is so much greater than a slur; it becomes one of the most powerful words in the English language.
What you describe as Hip-Hop’s “self-imposed isolation” is in fact an idea that rises from your own perceptions. You shouldn’t feel that your discomfort with “Nigga” is shutting you out. Instead let it infuriate you, let it dwell on your conscience, and know that your ancestors invented it. When Tupac uses it every fifteen seconds, concentrate on how sad and angry you feel, and try to imagine how infinitely worse you would feel if it were directed at you and your family. But don’t ever fool yourself into thinking that you truly understand. Feel the despair that “Nigga” produces, then thank God for the beauty and grace that exists in spite of it all. That is the power of Hip-Hop.
I applaud your earnest efforts to look critically at popular culture, Mr. Balz. You’re obviously a fan of hip-hop music, and you use examples from respected artists to support your arguments. I hope I don’t come off as condescending. Like yourself, I am a young white man trying to make sense of a messed-up world. I just wanted to challenge you to reconsider the opinions you expressed in your column. Hip-hop can be yours if you keep an open mind. I wish you the best of luck.