Born in America over 400 years ago, birthed to the unlikely couple Language and Hate, Nigger entered society to carry out his odium of black-skinned people. Christened by colonial settlers, Nigger packed his bags to find a comfortable, permanent home in America’s deep south. Although still in his early years, Nigger obtain widespread success in portraying ignorance, incompetence, and buffoonery as a direct relation to having dark skin. Nigger redefined what it meant to be black. A nigger could act and sing, but could not speak properly or effectively. He could smoke and dance but he could not read and be educated. Nigger developed a whole line of products to market to those who practice in the profession of racial hatred. He coined the following terms: Niggerlover- one who was sensitive in any way to blacks, Niggerlipping- to wet the end of a cigarette while smoking, Nigger Milk- as advertised in a 1916 advertisement which showed a black baby drinking from a bottle of ink. Nigger produced these and countless other inventions which proved favorable among those who wished to maintain their supremacy by demeaning blacks in America.

   Finally, a group of intelligent and outspoken dark-skinned brothers and sisters decided to rebel against Nigger’s dominance. As they formed the Civil Rights Movement, they fought against Nigger and his army of white supporters to reform society. Although he was almost killed during this time period, Nigger survived. Realizing it was inappropriate to blatantly continue his past message of white supremacy, “Nigger” changed his name to “Nigga” and assumed a new persona. Nigga, now disguised as an ally to black youth, could go undercover and position himself as a “link” to black unity. In the 1980s, Nigga was introduced to some new powerful partners with the rise of Hip- Hop, and he gained popularity in the media, among comedians, rappers and other entertainers convincing black people that despite his hateful roots, to be the “Nigga” was to be “down for the cause”, to be “cool” and was about ‘keeping it real”. “Nigga” made it hard for young NAACP activists to fight the battle for freedom while remaining a part of the hip hop generation.

   Although in now disguise, “Nigga” was recognized by those who remember his menacing consumption of the souls of their people. Nigga began to separate black youth from their proud history, and successfully encouraged youth of other races to join his campaign for the resurgence in demeaning the African-American race. Nigger sought to secure his place forever becoming synonymous with black people, even in the dictionary. The NAACP was triumphant in prevailing over Nigger’s attempt to define himself as Nigger- a black person. However, Miriam Webster’s Dictionary today says that the word’s usage among blacks is quote “not always intended or taken as offensive”, and Dictionary.com says that Nigger is “sometimes used among African-Americans in a neutral or familiar way.” Young black people claimed “Nigga” as their own, while many proud racists, once responsible for the word’s popularity, and who are now banned from usage of the word, revel in the resurrection of their beloved friend.

   Today, we will lay the word nigger to rest. We will no longer make “nigger” familiar or a part of our family. We will bury its offensive usage among people of all races, including African Americans. We will bury “nigger” next to his cousins, “jigaboo”, “coon”, “darkie”, “pickanniny”, “savage”, “sambo”, “mammy”, “buckwheat”, “boy” and “nappyheaded ho”. We promise to be more creative in our rap lyrics, more respectful to our ancestors, more diligent in our fight for freedom. As we bury the word nigger, we are inspired by 2nd Corinthians chapter 4 which says: We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Therefore, we do not lose heart, though outwardly we are wasting away, inwardly we are being renewed day by day. Nigger has terrorized us, but he has not beaten us, we have overcome him and we celebrate the end of his existence in our community. We officially declare him DEAD! We will not revive, ressurrect, or recover him! We will rebuke, resist, and revoke him in the name of pride and progress.

Ashes to Ashes
Dust to Dust
If God won’t have him
The Devil Must