Anyone that is an internet user has most likely heard of Myspace. Myspace is a networking website where people, organizations, etc. can create and personalize their own webpage for other users to visit. And with over 77 million users I feel it is safe to say most probably reading this article have their own Myspace account. What many of you don’t probably know is there is another website with many similar features as Myspace and even set-up like Myspace. This site is called Niggaspace! Yes, that is correct. I am not making this up, the site is Niggaspace! Check it out for yourself: http://www.niggaspace.com/.
This site was created by a mystery man by the name of simply: Tyrone (how fitting). On the main page is the Ludacris video “Money Maker” which objectifies women, specifically black women.
Here is the mission statement on the front page of the site:
This site is in no way meant to be racist. A common endearing term used by many black people is, "nigga" not to be confused with a different and offensive term, "nigger". The word, "nigga" is in rap songs, daily conversations, on TV, etc. yet the word still has so much mixed emotions attached. One of my intentions is for this word to no longer have such mixed emotions. Part of my intention for this site is for the word nigga to embody images of brotherhood, and fraternity rather than images of ignorance and hate. How great would it be, if the mixed emotions that this word carries along with it, were stripped down to something more positive? Only positive. Of course there are going to be two sides to this, but just know that intentions are noble. So create an account, and start the revolution! -Tyrone
What does Tyrone mean this is not suppose to be racist?! The entire making of this page is racist. There is nothing empowering about this site. Why couldn’t it be called brothaspace.com or blackpowerspace.com if he was trying to make something positive? By using the term “nigga” Tyrone not only brings himself down but black people as well. What does he mean start the Revolution? Does he really feel by making an account that states if you’re single or in a relationship is going to create revolution? Who will be fighting this so-called revolution? This term has been around since slavery and no one has fought a war specifically over a word. The Civil Rights and Black Power Movement were not fighting for the use of the word “nigga/nigger” but for political and economic equality. Tyrone needs to read some history.
Neither I nor any member of The Righteous Griots is a racist or allies themselves with racists but I thought if this were Niggaspace then shouldn’t it be exclusive to African Americans? Well I was wrong because white people and other minorities can join Niggaspace. Does this mean that Tyrone and those who join feel that whites and other minorities have felt the same oppression as black people?! I think not, but people like Tyrone want us to forget about American History and that this word is always going to be NEGATIVE, regardless of how much he wants to downplay it. All he is doing is disrespecting his ancestors, if he is black.
It has now been over a month since Michael Richards made his horrible statements in a L.A. comedy club and I think many people have already forgotten or dismissed it. This was something that is inexcusable. The fact that in 2006, a white man can still say those things and get away with it shows that African Americans have only made progress on paper in this country. Mr. Richards went to a few “black leaders” and apologizes and that lets him off the hook? No way! Why doesn’t Mr. Richards apologize to the people who he directly called “Niggers!”? And unfortunately, because of the killing of Sean Bell in NYC most of these black leaders have been heavily involved with that case, so Mr. Richards has fallen off from media attention.
One of the inequalities that the Black Community faces is self-inflicted. The overuse of the word “nigger/nigga” does nothing but make modern black men look like the minstrels from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Minstrel shows were white men who painted their faces black and acted like buffoons. There is no way around this word and no way to desensitize it. If that were the case it would have happened by now. The idea of it being a “term of endearment” is a huge inequality because as soon as it is said to a person regardless of how the individual views it, the greater community can see it in a much different light. Conversely, by calling a black person “brother/sister” no one can confuse that for a racial slur regardless of its context. The Black community needs to step up and realize we oppress ourselves with the use of “nigger/nigga” and must liberate ourselves. It is this word that continually keeps black people down and white people with the control. By using the word it does not take the “control” away from whites but reinforces their stereotype of what the black community is. It continues to degrade the black community and perpetuate feelings of ignorance and self-hate. The Black community must stop using it towards each other and self-educate themselves of the historical context of the word and not allow the word to oppress them any longer. No other racial groups have allowed racist terms to become “terms of endearment”. To give any meaning to this word is to erase the history of the African-American people. The start of true liberation for African-Americans will be the eradication of this word and the embracing of terms that will lift African-Americans to a higher level living in a country that still has racist elements.
Here is a website that is petitioning to shut down Niggaspace.com. Please sign the petition if you feel that it is the correct thing to do. http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?SDN
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