No, not at all. I have heard it done a few times, and think that in some regions it is perhaps part of the vernacular. Once while at a black southern picnic I saw a man playing with his wife. It was really quite a tender thing to see. There was music playing, we were all outside and the two were dancing together. I'm not sure what happened next (I think he sprayed her with water or something or other), but I at once heard a loud commotion and turned to see him running with her hitting after him-- playfully. While laughing, he would alternatively run, then slowly approach her saying something like "Aw now shuggah you better come yoself heah." But she would hear nothing of it. She would laugh and playfully stay out of his reach, and when he got near her she would hit after him again, sending him on his way. Finally he rushed her and locked his arms around her, she all the while laughing and yet protesting. It was here, as he held her, she once said "niggah you betta git away fom me." Those who saw them enjoyed it immensely-- the whole scene. We were all of us laughing, I with the rest of them. We all knew that eventually the couple would "get back" together, and of course a few minutes later they did. This was a married couple, with children. The wife called her husband the n-word. But no one there, not even me, thought anything odd of it. Somehow, the way she said it was fascinatingly sweet.
I have heard black guys say it endearingly to one another. I play piano as a hobby, and quite a few years ago once played in several jazz groups. Some of these groups consisted mainly of black musicians. It was often the case, as we sat around after playing, I would hear them use the word in a friendly way.
Black guy #1: "So I'm there playing away and all a sudden, the left side of my face just goes numb. I just kept at it tho, slobberin' around the notes. It felt like I was about to swalla that $%$ horn."
(laughter)
Black guy #2: "No way, really?"
Black guy #1: "Yeah man, but I sounded good! Better than you."
(General laughter - amidst which others are saying "listen at that niggah.")
Black guy #1: (With a sly smile) "Well I did. Just telling the truth." (then laughing)
Black guy #2: (laughing) "Well, you may sound betta than me, but you still a whole lot uglier."
Black guy #1: (Smiling, but feigning anger) "UGLY?? Niggah, if you wudn't my homey, I'd keel you."
(general laughter)
In this exchange the black guys are calling one another the n-word with impunity, and instead of the word having destructive force it is actually constructive.
Again, I am not making this up, though I know it may be hard for you to believe. But I have seen it for myself, and while it is happening, one really does not think much of it. |
