Restricted Norms

As I walk around campus on a day to day basis trying to balance class and track practice, I couldn't help but wonder what was making me feel so uncomfortable to the point I grew angry. It was this gut feeling that you know cannot be wrong but the figuring out why it was there just made me sick. But finally I was relieved by my confusion as a colleague passed by and gave me his greeting of "what's up my nigga."

Now, lots of people would consider this a mutual greeting between two African-American's. On television it is portrayed as the right way for Black people to greet one another. In popular music it is used in almost every other word. How is it that the word "nigga", which was created by the root term "nigger", be justified as a correct way of saying hello? In the 19th Century, Plantation owners called their servants and slaves "nigger" and "nigga" as demeaning words to describe their stupidity, lack of knowledge, and restrictions to freedom. For almost a century and a half it was viewed as a negative term to describe African-Americans. Yet, today, it has become a norm for almost ALL races to use.

If the word "nigga" is to be used as a acceptable word to greet one another, is it safe to use other "racist" terms to greet people as well? For instance, if I see a Hispanic/Mexican walking towards me and he says "what's up my nigga", am I incorrect by replying with,"nothing much wetback?" Of course many will argue that "wetback" was not a term in History books that was used as a social degrading term towards Latinos. However, it will sure as hell piss them off.

The majority of slang and foul mouthing is used by ages 14-25. If you take a older gentleman and call him a term that is conflicting with his immediate nationality it will spark a flame in his eyes and you will now be known as the racist guy. On the other hand, if you say "nigga" every 5 words in a sentence to someone of the ages 14-25, it is probably the only way they will understand the other 4/5 words you are transferring to their ignorant brains. However, the need for necessary words to be in your vocabulary in order to successful feel comfortable while talking to someone is based on the following:

• Knowledge of World History and the struggles between races. 
• Education
• Lifestyle (culture/subcultures)
• Identifying your environment (knowing what is right and wrong not only to yourself but others as well)
• Self Respect

Knowledge of World History can play a major role when it comes to the actuality of present, past, and future. Throughout our time in grade school we studied the problems that the World has faced since the "cavemen" came about. There were social conflicts between Blacks/Whites, Hispanics/Whites, English/Spanish, and so forth. All individual nationalities and cultures have clashed with another at some time in history. From knowing this we also know the terms that were associated with identifying different races. Terms such as: nigga(er), cracker, coon, coolie, greenhorn, jap, gook, chink, auzzie, wetback, etc. It is impossible that within ones lifetime one of those words will not be heard or used. It is up to the maturity of the individual to decipher where and how to use it.

Education ties into the level of maturity that one possess. Someone that has a low level of education is not aware of the boundaries that most educated people keep as a second nature norm. Going outside of these norms just seems wrong in most cases. Words, meaning, and actions that defy another race is never accepted in a community structured with diversity and immediate communication between one another. However, if several of the same race group up together, then the rules of engagement with word choice is slightly altered due to the level of comfort-ability. Again, the maturity will determine the outcome.

Lifestyle pertains to cultures and subcultures that is carried by an individual. One that carries them self in a culture that revolves religious views, educational goals, and optimism is unlikely to abuse the word system. Those that fall under the category of deviant cultures and subcultures such as gangs, mafias, trouble making, drugs, sex and alcohol are more likely to feel the need to express themselves using them. For example, I myself will try not use race defying words to describe, list, category, symbolize, or criticize another person. I carry myself with confidence, use correct pronunciation, and speak with a high level of education. For that, I am often called "white-washed", which means to have the characteristics of a stereotypical Caucasian. Is it fair that to act myself I have to be talked down unto by those of my own nationality? And if I act "Black" I will be turn down on by other nationalities?

Identifying your environment is to know your surroundings. If you are around a majority of blacks you will be unlikely to use the word "nigga." In other words, if your going to be ignorant, be smart about it.

Self Respect for oneself come down to the person using the word that conflicts with their own race. If you would not like for someone outside of your race to use the same word that you are using, don't say it. Yes, this is a country with Freedom of Speech, but that does not mean to use such words drastically.

"An extract remarks a north."

Today's Hip Hop

According to some of the "Top Dogs" of the Hip Hop Industry, the competitiveness and motivation behind writing hip hop music has gone away. Unlike it was in the 90's, hip hop and rap have taken an unusual turn when it comes to promoting music, displaying oneself as an artist, and even the intent in the meaning of the song. Nowadays the music that we now call hip hop is looked down upon by many people because of the downward spiral it has taken within the last decade. Most artists in today's hip hop culture write about money, drugs, and sex. In addition, most artists in today's hip hop age are not personally attaching themselves to their fan base but rather grow popularity through the world wide web. For example, Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., also known as "Lil Wayne," has topped hits and sells for years and may still be successful in years to come due to the high velocity of popularity he has gained from his music career, scandals, and media. However, it is unlikely that he is involved with his fan base. Has he ever took the time to get to know his fans? I'm pretty sure he is too busy finding new words to make up to even think about praising his fans. On the other hand there is Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr., also known as "Snoop Dogg", who has been in the hip hop industry for over 2 decades. Considered one of the Original Gangster's and very experienced rapper from Long Beach, California, Snoop Dogg is a respected individual in both music and personal life. He has created foundations and recreational activities within the communities in which he resides from, and he also is a family oriented man (as seen on Father Hood).


How long will hip hop set the trend in the world for sex, money, drugs, and partying? Will rappers/artists ever be motivated to make it to the top on the natural causes of gaining respect? For several years now I have been listening closely to hip hop music and have became sadly disappointed on many occasions. Don't get me wrong, I love going to the clubs and dancing to the beat of a lot of mainstream hits, but when it comes to understanding and grading the storyline behind the overly populated effects and widgets within the song, I am disturbed. As we all know, great artists are those that can connect to an audience in a personal way through words and innovating punctual metaphors to describe nouns and verbs in a way that comes out clever. But isn't it enough when everyone is writing about the same thing? For instance, Kesha Rose Sherbert, who goes by Kesha, is a new pop singer who jumped the mainstream through her club hitting beats and party enthusiasm. However, that is all she has. There is no story behind her words, no creative metaphors, no new style of writing, and absolutely no understanding of word articulation. However, because so many people are blind to this due to her catchy uptempo beats, she is where she is today.

With all this talk about the way artists are going about their ways in doing things, I may be wrong. There might be some sort of role that artists must fill in to get their spotlight. Here are some examples:

• Kesha, party girl with creative club beats
• Ne-yo, hopeless romantic that always misses his shot at love. He has a confusing track line with his intent. One song he is talking about being "Closer", then "Go On Girl", "Part Of The List", "Beautiful Monster" and so on. Endless struggle in what he wants.
• Chris Brown, young soul seeker wanting the perfect one
• Lil Wayne, universal artist who isn't afraid of trying new things..has a high tendency to exploit drugs, sex, and money within all his songs. There is a need for these three things in his music, or else it just isn't a Weezy track.
• Eminem, best featuring artists to have and makes it clear to all that he is not to be played with. He is known to be full of anger and tenacity in his verses. He makes it known that he is a force to be reckoned with.
• Rihanna, steady looking for love but emphasizes her will to be strong. She also is known for being lustful and writes about her body a lot.
• Justin Bieber, new face for the 12-17 crowd (not sure what the next 3 years will come of that)
• Usher, finding love through music. In his earlier days he was known for writing songs based on recent relationship activities. Now it's more about falling in love to the music.
• Drake, new face to Young Money and under-seer to Lil Wayne, popular by demand but never reaching his desired spotlight
• Ludacris, metaphorically a genius when describing female body parts and what he would do to them
• Nicki Minaj, coming off as a "girlie girl" that will stand her ground

*Again, these are my perspective examples of how I see artists nowadays in mainstream music*


To make it clear, I am not a hip hop guru or an expert in finding flaws and structure. I am simply a fan of music that is trying to get across my feelings towards music today.

"We know you want a bolder paper person"