Most popular rappers are black,and you are not. So stop using the “N” word like you are black!

Jay-Z dominates the soundtrack to my life when I am dealing with certain situations.When I feel like there are people creating problems and drama for me, I play “Dust Off Your Shoulders” on repeat.When someone really pisses me off, I am flowing along with Jay “Jigga What, Jigga Who.”I know the words to Ja Rule’s “Six Feet Underground,” which comes in handy for those times when I want to build up my confidence.When I am feeling like I do so much and others contribute so little, I boast along with Drake’s “All Me,” really getting amped with Big Sean’s part.

I like my rap music.Tupac, Dre, Snoop, and E-40.Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Biggie, and Junior Mafia.Eve has some cold stuff on her Scorpion album, which I still play.Queen Latifah is another favorite female artist.

What really irritates me is when other races/people also share the enjoyment of these artists and songs.Especially the popular songs that are played on urban radio stations like 106-KMEL.I should clarify that it is not just their enjoyment of the music, but the mimicking of the culture.

I do not like to be sitting in the movie theater watching trailers before the feature film and overhearing people saying the words from popular songs, using the “N” word like its free popcorn.

I do not like to be in the quad, chillin with an iced mocha to overhear who is an “N”, “N” come on, or “N” you should know.The voice is clearly not an African American voice.I look up to confirm that the voice belongs to a non-African American.

Not only do they know the lyrics to Jay-Z’s “The Blueprint,” they feel so comfortable dressing like a rapper too.The baggy jeans, the designers that cater to the crowd, the hoodies like Kanye, the fitted caps like TI, the gold chains, the oversize watches, the Jordans like Wiz Khalifa.It’s too much.

I have read and heard the arguments that it is part of the hip hop culture.I argue that even if it is part of the hip hop culture and you are not an African American, it does not give you a license to use the “N” word.To use the “N” word in a public place is even worse.To use the “N” word in a public place around me is like starting a battle.I have zero tolerance.My response to offenders is a verbal assault.I lock. Load. Get my point across.Hope I hurt you the way you hurt me.

Listening to rap music is one thing.Doing something risqué like using the same language that these rappers may use is just insensitive and ignorant.The word was used to keep an African slave mentally trapped.The word was redesigned by African Americans to claim it, redefine it, and keep it between them.Not every African American uses the word or finds the word benign.Some African Americans are appalled at the use of the “N” word and feel the pain that it was originated to inflict.Like lashes from the slave owner’s whip, the word can sting and burn and leave a lasting impression.

Why would you want to say the N word?What purpose does it serve in your vocabulary? Are you trying to create the hostile environment that mimics the chattel slavery that was used to keep an African complacent to labor and work the land?Just because the word is in the African American vernacular does not mean that you should use it as well.

Each culture has words that they use within the culture.The word can be arising from a negative place, as the “N” word does, but the people in the culture use the word in a different context.The word transforms itself from a slur to a term of endearment, a mean thing to say, or something to joke with.The danger comes when someone outside of the culture uses the word.It is more than an awkward silence when the person is caught saying the word, invoking the Steve Urkel nasal tone “Did I do that?!”Don’t be an Urkel.

You hear Jay Z saying “Blue told me to tell y’all N” in the Holy Grail.So if Jay can say it, you can say it.It means nothing more than you are rapping along with Jay and being one of the homies.You have adopted the word and use it with your friends, just like you have heard your favorite rappers use it.You are shocked when someone overhears you and reacts to the word.You don’t understand the glaring eyes, the angry face, the way this person is telling you that you are offensive.You are just being part of a culture. You tell me to relax and not to take it so seriously.

Well, I am telling you now to question why you feel compelled to use the word.If Jay Z, Kanye, and Drake can say it, that just means they are speaking the word in the confines of their culture.Yes, the word is heard by people outside of the culture.That is fine.Just don’t let it be repeated.