When the whites call me a “nigger,” it makes me want to kill.
When blacks call me a “nigger,” what the hell? Are they for real?
Rappers use that word and they claim it steals the sting.
But you know that you are lying, the white man pulled your string.
The money that you make from rapping to their tune,
Does it comfort you at night when you’re staring at the moon?
Black children buy your songs and they hear you rap that shit!
And then, there you go; you’ve scored another hit.
Is it really worth the selling out and to know your soul is dead?
Or do you even care because you’re bringing home the bread?
Pull up your sagging pants and go get an education.
Stop rapping about niggers; get off the white plantation.
They sold us just like cattle and called us all a “nigger.”
And now you do their dirty work; that’s just like us, go figure.
When ‘Massa’ calls you “nigger” and you answer to that word.
Remember what you are to him; an animal in his herd.
Written by,
Shelby I. Courtland
© 2013 Shelby I. Courtland
Those who use the word “nigger” are ignorant! And it does not matter who uses it. That word is hideous! It is THE worst word ever uttered and the history behind that word is an abomination. Black people of today who use that word, seriously need to get an education, because you are indeed, ignorant. You are ignorant of your history in this country. If you seriously think that by repeating that word, over and over and over, that it will somehow lessen the sting, then you are also delusional! Keep buying into the bullshit and by all means, continue to sell yourself to the highest white bidder. The white man sits back and laughs over all of the money that he is making off of your ignorance and your lust for’ bling’.
shelbycourtland 
You are on a poetic roll, Shelby. What a straight-up poem this is and so well said. The truth will always shatter the false and you seem to be breaking all barriers. Nice going.
LikeLike
Tubular, as you know, I don’t hold back. When something gets my goat up, I let ‘er rip! And this one is no exception. We seriously think that we are kidding ourselves when we go around throwing that word about and claim that it is some ‘term of endearment’? Seriously? Black people in America who use that word as easily as they breathe, need to pick up a book or listen to those of an older generation who would never use that word because of its origin. We are the only group of people who will willfully and ignorantly degrade ourselves and think it’s cute. And then I have the nerve to wonder why Black people have such a long way to go in this country with regards to education? Then again, there are times when a little common sense could go a long way, if only many would use it.
Thank you for your comment!
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Tubularsock and commented:
One thing, of many, that I like about Shelby Couttland’s poems is that she is fearless with her opinions and provides such a powerful voice for truth.
LikeLike
Thanks for the reblog! Hopefully, the ignorant will see it and also find some common sense which doesn’t seem to be all that common these days.
Thanks again, my friend!!
LikeLike
Hey Shelby, I’ve got to agree with Tubular. Your voice keeps getting more powerful and more clearer. The mental slavery runs deep in this country. In Detroit, they shut the electricity off just to flex their power over the residents but not a peep from the mainstream press. Carry on…
LikeLike
Thank you Jeff! As you can see, I am not worried about hurt feelings, or “how can I write this,” I am going to tell it like I see it and if it will just wake one person the hell up, all the better because there are plenty who need the truth all up in their gold grill. This mess is ridiculous!
I am not surprised about what you just wrote about Detroit. I only wish that I was.
….and as for carrying on….as you can see, all pistons are firing!
Thank you again for stopping in!
LikeLike
Here’s an excellent article on events in Detroit. Warning: it’s not going to help with your anger issues. 😉
http://www.blackagendareport.com/content/detroit-bantustan-wall-street’s-black-goons
LikeLike
I saw the title and immidiately thought of the backstep that Nas had to take. Then I saw his picture, and thought of how Black people should know better. Then I read your poem, and I fell back at ease.
Anyone using that word is giving me a signal that I need to be on guard. Purple alert. Know thy enemy. They say “negro” (or “neger” in Hell Land) and I am on red alert. Know their weapons. There is no ignorance to it. It is purposeful use. To get a certain reaction. I take it upon myself to act, not react. Know thyself. Peace.
LikeLike
No Black Pete, yes, the whites when they use it are in no way ignorant over why they are using that word, but how else can you explain why so many black people use that word and some have even told me that, “it is a term of endearment when we use it!” The hell it is! I have actually spoken with young Black people who use that word frequently, and I asked then why do they use it, do they even know the origin of that word? The answer I get is that “everyone says it, I don’t even realize I’m saying it anymore, I use it so often.” To them, it is just like having everyone wear the same brand of clothes or shoes, it is a ‘status symbol’ so to speak. That is why I said that they were ignorant because jumping off a bridge hasn’t ‘caught on’ but that mess has?
Those who sung songs back in the 50s and onward up until recently never incorporated that word into any of their songs and I am a fan of the ‘oldies but goodies’. It is this ignorant mess of the last two generations that we have seen this unadulterated dumbing down and their glorifying the ‘nigger’ word and calling women, bitches and rapping about “bros before hoes.” I understand that the public education system is sadly lacking and that many drop out, but like I said, common sense should step in when book sense is lacking. And those who should know better, get studio contracts and I am sure that a clause is not needed when ensuring that the ‘nigger’ word is used ‘religiously. The overuse of that word, goes without saying and it is selling and selling, big time. If you stop in a store that sells music, much of what you will see is labeled, ‘explicit’. Back when we had respect for ourselves, not one album cover or cassette tape was labeled, ‘explicit’.
LikeLike
Good that you mentioned tapes. Because I do know people would play Richard Pryor and wotshisname to listen to them cuss at their own people back in the day. The word has been in use for generations, but was reserved for people who were seen as bad apples, ugly, darkskinned or whatever. That is why a lot of oldtimers also still use it. Just not in every sentence nor out in public.
Nas tried to push it over the top, instead of forming an Anti Defamation Unit. If it brought awareness to the chilluns using the word as if it means “brother” or “cousin”, then great. But, it did not. Here is where the oldtimers would say that he only looked like one. Validating the youth in using that word. Peace.
LikeLike
“Detroit’s Emergency Financial Manager (EFM) dictatorship runs the city the way Samuel L. Jackson’s “Stephen” character ran the white man’s plantation in Django. Without warning, and just to let the niggras know who’s boss, Chief Compliance Officer Gary Brown shut off the electricity to much of the public infrastructure in the downtown area on Friday, September 11th – of all days! – stranding numerous frightened people in elevators in 90-degree-plus heat, resulting in a least one injury. Asked why he had given no warning to the thousands affected before pulling the switch, Brown smiled like a bad cop who had just beat the hell out of a street kid (he’s a former deputy chief of police). “We did start calling our customers prior to taking them down and asking them to turn off air conditioners, but they weren’t responding as fast as we would like them to so we had to send them a strong message by turning the power off.” Who’s The Man? Me and my boss are The Man!”http://www.blackagendareport.com/content/detroit-bantustan-wall-street’s-black-goons
Yes Jeff, you were correct that this would send me over the edge, so to speak. This just makes my blood boil and yes, I am hopping mad!! I’m sick to pieces of this shit!! Not a damn thing was funny about stranding people in elevators and turning off the electricity on one of the hottest days of the year. So-called Black cities had better be taking a page out of Detroit’s book. Oh, and we’re in the ‘land of the free’. Since when?
LikeLike
@NoBlackPete, yes, I am aware that Richard Pryor threw that word around in his ‘comedy’ routine which of course the whites ate up, and other Black comedians have done the same thing and I am not negating the fact that those ‘comedian’s for want of a better word, sold themselves to eat from the white man’s table scraps, and therefore, their contribution to the uplifting of Black people in general was, valueless. I would find nothing amusing if I am listening to what is supposed to be of comedic value, and is anything but. What I am referring to is a culture that has permeated Black communities all across this country to the point where it is endemic. Hip-hop, gangster rap has infiltrated the minds of the youth of today and it has had a devastating effect on how many Black youth view themselves and they are given the impression that there is not a thing wrong with their perception of themselves and those around them. ‘Booty-calls’ and things of that nature were not prevalent back in my day. We did not have as many teen pregnancies and numerous sex partners and which I think is indicative of low self-worth, low self-esteem and a lack of morals. It is my belief that gangster rap plays a huge role in what we see today in our Black youth. It certainly is not helping matters. I do, however, get your point. Well stated.
LikeLike
This is so powerful Shelby! You have placed this foul word in its proper place among society, very wise and so effective, this piece runs deep!
LikeLike
Thank you Shainbird. There is no way to ‘pretty’ that word up and that is why I just came straight out with it. Yes, I could have pussyfooted around and called this “The ‘N’ Word, but to wake people the hell up these days, it takes ‘shock therapy’ and that is as shocking as I could make it. Will they take heed, that is the question.
Thank you again because with the awesome and inspiring and beautiful poetry that you post, I am truly gratified when I receive acclaim from you!
LikeLike
I understand, you are correct, as your words strike truths towards these fools who utilize the word today – any fools, bigots or bozos playing along without sense. The picture alone leaves me without words.
LikeLike
Shainbird, I was astounded when I saw it! I had to just sit and look at it for several minutes and take deep breaths because of just how stupid and ignorant they look. It just goes to show, that you can make all the money in the world and still not have the sense God gave a peanut.
LikeLike