With the crazy popularity of MySpace it is common place to see various websites pop up that mimick the social networking giant. Well a new one has appeared that is causing quite a controversy, NiggaSpace.com. Thats right, “NiggaSpace: A Place For Niggas”. Not only is the site causing heads to turn based on its name but also its content. The unspoken theme of the site seems to be white kids posing as black people and mocking them. A recent poll on the site went as far as to ask the question “How Black Are You?” with the answer options being “Brake yoursilf nigga!”, “I’m not black”, “Niggaspace Emo” and “Creole.”

The owner of the site, who goes by the handle “Tyrone” (most likely not his real name), chooses not to reveal his actual race but has posted this message on the site’s front page:

This site is in no way meant to be racist. Moreover, it’s supposed to bring a community of people together, rather than apart.

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. I want the word to unify a people who have made so many strides in society. I do not wish for the word to conjur up images of hate or ignorance, rather images of brotherhood.

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!

Regards,
Tyrone and Staff

Is this a joke or does this guy believe he is doing something to make race relations better. Its hard to say at this point but as word of this website grows you can also expect the number of angry people to grow along with it.

Evorgleb: Let me start by saying “Nigga” and “Nigger” ARE the same word. I’m so tired of that argument. Thats like saying “gangster” and “gangsta” aren’t the same word. Or “brother” and “brotha”. Do I think black people should be calling themselves and each other “nigga”? Probably not but it IS our word and I do believe that a group of people should be allowed to take ownership of a word used against them. Gays did it with the word “queer” as did some women with the word “bitch”. Now the problem here is that most rap music is bought by white kids in the suburbs that idolize the artists they listen to. All they hear is us calling each other “nigga”. So badly they want it to be ok for themselves to use the same language. But its not. America still sees it as a racial slur and thats because it is a racial slur. It just happens to be a racial slur that black people casually call each other.

To sum it up, white people need to stop using the word “nigga”. Its flattering but you look silly.