[This article has been updated to censor the N word so as to make it less offensive to those who are sensitive to it, as well as the fact that it shouldn’t be used and spelled out. When this article as initially written, I had no problem typing out the full uncensored versions of the N word because I know I’m not racist, and to me it wasn’t a big deal, as I wasn’t using it in a racist manner, but rather to make a point. However, upon further review, the N word is offensive to many, and shouldn’t be used, thus this article has been revised.]

Our little non-racist, non-religious (my wife and I were raised religious, left our religions, and raise our son without religion), very open-minded white family of 3, who reside in a predominantly white suburb (with a mix of Indian, Hispanic, Latino, and black) located in southeastern Pennsylvania, were headed out to dinner the Thursday or Friday prior to the date of this post.

While we were driving in our car, we happened to be listening to one of our family member’s Spotify random playlists (based on song genre or something that like), when the following song by Trippie Redd called UKA UKA started playing. At around the 1 minute mark the artist started saying a few variations of the N word, including “pussy n***as”. I couldn’t help but giggle! Not just at the phrase itself, but the fact that here are 3 white people listening to this, it doesn’t bother us (cuz we’re not snowflakes and we’re not racist), and we know it’d shock most other whites if they were in the car with us, like my 80 year old mother and father.

At 52 years old, I have listened to all kinds of music throughout my life, primarily “white” music (rock & heavy metal). Never ever never have I heard someone say “pussy n***as” in a song. Well, I’m pretty sure I haven’t. Of course, I rarely listen to rap, not for any reason than I just don’t relate to it and it doesn’t resonate with me. I loved my heavy metal because I was an angry guy that hated everyone and everything. Well, I still hate everyone and everything, but I’m less angry. Also, I say “loved” because music has been dead to me since around 2018 or so. I don’t need music in my life anymore. I no longer search for new artists or music, and I don’t listen to music while driving, going for a walk, etc. Music is dead as far as I’m concerned, but that’s me.

So after hearing Trippie Redd say that phrase, I turned to my wife & son with a big ass evil grin on my face and I said the same thing in a joking manner, for shock value. All they could do was smile and shake their heads knowing it’s something we white crackers are not supposed to say. I think I said it a couple of times more for shits and giggles.

As white folk, most of us know that the N word (ending in “er”) and any other variant of it (ending in “a”) are taboo to say, and for perfectly valid and rational reasons (i.e. racism, oppression, etc.). But when you are in the privacy of your home, or in this case a car, you get to say all the nasty vile things you couldn’t, wouldn’t, and shouldn’t say in a public setting, whether it’s a restaurant, at school, at work, family gathering, etc. Does that mean we say nigger on a regular basis in our home? No. The N word and other ethnic or gender slurs (i.e. gay slurs) are words that never get said in our home, and that we never use. Ever. Well, we also don’t say pussy. We do say bitch, fuck, shit, and the like, often to each other in jest. For example: my wife and I will say “where’s my dinner, bitch?” to each other when it’s dinner time.

So after hearing the above song, the next day (or the next next day) I posted the following tweet on my twitter (warning: it contains the uncensored N word ending in “a”): https://x.com/ephemeralrift1/status/1710667950439440557?s=20

My question still stands: I’m not racist, so while I will never say the N word (ending in “er”), don’t I at least get to say the N word ending in “a” or “as”? The answer is no. Even though “n***as” is more of a slang word that means your friends, family, your little group, etc., is not as inherently vile and racist as the word n***er, and gets thrown around quite often in a casual manner, the only people who have any right to say it are those within the black community. And even then it probably shouldn’t be used.

As I pondered all this over the next couple of days, I decided to google “pussy n***as” and was somewhat surprised to see the search results. There are quite a lot of songs either titled or have “pussy n***as” in the title. You can see for yourself, simply google the phrase “pussy n***as” (uncensored) and you’ll see quite a few songs with this phrase in the title.

This brings me to my next question: why do so many black rappers say “pussy n***as”, and why are they saying it to others in their community? Obviously, it’s an insult. But who are they insulting, and for how long has this particular phrase been used? Of course, not all blacks or black rappers say it, and I’m sure all variations of the N word are frowned upon even by those within the black community, or anyone of any racial background, again due to the inherent racist and oppressive history of the words.

Well, my n***as, that brings us to the end of this article.

So what have we learned today? That “pussy n***as” is used in many black rap song titles and appears to be an insult slung by blacks meant for other blacks. But more importantly than that, my main question still resides: can non-blacks, especially non-racist non-blacks, say n***as in its various forms when used casually, or in jest, and not as an insult or to be racist? While part of me doesn’t see a problem with using it if you’re not racist, the truth of the matter is that no one should really be saying it. But if anyone can say it, it’s those within the black community.