Holler at a scholar to share you experience and let me know where you stand on the word ngh!

A white associate of mine, Miles (yes, after the horn-player extraordinaire), and I were talking recently when he casually drops the N-bomb. After a brief pause, he glances over to see my reaction. Unfazed, I keep a straight face. Then he begins ask if I was ok with his use of the term. According to Miles, the word is readily thrown about among his ethnically diverse group of friends on the Lower East Side. Within his circle, he tells me that the word is merely another way of saying guy. I could feel his explanation to a point; because that is the way that many of my Black peers carry it. In these cases, the word is less important than the adjective that precedes it. For instance, there is vast difference between describing one’s fellow-man as shiftless and describing him as industrious. The rub rests with the descriptor, not the guy (ngh). In Miles’ case however, I sensed a subtle awkwardness and hesitation in his delivery which belied his explanation. I know that his hesitation was the result of his own sense of guilt at the thought of uttering such an offense epithet in my presence conflicting with an overwhelming desire to be “down” with me and about that Hip-Hop. Instead of becoming the violent “ngr” reflecting the dark recesses of his own mind by putting the slap down on him like homie did that sister on the subway recently, I gave him some much needed advice. Hey, Miles, check yourself!