Niggaz, Wetbacks, and the Ghetto

As a Mexican-American living/working in suburban/urban communities I find it interesting how these three words are often used. The use of the word "Nigga" has been introduced in larger society due to the prevalence of black entertainment. "Nigga" can be identified as a derivative of the word "Nigger." Now, because certain art forms like Hip Hop has been exploited by commercialism the question is who can say "Nigga?" Well if you're African-American, this is an undecided issue. Some will say that it is a term of endearment and other would say it is a form of self-hate. This is quite a topic for Black folks and I don't think it will be settled soon. So, you're reading this and you might be thinking, "My friend/lover/parent/cousin/in-law/child is black so I feel I have a right" or "I don't see a problem with it because they don't." I would say that your perspective is narrow-minded. I feel that to be part of the conversation to decide whether it is ok or not to use the term that your culture/skin color is an important qualifier. A little narrow you might think, but your relatives weren't considered 3/5 of a person. If you feel that it is your prerogative be careful because not all folks may appreciate your use of "cool black vernacular." If comfortable is your middle name, then be comfortable, and go down to a largely black community and see how cool you'll really be.

Like the word “Nigger”, the word “Wetback” has many synonyms. Mojado (wet), Chunti (?) , and Paisa (short for paisano, someone from your hometown.) The interesting thing about being a mojado, is other Latinos could be the one flinging the disparaging names. The factor the plays into our stratification, like many other ethnic groups, is economics and assimilation. Due to the fact that we as a people continue to migrate, we have a direct connection to our homelands (depending how far back in history you want to go.) The longer we are here, or the farther away we are from an immigrant in the family, explains the differences in experiences. Now we have one end of the spectrum, the Hispanic or White American with the only thing ethnic about them is their Italian sounding last name. On the end we have the just arrived set of folksSince the inception of this country there was and still is a strong Nativist attitude, an attitude driven by fear and ignorance. Recently I have noticed though that the term “Paisa” has been used as in a positive light. Hmm…

So you say you drive a “ghetto” car, you have “ghetto” shoes, your friend is acting sooo “ghetto” right now and this is all to mean substandard, right? I am curious, if something is not good why is it “ghetto?” When something is not up to our standard why is it something synonymous with the place where po’ folks live? If you have ever been in a ghetto, seeing one on tv doesn’t count, you would know that people live, laugh, cry, and die in the ghetto. I don’t want to over romanticize the plight of the ghetto but want to highlight that real folks, no just gangsters, pimps, and drug dealers. Again, I have heard some individuals use “ghetto” as a term of pride. Mos Def does this in the song “Ghetto Rock.”

In conclusion, to put it simply, or not, if you tell me that you and your niggaz, paisa homies, are so ghetto, please be sincere-cause if you’re not, you’re making me sad.