Urban Culture in NZ= N-Word Take 2

Monday March 15th, 2009

Just finished my religion lecture on cosmology, spirits and life focusing in on Santeria at 5:36 and I dash out of the building to catch the 5:40 #13 bus to the bus terminal. I settle into my seat and in front of me I see my friend, Togo, the Maori student who I met a few weeks ago that asked me if I was a "nigga."

He smiled recognizing me and I did the same. He was wearing running tights, basketball shorts, high-top sneakers and a red hooded sweater (hood was on fully). I asked him how things were going and he replied ,"good, but I got a lot of reading and work so not soo good there." He was taking 2 papers which he said wasn't a lot but he was taking small bites. Togo is recovering from a bad accicent a few years ago which has affected his movement of his arms, legs and speech. He doesn't walk with a cane or has a visual scars but he speaks low and walks slow.

I asked him how his job was going and he said it was still busy. He's helped organize several events including inviting a hyponosis to come entertain the students. He stated that the biggest event he is working on now is the review of student policies. he says currently students are charged over $100 dollars for student service fees but the student has the right to opt out. Part of the review is deciding whether this will remain an opt-out fee or if it will become mandatory. Togo likes the way it is now because it "is good for them (administration) and for us (students)."

He asked how my lectures where going and if I was still traveling to Auckland everyday and I said "yes." Its funny that New Zealanders make a big deal about my travels but it really isn't all that bad. Its 2 hours on the bus where I nap, read, prepare for lectures and write some of my blogs. I leave home at 1pm and am back by 8pm three days out of the week. My NYC commute was about 1 and half and it consisted of me walking 10 minutes to the bus which took about 40 to 60 minutes into the city and then a 20 minute walk to work. Coming home to my honey and a home-cooked dinner shared over light conversation and laughs is worth the round-trip.

Well after the light chitter chatter, Togo asks me if I minded when he called me a "niggah" last time. I was so surprised (and grateful) that he asked me that question. As I stated in my last blog, there was so many thinks I thought of saying after the fact and didn't know if I would see him again or if the conversation would come up. I was also surprised that he asked if I minded. I didn't realize I gave off an uncomfortable or awkward signal or maybe I didnt and he just wanted to know more about the term. Anyway, I was glad for the segway.
I told him that I have said it but that I would not use it most of the time. Instead I was opt to use "your my boy, my homey, my friend" rather than niggah. I explained that the word is popularly used in urban/ hip hop culture in the same manner but that even in NYC and other parts of the US the word is still negatively associated with slavery and Jim Crow South. He knodded his head and asked if I would ever say to someone i considered my bro (Maori use "bro" for friends), "whatttt uppp nigggah" and I honestly stated that I probably have in the past with very very close friends that use the word as a term of endearment but that I probably would not do so now. I explained that even if I know that the other person understands that I am using it as a term of endearment that I still can offend anyone else listening. I explained that the word is quite degatory and even within the black/ brown commmunity there is a strong resistance against it. "Fair enough," he replied. I then asked him how did he understand the use of the n-word and if he used it.

He said that amongst Maori, they would use it in place of "bro." You know, "brown person to brown person. It is used positively." But there is times it can be negative, like if pakeha (white new zealanders) says, "Get out of here niggahs! Then you would be like ahhh man, really," after saying that he looks away and sways his left hand as if saying whatever. "Those are times you got to breath it out and not hold in the negativity...you know treat it like sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me."

I added that in the USA, even among blacks and browns one could use the n-word negatively. Togo agreed and said that the same is truth amongst the Maori.

He said the n-word had lots of barriers, "it like Toko, he bends his right hand straight up and faces his palm to me as he further explaains, "Toko mean sacred...like don't go there."

I shared with him that after our first conversation I had wondered about his understanding and usage and I was wanting to give a little more context about the usage in the states.

He said that the use of the n-word is a bit like the pronounication of Maori as "Maary" by Pakeha "and they don't even fix the way they say it." He said that even some Maoris learned it that way and say it that way too.

I asked him if the pronounciation of Maori in this way was considered offensive and he shook his head slowly up and down and said "yeah, it is."

He then asked me if I was a religious person and if I went to church which I answered that when I am with my family I go to church and that I believe in God and believe in living a good life respectful of people and nature and things but that I don't always go to a church.

I asked him if he was and he said that he was more spiritual then religious. He said that he believed in God and sometimes he doesn't but that when he is arguing with his uncle who is really religious he says he agrees in a God. "believing in God works with the way I live my life, I could understand it...I just liked to be forced to go to church or belief other things." He then asked his Maori was a religion, I told him that the maori had native spiritual beliefs and that many of them were also christians. He then replied, "but is it a religion." I just got out of a 1:40 minute lecture on religion and couldn't stir up a good enough answer to his question. He said, I get that we have a set of beliefs but how do I make them a religion. How can I make Maori a religion?" In probably a very unconvincing manner I explained that all religions have a set of beliefs but that what distinguished religions was the institutionalization of them. Honestly, I need to double check the recipe of religion making cause I am not sure about that but its the only thing I could conjure up at the time .

We got off the bus and I walked the Innercity Bus stop and he walked to take the #12. I beleive this meeting solidified our aquaintance-ship or even a friendship, so if I was wrong about the religion/institution thing I am likely to have the chance to clean it up soon...LOL!