White people are getting way too comfortable when it comes to the word “nigga.”
Academy Award winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow is facing a hail of controversy after she tweeted a photo of herself with the caption: “Ni**as in paris for real @mrteriusnash (the dream) tyty, beehigh,” as she danced on stage with Terius Nash, aka The-Dream.
When will white celebs learn that it’s never a good idea in any way, shape or form, to mention the word “nigga” in any fashion, whether it’s a joke or not.
White people, especially celebrities, the word “nigga” is your Kryptonite and the same effect it had on Superman, it will have on you. It might not kill you, but PR nightmares will surely follow, along with the repercussions of backlash, mainly from black people.
Apparently, although the tweet was sent from Paltrow’s account, The-Dream claimed it was him who posted the message, saying:
“Fyi Sorry for the Confu I typed Ni**as in paris for real from Gwens Phone my bad I was Fkd up please excuse it! We were lit!”
Either way it’s a bad move. Paltrow later tweeted; “Hold up. It’s the title of the song!” after seeing many on Twitter criticize her.
However The-Dream went on a Twitter rant, explaining:
“Ni**a doesn’t have any power over me which is why this will be the last thing I say about it. A word means something when u react to it!”
Adding:
“Context is everything. Meaning it in the context as a Song which is how we Sold it to the world!!!!!! it is what it is. I’ve seen people not use the Word at all and have been the most racist people rather than use it in the context as the song itself.
Actually Ni**az was in Paris! Lol stop wasting gods time Do something with your life! Love not War.”
The-Dream went on to invoke Trayvon Martin for some reason:
“Say what u want. No one called Trayvon Ni**a before he shot him it was an action. Racism is an Action!”
This is too much to take in, but let me start by saying that I don’t know Gwyneth Paltrow, never met her, but I’m sure she’s not a racist, had no vicious intent in her tweet, and meant no harm.
Personally I’m not mad at the tweet, it didn’t make me cringe or give the side-eye, only that as I stand on this soap box I must tell all white celebrities – don’t use the word “n*gga” if you don’t want to be labeled a racist.
And when you do and try to be funny with it, expect the wave of hate coming your way.
Coded racism is something white celebrities still hinge on. Case in point: billionaire real estate mogul Donald Trump.
As Trump continues to assert that his motives aren’t racially motivated when it comes to President Obama’s citizenship, he told a crowd at the North Carolina State Republican Convention:
“Somebody said, ‘Oh, because I brought up the birth certificate, I’m a racist,’…I said, ‘How can I be a racist? I just picked Arsenio Hall as my celebrity apprentice.'”
Yes, he said that.
So just because your celebrity apprentice is black that excludes your claims about Obama’s citizenship? I’m not saying Trump is definitely a racist, but c’mon son! One thing has nothing to do with the other and using that excuse is the oldest and stupidest comment he could make.
As for The-Dream, based on his Twitter rant it looks like he gave Paltrow the green-light to use the n-word, which is stupid because if any other white person referred to him as that, he wouldn’t like it too much.
And to raise Trayvon’s name in this instance makes no sense whatsoever. I understand he’s coming to the aid of his friend, but he’s only hurting the situation – not helping.
Shaka Griffith is the News/Politics Editor of GlobalGrind.com Follow him on twitter @Darealshaka
