Source: lyricstatus.com

This is why I can’t give up on Kanye quite yet. Despite his temper tantrums when he doesn’t win awards, his unorthodox/unacceptable outbursts, the superficiality in some of his more recent music and his current side-eye worthy relationship, I still appreciate the “humanness” that is Kanye West. If you ever stumble across a person who claims that they’ve never said something they later regretted, never acted out of character or never embarrassed themselves, then you’ve stumbled across a liar. We’ve all acted a fool a time or ten.

But this humanness I’m talking about is Kanye’s willingness to think and even question his own practices. Check out his recent tweets in regard to his use of the word “b–ch.”

I like to believe the best in people, until proven wrong. So though, this could possibly be a way for Kanye to command some Twitter attention, I believe he really analyzes his music and himself in these ways. And I appreciate that. Words can be tricky. Some will argue they’re not that important. Some will say they mean everything and then still, there are people who say it depends on who’s using them and the intent behind the words. For me, personally, I loathe the word “b–ch.” It makes me cringe nearly every time I hear it. And as you know, in today’s culture, with today’s music and television shows, we hear that word a lot. But I can’t stand it. I tell people I have a “b–ch” quota. If I hear it too much in a song, I can’t enjoy the music. I hate to hear women refer to each other as such, though I understand it. And you can forget about me accepting such a word from the lips of a man, whether he means it to be endearing or not. The thought sickens me. So needless to say, Kanye’s song “Perfect B–ch” was a womp for me. I can’t understand why a man would refer to a woman he claims to love as an animal…a dog at that. I know they say the dog is man’s best friend, but traditionally and even in the modern sense, calling someone a dog is far from flattering.

But you could call me some type of hypocrite because I have to admit I’m rather fond of the “n-word.” And I can’t quite explain why. I’ve known the history behind it since before elementary school. I’ve studied it again, through Randall Kennedy’s book “Ni–er” and I’ve even been called one, by someone who didn’t use it with any type of affection. But none of that has stopped me from using–and liking to use– the word. I’ve witnessed old ladies use it with expertise, Chris Rock explained the difference between black folks and “n-words,” and it was my own grandmother who told me that you don’t have to be black to be one. The word is loaded with richness. A richness that I like, a richness that nearly compels me to use it. Granted, I have rules behind it. Never in front of mixed racial company, never in front of my parents and any others who may be offended by it and often in a spirit of jest. This disconnect, using the word, knowing that some feel about the “n-word,” the way I feel about “b–ch” is called cognitive dissonance. It’s a very real thing. Look it up when you have a chance.

I say–or write– all this to say that I like what Kanye tweeted because Kanye is like me. I question the words I use and why I use them. So since Kanye opened up the floor for discussion, let’s continue it here, what do you think about the word “b–ch” and the “n-word”? Do you use either of these words, why or why not? If yes, how so and how often?

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