Madonna turned 56 years old on Saturday. She posted a bunch of party pics to her Instagram page. These were pretty tame images considering the source, so they weren’t interesting enough to post here. What’s causing controversy at the moment is related to Madonna, but the statement came out of Justin Timberlake’s mouth. He wished a happy birthday to “my motherchucking ninja.”
JT deleted the offending tweet when people started calling him out. Why? Because he was really dropping the n-word in disguise. Until recently, I didn’t know that “ninjas” was a code word for the n-word. It’s what the cool kids say to avoid getting in trouble for using the actual n-word. Jay-Z and Kanye West’s famous n-word song was covered by Katy Perry. She changed the lyrics to “Ninjas in Paris.” So I guess a lot of people realized what JT was really saying to Madonna, who is very fond of dropping the n-word as “a term of endearment.” Here are some of the replies that JT received for his tweet:
I think “tread lightly, Robin Jr.” was my favorite reply to this madness. JT doesn’t have an image problem like Robin Thicke’s issues yet. I doubt Justin will ever have that big of an issue. JT has shown himself to be ignorant about rape. He also jokes about the homeless. People still buy his records. This latest kertuffle will probably wash right off Justin too. Is what he tweeted offensive?
Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet & Madonna on Instagram
Is anyone else laughing at the third one:
“Tread lightly Robin Jr”?
He’ll get away with it, just like he did with Nipplegate, the homeless thing at his wedding. He’ll do an “I’m sorry you’re offended” bullshit message and time will move on (even though it shouldn’t and I hope he gets scissor kicked in the face).
“I’m sorry you were offended” seems to be the default language for nearly all celeb apologies. They must all read the same PR manual.
#NotFoolingAnyone
“I’m sorry you were offended” is as slimy an apology as “Try not to live in the past”. Ugh.
Yup, he gets away with so much, Justin Bieber is an @ss but I almost hate JT more because he gets a pass EVERY TIME.
He’s an idiot. That said, making rules about who can use the “n” word or any variation of it are practicing mental gymnastics to rationalize the fact that really NO ONE should use this word. As a Latina, I can’t imagine calling ourselves something derogatory and using culture or history to justify it. Just because you’ve done something a way for a while doesn’t make it a good idea.
@MVD
100% agree. Everyone should just stop using the N-word. The mental gymnastics about it’s OK to use that word if you are Black to reclaim the word and make it less painful is not working. It is still as hurtful to hear it.
The prevalent use of the word by Black rappers just popularizes it and makes it a common term for non-Blacks to use not only in America but everywhere in the world. The only care about money not Black folks. You can’t reclaim an nasty word thatvshould have never been in common usagae in the first place including the F word that was used on Gays. You don’t see Jews or Asians trying to reclaim the racist words that people used to degrade them with because the KNOW it’s better to make those words disappear from the lexicon.
He did nothing wrong. It wasn’t racist but people have to always find some problems. And Robin wishes he was as good as JT.
Oh, so that’s why the responses are so negative? It was tasteless and crass, but I’m sure that’s what Madonna loves. Anything to generate more media and attention.
People on other sites don’t seem to think that. He was hated here before and that’s the only reason people get angry.
People on other sites are going OFF about it.
YEP (you forgot him shitting on the children’s hospital charity as a spokesman!) Exactly..he is gonna get away with this cause “His Voice you guyses!” And “He can dance” and “SNL you guys”…like just cause the guy can turn on the charm when needed doesnt mean he isnt top of the pond scum like the best of them..which he keeps proving over and over
I wish black twitter at large wasnt so devastated and occupied with Ferguson/Mike Brown support and call outs cause we could really dedicate some time to enjoy this idiot (seriously #Ask Draya #askRKelly #PaulaDeansBestDishes #PaulaDeansShows are strokes of pure genius so this would have had all the potential)
+ a million. 🙂
I knew he was trash from Janet to Britney. I heard about him getting fired for the children’s hospital, because he was not involved in anything.
I am sorry if he will be offended by my opinion but I do think he is a MORON. However I do apologise to him beforehand because I called him a moron.
The homeless thing was done by a wedding guest without Justin’s knowledge, so I don’t see why he should get any problems for that. It wasn’t his fault the guy considered it funny and gave it to him as wedding gift.
Robin Jr!!!!!! bahahahahahhahahahaaaha.
Why don’t people just get that if you aren’t black don’t say ni**a????? (Or any variation of it?) Justin you should know better…..
And @bedhead I don’t think the Robin Jr thing was in reference to him making insensitive comments about rape or being controversial it’s about him being a white man singing R&B music and (not as much anymore) being popular with the black community. That’s why that person called him Robin Jr cause people always thought Justin was a mini copycat Robin.. It’s just Justin got more popular but Robin did it better (before Robin got creepy). Plus Robin always seemed more authentic.
Robin Thicke is annoying and I’m happy he has almost no career anymore. Justin was always more authentic and overall better.
This isn’t any ground breaking news, my ninja has been used since the 90’s and started in the urban communities as a way for Blacks to use the N word without saying it. Let’s not pretend JT came up with this now.
Anna I agree with you 100% about Robin. I know most C/B readers think Thicke is just a one hit wonder but the man has been popular in the R&B community for years. He also has written songs for other artists. I’m willing to bet a lot of readers haven’t heard of Trey Songz and he’s one of the hottest R&B artist still making hit songs. So yes Thicke was doing his thing while JT was still doing his Bye Bye Bye jitter bug with Nsync
@V4Real finally someone on this site recognizes this!!!!! Robin was doing the R&B thing and earning his spot in that genre and world while Justin was still in NSYNC. With Robin it always seemed more legit and everyone in that world seemed to like him better as well. I also agree about the Trey Songz point, I wish readers listened to him and similar artists as well because that world and all their drama is so much fun
I’ve only ever heard jugaloos call themselves this.
I bought Trey Songz latest album. I am disappointed he hangs with Chris Brown. Also, yes Robin Thicke was huge in the black community, before he cheated on his wife.
well, unfortunately the word ninja has also been used to simply describe being stealth…and i think it should continue in use as that word. It’s a reference obviously to ninja warriors and was around as a term long before the ninja substitute for ni***r.
And my teen kids here the N word constantly in all the music played on basically every freakin’ radio station today. sure, they mute it out but you know what they are saying. And that’s not including youtube, social media of all forms, etc.
As mentioned, it should not be used in music with such abandon and only to make money in the industry. What a joke.
funny, I didn’t even know it was a sub for the N word when my kids were saying it. I thought it was more like ‘my homie.’
whatever, i cannot spend my entire life policing my thoughts and vocabulary to be sure that i’m aligned with the latest terms of pc that contradict what pop culture chooses to do.
exhausting. I don’t, however, have any use for the N word and don’t see why anyone does.
i dont get why anyone would use the word. I thought it’s offensive? so why would anyone want to call themselves a derogatory name?
I had this exact conversation with an African American friend, where I told him that i didn’t think ANYONE should use the N-word. His response? That even though I’m a black person, I’m from Africa, born and bred, so I wouldn’t really ‘get it’. I have an almost visceral distaste for that word, no matter who says it.
@ciru your comment sounds a lot like “my black friend agrees with me so wahhhhh”
@su
What? That doesn’t sound even remotely close to what she said. Actually, it sounds like the exact opposite of what she said.
@su I thought the poster was saying they are black but that they are from Africa not America. An AA friend said that because of that they wouldn’t understand the history/impact of the word.
So just bc Katy Perry said it as a translation to Kanye’s & Carter’s song it’s the norm now? I always joke I’m a ninja with my hubs when we work out, so now it’s offensive also??
I think, and anyone feel free to correct me, it’s all about the context.
He’s clearly using it as a replacement word for something else, knowing exactly what he’s doing.
I use ninja in terms of saying something like “stealthy, like a ninja”. Never realised it could be used like that.
+1 it’s the context but I can already see people on here ignoring that and going with, “OMG, people are so OTT!”
If we REALLY want to talk about context, it was a birthday well wish. DONE. Are we going to have a monopoly on the word “ninja” now? If this is really something that bothers people, then I’m more offended by people not looking at the bigger issues in our world.
OMG. Obviously not the same thing. At all.
Agree. I call my 6 yr. old son “my little ninja” all the time because he loves ninjas and he loves to be called a ninja. I’m not going to stop calling him that just because of a Katy Perry song. I didn’t realize she had that much power to create a whole new meaning behind an innocent word.
Stop being obtuse.
It’s the context it is being used in.
Calling someone a ninja to replace calling them the n-word is OFFENSIVE.
Calling someone a ninja in regards to a person skilled in ninjutsu or is interested in becoming one IS NOT.
What he said was purely offensive, and it sickens me that some of you are defending him.
No, I’m serious. Do I need to censor myself when I’m out in public with him, and not call him “my ninja” as I have so often in the past because somebody might hear and assume the worst? After all, no strangers will know he loves ninjas. When I was growing up, a ninja was something cool, a compliment, that’s it. It had no other meaning; maybe JT meant it as the n word, maybe he didn’t. Personally, I don’t think there is any other word that CAN replace the n word.
There are plenty of other things going on in the world, and in our own backyards to get outraged over, but this? If this is the worst thing you have to be outraged over today, then you have it pretty good.
What. No. Like cleverhand stated, he was referencing a song which clearly was referring to the n word. And please, if “that’s all you have to get riled up about” is used as a counter in every argument, then why even get involved in the conversation? It also doesn’t make the issue less problematic.
I don’t think it’s because Perry said it, she was just an example. It’s been used that way for a while, long before she did it.
Ok seriously people? Just because you use the word ninja isnt a problem. It’s the context. Katy perry and JT have both used the word in a context that makes it obvious they are using it to replace the n word. Both of them riffed on songs that actually use the n word. It is not the same as someone using the word ninja. Please stop now with “but I call my dog a ninja and I’m not racist!”
Don’t care about any context. He was wishing happy birthday. He sure as hell didn’t mean to offend anyone. There is still nothing offensive about it.
No, it’s all context, and IMO it’s pretty clear how he was using it. Let’s not pretend he said it to compliment her on her martial arts skills.
Context is important here. JT is copying the song my n*gga by YG. The words of this incredibly dumb song are “my n*gga, my mother f*cking nigga”. If he had just said happy bday ninja it would be different. The “mother chucking ninja” is what’s a problem because it becomes obvious he is copying this context.
Ps I actually like JT. A lot.
Clever hand, I am a little confused about your comment in response to mine. I didn’t write anything about the context or whether KP/JT should have used the word. I was clarifying the origins of using it in that way….Katy Perry wasn’t the first and didn’t start this trend. I was replying to “just because Katy Perry said…”
Hey Tiffany, not directed at you, I was on mobile and hit the wrong thing.
No worries, just wanted to make sure I understood! Thanks! 🙂
Am I the only person who can’t stand JT?
Nope, haven’t been able to stand him since that whole wedding scandal.
That wedding was an eye opener for me. I’ve never listened to his music and pretty much ignored him and his career. The only things I know him from are Shrek and the Super Bowl nipplegate thing. Dude’s a douche.
No, darlin’. You aint alone. I too cannot stomach this douche. He’s a vain, overrated piece of work that thinks he’s God’s gift. He is skeeze and sketch. Ugh.
PREACH!
I’ve never liked him, but he was less offensive to me during his ‘N Sync days…
Ninja = n-word code? I did not know this! Gah, will have to be careful.
I didn’t know it either. I honestly thought he was calling her a ninja.
Nope. Overrated punk.
Ugh I can’t stand him. He does seem to get away with a lot.
yeah, he’s like the teflon douche.
I am so stealing “teflon douche!”
Oh for the love of…
Do people wake up in the morning trying to find things to be offended by?
+100 @miffy
This.
x 1,000,000
Miffy they didn’t know that Madonna is a fan of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and for her birthday she dressed up as Rafael. So JT said Happy birthday to my mother chucking Ninja.
Yes, people do look for things to complain about. If it was the rapper Fat Joe who had said this we wouldn’t be commenting right now. I referencd him because he’s Latino and constantly used the N word in his songs.
@V4Real I have to disagree actually people have had a problem with non-black rappers and singers saying it for years. JLO, French Montana etc have been called out on it before. JT isn’t the only one.
Are you guys all joking about this ninja thing though? Cause clearly it’s all about context. If you’re talking about being sneaky or you actually mean a ninja then obviously no one cares if you say ninja. But if you want to say ni**a and you say ninja instead to try and get away with it then yeah people will care cause that’s not cool.
@Anna you totally missed my point. Fat Joe and the rest did receive a small amount of flack for that word but fans didn’t care as much and Joe still uses that word now without much if any flack about it. Anyways my point was if this had been Joe who said this to Madonna we wouldn’t be reading about it on C/B b/c he’s not as popular as JT.
Yes, I was making light of the situation because it’s not that serious and must we go ham over every little thing. Even though I try not to use that word myself it depends on the manner you use it in. Was JT saying it to be racist, I don’t think so.
This is much ado about nothing. And I’m saying this as a black woman.
Amen.
+10000 srsly.
I did not know ninja was a code word for the n-word until know, but then again, I’m from Europe, we joke around with ninja as the term for something cool and awesome, you know, the ninjas?
I’m from Europe, too, and I also had NO idea Ninja was a code word for…that word. I know, “Ninja” is used in Europe in a totally different context. Who would figure?
I’m an American and this is the first I have heard of it. I didn’t get the problem until I read the article.
I’m European too and it’s kind of baffling what is considered offensive in the US sometimes. Here a ninja is a cool person. Like a ninja is a compliment.
First time I’ve ever heard of it myself.
I’ve seen people saying it’s a context, but nevertheless, I don’t see it. Is it bc of ‘mother chucking’? I had to check with urban dictionary to clarify the chucking part and still am puzzled. I’ve been away from twitter for far too long haha
In my world, calling someone a ninja is the same as calling them a badass, some one who is super cool or tough…
Canadian, but not sure that’s an excuse and I’m pretty plugged into pop culture and I’m an unapologetic SJW. Not sure how I missed this!
I was not aware of it at all. I wonder how much it realy is offensive. If Katy Perry change “N***as in Paris” to “Fellas in Paris” would we consider fella as an offensive word? Does Katy Perry choose the offensive words these days?
Another white Canadian woman here. Sorry,why do we need surrogate words for the n-word?
My second question is does anyone really care what JT says?
I am from Canada too and I have never heard of ninja being used in place of the n word either.
I guess I’m older than I think LOL! I read the tweet and couldn’t figure out what the problem was. This is the first time I’ve ever heard about ninja meaning anything other than a ninja! My friend has a cat named Ninja. Maybe I should just take up knitting and go buy a red hat.
I’m white, and I’m sick of all these other white people trying to be hip and dangerous by using provacative and inflammatory words and images. Wanna be relevant? DO something. Be of service, volunteer, donate your time, not just your money. I’ve always loved celebrity gossip but my interest is waning. It’s not fun anymore. It just gets grosser by the day.
I rather be a “ninja”, then a “ni**a”” so there’s that.
Was that meant to be funny?
Wait what? Since when did ninja refer anything other than an incognito, super sneaky assassin? Never heard that one. I don’t listen to KP so I had no idea she changed the lyrics like that. If that’s the reason for it now being racist that’s insane. Ninjas were part of Asian history and culture for centuries. If anyone should be offended it should be them because their term got appropriated by morons and now means something it never should have.
+1
I just learned this too right now. what I got from his tweet is was talking about ninjas…”Mother Chucking Ninja” I see Madonna dressed as a ninja using nunchucks and she is a mom…I am being serious that THIS is what I first thought and giggled because I thought it was cute…
Pfft. I didn’t even KNOW that’s what it meant now. I use the word Ninja all the time, but I mean it “Stealthy-Suprise-Attack-Warrior” styles.
I’m getting old.
Weren’t Justin’s 15 minutes up….about ten years ago?
Is it just me, or is he really not very attractive?
No,
It’s not just you. He looks like Bobby from King of the Hill.
Can’t unsee Bobby Hill now, that boy ain’t right Peggy.
Sorry, I think he is here to stay. And I’m happy about it 🙂
I don’t like him, but wow, can people stop being offended at the littlest thing. Social Media has made people so f*cking prudish about everything!
They are still vastly outnumbered by idiots making horrible racist, sexist, many other -ist comments.
+1000
“social media has made people prudish” ??? lol are you serious?
social media has become the cesspool for all kinds of trolls and racists,sexists etc. just off the top of my head, there was robin williams’ daughter getting attacked on twitter and her signing off of twitter the other day. calling her whore and all despicable things about robin.
but good try though, trying to skew the discussion .
Oh, good grief. Really? REALLY?! Ninja is offensive now? What’s next? Nana? Nutella? If I say “What’s up, nova?” to my friend, am I being offensive? I mean… ANYTHING can be taken out of context. This is taking it too far. My 6 year old son likes to pretend he’s a ninja. Do I have to now explain to him that saying “ninja” is offensive? Give me a break. Whether you hate JT or not, THIS IS RIDICULOUS.
Ninja is not offensive. The context in which it was used by JT was offensive.
I literally laughed out loud when you mentioned nana as possibly offensive because I know someone who substituted ni**a with nana all the time. I wish she wouldn’t, I like the word nana.
People are really losing sight of the contex here. It’s NOT about sneaky assassins or what you call your kids. Justin has always been a wannabe, douche-tastic a**hat.
Haha +1000000! 🙂
I will just stop talking just in case since every other word is offensive these days… If we stretch it hard enough and accept Katy Perry as a trendsetter (ugh), it can be offensive but… do we really need to create new offensive words even though we can’t even prevent the usage of the old ones? Things like this are the reason why PC is sometimes considered as an insult.
do you not understand the word “context”? can you not grasp the concept of it or what? it’s clearly not about the word “ninja” itself that is offensive, it’s the intention behind it, what he meant when he typed that word. did he mean some Japanese ninja? or was it like some commenters here said, a replacement of n word?
Spot on pretty.
The amount of people defending him is appalling.
Do we know he meant the n-word or is it just an assumption because there are some people out there who “uses” the word ninja as an offensive term? Maybe JT really meant ninja by saying ninja. Although I like some of his songs, I wouldn’t be defending him if I didn’t find this scandal ridiculous. I am a PC person. I don’t use the words that might offend minorities because that is the way it should be. But you guys are talking about his “intentions” like you know him.
@pretty, Lets’ think for a minute about what you said. people’s intentions…sometimes bad intentions may be obvious, but I seriously doubt JT intended to be racially insensitive, he was merely using language that is acceptable in his sphere of influence. JT obviously works with and is close to many African American musicians and artists. Madonna is obviously a part of that same realm of influence. Within their tight circle of successful musical artists, this would actually be seen more as a term of endearment as a close friend than as any kind of racial slam. If we saw an African American musician come out and condemn JT for these comments, it would be a different story, but I believe within their social circle –especially coming from one friend to another, this would be seen as perfectly acceptable. As someone else said upthread, if this is all we have to get excited about, if we cannot find something of real importance to get outraged about, then we need to re-evaluate!
He was referencing a song and HE replaced the n word with ninja. Now if he had said happy birthday ninja! Or happy birthday ninja turtle, THEN there would be nothing offensive about it, gets?
Ninja = n-word code? I did not know this! Gah, will have to be careful.
It’s all about the context.
Using ninja to talk about a stealthy assassin is not offensive.
Using it to replace the n word is.
So reaching.
When I read the title I thought what in sweet heaven is that? A MOFO?
I don’t know the context behind this tweet so don’t know if he is being offensive or not. But what I do know is this – JT is an insensitive, jumped up, little twat with terrible hats, dance moves and music. He also seems to get a free pass for everything. He’s actually considerably more annoying then Beiber as he is far more mature and intelligent.
Does he really have to say that to Madge publicly just to sound hip? There are a million funny ways to greet a friend. Mother chucking ninja? Really? PC thing aside, he sounds patronizing. Like he was pandering to Madonna by greeting her with some words he thought were badass words kids say these days.
blah blah, any other words I’m “not allowed” to say?! ridiculous.
Add me to the list of people that didn’t knor it was a code word.
but why did he delete his tweet if he really innocently meant ninja as that ninja we all think of?
it doesnt matter if it’s people over-reacting and going out of their way to find things to be offended about. If he used that word to mean something other than ninja, he is in wrong here.
He is such a Regina George. Please, if you must wear a hat, go visit a proper haberdasher. And also, think before you tweet, a$$face. he is insufferable on so many levels.
EXACTLY.
Thank you pretty. Some comments here, I don’t know if they are being obtuse or ignorant on purpose so they don’t have to “deal” with the underlying issue.
Cannot say that I am surprised by the willful ignorance on this thread. It has nothing to do with Katy Perry or actual ninjas, it very much has to do with context. As someone else already posted people are going to ignore that fact and whine about people being easily offended or the way in which they use it so it’s totally not a big deal.
+10000000000000000000000000000000
+10000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
Seriously. I just can’t believe people are this stupid that they don’t know what JT really meant to say. It is so obvious. I mean, when they were kids didn’t they ever try to get away with swearing by substituting words? Everybody knew exactly what you were trying to do. For example:
“you cork-sucking ice hole” “you mother-fargin bastages” ummmm, technically I am not swearing, but damn it sure sounds bad, lol!
Reading that, I was honestly confused and had no idea he was trying to get away with replacing n*((a with something else. I have never heard that substitution before in my life. Now, after reading about the context, I fully believe that JT knew what he was doing, but I don’t think people were being willfully obtuse by not understanding why “ninja” is offensive.
Nope. Sorry. It’s not so obvious. When I heard there was an uproar over his tweet, I thought it was over the muther-chucking part. Because why in the world, and IN MY MIND, would it ever occur to me that the word “Ninja” would be used as a replacement for the “n-word?”.
The meaning (or replacement meaning) is LOST to people who are not “hip” to that slang. It’s not that everyone is defending him (maybe some are) it’s the assumption that “everyone should know” what he meant.
WHY?
I don’t listen to rap. I don’t listen to hip-hop. I can’t name a single JayZ song other than “Crazy in Love” and that’s only because Beyonce sang it. I don’t listen to Urban radio stations or read Urban blogs. I don’t hang out with teenagers and my black friends and relatives don’t use that word either. No one I know has been using “Ninja” as a substitute word. Ever.
So no, it’s not that obvious. Until I read this thread it would have never crossed my mind that, THAT’S what he meant. And I’ll bet that most of my friends have no idea what the uproar is about either (if they’ve even noticed).
That’s fine, and honestly the first time I saw the tweet I didn’t understand what he was trying to do, either. Ninjas are cool, after all.
What I’m referring to is all the people in the comments who are complaining about “over sensitivity” and “overreaching” when Bedhead just explained in her piece that ninja is meant to stand in for the N word. Once it is pointed out to you it is very, very obvious.
Also, it’s worth pointing out that the “tell” that JT is not referring to actual ninjas is the “mother” part. That lets you know that the “chucking” part is not referring to numchucks, and that the ninja part probably isn’t referring to ninjas, either. If he had said “numchucking ninja” then I would totally believe he meant that she is an awesome ninja.
@Soporificat
Yes! All of this exactly!
Yeah. No. Using the “mother” part in front of the chucking would NOT have triggered instant knowledge of its double meaning as I have actually used the description “shes like a mother f***king ninja!” myself many times as a celebratory phrase of a job well done (I have a bit of a potty mouth as I grew up among mostly male relatives and friends) as well as “were doin it ninja-style” when plotting surprises with my Bff…among other more colorful combinations
So no. The “mother” part would not have been a clue or “tell” for me either. I have quite the talent in applying that word to the most benign things…
Im sure that JT knew what it meant, being so involved in the music world and collaborating with hip hop artists, but for the rest of us ordinary folk, its not so simple and clear.
Is there like a LIST available somewhere? (No joke) because I cant imagine ninja being the only replacement word out there…
+10000000 @soporificat and @originallyblue
It’s all about using your head and being smart enough to know when something is being used in a derogatory manner. In this case, JT was, he was referencing a song and replaced the n word with ninja, it’s the context. Also, the fact that he deleted the tweet so quickly, like another poster mentioned, speaks volumes. If he meant ninja, he would see no need to delete the tweet.
This seems a ridiculous scandal to me. I am pretty up on terms etc and I knew nothing about “ninja” having other meanings.
Everyday someone is offended. Next thing we know, puppy will become an offensive term to someone. Good grief. People need to concentrate on more important things other than policing EVERY single word or comment a person makes, plus celebrities need to STFU. If you are on social media or a blabby Betty, you will eventually insert foot in mouth and someone will be pissed.
actually a word puppy COULD become offensive if some party started to use that word with an malicious intention.
you know a racist word “gook”, right? it was started by US military soldiers during korean war. this word gook literally means a nation in Korea. America is called “mee gook”, China is “joong gook”, England is “young gook”, so and so, now the US soldiers heard koreans saying it and they started to use this to belittle them and mock them. now it has become a general racist term for Asians. it is all about the context. NOT the word itself.
Yep. Any word has the potential to become a slur. I learned that when visiting Northern Florida. Apparently there is a large population of people that proudly self-identify as “crackers” mainly because they have been raising and working with a type of bovine called “Florida Cracker Cattle” that is exclusive to the northern florida/southern georgia region for generations. The name cracker derived from the sound the whips made as the cowboys would move their herds from the tall grassy marshes across swamp-like fields.
Now, for those of us that do not frequent rodeos, ranches and farms in the deep south very often, its very jarring at first to hear “cracker” used so freely, I mean, we’ve been conditioned to assume the worst when that word is brought up as a slur to describe a person of Anglo decent.
And ironically usage of that word is not exclusive as a description of someone belonging to the Anglo population, that word was used by black and latino cattle wranglers/cowboys as self-identification as well and has been used since around the same timeperiod when Florida Cracker Cattle were imported to FL by the Spaniards from abroad.
Have no idea how it went from that… to being a slur for the rest of the nation.
Just because YOU have never heard the word being used that CONTEXT (I suggest the willingly obtuse people on this board look up the word CONTEXT), doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.
Thank you for being rude. I do not come here to argue, fight or be rude to others. It is fine to disagree with me but you do NOT have to be rude and nasty in the process.
Please do not insult my intelligence either. It negates any point you are trying to make. I am well aware of what context means.
She wasn’t being rude. Please do see that she is trying to make a point about understanding context because if you did, it would be hard to see how someone can be so nonchalant about JT’s obvious use of the word as a replacement for the nword and trying to get away with it, but if you still don’t see it that way, agree to disagree.
Eh, it happens. That’s what happens when some white folks get too comfortable I guess.
No one doubts that Eminem is as ‘down’ as can be, yet for all the offensive and controversial things he has said over the years, He’s never dropped the N word
JT also didn’t use it. He still wrote ‘ninja’. People can try to add new meaning but it doesn’t change the fact that he wrote ‘ninja’.
When it comes to the n-word I just don’t know what to think anymore. I’m not defending the use of it at all, but… if it really is all about context, why were so many people strongly against a white lawyer using that word when quoting Kanye’s lyrics in a f*cking legal procedure?
The fascination Americans have developed with their language is very interesting. I don’t see that happening at all here in Latin America. People can get a lot of sh*t for dropping a slur, but never on that level. There’s no unpronounceable words here.
Yep. I’ve noticed that too. The Spanish version of the n-word is “mayate” but no one flips out over it like they do here in the US like the n-word. Being extremely P.C. language-wise is deeply ingrained in the US culture. My friend from Sydney has told me that the “c-word” is used frequently and not as offensive like it is here. She used it once here (before she was familiar with US attitude towards that word) in a casual conversation with another aussi friend and she said she had never experienced such vitrol from a complete stranger who was evesdropping on her conversation, over its use.
OMG! I just realized why the people that worked at the front desk of a hotel we lived in thought I was a horrible person. We were staying at a Residence Inn after we moved cross country and we were waiting for our new place to be ready. We were there for a month over the summer with our almost 4 year old son. There were a lot of other families with young children staying there as well. We were on the second floor and there was a family with two or three young kids staying in the room above us. They were LOUD. It was a two bedroom suite and I think the kids practiced their karate/martial arts moves in the room above ours by jumping from the bed to the floor. It happened all night long for at least a week. One day I was at the front desk talking to the manager about something unrelated and she asked how our room was. I said it was great except for the ninjas that were in the room above us. I went on to say….”And they aren’t stealthy ninjas!”
After that there was a considerable change in the staff’s attitude towards me. I was making a joke about the kids above me being loud (because kids can be and particularly if they are cooped up in a hotel room for weeks on end) and I think they thought I was making a derogatory reference to the family above us. I have no idea if they were black white, or anything else. Now this was two years ago and I was 38 years old and not that in touch with Katy Perry songs or youth culture/slang. However, people routinely think I am in my early to mid 20’s so they may have thought I was younger than I was and figured I knew what I was talking about.
I should also mention that I have a significant hearing loss and some accents are hard for me to understand. I grew up in LA so I can understand some accents without any problems (Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, and Southern US because of friends and family members), but others are a challenge for me with the hearing loss (didn’t hear them when I was young so they didn’t get imprinted on my brain before the hearing loss). I would always say hello, good morning, etc. to the staff when I saw them. One day a young Polish girl asked me a few questions. She was the quiet sort and had a strong accent. I smiled and nodded and tried to understand what she was saying but couldn’t. I just said “ok” and “thank you”.
So I’m sure they all thought I was a rude racist.
Hmmm.. I’m black and didn’t know that was code for the N word. Too much. I’m not offended. Kanye West said the N word 35 or 40 times in his last album alone. It’s stupid to say some can and others can’t. Stop saying period. Stupid.
JT was trying to be cool. I seriously doubt he was trying to offend anyone.
Really, I didn’t know about the “code” meaning. No doubt, he did. I agree he was not trying to be derogatory or racist. He was trying to be cool and complimentary. Maybe that is part of the “context”?
My word. Some of you are putting the “b*tchy” in celebitchy this morning. No need to be so hard on fellow commenters. No matter what your opinion on this matter may be, this is not a defining moment in history like, say, the turmoil that’s been taking place in Ferguson, MO for the past week. Either way Timberlake’s job is to sell records. He’s not the smartest chip in the cookie and he said something stupid. It’s not that serious. Calm down.
+ 1,000,000
Thank you.
Yes, I am a little surprised how many insults are being posted about other commenters. Not typical of CB, thank goodness. Does it really have to go there, simply because people disagree? I totally support people being passionate in their position, but it never helps to insult people, it just weakens the discussion.
It must be a full moon……
Can’t anybody just call another person or private message another person anymore? Does everybody have to post private thoughts on public media? Ugh.
You know, I do sometimes wonder if there are many minorities that feels actually offended by words like “ninja”. I am not talking about saying the n-word or any other racist slur openly but these kind of words, the made up ones. It most of the time feels like white people getting on their white horses, saving the day and basking the glory. Because they are so thoughtful and considerate and they’ll let you know it in every small way possible. I am white, i don’t mean to generalise. Of course not everyone is like that.
Everybody’s talking about the “context” as if they were right next to JT while he was sending the tweet. Because it would be inexpicable if he used the word “ninja” to mean …gasp “ninja”
Can we please stop bitching and moaning about the right to use the word Ninja. Nobody was calling JT out because he referred to Madonna as a ninja. He was being called out and he deleted the tweet because everyone with half a brain knows damn well that he said motherchucking ninja as code for motherfucking n*gga. Both JT and Madonna have a history of using the word; so it doesn’t take a genius to figure out what he meant.
If you want to call your kids ninjas or make jokes about someone being ninja like, nobody gives a crap. But in this case it’s clear that JT was trying to be sneaky and clever. And since he is a total douche/ PAB he isn’t fooling anyone.
And I’m over people complaining about other people calling people out on their bs.
+1000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
+infinity
“everyone with half a brain knows damn well that he said motherchucking ninja as code for motherfucking n*gga.”
apparently I have less than half a brain? maybe if pop-stars, rappers and all you people that must have more brain than I would stop finding new ways to turn other words into code words for derogatory terms, the rest of us could continue to speak English. Pretty soon, we’ll be stuck with binary code to avoid using words given whole new offensive meanings (though I’m just waiting to be called for my use of the word binary somehow showing some sort of privilege).
seriously, you complain about someone using what is now a derogatory word being offensive and find an incredibly offensive way to slam those of us who have better things to do than learn new slang from Yeezus, Jay-Z or Katey Perry?
RIght there with you. Together we have a whole one! I didn’t get the double meaning either. I don’t pay attention to mainstream music much; certainly not Katy Perry who apparently brought this into the pop culture arena.. Virtually anything can be prefaced with mother F-ing.
+100000000000
Ninja has been used for years as a substitute for the n-word. It is very obvious and easy to tell when someone is using it in that context. If you didn’t know, now you do 😊 Once again, it’s all about CONTEXT. No need to be outraged if you havent used the word in that way.
Also, I really hate when subjects like this come up here 😞 Everyone’s experience with certain words is different, depending on the community you grew up in and the environment you find yourself in at the moment. I am not upset with people that didnt realize the context of JT’s comment. But I think it’s pretty weird that people take things over the top or call others overly sensistive once they share their own experience with the word. When hearing something new, don’t call it ridiculous. Accept the fact that people think and feel differently than you. Gosh I hope I’m making sense lol.
Lastly, I find it problematic that JT feels comfortable using “ninja” in a public setting, makes me almost sure that he uses the actual n-word in private.
Agree @Almondjoy!
I think it’s good that people know now.
I just disagree with this: “It is very obvious and easy to tell when someone is using it in that context.” I honestly had NO idea. NONE. Of course now that I know I cannot unsee it, but when I first read the header, I thought people were upset about “mother-chucking” being offensive.
I wish that some of the people on this board who seek to educate others could find a way to do so without hurling insults or being patronizing about it. That kind of behavior isn’t very conducive to a productive discussion.
Actually, I would say that the ones being patronising are the: “OMG, WHY is everything so PC now, people need to CALM down, this is RIDICULOUS, I’VE never heard it before so it’s not true”- commentators – which make up about 75% of the comments on this thread.
Actually, I think saying “calm down” is a lot less patronizing than saying everyone who didn’t know that the word ninja is slang for the n-word (which is applicable to several black AND white commenters on this board BTW) is “stupid” and “clueless”.
*shrugs*
But that’s just me.
I see one comment calling people who ignore this stupid on this thread meanwhile there are 90+ comments complaining about people being too PC, too sensitive, how they need to shut up now (or the PC police will get them) and dictating what people can and can’t be offended by, which I find patronizing.
But that’s just me.
I agree with you that a lot of people are dictating to others what they should/shouldn’t be offended by.
Anyway, my point was that there’s room to have differing opinions without being rude about it, but whatever.
Carry on, I guess.
And I completely agree with your point, so there’s that.
I think there are some equal opposites happening on this thread. People are calling one side “obtuse” and “ignorant”, and other people are saying “overly sensitive” and “too PC”, etc. Neither extreme is helpful.
Hey K! Thanks love!
TOK, Hey! Thanks for your response. I’m in agreement with you. It is important to teach others without being offensive. I’m an elementary school teacher, so I hope it’s a strong suit of mine! Also, I need to make a correction to my comment. I was trying to say that if you’ve heard it used in that context (which is an every day thing for me) it was obvious and easy to see the way in which he was using the word. I should have been more specific. But like yourself, many people had no idea that he was using a code word. Thanks so much for being open to find out how things, instead of immediately dismissing them as silly or oversensitive.
*open to find out NEW things
Yes, that makes sense, especially when it was explained by Clever Hand (at the top of the thread) that Timberlake’s comment was a parody of Jay Z’s lyrics, it becomes clear what his intention was.
Anyway, you are NEVER rude, AlmondJoy. On the contrary, you are probably the most respectful commenter around here.
Hey girl! 👋 Completely agree again!
Like many, I did not know the word ninja was sometimes used as substitute for the n-word. Seems like JT does though, which is probably why he deleted the tweet. Like you said context is everything and so now I feel confident in calling JT a douche.
Don’t agree. I don’t see an issue.
Since he didn’t use it in any bad way, I can’t see anything racist about it.
TOK, thank you so much!! 😊😊😊
Sorry and Amy: Thats understandable, it’s your right to disagree. I was simply sharing my experience with the word, so I see it differently.
I work in an office in downtown detroit, mostly women 22-40. In our workspace, we all greet each other “myyyy ninja.” We’re fairly equally split, 4 black girls 3 white girls. Nobody gets mad, nobody is offended. But everyone knows where the greeting is derived from, and we all know better than to say it when there are outsiders around. It’s been a thing for years.
That said, there’s plenty of other terms of ‘endearment’ or whatever that he could’ve chose for a public message. That was lame. It didn’t even dawn on me as racist until I read the article, I though we were going to laugh at his pathetic attempt to talk like a dopey teenage coolkid.
(Also, we have office limits as well. A girl slapped my beer out of my hand during Christmas party kareoke when I rapped the N word along with a song. (I’m white) I gaped at her, shocked, and she just shook her head NO. I said “seriously?” And she said “maybe in your car. Not here!” “Fair enough.”)
TL:DR context and line crossing and public limits
+1000000
Thank you!
Just be offended by everything and you will be good…
*scratches head* ninja is code for n*gga? Is it a social media invention like thot? And if it is indeed code for the n-word, why on earth would he call Madonna that?
I feel confused. And old.
Luxury issue! We could be in Iraq on the top of a mountain with ideological nujobs trying to kill us! But no! Lets get angry because JT called Madonna a ninja.
Hey, not for anything but please respect that other people with different experiences regarding racism and sensing that another person is using a very derogatory word and trying to get away with it by substituting it with another word yet still means the n word, is indeed offensive? I don’t think the derailing helps in trying to let people know how ignorant (JT in this case) people can get and there is absolutely no harm in making people more aware of how their words can STILL be ignorant.
Sticks and stones will break my bones but words can never hurt me. It’s a choice to be hurt or offended by words. Everyone has been offended by something someone has said to them. This is petty to me.
I had no idea that ninja meant something else. I am in my mid-thirties my god I am so out of touch.
Yeah I’m not shocked since the douche runs deep in this one. Justin, sweetie…you’re not black.
Well!!! I learnt something new today.
This is an honest question that comes out of sheer ignorance and curiosity. Has this word, ninja, been used as a replacement of the n-word in a context of offending a third party, or just when a white person is singing along to a rap song? Because if that was the case, I don’t see how “ninja” is any different from literally saying “n-word”.
I’m just playing devil’s advocate here, as someone who never heard the word being used in that context before.
Happiest birthday to my mother chucking n-word, is also pretty horrible. Now if you say the n-word in the context wherein you aren’t calling anyone the n word, there’s a difference. I’m not trying to start a fight or anything, I just see why people have a problem with what JT did
I call people, and myself, ninja all the time. Just because it’s fun. I’ve never heard of this before, and I’m not going to stop. I would never ever say the n word, because it’s foul. But you will never take away my ninja!
BTW, I’ve never heard the n-word in Paris song or Katy’s cover on it, but would it be acceptable if Weird Al made a parody of it that was actually about actual ninjas running around Paris? Because I think that would be hilarious! And the music video…!!!