If it wasn’t already hard enough being black in America, things just keep getting worse—www.niggaspace.com.  The site which mimics www.myspace.com was created by Tyrone, an 18 year old from New Jersey; his race is unknown because he chooses not to disclose this information.  What is even more disturbing is that more than 1,500 people have joined this site[1].  When asked his reasoning for creating the site and in particular the controversial name, Tyrone stated the following: “This is no way meant to be racist, my biggest intention is to change the connotation of the word"[2].  Is he serious?!?!??!

There are many issues that come into play here, but I look at this three ways (once again strictly my opinion). 

1. We could assume that Tyrone is black and trying to be funny.
2. We could assume that Tyrone is black and is ignorant and truly believes he is creating a “space for niggas” (read the “about” section on his site).
3. We could assume that Tyrone is not black, ignorant, and truly thinks this is funny.

 Scenario 1.  Let’s say Tyrone is black and is trying to be funny.  Bottom line this isn’t funny.  It’s hard enough having to fight against the negative stereotypes about black people and now this.  It’s down right embarrassing and extremely poor judgment on his part.  But then you have to think, why would he think this is okay?  Well look at how loosely we use the word nigga.

Scenario 2.  Now that I think about it, my commentary for this scenario is similar to that of scenario 1.  Either way, Tyrone is ignorant.  If he really believes this a way of creating a positive, virtual community for black people, he’s a hot mess and sadly mistaken.  The concept is great (that of wanting to create a positive environment for black people) but the execution is a mess—starting with the name.

Scenario 3.   Finally, assuming that Tyrone isn’t black, again ignorant and thinks this is humorous, are we really surprised?  Yes, our society has come a long way in terms of being accepting of differences and such, but clearly we have a long way to go, and this is further evidence.  All we can do is remain positive and work to kill negative stereotypes and create positive images of blacks in the media.

Either way, this site is appalling.  And it bothers me even further that people are joining this site.  But I guess, “if you build it, they will come”.

Below is a screenshot of Tyrone's profile.

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[1] Source: http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.4585/title.n-ggaspace-com

[2] Source: http://www.nypost.com/seven/10292006/news/regionalnews/web_site_n_word_outrage_regionalnews_brigitte_williams_james.htm