“I really think it depends how you use it. If you use it to put someone down intentionally then you shouldn’t be using it. But it’s starting to become a word that a lot of people use. But if it’s used to put people down it’s rude.” 

– Julia Philips
Sophomore – Hospitality and Tourism

“I think it’s bad here towards black people. But in Korea, ‘niga’ is a cute expression and not a bad meaning. For example, the song ‘Gangnam Style’ by Psy—in the middle of the song he says ‘niga, niga, niga’ but that means ‘you, you, you’ so it’s not bad but over here, I don’t think it’s good to use.”

– Jihyeon Lee
Junior – Biology

“For me, I don’t think it’s appropriate but I don’t really care for it. I just feel like it’s another word. When you make a big deal of a word it becomes something major. So, for me it’s not an issue.”

 – James Gbetrah
Senior – Environmental Science

“I mean it depends how you use it—if you use it to put someone down then obviously it’s not good. But sometimes, it’s like saying ‘bro’. I’m fine with it and even sometimes say it but if it’s being used to antagonize someone then of course it’s not good.”

– Robin Sharma
Senior – Business