Niggas vs Black People
|
Niggas vs. Black People is the title of one of Chris Rock's most famous and most controversial comedy routines. This "bit", which appeared as track 12 on his 1997 album, Roll With the New, as well as his 1996 comedy show, Bring the Pain, is widely considered to be the breakthrough routine that established his status as a permanent comedy fixture after he left Saturday Night Live.
Essentially an 8-minute rant about the ignorance that Rock sees within the black community, he describes "niggas" as a certain segment of black, urban culture that is usually to the detriment of other black people's enjoyment and image. He describes the condition succinctly as being a "low-expectation-havin' muthfucka". The "Niggas" glorify ignorance and sloth, and show excessive pride for any bearing of token responsibility. The implication is that this image of African Americans is what the media cultivates, and that it in turn feeds racial stereotypes.
The controversy caused by Rock's constant use of the word "nigga" led him to remove the piece from his act. He has not apologized for it or distanced himself in any way, though he has stopped performing it live in an attempt to avoid any further controversy. In the course of the routine, Rock's tone alternates between sarcastic glee at the idea of joining the KKK, and rage at people who refuse to educate themselves.