African-American culture Cultural appropriation

example of hip hop fashion

the term wigger (common spelling wigga ) slang term white person attempts imitate mannerisms, language, , fashions associated african-american culture, particularly hip hop, and, in britain, grime scene, implying failed attempt @ cultural appropriation white subject. wigger portmanteau of white , nigger or nigga, , related term wangsta mashup of wannabe or white, , gangsta. among black hip-hop fans, nigga can considered friendly greeting, when used whites, viewed offensive. wigger may derogatory, reflecting stereotypes of african-american, black british, , white culture (when used synonym of white trash). term used in racist manner, other white people belittle person perceived acting black , used african americans 50 cent offended wigga or wanksta s demeaning of black people , culture.

the phenomenon of white people adopting stereotypical black mannerisms, speech, , apparel has appeared in several generations since slavery abolished in western world. concept has been documented in united states, canada, united kingdom, australia, , other white-majority countries. form of white negro in jazz , swing music scenes of 1920s , 1930s, examined in 1957 norman mailer essay white negro . later seen in zoot suiter of 1930s , 1940s, hipster of 1940s, beatnik of 1950s–1960s, blue-eyed soul of 1970s, , hip hop of 1980s , 1990s. in 1993, article in uk newspaper independent described phenomenon of white, middle-class kids wannabe blacks . 2005 saw publication of why white kids love hip hop: wangstas, wiggers, wannabes, , new reality of race in america bakari kitwana, culture critic s been tracking american hip hop years .

robert a. clift s documentary blacking up: hip-hop s remix of race , identity questions white enthusiasts of black hip-hop culture. clift s documentary examines racial , cultural ownership , authenticity -- path begins stolen blackness seen in success of stephen foster, al jolson, benny goodman, elvis presley, rolling stones -- way vanilla ice (popular music s ur-wigger...) , eminem. review of documentary refers wiggers white poseurs , , states term wigger used both proudly , derisively describe white enthusiasts of black hip-hop culture .