Edited by Azizi Powell
Latest revision - May4, 2024
This pancocojams post presents some online information and comments about the use of the word "ninja" as a replacement for the pejorative that is commonly known as "the n word."
This post also presents comments about when the word "ninja" began to be used as a substitute for "the n word". This pancocojams post also presents some comments about why and how "ninja" has been used online as a substitute for the "n word". In addition, this post showcases a few examples of the derogatory use of the word "ninja" by African Americans about another African American..
The content of this post is presented for historical, linguistic, and cultural purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.
****
PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTES
Here are my conclusions about the use of the word "ninja" as a substitute for (synonym for) "the n word" as of May 4, 2024)
Additions and corrections are welcome.
- My online reading suggests that the word "ninja" was first used by White Americans as a replacement for the n word around 2003. In those contexts, the word "ninja" largely had a derogatory (insulting) meanings, both as a group referent for Black people and as an individual referent for Black people.
-The online documented use of the word "ninja" by White Americans as a replacement for the n word was particularly noted (on urbandictionary.com) in 2007 and afterwards. In those contexts, the word "ninja" largely had a derogatory (insulting) meanings, both as a group referent for Black people and as an individual referent for Black people.
Read Part B of this post.
-The online documentation by African Americans of the word "ninja" as a replacement for "the n word" appears to have begun around 2017. I believe the use of the word "ninja" was/is a result of and reflect/ed/ reflects the growing position among African Americans that "the n word" was/is offensive. The use of the word "ninja" instead of other substitutes for the n word was/is because "ninja" is a two syllable words that is similar in spelling and sound to the n word, and because the word "ninja" was/is already established as a substitute for "the n word" in United States culture (via its use with that meaning by non-Black Americans).
Depending on the context, the word "ninja" had/has either neutral, positive, or derogatory (insulting) meaning,
-snip-
Also, click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ns-kXeQCMk published by foreignimage, June 24, 2010 [summary statement] "To all my ninjas in the world!"
That video and some of its comments document the use of the word "ninja" as a positive or negative referent from an Asian person to other Asian people.
Here's a description of that video:
WARNING- This link provides historical contexts for the n word and includes a form of the n word spelled out and the n word fully spelled out.
https://ainoko.wordpress.com/2010/07/01/fun-serious-look-ninja-queer-and-nigga-say-what/
"The below video is a humorous look at this entire
discussion, told through the lens of Asian-Americans using ‘ninja’ as a slang
word for a certain buddy-relationship as well as a word to demean within that
context. It’s a laugh, a question, a
reflection".
-snip-
From what I read, White Americans used the word "ninja" those ways before Asian Americans and African Americans used that word with those meanings.
****
PART A -THE USE OF THE WORD "NINJA" BY NON-BLACK PEOPLE AS A REPLACEMENT FOR "THE N WORD"
These selected quotes are given in no particular order and are numbered for referencing purposes only.
ONLINE SOURCE #1
From https://grantland.com/hollywood-prospectus/ninja-a-short-history-of-a-less-troublesome-word/ "Ninja: A Short History of a Less Troublesome Word" by Alex Pappademas, March 20, 2012
"Here is Katy Perry karaoke-rapping Jay-Z and Kanye West’s
“N****s in Paris,” because, I don’t know, a search engine became sentient and
demanded it, maybe? Anyway: It is, like this needs to be said, shit of the cray
variety. The first time you watch it, it’s actually suspenseful — what is Katy
Perry, a German/Portuguese/Irish person, going to say when she gets to the two
points in the song where the word “n****” appears in the lyrics? Will she say
“n****”? Will she say nothing? Did she think she’d get away with this because
she did it in England? Or because five years ago she put out a song called “Ur
So Gay” and barely anybody got mad? Why is she doing this?
[…]
Perry, though, uses the word “ninjas.” I’m not sure who
first came up with this as an N-word work-around, but credit for popularizing
it goes to the writers behind the Ego Trip family of media products; at an
Experience Music Project panel discussion in Seattle in 2003, they
suggested it as a substitute for any white people in the audience who wanted to
participate in the Missy Elliott sing-along they were about to lead from the
dais. Ego Trip’s fictional white owner/pimp Ted Bawno drops “ninja” on Twitter a
lot. It’s also the preferred alternate N-word of Juggalo Nation, both because
they need a non-racist word that means basically the same
brotherhood-born-of-oppression thing and because they think ninjas are f--kin’*
awesome. Which they totally are. …
-snip-
I added italics added to highlight these words.
This is the way that the n word is given in that article.
*The word "f--kin" is fully spelled out in this article except for the "g" at the end of that word.
Here's information about juggalos from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juggalo.
"A juggalo (feminine juggalette, or juggala in Spanish)[1] is a fan of the hip hop group Insane Clown Posse or any other hip hop group signed to Psychopathic Records. Juggalos have developed their own idioms, slang, and characteristics.[2] The Gathering of the Juggalos,[3] alternatively known as just "The Gathering", is a notable annual festival held by juggalos and the artists that they support, which have included rap stars such as Busta Rhymes, Ice Cube, and MC Hammer; over its first eleven events (2000–2010),[needs update] the festival drew a total attendance of about 107,500 fans, averaging nearly 9,800 per year, with a peak of 20,000 in 2010.[4]”…
-snip-
Click https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insane_Clown_Posse for information about The Insane Clown Posse (ICP).
The Insane Clown Posse is a White American music group and it appears that almost all of their fans are White. This music group shouldn't be confused with the African American originated Hip Hop dance form of "clowning" and its dancers. It appears that most "clowning" dancers are African American. "Clowning" is a precursor to "krumping", a Hip Hop dance form that has Black and non-Black dancers throughout the United States and Europe.
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2024/05/information-about-two-african-american.html for the pancocojams post on this subject entitled "Clowning" And "Krumping" (Information About These Two African American Originated Hip Hop Dance Forms)".
ONLINE SOURCE #2
WARNING: The urbandictonary.com website contains content that include profanity, pejorative language, and sexual explicit language.
Pancocojams Editor's note:
As of May 3, 2024 urbandictonary.com has 38 pages of viewer submitted definitions for the word "ninja" (given as a single word) and 3 additional pages of "ninja" given with a second word. Some of those definitions are the standard meaning of the word "ninja". However, a mall number of those definitions presents different iterations of statements that "ninja" is a replacement for "the n word".
This 2005 definition is the earliest date for an example of that online site's definition of "ninya" as a synonym for "the n word":
https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Ninjas&page=32
"ninja
Ninja- slang word for N----r*...often used by black
people from the hoods or people who wish they were black.
yo ninja did you check out that hunnies ghetto bootie!"
by Cheri April 25, 2005
-end of quote-
-snip-
*This word is fully spelled out in this comment.
-snip-
2007 is the year that has the largest number of examples of viewer submitted definitions of the word "ninja" as a substitute for the "n word". These types of urbandictionary.com definitions are given from 2005 to December 2022.
A number of these urbandictionary.com definitions of ninja indicate that it is used by White people as a substitute for "the n word" in order to avoid having any negative consequences from Black people.
Here are a few additional examples of urbandictionary.com definitions of ninja as a replacement for the n word (with numbers added for referencing purposes only (#1 is given at the beginning of this section)
I want to highlight the example that is given as #8 below which cites a 2006 movie referent that is likely an example of the use of ninja as a substitute for the n word.
I also want to highlight the example that is given as #9 below which indicates that the Black rapper E40 used "ninya" as a substitute for the n word in 2006.
2. https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Ninjas&page=21
"ninja
A substitute word that white people can use instead of
saying "nigga".
What is up my ninja?
This my main ninja
ninja please"
by G788 May 6, 2007
**
3. https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Ninjas&page=23
"Ninja
This is the replacement word for white people to call
someone a ni--er* and it be ok.
Wow, that oreo is being such a ninja right now."
by Collierflower January 20, 2009
-snip-
*This word is fully spelled out in this definition.
The slang definition that is usually given for the word "oreo" is a Black person who "talks and acts White".
**
4.
"ninja
an acceptable alternative to the N word for white
people to use when singing along to black music
realest ninjas
luda is one hell of a ninja, hos in different area
codes hell yeah
michelle he's a ninja, go for it!
nat went ninja then came back???
by hanrose November 23, 2007
**
5.https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Ninjas&page=23
"ninja
A word white frat guys can use to supplement the need
for the word nigga without detection.
"We'd better cross the street here, those ninjas
look irritable." "
by PLPimp August 10, 2006
**
6.
"Ninja
N. Used in place of the word ni--a* or n--er*, often used by
a white person and/or in the presence of black people.
"Yo, you know Zach Fisher?"
"Do I know him? Man, that kids my ninja"
by Fran Vinokur June 13, 2007
-snip-
*These words are fully spelled out in this definition.
**
7. https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Ninjas&page=26
"ninja
a racial term referring to african american people when you
don't want them to know when you are talking about them in a public place.
Damn, there is alot of ninjas in the club tonight."
by jake. October 6, 2007
**
8. https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Ninjas&page=27
"Ninja
A. Adjective. Slang term for a friend. Derived from
the word Ni--a*, Ninja is a more politically correct term to use but imply's the
same thing. A T-Shirt highlighted in the movie Bench warmers stated
"Strictly For My Ninjas" Playing on the words of the hit rap song
"strictly 4 my niggaz" performed by 2 Pac. See also Nin.
B. Noun. Slang term for an American Muslim woman in full garb.
A. What up Ninja?
B. Oh look our hostess at Applebees tonight is a Ninja.
by Brian Patterson May 3, 2007
-snip-
*This word is fully spelled out in this definition.
Here's some information about the Benchwarmers movie:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Benchwarmers
"The Benchwarmers is a 2006 American sports-comedy film … it tells the story of
three nerds and a billionaire forming the titular baseball team to take on the
little league baseball teams."...
**
9. https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Ninjas&page=28
ninja
Ninja is a less derogatory word for ni--a* first made
popular by Bay Area rapper E-40
"Bay Area ninja my ninja""
by BO$$TYCOON February 7, 2006
-snip-
*This word is fully spelled out in this comment.
I'm not sure if this commenter means that E-40 promoted the use of the word ninja instead of the n word for everyone or just for non-Black people. If E-40 promoted the use of ninja just for non-Black people, what was the earliest year that Black people began using the word "ninja" as a replacement for the n word? Did some African Americans actually begin using the word "ninja" as a replacement for "the n word" in 2005 as given in definition #1 that is given above? Is there any documentation for the use of this word by Black people for that date or other dates prior to 2024?
-snip-
In addition to the urbandictionary.com definitions of ninja as a replacement for the n word, two viewer submitted definitions indicated that the word "ninja" was associated with the fans of the White American rap group Insane Clown Posse:
https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Ninjas&page=10
1.
"ninja
This word is NOT a replacement for Ni--a* or a safe word
for a whiteboy,Insane Clown Posse use this word as a term for a real ninja,a
silent dealy assassin,they use the term in a song that is about what it would
be like to be a ninja
Damn I wish I could be a ninja"
by adproof July 26, 2006
-snip-
*This word is fully spelled out in this comment.
**
2.
"Ninja
A slang term, made famous by the rap group the Insane
Clown Posse, meaning Homie, or freind
Juggalo 1: What up, Ninja?
Juggalo 2: Not Much,Homie, Got some Faygo?"
by Matt Stegall June 20, 2007
-snip-
"Juggalo" is a referent for fans of the White American rap group Insane Clown Posse and "Faygo" is a brand of carbonated soft drinks that are associated with that rap group and their fans.
****
ONLINE SOURCE #3
From https://www.reddit.com/r/rap/comments/14yr6ne/replacement_words_for_the_nword_for_rap_covers/ Replacement words for the n-word for rap covers?; r/rap
1. Sleepyyypandawuh, 2023
"Hello! I’ve been exploring and learning rap. And lots of the
songs I want to practice on have the N-word in it and I don’t feel comfortable
or right to even say it. Even if I’m alone. I’m just tryna be respectful here
haha.
Any recommendations on words that would be a good replacement? Thank you!
And no I don’t want an n-pass (yes people told me to get an n-pass. So weird 😅)
Edit: I’m an Asian girl for those who asked. Idk why that’s relevant. But thank you so much for these recommendations~! Some are hilarious and clever haha
Edit 2: To clarify, I’m asking this question cause i don’t
like saying the n-word. Even if I get a pass, I’m alone, etc, I just don’t like
saying it. I ain’t tryna start debates when it’s okay to say it or not. I just
don’t like saying it. I’ve had many black friends who have been deeply affected
racist uses of the n-word. And I just don’t feel good and hate that word.
Especially seeing how it has effected people in history and present day. Bro I
just wanted a substitute word or any alternative things to do when it comes up.
Dat ittt."
-snip-
"n-pass"= a colloquial term that means that a Black person or some Black people gave a non-Black person "permission" to use "the n word".
2.
'When I went to a method man and Redman concent, they told the crowd to say
ninja haha"
**
Reply
3. nobodyno111, 2023
"Was it for that song that they literally say the word in
every other line ? Lmao"
**
Reply
4. SovietW0lf101, 2023
"lmao, they themselves said it every song, but
instructed the crowd right before Shame on a Ninja by Wu Tang"
**
5. supervilliandrsmoov, 2023
"E40 has been doing it for his ninjas for at least 15 years"
**
6. TechN9ne2000, 2023
"That's pretty common in juggalo music"
-snip-
By "that's", the commenter means "using the word "ninja" as a substitute for "the n word".
**
6. [deleted], 2023
"Yea, that's been a good alternative for the last 20 years, I
wanna say it got increasingly popular in the 2010s."
**
7. xxDankerstein, 2023
"I saw Nas last year, and he took the N word (mostly) out of
all of his songs. I thought that was pretty cool, especially because I had been
learning some Nas songs and was having the same problem with trying to find
replacements.".
**
8. splitzideradioshow, 2023
"Say ninja or don’t say it all unless necessary but say ninja
instead"
**
9. Great_Income4559,2023
"Most black people I’ve rode with and listened to music and
sh-t* with think it’s weird white people don’t say ni—a* when singing. Most
said that in a song it’s ok cus it’s just lyrics but don’t just run around
saying it. Of course it’s not a rule and if you aren’t cool with them don’t say
it and prob a good rule to not say it at all but I believe the definition is
changing for the word. Means more of just a friendly term than a racial slur.
Other countries have no problem with the word but of course they don’t have the
same history with it."
-snip-
*These words are fully spelled out in this comment.
**
10. keenan34, 2023
"In the penitentary we say Ninja. thast where it came from."
**
11. TherealDaily, 2023
"ninja was a go-to swap for many ppl, but I'm not sure why
you have to say it? Are you referring to singing or rapping the lyrics and you
are afraid to say it? You might want to just omit certain words in some songs."
**
12. PhantomLeap1902, 2023
"Ninja, same syllable count and sound. The a on the end helps
with flow most times"
**
13. inipow, 2023
"This is simple .
There is no such a thing as a pass . There is no excuse ,reason or salvation in the use of a racial slur that has been responsible for not just denigration but irreparable harm by people it has NOT HARMED .
DO NOT SAY IT !
Or do say it and as my grandmother used to say give your soul to God because your ass is ...
Now ask yourself
Why would I want to say a word I KNOW is HARMFUL??? Especially since I a Asian am giving homage to a art form primarily created and performed by Black people 🤷🏿♀️"
**
14. teamWSB, 2023
"I’m black and hate the word, so I love this question and
concept.
Brotha and homie are my go to. But honestly even bruh or dude works. Doesn’t have be two syllables, it’s all about the cadence/delivery.
15.
"everyone in these comments is white this is not the right
sub to ask lol. its not that hard to just skip the word, replacing it with a
word that sounds similar is pretty weird."
****
ONLINE SOURCE #4
From https://www.reddit.com/r/TooAfraidToAsk/comments/1bgdyh7/did_that_word_ninja_become_a_pejorative_or_a/ "Did That Words Ninja Become a Pejorative Or A Substitute For The N Word? r/TooAfraidToAsk, March
2024
"I’ve seen the emoji 🥷🏽
as a stand in for the N-word but it’s mostly POCs that have used it."...
-snip-
The ninja emoji doesn’t show up on online pages in comments that apparently used it. I believe that emoji was cancelled.
The rest of this comment and some other comments in that discussion thread refer to an Asian woman being reprimanded or fired at work because she said "ninja" and was reported to her job's human resource department for being a racist.
2. Manowar274, March 2024
"
**
3. Panoglitch, March 2024
..."the word [ninja] was
sometimes subbed for the slur in ‘clean’ versions of songs, and I remember
seeing the phrase ’ninja please’ as long as 30 years ago
**
4. Terrible-Quote-3561,March 2024
"The only time I’ve heard that was on some black-created
content aimed at teens years ago. Probably mostly to get around censors.
**
5. Staugustine95,March 2024
"The only time I have heard it was on Black Dynamite when
they fight black ninjas. The ninjas would say stuff like “my ninja” or “ i know
a ninja” and the funniest one was “ninja please!”
-snip-
This comment and other comments in this discussion thread refer to the names of online gaming channels.
**
6. BadBloodBear, March 2024
"In Leprechaun 4: In da Hood. The Leprechaun says
"What's up my ninja"."
**
7. Renal923,March 2024
"So, I’ve def seen it used as a replacement for the n word on
social media to get around censors. But never in the context you’ve described
Gaming channels were using it to get around demonetization."
**
8. HorneePandas, March 2024
"It comes up again in the sequel Back 2 Da Hood. When the
white dude is buying weed at the basketball courts and says the N word. So they
tell him people dont say that anymore, t's Ninja now."
**
9. OldKentRoad29,March 2024
"It's used online because people don't want to get banned or
have their comment deleted. It's also kind of like a joke term. Although,
that's online."
****
ONLINE SOURCE #5
From https://emojipedia.org/ninja
"Ninja
A person dressed as a ninja with a black hood, a mask
covering the lower half of their face, and the hilt of a knife or sword
emerging from behind their shoulder.
The now-discontinued Microsoft ZWJ sequence 🐱👤 Ninja Cat did not include the ninja emoji at all as it was developed several years before ninja was approved. It combined 🐱 Cat Face and 👤 Bust in Silhouette and was only available from Microsoft prior to the debut of the Fluent emoji set in November 2021."
****
ONLINE SOURCE #6
From https://www.distractify.com/p/what-does-ninja-emoji-mean-on-tiktok "What Does the Ninja Emoji Mean? It's Being Used In Place of
a Slur on TikTok" by Joseph Allen, April 8, 2022
"Thankfully, TikTok and other social media apps have been
smart about curtailing hate speech and other offensive forms of speech that are
used on their platforms. Unfortunately, even as apps like TikTok attempt to
censor certain kinds of horrible speech, those who want to use it find ways
around these filters. Most recently, the ninja emoji has gained popularity in
some circles on TikTok for a less than great reason.
The 🥷 is being used in place of the n-word.
If you see a ninja emoji under a video that is not
explicitly about ninjas or something related to ninjas, you may naturally
wonder why the emoji is there at all. As it turns out, some users have been
using the emoji in the place of the n-word on TikTok in order to evade TikTok's
filter and get away with using the word. Of course, the politics of this word
are enormously fraught.
Because of its hateful origin, you should avoid using it
entirely, especially if you aren't Black. The main controversy that has swirled
around the emoji more recently has stemmed from white women in particular who
appear to be using the emoji as a way to refer to all men. Those who know what
the emoji actually refers to find these uses of it offensive, and have been
unafraid to sound off about it online.
"Why do white girls on TikTok think it’s okay to use
the ninja emoji when talking about men?" one person wrote.
"It be a lot of non-Black girls on TikTok tryna cover up using the N word by using the ninja 🥷 emoji," another person added.
Clearly, the use of the emoji has become problematic, at least in some circles of the internet.
[…]
The n-word is one of the most politically loaded words in
America, but TikTok has obviously taken steps to crack down on the use of it in
videos and captions. The ninja emoji may be an attempt to circumvent that rule,
but clearly it's been an unwelcome one online. Whether that means those using
the emoji are likely to stop is another question entirely.”
****
PART B - THE USE OF THE WORD "NINJA" BY BLACK PEOPLE (AFRICAN AMERICANS) AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR THE N WORD :
The word "ninja" used by an African American as a positive or a neutral referent that substitutes for the n word:
1. E-40, August 6, 2017
https://m.facebook.com/e40/photos/a.10151718377127050/10154688747957050/?type=3- Who grew up on this album? We was just some street ninjas out of Vallejo California with a prayer a hope a wish & a dream..."
"Take baby steps my ninja"
-snip-
This comment was written by rapper E-40 in his Facebook page entitled "Don't go broke tryin to get rich".
**
3. E40 Mogul 🥂🎩 on Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/e40/p/B3e1m85gefP/ October 11, 2019
"It's 30-ism, my ninjas I been doin' it since Khaleesi's dragons was baby lizards...
The following three examples are a very small sample of the use of the word "ninja" as an insulting referent for ESPN commentator Stephen A Smith. These comments and many others were posted online after Stephen A. Smith's rant on Fox New's Sean Hannity's television show that African Americans should identify with Donald Trump (here called "the orange") because of the way that he is being treated by the United States criminal justice system. It's likely that this commenter is African American.
Stephen A Smith made other comments on that Fox News for which he later apologizing (at least two times) on his podcasts. Smith's comments went viral and labeled him a "ninja", among other terms. In this context, the African American use of the word "ninja" was/is derogatory.
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2024/04/stephen-smith-called-buck-dancer.html for the pancocojams post entitled "Some People Say That Stephen A. Smith Is A "Buck Dancer": Comments From Various YouTube Podcasts About Stephen A. Smith's Appearance On The Sean Hannity Show & His Subsequent Apologies"
1. @JT-qc4et,2024,April 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFuQaiD5cy8 "STOP IT STEPHEN A. SMITH! Smart Blacks Don’t Relate To Trump
For Obvious Reasons" by Defiant Lawyers - Nullifying Systemic Racism, Apr 21, 2024
"Dude need to stick to sports. Ive never listened to this ninja anyway.
There is no perfect political system but ain’t no way in west hell I’ll vote
for the orange"
**
2. @kenriley655,April 2024,
"Shame on you.
House ninja"
-snip-
"House ninja" is an updated term for "house n--ger". During United States slavery, a short hand summary divided enslaved Black people into two categories: house slaves and field slaves. The house slaves were considered to be most likely to support White people against Black people, including "snitch" on (tell on) Black people who were planning to run away to achieve their freedom.
**
3. @titusnixon, April 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLT2xx2L6zA "STEPHEN A SMITH still doesn’t get it!", by Coach D, Apr 25, 2024
"When they get a head scratching, We sick boss
Buffoon, they get a real one. Stephen Smith is the buck dancing champion, he’s
out buck dance Jason Fatlock*. Isn’t it funny how these two buck dancers can’t
stand each other. That because they both want to be that go to Ninza** that the
racist can point to as their friend"
-snip-
*The last name "Fatlock" is a purposely written putdown of Jason Whitlock’s
last name. Jason Whitlock is an African American conservative who Stephen A.
Smith has argued with and criticized on Smith's ESPN series.
** "Ninza" may be a typo or is a purposely respelled
form of the word "ninja".
****
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