What is it like being black in Japan? The Truth May Shock you…

What’s it like being black in Japan?

SDJMalik, a black super drumline musician, worked in Japan for Universal Studios back in 2014 and fell in love with the country. He visits a couple times a year and shares his opinion on living in Japan and why he enjoys the country.

I’ve spent 1 month in Japan and only had 1 bad experience while taking the subway in Tokyo. Someone dropped the “N” word while I was walking to the metro train. There were so many people around that I didn’t exactly see who said it.

Japan is pretty cool but it’s expensive and you need to bring a stack of cash to really enjoy the city.

What are your experiences while living in Japan? Tell us your story in the comments.

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17 Comments

  1. I have no idea why some black people or why some/many members of the “hip hop community” feel the need to embrace the “N-word” at all in any way, shape, form, or variety of spelling. Nor do I think that once you/we make it “legitimate” by using it publicly like it’s nothing and/or sprinkling it though out music which is consumed by all kinds of people all over the world, that you can logically, realistically, or morally, restrict non black people from using it or, from “mis-using” as they see fit. If it was being “de-fanged” or stripped of it’s power then it being used against you by some random person on a subway in distant land in a foreign culture would’t and shouldn’t matter, yet, it does. Nearly 40 years into hip hop life as a global phenomenon. Assuming the de-fanging process works, what is to stop the racist, oppressor culture with its control of media and the education systems from creating the “son of N-word?” Is the plan to de-fang that too by using it to death in casual conversations?

  2. Lunnette Lucas. I am black. I see a major issue with black people using the N-word. A person’s intent does not change the history of the word. In addition, what is not a positive, by default, becomes negative.

    • Gregory, so am I. And I’ve been exposed to both schools of thought on the subject. Believe me when I say I empathize with your displeasure. I get it. One step forward two steps back etc.

  3. Whoa comments section chill lol

    The mental/emotional impact of a slur on a entire body of people can obviously be mortifying, so why not try making lemonade out of societal lemons? An attempt at reclaiming a word whether successful or not is better than ‘submitting’ and leaving ammo to agents of hate..oh and my apologies for any spelling or grammar errors. Wouldnt want anyone to try and dismiss my entire viewpoint based on a typo hahah. Maybe, taking that word was our way of collectively desensitizing ourself from powers that meant to keep us subjugated mentally..hm..linguistic psychology is fascinating.

    • Lunnette Lucas. DISAGREE. Black people have gained ZERO by tossing around the N-word. The N-word is garbage that does not even have salvage value. The N-word is used, by people of all races, to degrade black people. The N-word is a tool of white supremacy. There is no need for black people to use the tools of white supremacy.

      • I see, so you believe the word is pretty much an exercise in self-degradation, regardless of how someone of african desent intends to use it..well it is a thought, I dont use the word myself but I never really saw the issue with other AA using it..maybe I should *pulls up chrome* independent study time. Thanks for the viewpoint

  4. Gregory Chandler is an idiot. “Claims” to be a black man that is above using the term than stereotypes another black man in the video by simply pointing it out. There are countless other derogatory terms used by non-blacks. focus on that

  5. It’s all about intent, Gregory. The use of the N word by black people among black people is an attempt at taking ownership of the word and transforming it into something else, whether you agree with it or not. The intent of an outsider using this word to describe a black person is clear, isn’t it? Really, this is an old argument.

    • Max. I, respectfully, disagree, with you. As a black man, only a fool would make an “attempt” to transform a vulgar racial slur into something else. Besides, when I hear black females saying: Nig*ers ain’t shit, it is clear that the word has a negative intent. The so-called taking ownership of the N word and transforming the racist insult is the work of fools. HOW IS THAT WORKING OUT ? LOL.

  6. Is not the N-word dropped all day and everyday in the USA? Oh, I get it. Derogatory language and racist language is okay when done by a black person. For some reason, it is fine when black people insult you andcall you an N.

    • Well no duh…
      It is fine when your friend calls you a bitch, but when someone you don’t know calls you a bitch, it is a problem.
      It is fine when your lover calls you “dear” or “baby”, but if a random person does that it is weird.

      This is mainly because words have emotions attached to them.
      It is not because people are being ironic, it is just that you allow people to say things because you know what they mean.
      If anyone else says the n word, a word that doesn’t need to be said in the first place, they are doing it for a lot of reasons, many bad.
      If you know you can’t say the N Word, and you are trying to find a place to say it, then you are an asshole.
      It is just a word that means absolutely nothing and we have billions of other words, but you want to use this word because you know the effect it has.
      It is that simple.