This is a slang generally accepted by people of African decent as meaning my friend. Basically making a good thing from the derogatory term nigger.

Something I would get my ass kicked for saying.

Term used amongst African Americans to denote companionship, sort of like mate is used by Brits or cunt by Australians.

The spelling/pronunciation of nigga is intended to be different from the word nigger, which is generally considered to be supremely racist. Presumably the difference arises as a result of the non-rhoticity of African American Vernacular English (AAVE). This is somewhat ironic when one considers that the (white) southern dialect was nearly universally non-rhotic in the time when slavery was still legal, and that non-rhoticity is still present in the speech of many upper class, "old money" southerners, especially amongst the older generations (i.e. descendants of plantation owners).

A derogatory word used by black people to retain (and exploit) their ancestors past as slaves. Many blacks claim it's a term of endearment (akin to brother, homie, etc), but in no way can it be as its root meaning is ignorance. It's another double standard of racism in our current time.

Usually wrongly mistaken by a LOT of a people, the term "nigga" does not refer to black people.

The term is often used in the African-American community to refer to their close friends, inanimate objects, or anything really (except elder family members, out of respect). The term was originally coined to take away the negative connotation behind the word "nigger", which was constantly used to dehumanize African-Americans during times of slavery and strong prejudice.

Unfortunately, people of other races immediately think of "black people" and the negative stereotypes associated with them when they hear the term "nigga" which causes much dismay among the African-American community.

A Mexican who has the common characteristics of a nigga.