Racism Case Gets Silly As Black Councillor Claims She Called Rival "Nigga", Not "Nigger"

A Bristol councillor who called her opponent an allegedly racist name at a Council meeting has appeared in court to face charges of racism.

Shirley Black, who is brown, is said to have called a fellow lady councillor a "nigger", but maintains that she was, in fact, calling her a "nigga".

There is, of course, a subtle difference. The first term, nigger, is an oft-used insult made, primarily, by white people in respect of their black counterparts. 'Nigga', however, is a term of endearment frequently expressed amongst themselves by those blacks who find it difficult to say the word "mate".

Jay Jethwa, the 'nigga' or, indeed, 'nigger', in question was absolutely enraged by the name, whichever one it turned out to be. Her solicitor, Wasim Mohammad, told the court:

"For pity's sake! Anyone can clearly see that my client is a Paki!"