Woman is the Nigger of the World

Controversial Song by John Lennon and Yoko Ono

Sep 14, 2009 Lindsay Dellinger

The phrase, "woman is the nigger of the world," was originally contrived by Yoko Ono during a 1969 English magazine interview and later made into a contentious 1972 song.

While it took Lennon until 1970 to “dig it,” he hoped that the song would convey how women had been and were still being treated as objects of subservience to men across all cultures. Banned from radio airplay due to the use of the word, “nigger,” WHRW-FM out of Binghamton, New York continued to play it. The radio station serves the New York college area.

Many prominent Black Americans spoke out in defense of the song including stand up comedian Dick Gregory and co-founder and chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, Ron Dellums. Dellums issued a statement saying, “If you define 'niggers' as someone whose lifestyle is defined by others, whose opportunities are defined by others, whose role in society are defined by others, then Good News! You don't have to be black to be a 'nigger' in this society. Most of the people in America are 'niggers'.”

The five minute and 15 second song produced by Lennon, Ono, and Phil Spector was included on John Lennon's third post-Beatles album Some Time in New York City. The song was later included on the 1975 album Shaved Fish with one verse removed, 1986's Live in New York City, and 2005's Working Class Hero : The Definitive Lennon, which was released in October on what would have been Lennon's 65th birthday.

Lennon and Ono Perform on The Dick Cavett Show

Lennon and Ono appeared on The Dick Cavett Show where they explained the song's meaning and performed it. ABC allowed the performance of the song on this variety show as long as Dick Cavett apologized, in advance, to the audience, for the song's content.

Lennon described how the intent of the song was not a racist issue, but an attempt to express the repression of women. He acknowledged that the majority of people frightened by this song are “white and male.” He went on to state that, “All my black friends feel I have quite a right to say it because they understand it.” He followed up this statement with Dellums' definition of “niggers,” to which the audience enthusiastically applauded.

The Lyrics and Song Today

In addition to its controversial title, Lennon reiterates throughout the song, “We make her paint her face and dance.” The end of the second verse declares, “We tell her home is the only place she should be / Then we complain that she's too unworldly to be our friend.” In an effort for a call to action, Lennon writes, “Woman is the slave to the slaves / Yes she is...if you believe me you better scream about it.”

The original, handwritten lyrics can be viewed at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Annex in New York City's Soho district. The exhibit, created by Yoko Ono, features never-before-seen artifacts, films, and photographs commemorating the life of the late John Lennon.

The copyright of the article Woman is the Nigger of the World in Activism is owned by Lindsay Dellinger. Permission to republish Woman is the Nigger of the World in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Woman is the Nigger of the World Album Cover

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