Replies to 'Talk About the Show'

Quote From: twolife45

I am white, 63, female.  First, I thought this was a great beginning.  I hope you will have more.  I personally would never use the N word.  I feel it is a derogatory term coming from the history of white slave ownership trying to keep slaves in their places. 

I do not believe it should be used in recordings because it spreads hatred.

I'm not sure if Paul Mooney is a reverse racist.  He seems to have a lot of hatred in his heart.  To me, this keeps him from being effective in getting over his opinions, a lot of which I agree.

I have taught my kids & grand-kids not to use the N word or the swastika symbol and other racist terms because of what their meaning in history.

I grew up in the East End of Cincinnati.  I lived in a white neighborhood.  I went to an all white Catholic school.  The "colored" as they were termed in the 50's started 3 blocks away from my street.  Whites were not allowed to go there.  My two brothers were because they were friends with the Redburns, a black family.  I was about the only white girl who was allowed to ride my bike, run through the alley and visit black homes in their neighborhood.. 
I was not aware of racism until I brought one of my little colored girl friends home.  My mom was polite, gave us a snack.  When my black friend left, my mom told me she could not come back.  Basically, so that I would survive my white friends and not be called names.  That burned a hole in my brain & I never forgot.  I was about 8 or 9 years old.
My next encounter with racism was when I visited Nashville.  Several of my family were walking down the street.  A black guy was walking towards us and went out into the street.  It was not because of anything we did, I found out.  It was the way things were then. I was about 13 years old.
Unlike my sister & a lot of my friends, I never had any problems in my public high school with black people.  No fights, no threats, etc.
I have used the terms of the period.  I now use the term African Americans. 

What I am confused about is why that term is used.  I am Irish, but I do not use the term Irish American when asked.  I am American first, with an Irish heritage.  I am curious why a person from Germany or Isreal, when asked what they are say Jew.  To me this is a religious connotation, not a country or origin term.

I am also confused about why the Irish celebrate one day a year for their heritage (St Patrick's Day), but the African Americans have a month, I believe it is February.  Don't get me wrong, I'm just curious.

I hate racism.  I think it hurts the person who hates more than it does others.  This includes homophobia.

I did not intend to be so long, but the show really affected me.

Regards
Keep up the good work.  I like this kind of show more than your other types.