Replies to '09/12 The N-Word Debate'

 First of all, the "N" word, as you call it, is a slag term for "Negro": "Member of the black race." - Webster's Dictionary.  I'm sure you have seen stories on the History Channel referring to one having "negroid features."   Italians used to be called a "Wop."  My mother-in-law was Italian and called herself a Wop and used to tell me "Wop" jokes.  Chinese were "Chinks."  Japanese were "Japs."   I think Negroes (blacks, or whatever) are making too much of the word - if they didn't SING it, SPEAK it, WRITE it, it would probably die out, just as those other nationality terms have.

I resent the use of the term "African-American"  - if they are born in this country, they are AMERICAN,..otherwise ALL of us would have long lineage terms for ourselves...Irish/English-American, Polish/English/Scottish-American, African/English-American  - and on and on.  Drop the "African" - it's demeaning and racist.  I read a story in Reader's Digest on that subject which was written by a black man.  He said his ancestors came to this country as slaves.  He had traveled to Africa and saw where his ancestors had been and, but for the fact that they came to this country as slaves or otherwise, there he would be also.  He said "I was born in this country and I am an AMERICAN.  My ancestors came from Africa and so my lineage is African, but I am an AMERICAN and proud to be American."  I have remembered the story all these years, because it was written so well. 

Also, people should learn to speak English and pronounce their words - it's not "my birfday is tomorrow, I axed you a question, he went wiff me,   Don't substitute "f" for "th" - work on pronunciation.   My mother used to say, dress neatly, be clean, wash your hair (and comb it), pronounce your words, be honest, be respectful - people will judge you by the way you present yourself.  She is right.  And, as you said, when you use those slang terms, you seem illiterate.