Topic : 09/12 The N-Word Debate

As a white man I find the question, " Have you forgotten who gave you the rights you have now?" rather

.......unfortunate.

No one died BECAUSE of this word... My people died while being CALLED this word, while being force to believe we WERE this word! We, as black people, made the mistake of getting used to using this word. But, If you(white people) use it PERIOD, it has its consequences. We're tired of hearing white people use it. Face it! Words can make people feel sore. Its like insulting a child growing up, when he/she gets older he/she wont like you to use those words!!!

Unfortunately, not talking about will not help. You learn through discussion. It is just the nature of the beast. We cannot let this topic continue to be the purple elephant in the corner, meaning "everyone knows it is there but it is too emotional to discuss." This is emotional for everyone but like all things in life, not allowing conversation and opinions about it to be stated allows it to continue.

I grew up as a child in the 70's hearing the n word used by adult African Americans (then called  Blacks or colored by some elders) referring to men~saying things like " That n.......  is crazy!  or  N....get outta my face! However, I also knew the hurt and anger the was brought about by whites using the towards blacks.There was one white kid on our block who called some black  kids the n word. I don't remember exactly what happened, but he never said it again. I also learned a lot from Roots and other shows of its kind at the time. As a child, I and my friends sang lymrics with all kinds of words and phrases that would now be consider politially incorrect and racially offensive. I never repeated in my home or said them loud enough for any neighbors to hear. And even though I said these things as a child, I would not want child to say them.  Although I understand the use of the N word by African Americans to each other, I feel that because of the origin of the word it should not be used. I have similar objections to words such as pimp, trick, ho,and b..... .  The "friendly" use of the n word makes it difficult to explain to my teenage son  that even though words such as pimp and trick seem to be "new and improved" , the original meaning is still the same and for that reason it should not be used.  There may be some people who may not have known the history of the n word , but when you know better, you do better.

I don't use the N-word, but I am around people who do and sometimes listen to music that has the N-word in it. I have had the N-word directed at me in a derogatory manner. What struck me was the ease in which the situation went from a simple misunderstanding to having  the N-word bomb dropped on me and the hate that was behind its use. That's why I don't use it in conversations, there is too much negative connotation behind it.

What I HAVE issue with is people who say just get over racism. Also that woman who said the blacks have to just work a little harder for what they want. Why should any race have to work a little harder for the same thing? If there were no racism the playing field would be even. My son is in high school and plays football. His team is racially diverse and win or lose if they are playing a team from another town there are racial issues. I will get over racism when my son is no longer told to go home and eat chicken and chitlins or (N-Word) get off our bus.

K

I do NOT use the n word and I am uncomfortable when other people (white OR black) use it around me.  I am a white woman who despises racial slurs of any kind.  I am not comfortable with words that demean anyone...black, white, jewish, mexican.

However, I am also uncomfortable with the fact that there are television stations (BET/Black Entertainment Television) that are primarily created for one race.  If there were a station called White Entertainment Television, can you imagine the uproar it would cause?  Does it make me a racist that I see this as hypocratic?