Topic : 09/12 The N-Word Debate

I'm from the South, and this has been a debate since I can remember. HUMAN'S are going to say, do, or act out like they have been exposed to, or self taught themselves. Everything is not learned in the home, most of it is forced upon us from an early age with media, newspapers, school's, friends, ect. It a bad thing and probably will outlast all of us, someone will be discussing it again way into the future -- guaranteed. The sad part is when you hear the word everyday, usally in song, should you turn down your radio, not to offend? Does it offend when it's coming from another car, home, ect.? Or should you crank it up and join in? This is a call upon the Human brain to debate it, and decide for itself. To use it in a derogatory way will always get you the results we have all seen when a slang word is used in that way. Its funny how Humans of any race deems it ok to use these kinds of words within the race, that all races have for their heritage, but for others it offends if used out of the race it's intended to be for!? Everyone has their own views, remarks, sayings, actions, but are they all ok to use, even to other races? And if the opinions used towards the person give right to snap back with something derogatory? I see things like this everyday, and it's not going to go away until the Human race decides it's petty and not useful for anything other than starting conflicts. We have enough WAR, crime, deaths for no reason, but this has been the Human way of life since it has been recorded in history. Only WE, The People Of These Great United States can change our quality of life. Treat those as you want to be treated, and you'll get GREAT results everytime. Don't be rude, cut people off in discussion, or act like a know-it-all. You are no better than the person you are talking to, and same goes for them, we are all suppose to be human, evolved to the top of the food chain, theres no need for making it even harder in this world than it already is!

Where do I begin ? The "N" word should not be used by anyone at anytime in my opinion.The female attoeney on the show today said something along the lines of it is only the power you give to the word or any words for that matter.I couldn't believe,an educated woman,said such !!! The power you give !! The word,all words have power.The world was created by words.The atmosphere we live in is energised by words. Do you not realise that you can feel the negative energy when you walk into a room after someone has had an argument ?? Words are powerful.

With that said,I'd like to say a few things about the 'Doll Test' that was talked about.The reason that children percieve the non-white doll as being ugly could very well be because of the power of that ugly word.If a child hears that word over and over again,then it is ingrained in their little minds that is ugly.Childrens minds are like sponges and they soak up everything around them.Good,bad and everything in between.It doesn't matter if they hear their parents,caregivers or the guy in the grocery store use the word,if the child knows the meaning of the word,by our society,then the child knows it's a bad word.I believe that the word can not be used without some sort of negative meaning with it.Even if you are using it privately or calling your friends that,the word is so negative that a postive spin can not be put on it.

If I had children,i would do everything in my power to keep them from hearing that word,which would be a monumental task in itself considering how much it is used in the media,especially the music that the world is listening to.I grew up in the south and was never alloweed to say that word,not even among family and friends.It is an ugly,ugly word that has so much power on its own,that it can seperate a nation.The word is full of hate and ignorance and has been used to express such for decades.When someone uses the word,it only shows whats in their heart and I mean when anyone,under any circumstance uses that word.

I know that the word will continue to be used and debated all of our lives.I applaud the people that are in the public eye that have determined not to use the word.That is huge and should be applauded.I believe that we as Americans,no matter what race we rae,should make the same vow,and discontinue the use of such a foul word.My hope is that all slang words that reference a race would stop being used.Is the world that we live in not filled with enough negative things without using words that are filled with hate?

If you want to see change in the world,start with yourself and your home.Clean up where you are.Don't use negative words or allow them to be used in your home.Don't allow your children to listen to garbage or to watch it on television.We can not change the world if we can't change ourselves.

While I wanted to break the cycle of predjudice in my family, I feel this. There are African Americans, there are black people and then there are n*****s. The latter are the ones that are dead beat dads, street gangs memebrs, drug dealers, wife abusers, child abusers, can't speak proper English......basically people that aren't making a significant contribution to society. I worked with a guy that everyone that worked with him regarded him as just that. No one could understand a word he said, he constantly started arguements with the fellow employees. He never came to work but what he wasn't high on weed and was constantly staying out all night, leaving the mother of his children alone with two young boys.

Now, before I get blasted for the double standard. There are WHITE N*****S. There are white men who behave in the very same way. I think the word referes to people (men in general) who basically don't follow the rules of society.

I'm a lesbian. The same debate can be held with the words "queer", "dyke" or "faggott". Why isn't there a show on that?  I'm a hate crime survivor who was called "dyke" and "P***y licker" as I had a knife to my throat and raped.

Why is it ok for a black person can say that word and it be ok but when a white person uses the N word they are races. But when a black person calls a white a cracker we are to turn the other cheek and move on. I work in a factory and it get me that there are blacks calling each other the N word but if a white person uses it and they try and get the white person fired for being racists?

Sounds like you are talking about gov. palin' s daughter to me

i had such a problem with todays show that i almost couldnt watch it.who is keeping racism going?

i have brought my child up that skin color doesnt matter.whether your green purple blue black or white.

if you cut someone open we all bleed.we are all children of god.i just dont understand why people cant get past that.was anyone thinking about skin color on september 11,2001? honestly? can we all remember that day and remember how we united.why cant it be like that all the time? it boggles my mind.if any child needed something or adult i would step up to help.i would expect the same from my child.when he was young his best friend had cp.he didnt know he was different.why is it that people think the way they do?we are all just that people.children of god.there should be no debate what so ever.if my child or husband used any word to disrespect someone,i would be all over them.it doesnt matter the word.you treat people how you want to be treated.remember that.

Dr Phil,

               I was very upset by a few of your panalists, Mooney to be specific, When my grandfather came to america he was treated worse than many, Being from Ireland And northern Ireland at that made it very difficult, english was not his language but he had to learn it to be able to get a job, a drivers license, and he citizenship, These African americans now Have NO idea what is was like, I suffer each day by being different, I am Obese, a single MOM and am Unemployed at the moment, I know what being made to feel different is like, I understand what my Grandfather went through. And as Far as the N-Word there are white and Black N's It is all in the attitude you carry it with. I am not normaly vocal about  this subject but the way Mooney put people down saying they didn't understand HE IS VER WRONG, the attorney that spock up to him was right, it is all in the power you give the word.Thank you for listening.

SP in Ohio