Topic : 09/12 The N-Word Debate

Why does racism exist? Is it because of us blacks? Are we running the show? Do we control money and how it is distributed? Do we control the curriculum in schools? What exactly do we control? Business, government, tv, and radio? You need to explain that one because that is absolutely not true. Does racism exist in the minds of blacks only? Really? Go live in an inner city black community for a week. Take surveys and ask what is wrong in the black community, whether or not racism exists, and how things became the way they are. Would you do it? Do you care that much? Are black people equal to you in your mind? Would you repeat everything you said in front of a black man?

 

Since you do not understand black people please do not judge us or tell us what to do. You are in no position to do that. Learn about us. Study us. Ask us questions. Learn learn learn. We are more complex than you think. The world is more complex than you think but you need to ask questions. Don't believe the hype. The television isn't reality. The truth is usually not televised. Ask. Peace and Love

I can't forget the past. I can't forget my history. This is our heritage. This is all we have.   We have memories, stories, past times, and hear say. I don't know my ancestor's last names. I don't know what part of Africa we came from. Our history is very limited as is. Should I forget the little that I do know? Do you understand that foretting events of the past means to forget who I am? It means that our history did not exist.  No music, no food, no slang, no style. Why get rid of all that? Do you think history should not be taught in school? Black history is history. Black history is not accurately taught and is very limited. I didn't learn a thing about black history when I was in school. Yet our history is so rich. It is a story that has not ended.

 

 There is pride in being black. I can't let that go. I won't let that go. We can't. Mexicans shouldn't Japanese shouldn't. Native Americans shouldn't.  Why should we? Culture, race, and history are beautiful things. Learning about others fascinates me. Speaking about race is good and should not be taboo.

 

I agree that hatred should not be passed down. It was not passed down to me and I would not pass it to any person. Race is a complex thing. If I sounded angry in my last blog, it's because I was. However, I hold no hatred towards anybody. All I wanted you to do was choose your words better and understand that you were judging the race of a people whom you do not understand. I said it before and I'll say it again. Ask questions. Learn. Peace and Love

My friend there are more blacks in prison than whites all over this country. Why is that? Is is because blacks are just lazy or is it deeper than that? Yes every individual has a choices but does every individual have the same options? Is everyone exposed to the same options? If people knew better do you think they would do better? Do you think people would make 8 dollars an hour if they knew they could make 100?

 

I make no excuses for my people when we do wrong. Every individual should be held accountable for their actions. I don't know what kind of area Norfolk is. I have been there briefly and my sister went to college in Petersburg but I live in Sacramento, Ca. I don't know what the public schools are like? Are they good schools? Do blacks and whites go to school together? Is it predominately one race? 

 

Welfare is a good thing. Some people misuse it but nobody would choose welfare over being rich. If a person knew how to become well off, then they would not use welfare. I think it does go back to how a person is raised but it is also their surroundings, their options, and what they are exposed to. No excuses though. We do need to get it together

I completely agree

Yes I felt the people in the audience helped to show that racism still exists and they showed why it exists. One of the last ladies was talking about how she sees black people on TV committing crimes and judges them off that. She made an ignorant comment about BET,  and she made a comment about black people needing to try a little harder. She said that she is afraid of black people because of what she has seen on television and then said that "it's not necessarily how it is but it's what I've been exposed to." She is ignorant and predudiced and doesn't even realize it. So let's focus on her a little. Do you agree with her comments?

 

How can you say that Paul Mooney, and Al Sharpton disgraced my race? (I don't like Jesse) I don't understand how you can say they disgraced my race unless you are black. If you feel they are a disgrace then that is your opinion but a disgrace to my race? Don't say that. I wouldn't say George Bush is a disgrace to white people. I would say he's a disgrace. My point is, I wouldn't make a comment like that about any other race besides my own, so I am asking you to not do it either.

 

Did I agree with all the comments Paul Mooney made? I would not have said anything about OJ and I would not have made the comment about the serial killers. That's just me. I don't have it in me to say that kind of stuff. Those are the only two bad things he said. Everything else was true. I know how Paul Mooney is.

 

About the Duke lacrosse case, that is a huge assumption you just made but lets assume you are right. Why would we still be hearing about it? I know why but I'm sure you will not agree with me.

 

As far as that last paragraph I honestly don't know what you were trying to say. I don't have a clue about what Sharpton and Jackson were saying. Swallow my tongue? I'm confused.

I have heard of Jews. Met a couple. Made a couple friends. As far as Jews and the bible, I have no clue about that. I was only talking about the present conditions in this world, mainly this country. I have nothing against Jews but do they get worse treatment than Africans and blacks in America? Israel gets 4 billion dollars from the U.S. every year. I'm not sure what country in Africa gets that much from the U.S. If you find one let me know. Jewish people own the film industry as far as I know. Jewish people actually hava a lot of clout in this country so I don't believe Jews are ignored. As far as the Holocaust, I have heard that it did happen. I have also heard that the numbers of Jews who died were seriously exaggerated. I am not sure who is right. And to answer your last question, no I do not know anyone who as denied that black slavery existed in this country.

Yes, I looked it back up, and you have the correct spelling. The actual n-word ORIGINALLY was defined in Websters' (I have a 1988 version) as "trash or refuse". So tell me, is this a word we would really want to call our friends or family? I don't think so.

 

It still comes down to, people should know the meaning of words before using them, in or out of context. And just because some megastar says, "This is what the word means" does not make it gospel. (Just like the orginal meaning of "f*g" was "cigarette, bundle of sticks". It had nothing to do with being gay. Hence why my gay brother doesn't get offended by the word.)

I think that African Americans are defended by the word and I understand. I also think though a N- can be black or white, to me it means someone who lives off everyone else (welfare) and is too lazy to take responsibilty for their actions. This includes black, white, asian, etc.

As you know the word you are referencing was around long before 1988. ORIGINALLY likely a dialect word creation from Spanish, one person said Portuguese, and French and mainly to denote skin color. BTW: I know you know said word around before 1988.

I imagine that persons who do not speak English from Spanish, French et al countries of root word still use the root word that denotes color that the other word is derivative of. Whether to describe a shirt color or skin color.

To me, using WHITES as a blanket all inclusive word seems to ooze with the same racial contempt alleged of WHITES. A tonal way of putting each other in some lesser place via discrimination or accusation as a discriminator while at the same time being equally discriminatory.

Just call me an American, fellow member of the human race. Reminds me of my paternal grandfather's epitaph. "Remember me as a friend to ALL men." And my civil rights lawyer paternal grandmother in two books: "And Justice For All" and "Leading the Way."

Nonetheless, makes one wonder about how freely and easily all races use "white trash" or "trailer park" trash... even comedians. Not insinuating and flat out to intentionally hurt and belittle and condescend to "and" make fun of like a joke. Not everyone in all races has said yet I've heard all races use "white trash" and "trailer park trash" in a derogatory fashion.

Not that any fashion would be complimentary as per using racial and residential slurs: "white trash" and "trailer park trash." Just an observation that discrimination is a multilingual multi-lane two way street that all races have driven on... even if not everyone.

Now, to be politically correct I see commercial after commercial with the white person(s) made out to look like a moron(s) when acting like a moron isn't and never has been color specific to white. Nor are discrimination and racial slurs color specific and all races have done even if not everyone.

In my life I have discontinued contact with persons who curse or use said word for this debate. By doing that am I discriminating? To me, the word for this debate from show and this board that you reference isn't the only word that is an iffy word choice. On a website I'm on I choose language 18 and below and if someone curses the curse word defaults to BUNNY. Example: "What the BUNNY! I thought this was a BUNNY free country. BUNNY!"

Again, to avoid curse words, I choose language 18 and below. It seems that 18 and over know better? That adults would strive to set a better example "Leading the Way"? Sadly, reality isn't always common sense based.

In other words, that's how I look at it. Curse words are curse words. Debate on the show and this debate only reveals WE ALL know better yet it is up to each individual to choose better. "Be the change you want to see."

BTW: IF of legal age to vote and not registered just Google the candidate of your choices official webpage to register to vote online BY OCTOBER 8, 2008.

BTW: Thanks for reminding me of "white trash". I mean, "BUNNY BUNNY". There's more to life than curse words to curse someone else. People can exercise their First Amendment rights using more than curse words that place limitations on oneself others and limits us all.

Freedom of speech. Everyone.... you are now FREE to roam about the dictionary to find thousands of more words besides curse words. BTW: I know you know that. Thanks for consulting Webster dear fellow member. I love to Google word definitions online. SEA

To rharkcom:  I'm Black, and I don't agree with everything Paul Mooney said.  SURPRISED?