The N-word
by Refusing to talk openly about Racism will not make it stop. Telling people to “Stop Racism” will not make it stop. Putting our heads in the sand will not make it stop. Talking about it is the only way to make it stop. So lets talk about the forbidden N-word, racism, and slaves.
The word Nigger does not refer to all blacks,and has actually been used in reference to white folks occasionally too. Because it is a slang term there is no real definition, but loosely it means an uneducated, or disadvantaged person. It also refers to somebody who is forced to work for another for a living. Within the black community, to some extent, the word Nigger is passed around as a word of friendship, one man pats another on his back, “hey nigger, how ya doing?”. Is a word only racist, if another race uses it? Cries of racism spill out almost every time something negative happens to a black person, I am not saying racism does not exist, but I believe, as we will learn below, that some racism is self-constructed as a way to gain power.
Speak no Evil
I have never called a person a “nigger”, nor have I called a person a “redneck”. However I have seen people accused of being racists just for using the word in a sentence. Equally I have heard black folks talk to their friends, using the word freely, but objecting strongly if a white person were to say the same thing. Is that not racist? Why are we so scared of using a word that until 50 years ago was acceptable and not used in such negative ways as it is today? The word which used to simply be matter of fact (no different than saying somebody is Caucasian) is now becoming the most powerful word of all.
As Seen on TV
I enjoy watching Reality Television, but occasionally see a trend, where people are voted off and cry “racism”. When watching these shows it is often clear the person was sent on their way not as a result of race, but as a result of attitude or performance. One such example was on the show Rockstar INXS, where a band was looking for a new front man (singer). One singer, Ty Taylor was eliminated part way through the series, he cried racism. Now in truth Ty was a fantastic singer, but was not even familiar with the band and his style did not fit with them at all. If this was an act of racism he would have been eliminated week 1.
If you ever watch these types of shows, they are a good study of human social interaction, and I have seen more than once where people who should be eliminated are not, simply because the other contestants worry about being labeled as racists should they try to make a move against somebody of different race. Thus by keeping racism alive, power is gained.
Keep It Short Stupid
Too long, too much info? I hope the point has been made. Or at least got you interested. What I am saying, and I may be totally wrong, is that some people are keeping the word Nigger as a bad word, because it gains them a sense of power, by keeping racism alive, it means people are too scared to say anything real. When other cultures embraced the words against them, the words lost any power.
Regardless of skin color, all these people are bad, they are on the FBI’s most wanted list.
Wait for it…
I am sure that as the result of writing this article, somebody will call me a racist. Oh, well. That is their opinion. In truth, I don’t much like black people, I don’t much like white people either, in fact I much prefer the company of my pets,or a tree (probably the result of being bullied when I was younger). So call me a racist if you want, but remember at the end of the day, I like a good conversation, a good debate, and really want peace in the world, so if we need to enter into a massive ugly discussion to get at that peace, so be it. Telling people not to use a word will NOT end racism, talking about it will, embrace a word, do not fear it or give it any power. Talk!
Photos from Wikimedia
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Post CommentBrenda Nelson
On November 24, 2008 at 9:19 am
I hope people understand the message and don’t freak out – if you feel like you are going to freak out – maybe read it again. Be open minded.
Darla Smith
On November 24, 2008 at 11:14 am
Another interesting article. Thanks for sharing.
Will Gray
On November 24, 2008 at 1:40 pm
I refuse to use the word, but it is true that all people, regardless of skin color are good and bad. It does not help when even black people use the word. Great article.
Reina Cooke
On November 25, 2008 at 11:15 am
We must be open minded but yet past history always reminds us it is still a word that is used to mostly tear down, except when used among mostly younger and less older people. I refuse to use that word or any racial/ethnic word to hurt some one. But the thing is to move forward in a positve way whether it be praying for change and inventing positive change. Think outside the box,with an open, mind and arms wide open.
PR Mace
On November 29, 2008 at 3:35 pm
I did read this with an open mind. As a child in Alabama I heard that word a lot. I never liked it then and I really don,t like it now. My friend, I think you have opened a big can of worms here. I hope this article does not come back to haunt you.
heather
On December 1, 2008 at 8:52 pm
very nice
Joe Public
On December 31, 2010 at 8:49 pm
POINTS TO NOTE:
1. Whoever wrote this article is NOT black.
2.Why do people of a different colour think they should use the N-word as freely as the blacks ? They cannot because of the history the word carries. A black using it on another black isn’t an issue because there is no possibility of “the word being used with bad intent”
3.A redneck calling another, “redneck”, is not an issue for the same reason as noted in point 2 above. There is no room for a white elitist guy to use the word on a poor southern white guy.
Voila
On December 31, 2010 at 8:58 pm
Whites CANNOT use the word freely because of its history. It’s called “PAYING FOR SINS OF THE FATHER”
Brenda Nelson
On January 1, 2011 at 2:22 pm
okay people.
redneck is the equivalent, but not exclusive to whites in the south.. come to Alberta, Canada, people are Proud to be called redneck, they do not see the word as being negative, it has lost its power.
as for the Sins of the Father.. most people dont follow the bible so this is crap. Sins dont exist outside of the bible.