Using the N-Word in the 21st Century
Arrogance & Ignorance with a Dash of Hypocrisy
He looked at me in surprise and said, "Don't you know you're a nigger? Why would I want to play with a nigger?"
I was confused by this, and a little bit worried. I didn't know I was a nigger, so I went to my teacher to ask her if it was true.
Ms. Young (even at 31 I remember her name), looked shocked when I asked her if I was, indeed a nigger.
She told me I wasn't which settled my mind, and asked why I wanted to know.
I innocently pointed out the little boy who rejected my offer to play.
I don't recall his name, nor do I know if I ever knew it. The thing is, I never saw the boy again.
As a child I listened to my mother's old Richard Pryor albums. Our favorite was That Nigger's Crazy. I can still quote some of his funniest skits to this day.
As a teenager, I sang along with Eazy-E, Ice Cube, and Dr. Dre, of NWA.
Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock, Chris Tucker, Mike Epps, Dave Chappelle and a slew of other Black celebrities use "nigga" in various films and stand up routines.
In January of 1999, Washington, D.C. had a new Black mayor. Anthony Williams was consider "not Black enough", especially when he placed whites in key positions in his administration. One of those whites, David Howard, used the word "niggardly" while speaking to two employees. He was referring to the method he would have to employ to run his department on what was considered a tight budget. One of those employees, Marshall Brown, took offense to the word, and reported the conversation.
Eleven days later, Howard resigned. The incident triggered a firestorm of debate. What is missed and hardly mentioned here is the fact that Brown, the employee who started the whole thing, was the more ignorant of the two. Apparently, he believed Howard's use of the word was a racial slur.
Of course, niggardly is nothing of the sort. It means "stingy". A niggard is a miser. Howard had the misfortune to be an educated man in the presence of rampant ignorance.
Blacks use the words nigger and nigga as terms of endearment and in general reference to acquaintances every day across the country.
Why, then, has white actor, Michael Richards, brought the wrath of the Gods of Politically Correct Language down upon his head?
When I saw the report, I found it hard to believe no one -and I mean not a single soul- stepped forward to consider the situation from his point of view.
He's been condemned and vilified by prominent Blacks across the board. Some consider his tirade proof of deep-seated racism.
I went to YouTube.com to see the video in full. When I watch it, I see a man defending his right to perform. Apparently, there were two Black men in the audience who felt the need to express their opinions concerning his act.
I was raised to believe that no matter how you receive a performance, criticisms should be voiced afterwards. If one absolutely must speak on the material before them, then those words should be spoken softly, for the ears of those near you, not yelled out.
The two who drew Richards' ire should be held to the same standards.
Blacks view the word nigger as derogatory when spoken by non-Blacks. In the same breath, we address our fellow people of color as "my nigga".
What does it take to do away with the mindset surrounding this word, one of America's most ludicrous hold-overs from days gone by?
The word nigger is a part of our language and history, like it or not. It is used without thought throughout neighborhoods, across the country. It's used in movies and music.
The idea that one white man's use of the word proves him a racist is ridiculous.
If that logic holds true, then every Black man, woman, teen, rapper, athlete, comic, actor, or whatever is a racist as well.
Personally, I was not offended by Richards' outburst. I feel he was justified in giving back as good as he got.
How arrogant of America to condemn the man for responding to what amounted to an attack on his work? How many performers would stand for it?
When Barbara Streisand was heckled by an audience member for her George Bush look-alike segment she told him, "Shut the f*** up."
I don't see her apologizing, or having that apology rejected.
Points to ponder.
Published by Paisley Raven
At 35, I've come quite a long way from the first time I saw AC. I'm still writing, but more fiction than anything. Always learning & looking! View profile
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Post a CommentMy name is Dani Atkins and I am one of 4 surviving children of Ronald Edward Atkins and Clancyna Marie Atkins. On January 26, 2008 my father was killed in a tragic car accident that took place only 2 minutes away from my home. My parents had been married for 30 years at the time of the accident without separation. As I have been assisting my mother with putting together various lawsuits and claims against several different persons, insurance companies, and even the Los Angeles Police Department regarding several acts of negligence and dishonor surrounding my fathers death, I have come across a disturbing piece of information that I, being a 24 year old African American person am appauled. My father having been born on April 9, 1955, has a birth certificate that identifies his color and race as being "NEGRO." My grandmother, Eloise Marie Harrison having been born on April 4, 1933 has a birth certificate that identifies her color and race as being "NEGRO". My mother, who is still alive,
Last note, try Shonaneal Renee.
Oh, the Compuwise vs. Shamontiel stuff is beneath one of her writeups on the Jena 6. They were knockin' each others' heads off!
That was a nice piece. The "Compuwise" dude was telling you "don't let anybody run you over" because he got in pitched debate with a producer, Shamontiel, who is a bit more militant than you. Paisley. I do not use the word, and if a fellow white says, "well, THEY use it themselves," my answer is "So what? Is there something that makes you want to use it too? Why?" Oh well, it is a tough issue. You might enjoy "The N Word" by Jabari Asim. I found this article because I was checking out the Super Bowl writeups and you didn't look like the average sportswriter! Best of luck in your writing. I'm in a little clique with Lenora Murdock, Nick Poma, Momie Tulottes, jcorn, Michelle Williams, Jamie Y. Marable, Alyce Rocco, Linda Corby, Tye Martin. Momie does a lot of good stuff on child care that you would enjoy. -- Mike
I like the article. You seem very nice. Don't be too nice and let people run over you though. No one should be calling another person a nigger. I give your article 5 stars. :)
This is a very thoughtful article. I think this is one of the most important issues of our time, and you have captured the essence of it very well.
the goverment is talking of abolishing the "N" word. I agree that racial slurs and the "N" word is inappropriate to say. However, fining a person for saying such a word goes against our constitution and therefore goes against our god given rights.
Very well written article. This is exactly how I feel, and I said so in my White Discrimiantion article. Im glad that there's more people out there that agree with this point of view, and I believe there are more people that share it as well but are keeping silent.