Jonathan McCoy, a 10 year old, lets us know why the use of the N word is inappropriate.
First, I would like to say that it makes me proud to hear our youth get up and voice their opinion in such an educated and eloquent way. McCoy's speech was filled with the intelligence of someone many years ahead of him.
During his speech, he points out that the N word was used towards blacks to indicate that we were economically, politically, or socially disenfranchised, instead of the kings and queens that we are. He points out that the terms has no significance as you can see that there are so many successful blacks that are surely not economically, politically, or socially disenfranchised, and then states, "so who you calling the N word?". He goes on further to say that this misrepresentation of our race has been perpetuated by our own people, and adapted as a cultural thing.
McCoy wants to get the message across that people that knowingly or ignorantly use the N word need to delete the word out of their vocabulary, and stop using a word that clearly doesn't apply to our people. Watch the tape to hear more of his argument.
The N word is a word that is constantly up for debate. Jay Z and Oprah argued recently on how they viewed the word, Jay saying it was a term of endearment, and Oprah saying it should not be used because of the negativity that was once tied to it. Although I use the word sometimes, I am trying hard to eliminate it from my vocabulary. Being called nigger before has helped me to understand the strong feelings our older generations have against the word. I also hate hearing young people on the corners of Harlem throwing the word around every other word. It sounds like they lack intelligence and it honestly hurts my ears. I get even more outraged when I hear Puerto Ricans using it as if they have some how been deemed black. All this goes to say, I agree with McCoy!
How do you feel about McCoy's speech? With all of the racism that is coming out, especially towards Obama, do you think that word should be deleted from our vocabulary?
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3 comments:
Though the young man's comments were cute and all and reflect the idealism of youth, I have to side with Jay on this one. The N word will never be removed from our vocabulary, just like no other word in history has been removed from the English language. Its a valid part of our culture like it or not in both of its forms, both as an insult and as a term of endearment. While the word represents ugliness among older generations, to me it's no longer a painful word and represents new ownership of it. I've never been called that to my face by anybody white, so that may be partially why it doesn't bother me as much, but I know if that were the case, it would be that person's problem and they would pay dearly for obvious reasons. White people know their boundaries with it and just to be a realist in the matter, I don't think the N-word is going away any time soon. I think those who wish not to use it by all means shouldn't and they should make it clear to those around them not to. Those who want to use it simply will. I think making such a divisive debate about it at every turn is only making more out of it than what it is.
@Shaka: I agree with you when you say that it is likely never to be eliminated from our vocabulary. But I do think that those that are more educated on the original meaning of the world should make a better effort not to use the word. It may be a term of endearment now, but then we must ask ourselves why did we decide to continue to use such a negative word? Is it that we accepted the word that was used against us, and in turn made excuses for it's meaning? Just like all of the other things thrown are way that we just accept and make excuses for.
I have been called the N word and it doesn't feel great. It is easy to say it is there problem, but somehow is hit me probably harder than it did them. It becomes confusing when we constantly use the word, deem it okay for our Puerto Rican conterparts, and then scream at a white person for using it. If it is endearment...then us being friends with other races...nigga can be applied.
The word doesn't even sound good. It is just like calling your female friends bitch. People use that to mean friend, girl friend...whatever. Both words sound stupid and ignorant.
For the most part I am not going to go around and try to convince every single person to stop using the word, but I do hope that more people start paying attention to the use of the word.
I am on record as being opposed to the use of the n-word and my views are fully outlined as follows:
http://thescoop1.livejournal.com/1999.html
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